Page 91 of His Stolen Duchess
“You don’t need to call me that,” Georgina replied. “You can call me by my name. That’s about all I deserve, really.”
I’m Georgina, not the wife of the Duke.
“Perhaps we can get some tea sometime,” Dottie suggested. “I know you have been busy, but wouldn’t it be fun to sit in the kitchen and drink tea together just like the morning of your wedding. I mean, I’m glad you didn’t go through with that. You are much more suited to His Grace if you don’t mind me saying.”
“I don’t mind you saying that.”Even if it is not true. I don’t believe I am suited to anyone anymore.
“So, shall we do that sometime?” Dottie asked, her eyes wide and eager.
“Yes, we shall,” Georgina agreed. “Yet, I don’t know when. I must leave to visit my sister for a while.”
“Oh. I shall miss you. I appreciate that you have been here so often when you have the beautiful manor to live in. The townhouse is so much brighter with you in it, Georgina.”
“I appreciate that,” Georgina replied, unable to feel it. “I’m sure I shan’t be gone for long, and when I return, I would love to have tea with you. Until then, take care of your child. He is the most important thing in the world.”
“I will, Georgina. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Georgina left the room she had entered, still in a daze, but now for a different reason. She waited until she was in the hallway before placing a hand on her stomach and wondering if she was carrying the Duke’s child. It was far too early to tell, but they had made love multiple times, and that would normally be enough.
Is my duty done? Have I given him a child? Will that mean the end of our arrangement? Do I wish to have a child of my own, or would I rather that it took more time so I can be in his arms?
Georgina cried as she walked. The maid was pregnant and unmarried, but she was happy. Perhaps she could be the same way.
Georgina sought out the housekeeper, a woman in her sixties who was as sour as she was tall, and instructed her to arrange forher trunk to be packed and a carriage to be brought to the front to transport her to Emily’s house. Any of her three sisters would take her in if she went asking, but Emily would do it without hesitation.
Thereafter, Georgina went upstairs and approached the Duke’s study. She moved into the doorway and watched him as he signed some papers. After a while, he looked up from his desk and briefly met her gaze before looking back down at his work without saying a word.
His dismissive demeanor was all the impetus Georgina needed to leave the townhouse for the foreseeable future.
“Georgina, what a pleasant surprise!” Emily gushed. She looked at the trunk sitting in the entrance to her home and frowned before looking back at her sister with naked concern.
Georgina absently rubbed the fabric of her skirt between her forefinger and thumb. “Might I stay with you here for a while? Not for long, only a few days.”
Emily strode up to get her sister and took her in her arms. Georgina hugged her sister and wept.
“You can stay here for as long as you like,” Emily said. “You are always welcome in this home—you know that.” Emily pulled back and took Georgina by the shoulders. “Did he hurt you?”
Physically? No. Emotionally? Yes. Like a dagger to the heart.
“No, he would never do that. He only wants to protect me,” Georgina said. “I must tell you about the incident at the lake. Do you know that he fought off three people who were trying to burgle his friend’s townhouse?”
It didn’t seem possible for Emily to frown more, but that is exactly what she did. “What? He was fighting with three men?”
“They broke into the townhouse we were swimming at, and he had to fight them all off single-handedly. It was rather exciting, and I went with the coach driver to bring back the Bow Street Runners to have them arrested.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Emily asked.
“I am. I’m fine,” Georgina claimed. She knew that was a complete fabrication, but if she repeated it enough, she might even believe it.
“I shall have someone in the kitchen put some water on to boil for tea,” Emily said. “I have the impression that we have a lot to talk about.”
Georgina sighed through her nose. Where was she to begin, and how much did she want to tell her about the Duke?
She didn’t know yet. She wouldn’t know until she talked to Emily about her situation. Still, it felt like a weight off her shoulders.Whatever she was going through, she wouldn’t have to go through it alone. She had three wonderful sisters who would always be there for her.
Lysander looked up from the card table when the butler entered the room with Thomas in tow.
“Your Grace, the Marquess of Southfold,” the butler announced.
