“It’s intact, unless more gossip has been spread, like about me and the duke.”
The viscountess’s eyes grew big.
Neither woman said another word.
The goddess sat in a chair near the big windows behind the desk that overlooked that enchanted maze. She seemed angrier at the sister than me.
The dowager continued to pace.
Funny thing.
I’d had an image in my head of widows being old. They were stately or persnickety, but decidedly ancient.
Though persnickety, Lady Hampton, like the goddess, was young. She couldn’t be more than a few years older than Georgina Wilcox. Their expressive eyes were similar, dark and bold.
She turned to me like she finally remembered I’d followed the two into the study. “Sir, how do you intend to fix things with my sister?”
Fix?
Fixing would be an apology or a wedding or a duel. I wanted none of those options. I’d love to celebrate no longer being tongue-tied. The oft utter-less organ found another use. Instead of struggling for words, it savored Georgina’s kiss.
“Well, sir? What—”
“Katherine,” Georgina interrupted. “No one saw us, just you and His Grace. Unless you intend to tell everyone and accuse us of something worse than a simple offering of affection, I think we should all forget what happened.”
Practical and heartbreaking, how could this lovely greenfinch in the emerald coat sing that we should forget hope or magic?
I didn’t want to be forgettable.
I didn’t want the Dido I imagined or the actual Georgina to say that I was.
The duke entered and leaned at the threshold with his dented cane. “Great. Everyone is still alive and no more kissing has occurred?”
Was it wrong to long for more affection and wish to live? I shook my head. “Torrance, can we get on with this inquisition?” I made my voice deep and even annoyed. “I wish to make amends and not draw additional thrashing.”
The duke didn’t move. He seemed tired, even pained. “This wasn’t something I expected. A scandal here, never. Anya House is to be pristine. A place for welcoming knowledge.”
“You still hate to be surprised?” Lady Hampton’s scowl left me and found the duke. “You like gambling upon expected behaviors.”
“I don’t like to misjudge people, Lady Hampton. Taking chances upon a soul that can wound me or those I care for are mistakes I don’t make easily.” He lifted the staff again. “I struck you, Sebastian, to get your attention, not to kill you.”
Could have fooled me.
Fingering my brow for a bump or bruise, I found none. “I suppose I should be grateful for your benevolence.”
“Sir, please take a seat. The inquisition, as you put it, will begin after I get confirmation from my butler that no one saw the commotion. I’m a bit under the weather and gathered my strength to make a brief appearance to conclude today’s meeting when I encountered the viscountess and the fleeing Miss Wilcox. You do like to run?”
“I do, Your Grace. And I told you, Katherine, that the duke was ill. I’m glad you’ve not abandoned us.” The young woman shot an angry countenance at her sister, but Georgina hadn’t looked at me much.
I wished she had.
“Abandon the Wilcoxes?” His Grace straightened, glaring at Lady Hampton. “How could you think such? There are no others I’d like to show my Anya House and the beloved music room this interloper has designed.”
“How can you jest, Your Grace?” Lady Hampton started toward the duke, then stopped. “My sister’s life is held in the balance awaiting confirmation from this mad Russian court, and you are concerned about music.”
“Music.” I adjusted my jaw and continued, fighting my anxieties every moment. “Music is important.”
“Did she say ‘mad Russian,’ Sebastian?”
