My chest tugged. She’d noticed my absence. “White’s. With Gabriel.”
“And did you speak with him?”
She knew I’d been talking about him last night. She was too clever by half. “I did.”
She waited, watching me. The silence spread out thick, and normally I didn’t mind it, but with Georgiana, I hated it. I wanted to fill every empty space with her voice.
“He agreed to my business terms, and I shall give him the required funds in the morning.”
A full grin lit her face, so contagious, I did not realize how painfully I was trying to keep my own at bay until many moments had passed. “Well done. We should celebrate. Shall I pour you a drink?”
Ah, that. She’d seen me in ... not my best light last night. I rubbed the back of my neck.
“In truth, I do not drink all that much. I prefer a clear mind. But yesterday was particularly vexing, and the hour was particularly late.” I thought back to the work, to both Toole’s request, which I’d yet to consider, and to Gabriel’s, which I’d granted, to visiting Lady Diana, and ... to Georgiana visiting Mrs. Johns. All had led to my needing an evening to myself. The drink had undoubtedly clouded my judgment. “Forgive me for overindulging in front of you.”
She nodded, her eyes soft. “Forgiven. I am glad today is a better day.”
It certainly was now. “How were calls with my mother?”
“Long.” She crossed her legs and pursed her lips and tried to look cross. “Many introductions made. Many excuses given for my behavior toward you.”
I thought of her hand on my arm. Her musical laugh in my ear. The cut of her neckline. My stomach flipped over itself. I wouldn’t mind a little more of all of her, to be frank. “What sort of behavior?” I took a teacup from the little cart behind the table and poured myself a cup from the pot. Georgiana handed me the cream.
“How familiar you and I are with one another. How comfortable and easy our friendship. Your mother assures them all we are more sister and brother than friends.”
“And you agreed?” I sipped, looking at her over the rim ofmy cup. I wondered not for the first time how exactly she felt about me. What she thought.
She shrugged. “We cannot have Lady Diana thinking otherwise, now can we? Indeed, I suppose if thetonstill hates me when I leave here, I could audition at the theater for how well I’ve been believed.”
I did not like that one bit. Nor the thought of her leaving without my saying so. “I do not think you’re all that great an actress.”
“No?” She sounded irked, and I loved it.
“You are too genuine.” I shook my head, playing both the tease and the innocent. “I hate to say it, but I think for once thetonis right. It is simply too easy to be your friend.”
A breathy laugh of surprise escaped her lips. “Are you admitting that you enjoy my company, Marlow?”
I set down my teacup and pretended to come to a surprising realization. “Yes, Georgiana, I think I am.”
Her smile faded. She bit her bottom lip and looked down at the open book in her lap. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I could dearly use a friend. And I shall feel less a liar among Society now.”
Had it been weighing on her? Telling falsehoods to regain their good opinion? I hadn’t even flinched at the idea. I hadn’t thought she cared.
Quite fragile, her brother had called her. Perhaps she was. Perhaps Georgiana’s greatest flaw was that she truly did care. “Society will never know the difference.”
“But your cousins. Your mother. I will always be burdened knowing how I’ve deceived them.”
I shrugged. “Then simply tell them the truth. What does it matter? The present truth is more important than the past.”
She eyed me warily. “Are you trying to get your ring back early so you can send me on my way?”
I scoffed, laughing. Admittedly, I was pleased to know she still had it. That it was safe and nearby. But I’d hardly thought about our bargain today. All I’d thought about was ending my day exactly here—taking tea by the fire—with her.
“You still owe me two outings,friend,” she said, her delicate brows lifting.
“Georgiana, I will take you wherever you want, whenever you wish it. Yes, I will need that ring back eventually, but I trust you will give it to me in time.”
She didn’t believe me. I could see it on her face. The way she pressed her lips together. How she tilted her head to one side. I wondered if she had trouble trusting me specifically, or if her distrust was based upon her past experiences.
