“Teddy, it’s not what you think.”
“No? Out of curiosity, what is it you think I think?”
She blinked at him, took in his tight jaw and hard features. “I…have no notion.”
It was clear her reply did not satisfy him.
Of course it hadn’t. She had told him so many lies. Too many. Now, her words came out in a torrent. “I did not say anything to them about you because”—she swallowed—“because why would they believe someone like you would ever choose someone like me?”
There. She had said a mouthful—and, finally, every word true.
“Someone like me? Georgina, that is…that is utter rubbish. If you do not wish to explain yourself to me, fine, but do not feed me any more of this balderdash.”
“Teddy, I’m not. I meant—”
He held up one hand, cutting her off with a long-suffering sigh. “Enough. It promises to be a beautiful evening. I propose we relocate to the receiving room balcony for sunset—if you have no objection?”
She shook her head. “I’d like that, very much.” And perhaps they could start their conversation anew. She so wanted to be a help to him, but of late, everything she did seemed to agitate him.
He made a nearly imperceptible inclination of his chin toward the doorway, and Peggy and Mr. Danvers, who’d evidently been awaiting Teddy’s signal, entered. In a bustle of movement, they cleared the table, filling their hands and swiftly departing the chamber with Teddy nodding in grave thanks.
Georgina eyed her fake husband from beneath her lashes. He may not recall that he was the future Earl of Ainsworth, but in no time at all, he’d taken on the role of Lord of the Manor with the servants. Even Mr. Danvers was dancing to his tune. It was almost enough to make her feel well and truly married.Almost.
In another moment, Teddy pushed back from the table and rose, then moved to grasp the back of Georgina’s chair. “Shall we, darling?”
Teddy led Georginafrom the dining room, his palm on the flat of her back. Hissweatingpalm, for God’s sake. He was as nervous as a young lad at his first hunt—and he could thank at least some of his angst on their conversation.
Georgina did not discuss him with her lady friends? Whyever not? Her ridiculous excuse still echoed in his mind, thoroughly vexing in its obvious contrivance. Wondering if anyone would believe he would want her, indeed.
The real question was, why would she want him? As far as hecould tell, she needed nothing and no one, aside from herself. She took care of her parents, took care of him, had her own income and a career she enjoyed, and answered to nobody. Whereas he couldn’t remember his own name, his own parent, his own wife. What’s more, her brother—his supposed closest comrade in arms—hadn’t approved the match between them.
Yes, she was clearly the prize in this match. And despite her obvious weakness for him, she seemed to know it. Hadn’t she managed to keep him at arm’s length all this time?
He ought to respect her wishes. But damn it, shehadmarried him. That implied some level of culpability on her part for the circumstance in which she found herself.
The bottom line was, they were married—and he needed her. Needed her to be his wife in more than name only. Needed to assure she would remain his wife when this amnesia nightmare ended—assuming it ever did.
“You’ve gone very quiet,” she murmured as they entered the drawing room, and then slowed to a halt “Oh. What is that, outside?”
A warm glow of colorful, dancing light shone through the glass-paned double doors leading to the balcony.
He looked down into her upturned face, alive with curiosity, and found himself lost in her silvery gaze. Yes, he needed her, needed her light, the feeling of coming home she elicited in him, the carnal hunger that burned in him every time he so much as sensed her presence. Selfish bastard that he was, he meant to have her.
“It’s a surprise—one I hope you’ll like.” That was beyond an understatement.
“A surprise? For me?” A smile lit her face, and she sounded so girlishly delighted by the notion, he determined then and there to make a practice of showering her with unexpected gifts at every opportunity.
She practically dragged him the rest of the way to the balcony.
And then, he had the door opened. “After you.”
Teddy quickly scanned the balcony and found it exactly as he and Danvers had discussed. The teak seating area had been moved to one side, out of the way. Burning candles, seated in glass shades of blue, green, and white lined the ledge of the balustrade and a garland of white and red roses adorned the railing, their sweet scent mixing with that of the beeswax to sweeten the air.
And there, standing in the balcony’s center, stood Danvers, Peggy, and Cook. The two females both wore toothy grins. Danvers, as always, bore the somber expression of a—well, a clergyman.
Teddy turned his attention to Georgina.
Crossing the threshold from the toasty drawing room to the breezy, candlelit balcony, she’d gasped in wonder at the candles, the flowers. Then, her gaze fell on the servants, and she abruptly froze in place.
