Page 54 of Watching the Earl

That was true, he hadn’t been. So why was he now? “I find that I need to know who treated you so poorly.”

“I see now, because of you, that what I experienced was unacceptable.” Her brows lowered and her gaze hardened. “The man who did so was Lord Ashfield.”

“Ashfield.” The name came out between gritted teeth. He’d seen the man while he’d been in London. They were barely acquaintances. He’d always thought the man arrogant in the rudest of ways. Ashfield was even rumored to have half a dozen illegitimate children by a variety of widows, maids, and actresses.

Georgina’s hand on his clenched fist had him looking at her. “It is of no consequence. We have each other now, partly thanks to him and his lies.”

“If you expect me to be grateful toward him, you’re mistaken.”

She shook her head. “I don’t. I’d as soon forget him, but I do sympathize with his wife. Lady Ann is too nice a woman to have such a man for a husband. I’m much more fortunate.”

As he gazed into her eyes, he knew he’d spend the rest of his life fulfilling her expectations. “I agree. Still, it seems the man should pay for what he did.”

Surprisingly, Georgina grinned. “Don’t worry on that account. Lady Rose has been a thorn in his side this Season, though he has no idea it’s her. She’s already played two rather embarrassing pranks on him.”

He appreciated her outlook, but he had something a bit harsher in mind. “You have very good friends, don’t you?”

“I do. I thought I would miss them being here, but now I find myself quite content.”

He understood the feeling, as he’d found himself much less restless while at Crestfield this visit. “Unfortunately, we will have to return to Town in another sennight, so I suggest we make the most of our stay.”

“I agree. I do think we are almost home.”

He glanced out the window to see the sprawling mansion that was Crestfield in view. They were far too close to the house now, but tomorrow he would show her exactly how enjoyable a coach ride could be, as they would be farther away with the next set of tenant visits.

The coach came to a stop and they entered through the front doors. He intended to take his wife for a walk in the gardens before dinner, but upon entering, Haines intercepted him.

“My lord. The steward is here. He said he must speak to you.”

Philip turned to his wife. “I had hoped to spend time with you before dinner is served, but it appears that will have to wait. Perhaps you’d like to rest now?”

“Oh no, I’m not tired at all. I will take this time to unpack my books on birds and set them up in my sitting room. I will see you at dinner.”

Before he knew what she was about, she kissed him on the cheek and headed up the grand staircase.

He watched the sway of her hips until she disappeared from sight, and even then, he still watched.

“My lord? The steward?”

Forcing himself to refocus his attention, he looked at Haines. “Yes, of course.” He started for his study then paused. “Have the cook send up a plate of marzipan and hot chocolate with cinnamon to my wife.”

“Of course, sir.”

Pleased that he’d thought of her over his own reluctance to meet with his steward, he continued toward his study. Doing something for someone else gave him a feeling of accomplishment and, just maybe, a little of his self-respect back.

Chapter Fifteen

Georgina set the last book in place on the shelf then stepped back to admire her collection. There weren’t as many as at Silver Meadows, but she had a small collection all her own that she’d bought with her pin money. Mrs. Evans had recommended the six-volume Ornithologie by Mathurin Jacques Brisson, which was the base of her collection, along with individual books that covered birds in other countries, like those in Africa, and her newest purchase, the first volume of Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands by Mark Catesby. All she needed was the second volume and she’d have a respectable collection of her own.

She walked over to the little table where her hot cocoa and marzipan were, or rather what was left of them, and took a sip of her cold cocoa. She would now have to ask Philip, not her father, for her pin money. There were so many changes to get used to, but so far, she had enjoyed every one. She couldn’t think of anything that was harder or worse than before. What would her husband think of her collection?

She smiled. Whenever she had news, she used to wonder what her classmates would think. Now, it was what her husband would think.

Philip had many more books in his study on a number of different subjects. She’d noticed more books on husbandry than the other topics, but those could have all been his father’s. She found his reluctance to take over his father’s rooms odd. Maybe when she knew him a little better, she could ask.

Picking up the last pineapple-shaped marzipan, she took a bite and looked over her book collection once again. As she chewed, enjoying the almondy flavor, she remembered there should be one more book—the book the Curious Ladies passed to each other.

She scanned the room full of empty chests. Sophie had given the book to her on her wedding day. She’d already looked in all the usual places, except the chest at the end of her bed. If it wasn’t there, she’d call a maid to find out where it had been put. After taking the last sip of cocoa, she moved through the dressing room and back to her bedroom. She knelt before the chest and lifted the lid.