She turned to leave just as a hand grabbed her wrist.
“Wait!” he begged. “You must not leave me, my darling.”
Georgiana gaped. “Do not call me that. Unhand me at once, or else––”
The Viscount had the gall to smirk. “Or what?”
“Or I’ll do it for you.”
They froze as Owen appeared, though Georgiana had no idea where he had been. She didn’t even know how long he had been there.
But it hardly mattered. A moment later, her hand was free and down at her side. She stared at her husband in bewilderment.
Owen nodded, his expression strained, gesturing for her to go back inside. “Why don’t you return to the ballroom, my dear? I find I need to speak with Lord Hornstooth, privately. I shall join you in a moment.”
“I… yes. Yes, of course,” Georgiana stammered out, and then bolted back inside.
CHAPTER24
Owen had been in a good mood. A brilliant mood, even.
He had spent a good forty minutes or so talking with Lord Blythe and studying the pineapple plant. The servant who had led them there had not been the gardener but had been able to answer some of their questions.
Pineapples were treasured citrus only for wealth. That was why most of the ton cared for them, along with others across the Continent. But they were notoriously difficult to grow in this colder climate, and so one usually had to travel to study them.
“If I were a younger man, I would be in Jamaica this very minute,” Lord Blythe had said when they first reached the little greenhouse. “I wouldn’t need much money with one of these in hand.”
“Because you could make yourself wealthy with these,” Owen had pointed out. “How many of these do we see only once they have begun to rot?”
The Earl had nodded with a pained look on his face. “They deserve much better. And everyone only purchases them to show off their wealth. They don’t really know what they have.”
“But we do.”
“Yes, we do, indeed. Now, what do you make of the pattern? I know we discussed maths found in nature, but to make that God’s design may be deemed presumptuous. What if…”
It hadn’t taken them long to delve into philosophy and nature and geology. Their letters had entertained Owen on many occasions. He hadn’t expected to feel such appreciation for the Earl. He didn’t even mind how often the man laughed, for soon he was chuckling along as well.
How pleasant it had been to talk with Lord Blythe in person, more freely than Owen felt he was able to do most of the time. Georgiana had shown him it was possible. Benedict had always said it could be done, that he should try to enjoy himself. So set on his ways, Owen seemed to lose sight of most things when he wasn’t paying attention.
His recent conversations with his wife had been promising, slowly bringing him out of his shell. He was learning to open up just enough, and he didn’t like the thought of this being ruined.
“Do you think you’ll travel again? If anyone could keep these alive on a long journey, I’m certain it could be you,” the Earl had said kindly.
Such a compliment had honored Owen. He had felt a small pang of guilt when he didn’t have a good answer for him.
“Not to worry,” Lord Blythe continued. “You have a wife now, and that is a blessed treasure as well. My own wife has been my closest companion, whether we are together or apart. It’s time you had one as well. Just think about how lucky we are to be here this evening, looking at this pineapple. I admire how prickly it is!”
This had been his chance. Owen didn’t have any other journeys planned at the time, especially now that he was married. So, he had spent a good part of the evening taking sketches and studying the fruit.
Everything had been going so well until he saw Lord Hornstooth talking with his wife.
I wouldn’t even call it talking. Something more along the lines of acting like a despicable scoundrel and disgusting blackguard, to put it lightly.
He didn’t know how long their conversation had been going before his arrival. It was best he didn’t think about it too much, he supposed, because he had a feeling he wouldn’t like the truth.
But he had heard enough.
He had heard the Viscount make suggestive remarks to Georgiana while discounting him. That last part didn’t bother Owen, but he was impressed by how it botheredher. She cared. It surprised him every time, though he couldn’t explain why.
