Sighing, he shook his head. “Is it any wonder I fell in love with you so quickly? You really are remarkable.”
She shrugged. “Then we share the same mind, because I feel that way about you.”
He wrapped both arms around her, holding her closer as he kissed her passionately. Once again, it wasn’t at all what she wanted before he stopped and pulled away. Then again, maybe it was a good thing they didn’t kiss to their hearts’ content tonight. They would fall asleep doing it.
“My love, I will let you go to sleep now. Tomorrow, I will keep you busy, I promise.”
“As long as we are together, I don’t care how busy I am.”
He kissed her one last time before rising from the sofa and leaving. Finally, she would be able to sleep very well tonight, now that they were being honest with each other. Now she couldn’t wait for more sharing, caring, and, especially, loving.
Chapter Eighteen
Why had sheslept so long?
Priscilla hurried through her toilette as soon as she realized it was way past breakfast. She hurried her maid, telling the woman not to mess with her hair. Instead, she wrapped the bulk of Priscilla’s hair in a coil and pinned it up nicely. The day dress she picked out was one she had worn earlier in the week, but she didn’t care. It wasn’t as though she would be entertaining guests. All she planned was to stay in Gavin’s study until she noticed a discrepancy in the accounting. She prayed it was easy to spot, since she didn’t want to let him down.
Once she was ready, she hurried out of her room and down the grand stairs toward the dining room. When she entered, only the dowager sat at the table, eating her food. She looked up and smiled at Priscilla.
“You are finally awake,” the dowager declared. “We feared you would sleep the morning away.”
Priscilla groaned. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I had planned on being up earlier, but this time the sun didn’t wake me as it usually does.”
The dowager chuckled. “That is probably because it’s raining, and the clouds have hidden the sun.” She motioned to one of the chairs. “Please, sit and have something to eat. You are probably famished.”
Priscilla really wanted to see Gavin and help him, but the dowager was correct. She needed to eat in order to keep her mind strong.
“I shall eat, but then, if you don’t mind, I need to help your grandson.”
The dowager’s smile widened. “He did inform me that was what the two of you were planning on doing today, and I commend you for having such knowledge. I must say, most ladies of thehaute tonwould not admit to having that skill.”
Priscilla sat and let the servant bring her a plate of food. The heavenly scent of scones with warm honey butter, and ham in some type of sauce, made her stomach growl. She ate, trying not to appear as though she was in a hurry, but she suspected the dowager knew anyway.
She swallowed a mouthful of food before speaking. “Where is the duke now?”
“He is in his study. Mr. Jacob McGuire stopped by unexpectedly, so Gavin took him to the study.”
“Who is that?” Priscilla asked as she cut a piece of ham and popped it into her mouth.
“He is Gavin’s secretary.” The dowager sighed heavily. “It vexes me sorely that my own son would have been such a spendthrift that he gave a depleted inheritance to his own son. Why, if he was still alive right now, I would have everything put back in my name. Gavin certainly didn’t deserve it.” She huffed. “My son wasn’t the perfect father, and he certainly wasn’t a good husband, with all the illegitimate children he made. If only I had known about this while my own husband was alive, we might have done something to stop this from happening.”
Priscilla nearly choked on her food.Illegitimate children?Although shocking, it shouldn’t have been a surprise. After all, the royal family had illegitimate offspring all over the country, she was certain.
She quickly sipped her tea, hoping to unclog her throat and, at the same time, try not to look as though she was choking.
“Oh, heavens.” The dowager’s cheeks brightened with color. “Perhaps I should not have said anything. I can see how the news upsets you, my dear.”
Priscilla waved a dismissive hand through the air. “Think nothing of it. Although it is not generally talked about, we all know it happens.”
“Well, I haven’t said anything to Gavin, but I saw the way he was looking at the girl the other day during my soirée.”
Priscilla nearly choked again. “His illegitimate sister was here at your party?”
Frowning, the dowager sighed heavily. “I wasn’t certain that Lady Burns had been my son’s mistress, and I wanted to get a closer look at the girl, which is why I invited them. Of course, when I realized the remarkable resemblance between Gavin and Georgina, it was too late. But my grandson noticed. I saw him studying the girl closely. And she was obviously named after my son, George.”
Miss Georgina?Was that the reason Gavin had been chatting with her outside the dressmaker’s shop yesterday? “I can’t believe I didn’t see the resemblance between them.” She paused, not sure if she should ask the next question on her mind but knowing she would, whether it was daring or not. “Do you think Miss Georgina wants Gavin to welcome her in the family?”
“It’s just not done. I’m sure the girl is sweet, but she is illegitimate, and that is how it will always be.”
