At some point, I’d become tied to her. My very soul had been etched with her name.
“There you are.” Maggie’s voice carried from behind. “Lord Reynolds is leaving. He is clearly uncomfortable, and you both must fix thisimmediately!”
“Is he upset?” Georgiana peeled her gaze from mine.
“Noticeably. I think he fears the rumors concerning the two of you are true. We must douse them, now! Come!”
Georgiana looked to me, as confused and conflicted as I felt.
No ... I was not confused. I knew exactly what this was.
I loved her.
I love her.
The plan had gone to rot, and it was all my fault. I needed time to think through a new one.
“Marlow!” Maggie snapped, and I jolted to attention.
Reynolds? The briefest thought of him putting his hands anywhere near Georgiana, let alone for an entire evening, made my jaw clench and my every muscle poise for the lunge.
But I did not enjoy her feeling cross with me. And she was right—Ihadencouraged her to speak against the rumors, to fight for the truth of who she was, and if Georgiana wanted to stand beside a man like Reynolds, then who was I to stop her?
Regardless of what she thought of me, I would not force her hand.
It was one night. Perhaps, afterward, I could persuade her into feeling something more ... for me. I cleared my throat, too cowardly to look her in the eye. “Is this what you really want?”
Her feet shifted their weight. It was the longest moment stretched out in history. Her voice came out small. “For our second outing. Yes.”
I felt as though I’d lost a fortune at cards. The feeling rooted itself like a heavy rock at the bottom of my stomach.Not good enough, I remembered. Not for someone as brilliant as Georgiana. But neither was Reynolds. I wrapped the dukedom around me like a shield.
“He cannot take you alone. On that regard, I will not bend.”
Surprise writ across her face. My chest constricted at thehope in her eyes, a hope that I wished had been aimed at me. “Meaning ... ?”
I wiped my face with a hand. “If Lord Reynolds wishes to be generous with his carriage, he can escort you all to Drury Lane.”
“All of us?” Maggie cut in. “And you will fetch Lady Diana alone?”
I frowned. What choice did I have? Apparently, Mother had already arranged for me to escort the lady. I’d assumed Georgiana would ride with Maggie and Gabriel. Now they’d have Lord Reynolds, but not for long. “We will find you among the crush.”
Maggie exchanged a look with Georgiana, who nodded once. “Very well. Come, Georgiana, let us arrange with Lord Reynolds. He asked to bid you farewell.”
Georgiana spared me a quick glance, one that I could not measure for better or worse, then followed Maggie back to the drawing room. Their footsteps pattered like rabbits across the black-and-white-checkered marble floor.
I sank back against the wall, wishing I could lower myself to the ground, alone and unbothered with a strong drink in hand.
But I was the Duke of Marlow. I had people relying on me. Depending on me. Affairs to oversee. Paperwork to sign. Problems to fix.
So I counted to three. I took in a long, deep breath and released it. Then I paced to my study, and began to work.
ChapterEighteen
Georgiana
Calls continued for hours after Lord Reynolds left. I could not think clearly, missing cues and questions at embarrassing moments. A stroke of brilliance bid me to claim a headache. I bounded to my room, closed the door, and sank onto my bed with nothing but my thoughts.
And, lands, did I have thoughts.
