I am feeling possessive simply because the world sees her as my wife. I know there is no truth to it. Then why do I not instruct Thorne to put all of his resources into the search for this brother of hers?
“We are almost there. What do you think the Duchess of Bath and her guests will make of me?” Georgia whispered hesitantly.
“You sound anxious. If you were, then why do it in the first place?”
She laughed softly. “A silly idea cooked up between Hermione and myself. We made a list. Of things that I wished to accomplish or experience before this all comes to an end, and with it my freedom.”
“Your freedom? You make it sound like you will be leaving Westvale for Newgate Prison.”
“Silverton is worse than Newgate,” Georgia said solemnly.
“Do not exaggerate. You will have your freedom at Silverton. It may not be as much as at Westvale, but it is different to gaol.”
“At Silverton, I cannot eat if my Aunt and Uncle decide I should not. I will be forced to marry based on their needs, regardless of how cruel and unsuitable the husband may be. I can be punished if I anger them. A prisoner will not be forced to marry. That is a difference, I grant you that.”
Keaton was silent for a moment.
“I will not send you back to that,” he said finally.
“That is sweet, but how will you prevent it? When Westvale is no longer my home, I must have shelter. I must eat. Silverton may be a veritable prison, but I do not doubt that it is preferable to a poor house.”
“It will not come to that.”
“How can it not? Without my marriage to you, I quite literally have nothing.”
“So, you rely upon our arrangement for your livelihood?” Keaton queried.
“I did not enter into it in order to secure a livelihood,” Georgia answered.
“I think my Uncle believes it is so.”
“And do you?”
Keaton sighed, missing her body against his. Missing her arms around him. He breathed in, engulfed by her perfume, by the scent of her soap beneath that. The fragrance of her clothing. It all combined uniquely. As her.
“I have always been wary of those who seek to exploit the supposed weakness of a blind man,” he said at last. “I must always be on my guard against that.”
“So you do,” she murmured, unbearable sadness in her voice.
“No!” He exclaimed, then ground his teeth together.
The outburst had exploded from him without conscious thought. It was the purest instinct to refute her assertion, nothing to do with his logical mind. That part of him reasoned that her behaviour was indicative of someone who had set out to exploit him from the very beginning.
And has now admitted to it. This should be my opportunity to reiterate the rigid terms of our marriage and leave no question that it will be anything else.
But he could not bring himself to speak. At least, not to say those words.
“What else is on this list that you have concocted with Lady Archer?” he asked, not wanting to be pressed further on the matter, “I should like to be prepared.”
“I have achieved some things already. I drank too much champagne in public, for example.”
“That was on the list?” he asked.
“It was. I have never done anything like it and never will again when the freedom I have now is gone. It seemed like a good reason to include it.”
“What else?”
“To wear a scandalous dress in public.”
