She went still.He thought her heart stared out at him through those stormy blue eyes, but she didn’t interrupt.
He swallowed the bitter taste of shame.“God forgive me, I even thought to take advantage of your misfortune.I was actually glad there were no other offers, happy for your great difficulties.God forgive me.No one in your own social class wanted you, and that made me glad.It tempted me to dream that perhaps my suit might be accepted.I sat for hours planning various approaches to convince him.”
“What happened?”she asked in a choked whisper.
“Glenaire knew what had passed between us.I don’t know how.His eyes missed little, even then.He came to my quarters deep into the night, certain he would find me awake.He was reasonable.He was sympathetic—as much sympathy as Richard is capable of—but he was implacable.It would not do.”
He emphasized each of those last four words one by one but didn’t stop.The words poured out of him now.He wanted her understanding, needed it desperately.
“We downed several bottles of brandy while I ran through every argument, and he, well, he answered every one with the same immoveable fact.His father would never permit it.He would hound us to the edge of the world.He would make your life hell.By the time the sun came up, I had agreed to accept Richard’s help—long since repaid, I assure you—and obtain a commission.You know the rest.”
“Richard?I had thought, that is, I assumed it had to be His Grace.”
He could see into her soul; her brother’s betrayal lay embedded there like a knife.
“Perhaps your brother did your father’s bidding.Perhaps he acted alone.”He took a firm grip on his own emotions and tried to ease hers.“I don’t know.But I know he was right.Your father would have caused you great misery.”
She looked rebellious but didn’t speak.
“He was right, Georgiana.He wished to spare you further humiliation, and he was right.Don’t blame him.I never have.Damn it, Georgiana, he was right!”
Georgiana’s face twisted in anguish.He thought she might break, but she didn’t.She squared her shoulders instead.
“Very well, Mr.Mallet.I asked for an honest answer and, at long last, I have one.Thank you for giving me that much respect.”The air crackled with a slight, very electric pause before she continued.“He was wrong, though.The two of you very neatly decided my life for me that night, and you were wrong.You were both very, very wrong.”
He had no answer to that.“Goodbye, Lady Georgiana.”
“For now, Mr.Mallet.”Her words were clipped.“We have a bargain to keep, and I expect you to fulfill your part of it.One week, sir.I will see you then.”
He should have let her go at that.An old agony worked to the surface and forced its way out.Something ate at him, something he had to know.
“Georgiana?”he whispered.
She looked back at him, a pained furrow between her eyes.
“I thought they would have arranged a suitable marriage.”
Her throat moved as if she tried to swallow rocks or combat tears.
“They did.They offered me to Viscount Pfeil.”
“He was my grandfather’s age!”It was a roar of rage.“Your father is a bigger fool than I thought.”
“Pfeil had neither teeth nor manners.The Duchess deemed his title adequate.”She met his eyes and bit out, “No one else cared to offer.I refused, as you can see.I discovered that I value my independence more than any dubious honor marriage or the machinations of men might confer.”
* * *
Georgiana returnedto the watchful eyes of her servants, the comforts of her well-run establishment, and the sterile silence of her life.No one questioned her absence.No one at Helsington Cottage ever contradicted her.No one ever shared her thoughts.No one spoke to her at all beyond “Yes, my lady,” noteven Eunice.The week became an eternity.
Her time came again and passed after four mildly uncomfortable days; her energy returned immediately.Mr.Peabody’s regime continued to improve her condition, but to what purpose she couldn’t say.Attempts to work were desultory; walks in the garden were frequent but inevitably brief.
On the fifth day, a missive arrived from Little Saint Mary’s Lane.It relieved her fear that he would find an excuse to abandon their bargain.He would come.
Lady Georgiana,
As we agreed, I will take up our work in three days hence.I will call upon you at Helsington Cottage at one o’clock that day.I will bring the material of our current project.The rest of your materials will be returned to you as soon as may be possible.
Yours Respectfully,
