Page 31 of The Wager of a Lady
The sea of blue took her in from head to toe with a frown. “Do you often become ill at breakfast, Lady Masterson? Or dinner?”
“Are you suggesting Harold is having me poisoned?” It was a valid question. She had been ill. And Masterson had, unbelievably, left her a large portion of what remained of his fortune, most she hadn’t known he had, as well as Beechwood Court. Harold, of course, received everything else which oddly enough still included a hunting lodge in Scotland and four horses still residing in the stables. The last time she’d visited Elysium, it had been with Masterson, and he’d insisted she accompany him. Had Masterson made some sort of arrangement with Leo, perhaps pleaded with him to forgive his debts? When she’d questioned Mr. Lind, her solicitor, he’d assured her everything was in perfect order.
Georgina didn’t dare think of the markers in Leo’s office.
Harold hadn’t been pleased, particularly about Beechwood Court, which he coveted merely because it belonged to Georgina. But she didn’t think him murderous.
Not yet.
“Masterson didn’t like his nephew. If you feel you are being threatened—”
Only every day.
“—then I will apprise Harold you are under my protection.”
“That isn’t necessary, Your Grace. Harold and I don’t get on. We never have. But I don’t believe he means to do me harm.” Things would become that much more difficult for Georgina if Harold suspected she’d caught the attention of Averell. And if the gossips found out Averell had offered her protection? “I do not wish to cause your duchess any distress, especially when you seek only to be kind.”
A soft laugh came from him. “Her Grace knows better. But I take your point.” One elegant hand fluttered in the direction of her mid-section. “However, I believeyourequire my assistance at the very least.”
Georgina swallowed, feeling the blood drain from her face. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re implying, Your Grace.” Heart thudding dully, she closed her eyes, willing the sudden dizziness making her head swim to abate.
“Forgive my bluntness, Lady Masterson. But you are in a delicate condition, are you not? I am a father five times over. I am familiar with the signs.”
Oh. No.
Averell sat back and regarded her. “Given that the new Lord Masterson is inside,” he jerked his head, “and not with us in the garden,” he nodded toward her mid-section, “I will assume the child is not your husband’s.”
Georgina swayed on the bench and Averell caught her before she toppled over. She hadn’t suspected she was with child despite the obvious signs.
No, it had been easier for me to assume Harold might be poisoning me.
A short bark of laughter came from her lips, and she immediately clasped her hand over her mouth.
“Are you going to be ill again?” Averell watched her with concern, probably thinking her as mad as Harold.
“No, Your Grace.” Last night she’d left the table as her stomach had pitched unmercifully after she’d eaten turbot in a frothy wine sauce. Harold had stopped her with a hand on her elbow, pulling Georgina’s face down to his.
“Let us hope it is only the sauce, for if it’s anything else, I will cut the cuckoo right out of its nest.”
Clarissa had pretended not to hear.
“You are correct,” she kept her voice steady. “The child is not my husband’s. Nor would I claim it is such. Even if I were to be so foolish, I doubt anyone in London would believe me, least of all the new Lord Masterson.” Her hands curled around her mid-section.
Leo’s child. The one he doesn’t even want to know about.
“Please, Your Grace. Your discretion in this matter would more than fulfill any debt you feel you owe my husband. I’m sure it is much more than he did for you.”
“You would be surprised. Masterson and I weren’t friends. Barely acquaintances. But he did me a very great service long ago, one I have never forgotten. And as far as my discretion, you have it. I see cruelty in Masterson’s nephew, which is why I grow more concerned for you. Especially given the circumstances you now find yourself in. The law would favor him in all matters. You understand?”
“I do.” Georgina looked down at her hands, still holding the duke’s handkerchief. “I’m well aware of what it means to be female in a world governed by men.”
What was she going to do?
“The child’s father—”
Is your son. A bastard for a bastard.Georgina almost giggled hysterically and had to bite her tongue to stop herself.Oh, Leo.I would love to watch you calculate the odds of the coincidences I now endure.
“The child’s father,” she interrupted, “would not be interested to know I am with child.”
