“You’re not,” Gigi said.
Since they’d spoken simultaneously, Gigi tipped her head at him.
“Was there something you wished to discuss?” she asked.
No. Yes. Bloody hell, stop being a namby-pamby and tell her about Pearce.
“As a matter of fact, yes. In private.”
Owen was retracing his steps to the door just as the butler opened it. One look at the old retainer’s visage, and Conrad’s gut tightened.
“What is it, Yardley?”
“Lady Georgiana’s family has arrived, sir.” The butler cleared his throat. “And they are demanding to see her. Immediately.”
Gigi braced herself as Mama and Papa entered, followed by Ethan and James. Her family’s grim expressions heightened her guilt and anxiety, and she hurried toward them.
“Hello, everyone. How did you get my letter so quickly? I thought you would still be at Grove Hall?—”
“Is it true, Georgiana?” Papa thundered. “Did this blackguard trick you into marrying him?”
She’d never seen her father so enraged. The steel in his eyes flashed, his posture rigid and hands fisted for battle. Behind him, James and Ethan had similar stances.
“Conrad didn’t trick me into anything,” she said quickly. “Did you read my letter? In it, I explained?—”
“We did not read your letter.”
Mama’s gaze was narrowed upon Conrad, who stood beside Gigi. Tension came off him in waves, adding to her fears that this encounter with her family would go even worse than the last. She couldn’t let that happen.
“Then how did you know that Conrad and I are wed?” she asked.
It was the first time she’d confirmed the status of her marriage. Seeing its effect on her kin—her papa looked staggered, her mama pale—she almost wished she could take it back. But it was the truth and the path she’d chosen to take.
“It’s all over London,” James said tersely. “The town is abuzz with how you showed up at the Grantley ball with Godwin—or Christian Beaufort or whatever the blazes his name is. There is wild speculation about what prompted your marriage and whether you had our support. I was swarmed the moment I set foot in my club this morning.”
“I will explain everything, I promise. However.” Gigi drew her brows together. “What are you doing in London? I thought you were at Grove Hall for the week.”
“We came to London because we were concerned about Godwin’s interest in you,” Papa said tightly. “James felt, as I did, that something was not right about Godwin’s appearance in Chuddums. Why would a man of his financial stature be interested in a sleepy village? We came to London to investigate the issue.”
“You investigated me?” Conrad’s voice was low and menacing.
“We will do anything that is required to protect Gigi.” This came from Ethan, whose countenance was stormy. “Marriage can be undone. You wed her under fraudulent pretenses, which is grounds for an annulment.”
“Gigi knows who I am,” Conrad fired back. “And you will be laughed out of the courts if you claim my deception, as it were, harmed her in any way. Not only am I rich, but I am also going to make her a duchess before long.”
“Do you think we care about a bloody title?” Papa roared. “It is your character, sir, that makes you unfit for my daughter. You have deceived an innocent girl at every turn, and when she finds out your true nature, she will leave you.”
“The hell she will?—”
“No. No more fighting.”
Panicked, Gigi moved in between Conrad and her father.
“Please, Papa,” she begged. “Conrad hasn’t deceived me. He didn’t even know I was coming to see him. I found a clue, you see, concerning the attempt on his life. As it was important, I felt I should deliver it personally, and Owen escorted me?—”
“To be clear,” Owen muttered. “I did not volunteer.”
“Fine, I dragged Owen here. When I arrived, Conrad and I came to an understanding. While unexpected, it was not in any way coerced. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. Willingly. Because I love him.” She gazed beseechingly at her family. “We Harringtons have always married for love, and I promise you I have upheld that tradition. I know I should have waited for your permission and hope in time you will forgive me, but, well, love can make one impetuous. I didn’t want to wait a moment longer to be Conrad’s wife.”
