Page 14 of Winning the Wallflower's Heart
He licked his lips, drawing her notice of his mouth. Her pulse quickened.
It was all nerves, everything, and nothing to do with his nearness. With his hand on hers in what felt like a stolen touch. Even if he had no earthly clue how hopelessly she loved him.
“You can tell me the truth.”
His fingers pressed just enough to catch her off guard. And for a moment, Georgiana thought he wanted her to confess her feelings for him.
A wallflower through and through, that declaration stayed glued to her lips as she nodded instead.
Ellis studied Georgie’s face,uncertain why it hurt to breathe as his finger skirted over her skin. Her ring was too big. She hadn’t said a word, and he had stood there not too long ago, promising himself to her, and he had meant it.
So why did it feel like there was still some unbridgeable distance between them?
He thought that by marrying her, she would feel safe, and a smile would return to her face. But instead, she only seemed more distant and closed off. Maybe it was because he was tired. He had run the club all night. Hadn’t slept.
Since Ellis was always at the club, he kept his personal quarters a floor above, never having a home for himself.
So today, after he was quite sure the club was done for the day, he met Georgie at the bottom of the stairs, struck by the sight of her there in her gown, waiting for him, her hands clutched tightly in front of her, patient.
He had never married Dinah. They had never shared a wedding day, never mind a wedding night. But he was certain he was messing this up for Georgie. He just wasn’t understanding why or how to make her comfortable.
He released his touch but didn’t retreat. The moment his fingers left her hand, there was an annoying tug in the back of his mind, a loss he couldn’t explain.
“Georgie, I meant what I said in there,” he leaned forward, his voice low and pointed. “I stood there, and I promised myself to you, and I meant it. You are safe, and I will see to it. I will give you everything you want or need.”
She gasped, the faintest sound, just a sharp intake of breath at his words, and once again, he didn’t understand. He was confused why his eyes kept watching her mouth, the pink of her lips, the slight flush of her cheeks, and how her honey-blonde hair made the flecks of gold in her brown eyes spark more in the morning sun.
She was his wife, but they were never to share a marriage bed. It wasn’t like that. This was purely an arrangement. He would see her safe and cared for, and she would... Oh, damn, wasn’t that the problem? She would be safe, and he would?—
He paused again, frustrated, glancing over her shoulder toward the sound of the others in the vestry.
“Georgie, I know what we share from the past is not ideal. I only ask you give me a chance to prove?—”
She held up her hand, stopping his words.
“I came to your club to sell my virtue,” she reminded him, “and you saw fit to marry me instead. I won’t lie. I am thankful for that. But I don’t wish to be a burden. I... I only ask for a small room to stay in until I can find a better arrangement, then I’ll let you carry on with your life. I never meant?—”
“Georgie.”
She stopped, a soft line creasing between her eyes. Her nose wrinkled in frustration.
“I’m not good with speaking,” she admitted, her voice faltering. “I... I’m too nervous, so please just listen when I say this.”
He nodded for her to continue.
“We never spoke about this. About being married. About expectations. I’ll do whatever you wish—Lord Linfield.”
“Ellis,” he said softly, correcting her.
She shrugged. “I am grateful for the kindness you have shown me,” she sighed, “but I never meant to be an imposition either. I came here on my own, knowing full well what I was doing. I was willing to trade my virtue for money so I might secure a future for myself. And now I’ve landed you as a husband, and I—” She slammed her eyes shut. “I don’t know what to make of that. If you must know, I only ask that you are kind because I no longer know what I am to do.”
“You are tolive, Kitten.”
Her eyes snapped open at the nickname, but he pressed on, not wanting to stop, even as confusion swirled within him and frustration mounted.
“You can have whatever you want. I am a very wealthy man, and I will stop at nothing to spoil you, to see you happy. You have endured too much, and I think—no, I know—that London should bow down to you for how they’ve treated you.”
“I don’t want to make a scene,” she hissed.
