They had pleasured each other, and her orgasm was both welcome and surprising in its intensity. She couldn’t believe she had also brought him to climax. She didn’t know why she didn’t believe that—she hadn’t thought about it much before, but it was a pleasant surprise.
Then there was the bliss he’d given her in the carriage on the way home, and how quickly he had protected her from Lady Eastbeck, and the swimming lessons he willingly gave.
He did mean to save me from scandal by asking for my hand, but no one seems to be aware of that if they are gossiping about him and me behind our backs.
There was a lot Lysander had done for her, and he certainly treated her well in many ways. Nonetheless, her desire from an early age was to be unconditionally loved, and she didn’t have that.
Does Lysander care for me? Perhaps. Does he love me? No, he had made it quite clear that theirs was solely a marriage of convenience.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
Georgina was startled out of her daydreaming and looked up to see Lysander’s friend, Thomas Dolloway, the Marquess of Southfold.
“Lord Southfold,” she said, composing herself. “What a pleasant surprise, I’m sure. Lysander has gone to get refreshments, and he will be back any moment.”
“It is you I came over to talk to,” Thomas said.
“Me?”
“Yes, quite,” he replied. He eyed her up and down. “I needed to talk to the woman who has had such a profound effect on my friend.” He leaned over the wooden support separating the box from the walkway before it.
“An effect?” Georgina asked. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, Lysander claims the same ignorance when it comes to the changes I’ve witnessed in him.”
Georgina looked around. She didn’t notice anyone she recognized, but she knew people might be watching, and if someone saw her alone, talking to a man, it might be to her detriment. However, she was eager to find out what transformations Thomas had seen in Lysander.
“What sort of changes have you noticed?” she queried.
Thomas smiled and leaned in close, as though he were conveying a secret. “He has always been a stoic and serious man, and he has a fiery anger within him that he usually unleashes at the appropriate time. He still has all of that, of course, but he’s… how to explain it? He almost seemshappyat times.”
And that is because of me?
There was so much that Georgina wanted to know. She knew Lysander had pain in his past, and much of that came from the war, but she dared not ask him directly. She knew he didn’t want to talk about it. Thomas might know, but it didn’t feel right to ask him behind Lysander’s back.
At the conclusion of that thought, Lysander returned with some refreshments.
“I apologize for taking so long. I bumped into some lords I had been meaning to talk business with.” He looked over at Thomas. “And I apologize doubly for having left you in the company of this man. I hope he wasn’t shocking you with his bawdy tales.”
“Not at all,” Thomas said before Georgina could speak. “I had to finally meet your wife, and we were having an entirely pleasant conversation, which will now come to an end upon your return, Lysander.”
“He is supposed to be my friend,” Lysander grumbled as he took his place in the box with Georgina. He handed her a glass of white wine, keeping the glass of port for himself.
Thomas remained on the outside of the box, looking in. “The only one of its kind.” Thomas stuck his thumbs under the shoulder loops of his waistcoat. “The Duke’s friends are going extinct at an alarming rate.”
“We might see a pantomime nearer to Christmas,” Lysander snorted. “I didn’t come here today to see one. I would prefer to see the horse racing.”
“Do you see what I mean?” Thomas asked Georgina. “He borders on being witty now.”
“The next thing you know, he’ll be conversing with parrots,” Georgina added.
Lysander turned and glared at her, although she didn’t feel anger radiating from him, only embarrassment. He wasn’t annoyed that she was teasing him, but worried that she might reveal the truth about his early morning interaction with Mr. Squawksby.
“Yes, and pigs might fly,” Thomas said. “Do you know, I was once at a garden party with Lysander, during which he attempted to smile to appear gracious. The lavender bushes nearby wilted in shock, and the rose bushes had to turn away to hide their alarm.”
Georgina giggled. “The day Lysander laughs will be the day they declare a holiday in London.”
Thomas chuckled jubilantly, enjoying having someone on his side in the testing of his friend. “I mentioned Lysander being almost witty, but it seems he doesn’t need to be when his wife has enough for the both of you.”
