Leo paled. “I haven’t—”
“Will I live upstairs in your rooms? No, wait. I’ll live at Beechwood Court, won’t I? You’ll visit when you can, I’m sure. Unless another bauble catches your eye.” Every word tumbling from her lips pierced her heart.
“I would not stray from you.” The line of his jaw had grown taut. Hard.Furious.
“Unless I grew round with child. Which would happen eventually. What will you do then?”
Sadly, nothinghadchanged except now she knew Leo cared for her. But the knowledge brought her no joy, only another wash of pain.
“Stop,” he hissed.
“Will I be sent to the apothecary, Leo? Or possibly you’ll find a husband for me. I’m sure you wouldn’t wish me to be a pariah.”
Leo opened his mouth to speak, but a discreet clearing of a throat filled the hall before he could answer.
“Mr. Murphy.”
Leo turned to face Peckham, who stood a few paces away. “What is it, Peckham?”
Georgina took a step forward, but Leo’s hand reached out to take hers, lacing their fingers together, holding her in place. Her eyes moved over his profile as he waited for Peckham to speak, struck, as she often was, by how beautiful she found him. She tried to memorize the curve of his mouth, the small lines around his eyes, the way he smelled, because Georgina doubted after tonight, she would ever see Leo again.
But I will always have a part of him.
It was better Leo never knew. This discussion, brief as it was, only assured Georgina she’d done the right thing. The only thing.
“Lady Masterson.” Peckham gave her a short bow before returning his attention back to Leo. “I apologize for the interruption, sir. But there is an urgent message from Cherry Hill.”
“A moment, Peckham.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Murphy. But even now, the messenger waits for your reply. It isveryurgent. He’s waiting in your office.”
Leo released her fingers, but not without reluctance, intentionally dragging his thumb across her palm.
“Don’t you dare leave, Georgina. I need to talk to you.” Then his voice lowered to barely a whisper. “Please.”
Georgina looked away. She couldn’t wait for his return. Didn’t dare to. She pressed back against the wall and stayed silent until his broad shoulders disappeared into the crowd on the gaming floor.
“Goodbye, Leo,” she whispered to the empty hall. A tear rolled down one cheek and she hastily brushed the drop away, cursing Harold, Masterson, Leo, and even that brash girl who’d met a notorious gambling hell owner and lost her heart.
All actions have consequences.
Grandmother and Georgina’s own past foolish behavior had taught her that simple truth. She’d been forced to make decisions. Leaving England had been the easiest, but even that was colored by the fact that Leo was here. But there was someone else now. Her son. He needed her far more than Leo ever would.
Georgina took a deep breath. She glanced in the direction of the gaming floor. Harold’s bottle-green coat caught her eye near the faro table. He was looking for her. If he turned, he’d see her.
She swallowed down her panic.
Quickly, she made her way a little farther down, careful to stay close to the wall. Georgina paused to greet Nettie who stood in her usual spot. “Good evening, Nettie.”
“Lady Masterson.” The older woman inclined her head.
“There’s a gentleman in a bottle-green coat, Nettie. He might ask if you’ve seen me. Please say you haven’t.”
“Never, my lady.” The older woman nodded, flashing the gap where she was missing two teeth. “Mr. Murphy would have my head if I were to cause you any ill.”
Georgina nodded, wiping at another tear as she walked through the door behind Nettie. The room was empty of other female patrons, thankfully. Moving to a small alcove, Georgina pressed gently at one side until the wall swung open, as Nettie had once shown her it would. A narrow hall was revealed, painted a pale cream and lit by a single lamp. A shadowy figure stood at the end, becoming larger as he stood and waited for her to approach.
“Good evening, Smith.”
