She slipped quietly back into her seat, ashen.
Dunning looked rueful.“They are a bit scandalous, I fear, my lady.One can only imagine the London on-dits.You were true to their world in your translations.You shed light on lives many haven’t hitherto known about.I am proud to know the scholar of such a work.It is, of course, proper that you didn’t wish your name associated with it, but I’m proud to say I know you.Not, of course, that I would breathe your name if you don’t wish it.There is speculation enough in town.”
“Speculation?”
“Lawrence Watterson is putting it out that Andrew did it alone, when he isn’t telling people the works are spurious.”
“Scoundrel.”Andrew looked as if he had just eaten something rancid.She squeezed his hand.
“No one believes they are spurious.Watterson looks like a fool.You cite theAnthologia Graecaand other sources.The works are there for others to find should they wish.”
“But they don’t know it’s my work?”
“No one seems to remember that Watterson spread your request for assistance about.”Dunning cleared his throat noisily.“It would be a trivial matter to make sure your scholarship was acknowledged, at least privately among those who appreciate it.I could spread the word.”
“I think not, Geoff.Let’s give the lady some time to digest what you’ve told her.”Andrew withdrew his hand from hers.“Tell me, Georgie.What do you wish?If we don’t reprint, the to-do will die in time.”
She couldn’t speak; she was numb with shock.
“I am so sorry you weren’t able to make the initial decision, but you can make this one.”
Georgiana’s head spun.Their work was being read.It had reviewers.That reality overwhelmed all other thought.She couldn’t make out Andrew’s question.Bailey seemed to expect something, but she could only look at Andrew with wonderment.
He took her hand again and drew her to her feet.“I think perhaps she needs to discuss the second printing with her collaborator.In private.”
* * *
“You were thinkingof your parents, weren’t you?”
When Jamie described the ancient ladies as less protected than their own, Andrew thought her ashen face might be a prelude to a swoon.He ought to have known better.
She glanced up at him with a deliciously puzzled expression in response to his question.She sat in front of the diamond-paned windows, surrounded by his books, and the vision of her there took his breath away.
“When Jamie raised the more scandalous aspects of the poems, were you thinking about your parents?”he repeated.
“For a moment, yes.I’ve lived far too many years under the interdiction.No scandal must touch my sisters.No scandal must touch the House of Hayden.I forgot for a moment.”
“Forgot what?”
“That I don’t have to fear reproach if I don’t choose to.”The Hayden chin rose.She would battle her own family for this.He let out a breath he didn’t realize he held, weak with relief.She would probably have to stand up to the Haydens, and her courage relieved him.
“Let’s get down to the root issue quickly here.The milk can’t be put back in the bottle.By that I mean, the book is being read, and it is causing talk.I think we are well-served to do a second printing.”
“Of course we are!”she responded without hesitation.“Anyone who wishes to read these works should be able to do so.We owe it to the writers.”
“That’s my girl.More copies won’t necessarily fan the flames of gossip.My only question is whether we wish to print it exactly the same or put the name of the Lady of Scholarship on the title page.”
“Why would we do that?”She looked genuinely confused.
“To put the credit where it rightly belongs, of course.It’s your work.In addition, gossip feeds on speculation.Take away the speculation and?—”
“Marry me,” she said.
It was the last thing he expected.The look in her eyes knocked the wind from his chest.He groped for words.She misunderstood the look on his face and turned toward the wall.
Andrew reached over and pulled her back to him.He kissed her so fiercely it was as if he could pour his pride, his admiration, and his love into her that way.When at last he gasped for air and began to feather kisses over her brows and cheek, a moan deep in her throat filled him with yearning.
“Repeat it.”He whispered.“Say it again.”His mouth moved down the column of her throat.
