So does Owen.
The thought of him felt like a punch to the gut. She stopped, staggering for breath.
“Georgiana? It is her! Georgiana!”
She sucked in a deep breath just as Emma bounced into view. Her ten-year-old sister ran over to her with her arms wide open. Her pale blonde hair was decorated with a crown of flowers, and her green eyes were bright. But her hug was the best part of all, tight and snug.
“Oh,” Georgiana sighed. “Emma. I’m so glad to see you.”
“And you! I didn’t know you were coming today. Cook made more cakes. She said they’re for supper, but she’s already let me have two,” Emma added in a loud whisper.
Chuckling, Georgiana loosened her grip and tapped her sister on the nose. “I hope you’re not spoiling your diet.”
The girl made a face that brightened her mood. “I would not! Besides, I’m always hungry. That’s what Papa said at breakfast this morning.”
Georgiana stilled, trying to imagine them sitting at a table together. “Really? He said that to you?”
“I did.”
Out came their father from the same direction Emma had appeared from, walking slowly toward them with his hands clasped behind his back. His faded blonde hair and dark green eyes reminded her again how she and her sister resembled him so much.
Georgiana swallowed hard, trying to find a way to smile at him. “Father, I didn’t expect to see you. Out here, I mean.”
He raised a careful eyebrow. “I don’t see why you would, since we weren’t expecting you to visit.”
“It was a surprise!” Emma blurted out, before falling quiet like she always did around him. She wiggled a little in Georgiana’s arms. “Papa? Can she stay for tea time? Please? I promise I’ll be good.”
Georgiana’s heart pounded while she let her father look her over. His brow furrowed, as if he could sense something was wrong. He had a knack for finding problems. And there was always something she couldn’t quite do right. Squaring her shoulders, she readied herself to explain her presence.
“I think your sister needs to work on her manners. One must do them right to be out in public. We can invite her to tea another day, Emma.”
“Father, please.” Georgiana had to pause to swallow. “Father. I… I thought I might come stay for a short visit. I may have said too much last night and wish to offer my support here. Only for a few days, of course, I wouldn’t want to be underfoot. Then I’ll be off, and you can––”
He gave a slight shake of his head. “You have your own home, Georgiana. A household that needs you and a husband who expects you there.”
The mention of such a man made her tense up. When Emma shifted, Georgiana loosened her grip on her sister’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she murmured before turning to face their father again.
“I would like her to stay,” Emma announced bravely.
“That isn’t your decision,” their father said.
“Father, please,” Georgiana tried again. “I’m sorry for my behavior. I didn’t mean to insult you. Allow me to make it up to you.”
He held her gaze. “You can do that by returning to your home, Georgiana. You no longer belong here.”
A lump formed in her throat, for she knew that was the truth. She no longer belonged here, not really. She hadn’t for some time. Maybe even before she got married. But the problem lay in the fact that she didn’t belong in her husband’s home either. She couldn’t stay there.
“I understand. Two days, then. It’s all I ask. I will stay out of your way, I’ll tend to Emma, and then I shall take my leave,” she pleaded.
“When you have a perfectly good home so close? There is no reason for you to be here. As you can see, Emma is well cared for and has a schedule to adhere to. You wouldn’t want her to be late to tea, would you?”
Georgiana hesitated. He was paying attention to Emma and talking to her. It was a very big change. She couldn’t very well ignore it, but the timing was not ideal. “Well, no, not exactly. I wouldn’t want to keep you.”
“Then you should go.”
Is he forcing me out? He cannot mean it!
Staring at him, she tried to think of her options. “I can’t. I can’t go back, Father. Please just give me this. I won’t ask you for anything ever again. I swear it to you.”
