“Except half the rumors are ridiculous. They include ghosts, devils, and the like,” Marjory pointed out.
“Well, yes, but… he doesn’t address them,” Georgiana attempted to explain. “What if some of them are true? Maybe he really did ride a green horse or maim a vicar. I don’t know.”
Scooting closer after putting her teacup down, Marjory wrapped her arm around her cousin’s shoulders. “It cannot be easy, I’m sure. Perhaps you are right. He has many walls up. All I know about him is what my parents have said. He suffered a tragedy when he was a boy, remember? He inherited the title before he was of age.”
Georgiana felt a little guilty then. Where was her pity for the man?Ifhe would even want it. “Yes, that must have been difficult.”
“Then ignore anything that comes out of the ton’s mouths,” Marjory suggested eagerly. “Put it all behind you, so you might learn from him who he truly is. I think it’s best to learn who a person is by directly interacting with them. Look beyond his past and the gossip rags, and truly get to know the man.”
The man, the Duke, the husband. Owen. His Grace. There are so many names to call him, and yet none of them feel right on my tongue.
Even as Georgiana worked through her thoughts, she could tell that her cousin was right. This was why Marjory was such a good friend—she always knew how to provide good comfort. She always knew what to say.
“Thank you,” Georgiana told her. “I am so glad you came to visit.”
“I can come every day if you like,” Marjory teased.
As much as she would enjoy that, Georgiana was already thinking about how she might start learning more about her husband. Just because he might be cold and moody and standoffish didn’t mean she had to do nothing.
She was determined to get to know the man she had married. Whether Owen liked it or not, Georgiana decided they could have as much freedom as they desired. But that did not mean they would stay strangers in their marriage.
All she needed was a plan.
CHAPTER12
Returning from an early ride the following morning, Owen attended to his waistcoat on his own. He’d already sent Anders off shopping for the day, since the man was convinced he needed both a brass and a silver pocket watch.
Owen didn’t care one way or another. But he was more than content to have his bedchamber quiet and still without distractions for the morning. It let him focus on anything he liked.
Until I found myself with a wife.
He frowned when her face flashed in his mind. Recalling the furrow in her brow when she had addressed him the other day in the parlor, acting concerned as though she knew him or even cared, Owen grew uncomfortable. The irritation returned. His ride had done him good, but he’d been gone twice as long in an attempt to put his uncle out of his mind for good.
That worked, but now Georgiana remained.
Pretty Georgiana, with that stubborn, full bottom lip. He wondered how it might curve when she pouted or smiled. Had she yet to smile his way? He doubted it. That long blonde hair of hers always framed her face so neatly. She was a woman in control of herself. She was strong, tall, and refined.
“If I had to take a wife, I suppose it could have been worse,” he muttered to himself.
Except strong women seem to think they can open their mouths and say whatever they like. Perhaps that is not ideal, after all.
Shaking his head, Owen tried to put her out of his mind too. One minute he was angry with her, and the next he admired her. All the while, he meant to keep her out of his thoughts.
“Your Grace?”
He turned from where he stood by the window, seeing one of the younger footmen peeking through the door. The man kept his eyes down and his voice tentative, as if he had called to Owen more than once.
“What is it?”
“Mrs. Helen asked for you. You have a visitor,” the footman explained.
“At this hour?” Owen glanced out the window again . “It’s still early. The Duchess can see to them.”
“The Marchioness asked after you.”
He froze. He only knew of one marchioness. His aunt, the Marchioness of Carlisle. There wasn’t any reason for anyone to request his presence. Half of London still did not know where he resided or cared for his attention, beyond family.
But why now? She never visits, not with her husband keeping a watchful eye on her most of the time. Is she finally leaving him? Or did something happen?
