She blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“I know, Owen can be a rather quiet fellow,” Benedict said with a nod. “Mother said he was a rambunctious child, but after his parents passed, he grew quieter. That was when he came to live with us. He would hide away in the gardens when he could. Some nights, he even slept out there in the dirt. I always hated being smaller. If I could have protected him…”
Georgiana’s heart clenched at the picture of a young boy, scared and dirty, watching the lights of a house go out. She recalled how Owen had lost his parents and wondered if it was still so painful that he could not talk about them. Was that why he avoided her? Why he picked other women over her?
“Owen grew up to be very… different,” she said at last, not knowing what else to say.
“Oh, indeed.” Benedict chuckled. “That’s why I’m glad he has you. I read the newspaper the other day, you know. Very complimentary of the two of you. London will finally know the truth about him.”
Georgiana swallowed around the bitter taste in her mouth. “The truth?”
“Certainly,” Benedict affirmed, looking pleased. “Owen is a good man. I wouldn’t be here without him. Nor would my mother. If he wasn’t around, I wouldn’t have dreamt of falling in love with Florentia. He’s courageous in a quiet manner. All he ever does is bury himself in his estate affairs or his plants. I’ve heard wonderful things about his country estate’s grounds. There’s supposed to be quite the greenhouse there. We’ll visit sometime if you would like.”
“I… I don’t know that I shall be there.”
He frowned. “Why not? I must admit, I don’t know you very well. But I’ve heard very good things about you, Your Grace, and I believe you even convinced Owen to dance. I’ve never seen him do so. You must have brought something out in him that pulled him out of the hothouses, where he practically buries himself in the dirt.”
“I don’t know that is the only place he hides himself.” She shook her head at such a crass statement. “I should go.”
“Wait.” Benedict reached out a hand with a concerned look on his face, before dropping it. “Is something the matter, Your Grace? You are not at odds with Owen, are you?”
Georgiana supposed it could not be denied. “So what if I am?”
“So… so, be patient. Owen promised he would never marry. He wasn’t forced to take you, though I am most relieved he did. What I did was very dishonorable. When I went to see him, he still greeted me like we were family, and it reminded me of what a good man he is. He only wants others to be happy, our Owen. The only problem is that I don’t think he believes he is allowed to be happy. All he does is hide in his plants and books. I was hoping you might… that you might remind him how good life can be.”
The weight of Benedict’s words shook her. Georgiana’s mouth went dry as she looked beyond him to consider what he had just said. She thought about the letter. Someone had wanted to warn her.
But who is this someone? Goodness, I never thought to ask… Except, why should I if Owen already confirmed everything is true? Did he know what the letter said? Did he write it? If Benedict told the truth, that would mean Owen didn’t… it makes no sense.
“Your Grace?”
“I have to go.” Georgiana blinked and looked at Benedict. “I have to speak with Owen immediately.”
He beamed. “I’m sure he would like that. He didn’t want to say it, but I could see he was fond of you. More than fond, really. I just don’t know if he will ever say the word,” he added while tapping his nose.
“The word?”
“Love, of course.” Benedict grinned as he looked back over his shoulder. Florentia waved at them, with a smile on her face. The two of them were quite clearly in love with each other.
Tugging her horse close, Georgiana found she couldn’t stay there any longer. Her father had told her to act, and Benedict had shared more than she thought possible. It was time that she took all she had learned back to her husband to make sense of this.
“Oh, er, well, I suppose I’ll let you go.” Benedict backed up when she climbed into the saddle on her own. “I… We shall see you again, I hope?”
“Yes, perhaps we shall.” She then paused. “Thank you for talking to me.”
He nodded. “It is the least I could do after my rudeness.”
After saying her farewell, Georgiana redirected her horse toward home. The lanes were clearing up, so she was able to make her way back to the house more quickly. Her heart pounded in time with the horse’s hooves.
There was no guarantee of what might happen when she arrived. It would not be easy, but she was ready to face Owen once and for all.
CHAPTER32
Cursing under his breath, Owen shifted uncomfortably in the carriage. He regretted taking it every minute. It was tedious, traveling about London like this.
I could have walked home faster. I should have. Why didn’t I?
It was too late now.
