Page 77 of The Wager of a Lady (The Beautiful Barringtons 4)

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“William.” Georgina looked up in surprise at her visitor. She put aside her book as her brother-in-law strolled into her parlor. She’d only just settled herself with a book before the fire, Leo having slipped out a short time ago through the kitchen door. He’d insisted on staying the night, rather indiscreetly. Greeting Emily cheerfully when she brought up dinner and causing Stella to nearly swoon when she came to the door. He’d only been wearing a sheet at the time.

I’ll be helping Mrs. Masterson ready herself for bed.

Georgina had thrown a pillow at him.

Now Cook knew as well. Leo had promised to be discreet as he left her house. She didn’t want another scandal. Not that she thought it would matter. Leo had made his intentions toward her very clear.

Abundantly.Repeatedly.The soreness between her thighs was a testament to such clarity of purpose. They would not be apart again. He’d promised.

Now William was here to spoil her newfound happiness.

“I hope you don’t mind my dropping by like this, Georgina.” William shifted on his feet but made no move to sit. He brushed back a wave of sandy hair, glancing out the window.

Thank goodness Leo was no longer stomping about her garden.

“Jacob is back from Baltimore. I stopped by his office to drop off some contracts he’d asked me to review and thought I’d visit you.”

Rutherford Shipping was far closer to the ferry than Georgina’s house, meaning William had intentionally come to pay a call. Incredibly odd. His appearance immediately put her on edge.

“I hope Father’s trip was productive.”

William gave her a shrewd look, probably attempting to discern if Georgina knew about her father’s Baltimore mistress. “By the amount of work”—an edge of bitterness entered the words—“he brought back for me, I would say your father’s trip will reap great benefits for Rutherford Shipping. One of Baltimore’s formerly successful merchants has filed for bankruptcy. Your father has offered to purchase the company for a number far below its estimated value.”

“Yes, Father does adore a good bankruptcy.” Jacob Rutherford was known for swooping in at exactly the right moment to assume the assets of a smaller company, probably one he’d helped put out of business, and making it his own. William’s father, before his death, had once owned such a business. A supplier of stone and granite to the builders of the city.

William didn’t answer, only walked farther into the room, circling around the sofa. He spent a few minutes admiring the odds and ends strewn across her parlor. Studied the spines of the tomes lining her bookcase and pretending great interest.

He couldn’t possibly be enthralled with her collection of gothic novels.

“Well,” Georgina finally said after the silence had stretched on for several minutes. “This is a lovely surprise, regardless of the reason.” Why on earth was William here?

Her eyes slid toward the open door where Emily, the maid, waited. “Tea, if you please, Emily.”

In the short time Georgina had lived here, William had not once visited. Nor had she thought William knew where she lived. He didn’t like her, or her family, save Lilian. If he felt anything at all, it was resentment for the situation Georgina had put him in with Daniel. She’d meant to ask Ben what he’d said to force William to help her, but part of her didn’t want to know.

“Is everything well with Lilian?” she asked. It was the only reason she could think of why William would drop in on her. Georgina had been plagued with nausea while carrying Daniel, but Lilian hadn’t been ill at all. Only exhausted. She credited the tea Mrs. Gibbons often made her which settled her stomach. A blend the nanny had perfected while working for another family in Philadelphia.

William didn’t reply immediately, only peered around the parlor, examining the painting of the Hudson River at sunset. The same painting which had nearly fallen to the floor after Leo had taken her up against the bookcase. Warmth heated her cheeks. She’d straightened the landscape only moments ago.

“Thomas Cole.” He tapped a finger at the corner of the painting. “I hadn’t thought you cared for art, Georgina. Must be a habit you picked up while in London. I’m sure you had many fine paintings in your home with Masterson.”

“My husband didn’t care overmuch for art.” In truth, Masterson had sold off most of his art collection before Georgina had ever set foot in London. “Besides, you know how much I love the Hudson.” She waved in Emily who had appeared with the tea tray. “Thank you, Emily.” She waited until the maid left before pouring William a steaming cup.

“Sugar?”

“No, thank you.”

She handed William his tea, which he took and immediately set on the table without taking a sip. His hands stretched over his knees as he regarded her, barely concealed dislike flickering in his pale eyes.

“IsLilian well?” she inquired again. “I find myself growing concerned.”

“I’m worried, Georgina. This current situation is causing her undue stress. Lilian has a delicate constitution, unlike yourself. She isn’t used to duplicity.”

Georgina sipped her tea. And unlike Leo, William had no trouble expressing himself.

“Surely you are not oblivious to the upset you’ve caused. She is much too kind to tell you so herself, but things are rapidly becoming unmanageable.”

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