Page 116 of Her Duke's Second Chance

She stepped away, head bowed, looking shamefaced. He had a sense that Sinclair had given the entire staff a lambasting.

Good. They deserve it.

He poured the steaming tea into half of the cup and then filled the rest with whiskey. Picking up the cup, he offered it to her.

“Drink,” he said softly.

She reached for the cup, but he pulled it away. “No, let me hold it for you.”

She gave him a put-upon sigh but allowed him to feed her the tea. He was relieved when he saw the color returning to her cheeks and made her drink until the cup was empty.

She gave him a curious look. “What did you do with him?” she asked.

He snorted, shaking his head. “Nothing. I ordered him to leave London forthwith and he agreed. You will never see him again.”

She raised her eyebrows. “He simply agreed to leave?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes, well, hereallydid not want to get a beating.”

She giggled, “Would you really have given him one?”

“Absolutely,” he confessed.

She covered her mouth with her hand, giggling. “Well…I am sorry you did not get the chance.”

“Perhaps he will be foolhardy enough not to leave.” He shrugged hopefully and wiggled his eyebrows with eager anticipation.

“Perhaps.” She grinned, “But judging by the green hue of his face when you led him out of here, I rather doubt it.”

He gave her an intent look. “Is the punishment acceptable to you? Would you prefer that he suffer a more serious fate?”

She shook her head. “No, it is fine. After all, the only thing he really did was scare me. I was terrified he would do more and I was too weak to stop him, but you came just in time.”

He shuddered, “I was almost too late. It gives me cold grue just to think about it.”

She reached out and squeezed his hand. “But you were right on time,” she said quietly. “Thank God.”

His mouth turned down and he put his hand on top of hers.

“Georgiana—” he began to say.

They were interrupted as the door opened and Daisy breezed in, her face glowing, followed by Lionel. She came to an abrupt stop when she saw Robert.

“Oh! You have returned. How lovely,” she said.

Lionel came up behind her, his face impassive. He looked from Georgiana to Robert.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

Georgiana and Robert exchanged loaded glances. Georgiana huffed. “Everything is fine. Thank you for escorting my sister to take in the air. She seems much better for it.”

Daisy blushed, turning away as she tossed her shawl across her shoulders, effectively hiding her flaming cheeks. “Well, I shall go and freshen up. Thank you ever so much, Lord Stanmore, for a lovely walk.”

He bowed low over her hand and kissed the air above it. “The pleasure was all mine.”

The three of them watched as Daisy left the room. Lionel turned to face them.

“What happened?” he demanded.

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