Chapter Ten #2
She knew that her appearance was inadequate next to the beautiful woman but did not appreciate the reminder and nearly held her breath waiting to see what Damian would say. If he suggested that Georgie take the other seat then she would be done with him. She could find Grace on her own.
“I would like to sit with my wife,” he told the blonde, whose smile slipped before she slid away, leaving the seat unoccupied for Georgie. She couldn’t help the triumph that rose within as she smiled at the woman.
As before, there was no conversation inside the mail coach as it rumbled down the road, which made for tedious travel that soon had her tense.
Georgie was used to being busy. If not baking, then in the herb and vegetable gardens at home, or cleaning, or doing laundry.
Her days were full, and when she had free time in the afternoon, she read.
She did not like this sitting with nothing to occupy her time.
It was nearly as bad as the dreary weeks hiding in the hull of the ship.
Of course, she continued to worry about Grace but as there was nothing else that she could do while she traveled, Georgie was left with her own thoughts.
She tried not to imagine what her sister may be enduring and then prayed that Fisher had loved Grace as much as she loved him and that Georgie had worried for no reason.
But there were still hours of travel ahead, hours before she knew if her sister was safe and happy. Therefore, if she did not find something else to occupy her mind, she might very well go mad.
The opportunity came at the next stop, which was halfway through their journey, and the driver announced that they had thirty minutes because he was going to eat a meal before they traveled again and suggested the others do as well.
Georgie pulled her pocket watch from her satchel, noted the time, then exited the mail coach then glanced around.
This was Basingstoke, a town she had never heard of because she had never been to England, but there appeared to be a market, which might have just what she needed. If not, there were shops that she could visit and started off in the direction of where goods were being sold.
“Where are you going?” Damian asked as he caught up to her.
“I am off to find a bookshop.”
“Bookshop?”
“Yes. I am growing quite bored.”
“Then a bookshop it shall be,” Damian said as he offered his arm to Georgie, who stared at it for a moment because it was not something he had done before.
“Take it. You are supposed to be my wife,” he whispered.
“I seem to have forgotten,” she blew out as she slipped her hand on his sleeve.
While there was a haberdashery, modiste, butcher, jeweler, and confectioner, she did not see a bookshop so they entered the greengrocer because she thought to purchase fruit to take with her.
It was Damian who asked if there was a bookshop and they were directed to just around the corner, much to her relief.
Normally when she was searching for a book, she spent time reviewing the available options. Too much time, which she did not have today. Therefore, she chose the first one that seemed mildly interesting and purchased it.
Damian took it from her and smirked.
She grabbed it back, not at all appreciative of his judgment. “I would now like to find something to eat, and drink, and return before the mail coach leaves.”
“Do you love Shakespeare so much that you want to read beyond his plays?”
She did not, but so long as it kept her mind off Grace, then she would not regret the purchase. “It will do,” she finally answered as she checked the time on her pocket watch. This had not taken so very long. “We have twenty minutes.”
Damian offered his arm. “Then we shall dine on meat pies and enjoy some ale,” he said as he led her to a tavern. “I overheard someone say that they were sold inside, delicious and served quickly.”
Women were not supposed to go into taverns, but it was located next to the coaching inn, and served quick meals for weary travelers, thus women often crossed the threshold, usually with a husband, brother, or father.
Damian first purchased two ales, for which she was grateful because she’d grown quite parched throughout the day. They then took their ale and the sliced meat pies and returned to a bench situated not far from the mail coach, settled on the seat, and enjoyed their meal.
Georgie’s mouth watered when she realized how hungry she truly was. She barely held back a moan of delight after the first bite into the flaky crust filled with delicious meat.
“Have you had meat pies before?” Damian asked, humor in his blue eyes.
“We have them in Italy, but we call them pastero,” she answered and assumed all countries had a meat pie.
She then leaned in. “However, I make a much nicer crust,” she confided in a whisper.
Damian arched an auburn eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“It is,” she answered with a sharp nod, proud of her baking skills, and being able to create a perfectly flaky crust, firm, but not hard.
“It is a shame we will be too busy for you to bake for me and prove your claim,” he nearly challenged.
“Oh, if we but had the time, then you would realize my breads and pastries are likely better than anything you could find in England.”
“You are quite confident in your skills.”
“Just as you are likely confident in your ability to manage and run Trade Wynd efficiently,” she returned. “I know my talents, as you know yours, and I am proud and delighted in what I am able to create.”
He stared into her eyes for what seemed like the longest time, curiosity in the depths before he finally spoke. “Then I am sorry that I will not have the opportunity to sample your baking.”
His words were sincere and Georgie found her face heating. She had not been bragging, though, perhaps she had been somewhat, but she also knew that she was an excellent baker and if it wasn’t so pressing that she find Grace, she would bake something for Damian.
Perhaps she might get the opportunity after Grace was safe and before they could find a passenger ship back to Italy
She blew out a sigh and took another bite then looked around at the people gathered, those entering the tavern, others leaving, and people who simply crossed the street.
This was all rather nice.
It was a pleasant day, and she had a book to read once she was back on the mail coach to continue their journey.
An adventure.
At least for someone who never thought to leave her home in Carrera, Italy, no matter how she had longed to do so.
So as not to have the same uncomfortable situation suffered earlier, Georgie excused herself after she had finished eating to find the privy.
When she returned, the passengers started to gather so she entered the carriage and returned to the seat she had occupied and opened her book.
Damian settled next to her but she did not have to look up to know that it was him.
She recognized his presence, how he filled the space beside her along with his scent of citrus and sandalwood. It was comforting.
Other passengers were soon to follow. One being the woman who had previously wanted to sit beside Damian. She said nothing as she took her seat beside Georgie, so she could only assume that the male passengers that had accompanied them before were also continuing.
She barely glanced up from her book for a moment to note that she was partially correct.
Two of the men returned but they were now joined by a woman.
This one had auburn hair and blue eyes and sat across from Damian.
She smiled and batted her eyes, before she looked over his person in the most beguiling manner.
It was bad enough to have one beautiful woman in the carriage but now there were two, which resulted in Georgie glaring at the newest passenger.
When Damian chuckled, she realized that he had noticed so she returned her attention to the book on her lap then used the side of her foot to kick him and hoped that her long skirts had hidden her reaction.
Afterall, it was what a wife would do.