“Ah.” William swallowed loudly.
The three men exchanged wary glances before they excused themselves.
Returning to his newspaper, Owen could have sworn he felt eyes on him. But he looked up and found no one glancing his way. His stomach churned as he replayed the conversation he’d just had.
They knew his wife. Not only that, but they had enjoyed her company. She’d attended some masquerade ball without him. Now alone, he thought it sounded familiar. Yesterday or perhaps the day before that. But they hadn’t gone together.
We don’t have to go together. I told her not to expect anything more from me. But if she is making an impression in Society… surely, I must do something about that, mustn’t I?
He tossed the paper aside and left White’s. It was too loud in there to think. Deciding to walk home, Owen wandered the streets, trying to make up his mind about what to tell Georgiana.
She couldn’t do anything that might worry him. Nor could she embarrass the family name and title. But he did want her to do the family proud, didn’t he? He couldn’t very well expect her to sit around the house. Then he would have a harder time avoiding her.
“Welcome home, Your Grace.”
“Hm?” He glanced around to see he was standing on his house’s doorstep. Frowning, he asked his butler, “How long have I been standing here?”
The older man bowed. “Not more than a minute.”
“That’s a lie.” Owen stepped inside. Removing his hat, he ran a hand through his hair. Half the evening must have passed already. He didn’t have a clue how long he had been out walking. “Is all well?”
“Indeed. Supper has just been laid out in the dining room, should you be hungry.”
“I suppose that couldn’t hurt,” Owen said, making his way down the hall.
He grabbed his pocket watch to check the time. His head was still down when the doors to dining room were opened for him. Only upon hearing the delicate sound of someone clearing their throat did Owen finally realize he was not alone.
Across the room sat Georgiana. She set her glass down and nodded, eyeing him. “Good evening… Owen.”
Owen took a step back with the thought to leave, before realizing how foolish that would be. His heart pounded in his chest. He was caught. How had that happened? Why had no one warned him? Speechless over his folly, he spotted a place setting next to her.
Either he could be incredibly rude or he had best have supper with her.
Resigned to his fate, Owen took his seat. “Good evening, Duchess,” he murmured.
“You may call me Georgiana, you know,” she said as the next course was served. She nodded her thanks before looking at him. “It’s nice to have you here. For supper, I mean. You never… Never mind. How was your day? You looked troubled when you entered.”
Owen glanced at his plate of steamed fish. “It’s nothing that concerns you.”
“I’m your wife. I would think everything concerns me.” She let out a loud breath as he avoided her gaze. But then she continued. “I thought we could make this marriage work, Owen. We can’t do that if you won’t speak with me.”
“Everything is fine. As is our marriage.”
She didn’t bother pretending to eat. Her hands remained in her lap as she asked him, “Do you mean that everything is fine now because you have taken to avoiding me?”
Dropping his fork on his plate, Owen grumbled. “Are the servants spying on me for you? I hired them.”
“They all have your best interest at heart. Mine as well.”
“Then maybe they should mind their own business.”
Georgiana took a minute to reply. He couldn’t fault her, he hadn’t meant to be so rude. “They’re only concerned for my welfare. Both the Duke and the Duchess should have peace of mind here, don’t you think?”
“Of course, I think that.”
“Then why won’t you talk to me?”
“Iamtalking to you,” he countered. “What else would you consider this? Dancing?”
