“If it’s not something they can truly give, will you be fine with that? My sister had to accept that Lord Hampton lost his family when they married.”
“Doesn’t sound like much of a family, Georgina.”
Looking over my shoulder, I saw the gawkers had cleared. The path was again ready for our leisurely stroll. I led Georgina and refused to let an inch of sunlight separate us.
“I’m sorry if I ask too impertinent of questions. I’ve sent you running deeper into your thoughts.”
“Running. Yes, Miss Wilcox. Yes, to being lost in my head, but no. No, to your question not being worthy of an answer. I suppose I’d want my brothers to know. My elder brother, Gerald, likes music. He adores Haydn. He’s the only one to encourage me. To be fair, the second oldest, Christopher, he’d already sailed to war before I showed any true talent.”
“All brothers. Sisters are all I have. I would’ve liked to have a brother.” Her eyes held a sense of sadness.
“But weren’t you close to Lord Hampton? I’d been given that impression when we first met.”
“I liked him. He had a great sense of humor. My sister’s husband was good-natured, but he troubled Katherine. I think she . . . we thought he’d open up his world to us. That his influence would grow Wilcox Coal. It did the opposite, and he put a great deal of pressure upon her—”
“To change in some fashion or to ignore the stares.”
Georgina glanced at me and nodded. Though tall, we were the same height, mouth to mouth.
“If I said I’m sorry, I guess that would sound patronizing.”
“Still feels good to hear. Makes me feel less otherworldly too. But let’s not acknowledge them or give credence to their questions.”
“The questioner wants to ignore questions?”
“Yes, Mark, for they want to know why is she here, why does she smile and look so confident? Where is her shame? Doesn’t she know she’s breaking a rule?”
Georgina stooped and picked a white bud from the gorse and twirled it in her fingers. “Or worse—”
“There can’t be anything worse than what you’ve said.”
Casting the flower back to earth, she sighed. “Some want gratitude. Where’s the gratitude? Why doesn’t she humble herself every moment she enters a forbidden room? Doesn’t she know we’ve allowed her to exist? I guess it’s my privilege to be allowed to live.”
Her heavy lashes sparkled. They were damp.
The prettiest flower in Hyde Park had sprouted tears like morning dew.
Stopping under the heavy bough of a chestnut tree, I retrieved a handkerchief and softly mopped her eyes.
“There’s nothing to say,” she remarked, “but sorry.”
“You haven’t done this.”
“Haven’t I? I’ve entangled you. I have good breeding, but manners and thoughtfulness aren’t the same. I should’ve thought things through. The angry faces could be people who would be Wilcox Coal clients or men on the Halbert’s Prize committee. My impulsiveness could ruin all our futures. This cure for my reputation could do the same thing.” Georgina stared into my eyes. “I’m sorry I got you into this.”
She regretted our kiss.
I didn’t.
This goddess took the cloth from my fingers. For a few moments of pleasure, the pressure of her fingertips was against mine.
It would be wrong to kiss her now, to take her in my arms and taste those plump lips once more. Then I heard notes.
They were as clear as the birds’ tweets.Da da dum.
But I’d have to remember them. I’d rather stay here, watch the sunshine reflect on the flecks of gold in Georgina’s wet irises and contemplate how to kiss her.
She waved her hands and pushed air toward her face. “I’m making something into more than what it is. I’m well. Let’s think of it as a joke, my lord. The sketch in the paper is someone’s poor joke.”
