Breathing in, Georgiana slowly nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid I don’t feel very well right now. I won’t have tea. I think… I need to go.” Then she brushed past the housekeeper and ran out of the room.
Perhaps she was not mad yet, yet she felt she was very near it. All of those happy feelings from this morning were gone—the mere thought of them made her feel ill. Owen had never cared, not really.
What had she been thinking? Love wasn’t real. Not under this roof. She had been played like a fool, but she refused to be in the game any longer.
CHAPTER28
“Your Grace? Your Grace!”
After handing over his hat to Wentworth, Owen ran his hands through his hair. It was a rather windy day out in London.
Though he hadn’t meant to go out––nor stay out so long––he hadn’t been able to help himself. It had felt like a new day this morning. No, more than that. A new life. Seeing Benedict last night had done something grand to him. That, and his kiss with his wife.
Perhaps she’s having tea now. I can go surprise her. Would it be too soon to ask her for a second kiss?
Unable to help himself, Owen had gone out to see Benedict this morning. He had met Florentia again. She was a far cry prettier and more talkative than she had been as a child. And above all, she was truly in love with his cousin.
The two of them could convince even the cruelest man that love is real. Well, almost. I think Uncle would still find a way to spit in their faces just so he could cling to his spite. What an unfortunate coward he is.
“Your Grace!”
Owen had hoped that Florentia and Benedict might be willing to come visit here for the afternoon before their departure. It would have been nice to have them meet Georgiana. He considered making plans to go visit the newlyweds while he turned to see Mrs. Helen.
His housekeeper waved a hand over her head as though they were separated by a crowd instead of the hall. She swiftly made her way to him with flushed cheeks.
“Good afternoon.” He gave her a smile. “Why are you hurrying about like this? It’s a lovely day, and there’s no need to waste our energy.”
“Yes, but I wanted to speak with you at once,” she panted.
Nodding, Owen decidedly shed his coat as well. The house was a tad warm. He supposed he hadn’t needed to ride his horse all the way through town, but he hadn’t been able to resist the opportunity. Twice he had nearly lost his hat. He grinned at the memory before fixing his cuffs.
“Well then,” he told his anxious housekeeper, “I am all ears. Is it tea time, by chance?”
“Yes. I mean, it was, Your Grace, but––”
“Then Georgiana should be in the library at this hour. I think I shall keep her company. Join me on the walk up the stairs?”
Everything had been going so well. Granted, the encounter with the Viscount had certainly put a damper on the ball last night. But only for a moment. If anything, that situation had only brought him and his wife closer together. Now he had her, and he had his cousin, while his cousin had his own wife.
Owen couldn’t recall the last time he had felt this relaxed. He was eager for everything that would come for them next. The day was bright, he had people to care about, and all was well.
I just want to see Georgiana now.
Breathing hard, Mrs. Helen came up to him. “I just came from there, and I’m afraid she didn’t wish for tea today. That’s what I wanted to talk about. Something happened.”
He stopped. “What do you mean?” Furrowing his brow, he glanced at his housekeeper and then toward the library. “Blast it, she didn’t fall again?”
“No, Your Grace!”
She surprised them both by snatching his elbow when he made to race up the stairs in search of his injured wife. Or not-injured wife. He stopped. Then he and Mrs. Helen looked at his elbow, where she held him.
“My apologies.” She snatched her hand back. “Her Grace did not fall, nor had she been taken ill. But something… Well, I don’t quite know how to say it, you see––”
A short laugh of disbelief escaped him. Shaking his head, Owen threw a hand up in the air. “Mrs. Helen, it cannot be so terrible. I was already imagining the worst. If Georgiana is not injured or sick, then she must be well. I shall see to her myself. Did you wish to come with me?”
“No, this is not my business. In truth, I fear I should not even bring this up. It isn’t my place, but…”
Something about Mrs. Helen’s hesitation finally caught Owen’s attention. He stilled to study her face. There was that uncertain furrow in her brow, and a tightness around her mouth. What was it that she both wanted to say and to not say?
