Chapter Eight
Philip rode his horse through Hyde Park, the fresh air clearing his head from his usual demons, and instead of his father, he found his thoughts wandering to his betrothed.
They had but a week left before the final banns were read.
Three days later, they would be wed and riding off to Crestfield so he could introduce his new bride to his estate.
He was stymied by Lady Georgina. She was at times awkward in speech and motion, but at others she was completely still.
On more than one occasion, he’d found her studying him as if he were a puzzle she was determined to solve.
He was hardly complicated—though he found her to be so.
One moment she appeared desperate for his attention, and the next she seemed quite confident and poised.
It was odd, and he couldn’t quite understand it.
He counted himself lucky that she had yet to tell anyone of their true reason for marrying, her made-up story working well for both of them. As their wedding approached, he found himself curious. Since she was no longer a virgin, the consummation could be much more enjoyable.
Though he found her to be pretty, she was not particularly the type of woman he usually bedded.
He was used to more robust, larger women that he could truly sink into.
Yet there was an energy about Lady Georgina that he hadn’t been aware of when he first met her, but that became apparent at the lecture they had attended on Tuesday.
Her excitement before, during, and after the lecture had had her moving constantly, as if she didn’t know how to hold it all in.
Would she be like that in bed? If so, there was great potential for them to enjoy each other.
Then at the art exhibit, he could sense her impatience.
It wasn’t anything she’d done, besides a number of sighs and polite smiles, but he could almost feel as if that very energy was building inside her and ready to explode.
It would be nice if there was some hint of attraction between them, but so far there had been none.
Could it be she still yearned for the man who had betrayed her?
The idea, as ludicrous as it was, bothered him. She was his now. He didn’t want her mourning some lost love. Maybe it was time they discussed it.
“Durham, hold up!”
At the call, he slowed his horse and looked over his shoulder to find Tamworth galloping toward him. His mood immediately brightened and he turned his horse around.
Tamworth pulled up and grinned. “I called at your rooms, but they said you were here.”
“Indeed, you found me. I didn’t expect you until the morrow. If I’d known you were in London, I’d have ridden to your brother’s townhouse.”
“You would not have found me there. I rented a place at the start of the Season, so we are in Mayfair.”
Philip raised his brows. “Then your investments are going better than you anticipated?”
“No, but my wife wished to host the Curious Ladies while we are in Town, so we needed a house. Where will you and your wife stay after you marry?”
“I haven’t thought that far. I was thinking of leaving her at Crestfield Hall.”
“You’re welcome to use the place we’ve rented, but you’ll have to bring your own servants. I don’t have enough yet to staff two houses. In fact, I still don’t have a full complement at Stoneleigh House. I’m focusing on the building itself and the tenants first.”
Philip’s horse tried to turn away, and he brought it back. “What do you say to taking a seat?” He pointed to a bench beneath a tree nearby.
“A good idea.” Tamworth dismounted and walked over to the bench.
Philip followed with his horse before dismounting, but he remained standing. “I want to properly thank you for alerting me to Lady Georgina’s situation. Lord Claremont has been apprised of my payment arriving in a fortnight.”
“I’m pleased all is going as you wished. How do you find the lady?”
“She is pleasant to look upon.”
Tamworth shook his head. “I could’ve told you that. I mean in personality. Do you find her to be a good fit as your countess?”
“I suppose. She is a well-bred lady and attended that school, so I imagine she will do well enough.”
“Damn, do you not know anything about her yet?”
Taken aback by the question, Philip straightened his shoulders. “Of course I do. I’ve spent almost half a dozen outings with her. Her parents are more than willing to leave her in my care. I must say, I have not seen many parents who are worse than they are.”
“How so?”
“They can’t wait to be rid of her. I think if we were caught in a compromising position, they would be thrilled, as that would move up the wedding date. Do you know they refuse to leave Town to attend the wedding?”
Tamworth appeared duly surprised. “Sophie said that Lady Georgina’s parents were not kind to her, but to not witness her nuptials is quite telling.”
“Exactly. You’re still planning to serve as my witness, are you not?”
“I am. Sophie is Lady Georgina’s, so I’d be there anyway. My wife is quite concerned about her friend, which is one of the reasons she is hosting a gathering while we’re here. Does she have need to worry?”
“About what?”
“About your betrothed. Is she happy to be marrying you? Is she resigned? Is she afraid? Does she hope to spend the Season in London among her friends? Does she wish you to take her traveling? How is she?”
He blinked, not able to answer any of Tamworth’s questions. “I assume she is content. I did ask her if she wished to marry me, and she said yes.”
Tamworth sighed. “Durham, if you wish to have any hope at contentment, you need to talk to your betrothed. Ask her these questions. For all you know, she had a terrible experience with the cad who sullied her and could even be afraid of the marriage bed!”
Philip rubbed the back of his neck. He’d been so worried about appearances that he hadn’t thought to actually get to know Lady Georgina. “I fear I have once again been rather selfish.”
“Believe me, I know all about that. But you can still learn what you need to know, preferably before the wedding. You have kissed her, correct? How did she react?”
He stared at Tamworth, not willing to voice the obvious.
Tamworth rose from the bench. “You haven’t kissed her. What are you waiting for? Most men can’t wait for the betrothal contract to be signed so they can have time alone with their wife-to-be to find what level of passion to expect.”
As he’d just been thinking about that very thing before Tamworth joined him, Philip felt better able to respond. “I’m sure she will be quite lively, as she’s always fidgeting and moving. But I hadn’t thought about her past experience, mainly because I try not to.”
“I do understand. You still have a week left. I suggest getting to know the lady, because if you really are intent on fulfilling your role as the Earl of Durham, you will need to have a good rapport with the new countess. After all, she will be running your household, hosting your balls, and can be an asset with her friends. Remember, she has the full endorsement of the Duke and Duchess of Northwick in addition to all her classmates. I can tell you from experience that those connections are both a great asset and some work to maintain.”
Philip sat on the bench. “I don’t know that I can do this.”
“Do what?”
“This. Fulfill my role as the Earl of Durham. When I didn’t care about the estates it was easy, but now I care, maybe too much. And to add a wife…” He shook his head, suddenly feeling as if he were stuck in the mud of a back road, unable to get out, his father looking down on him in disappointment.
Tamworth laid a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know what demons you fight with, but if you wish to hold your estate, the marriage is not something you can avoid.”
Philip knew that. He’d set events in motion that could not now be stopped. All he could do was bumble along as he could. But that was what he’d been doing. He needed to do better. “You know I’m not gambling anymore.”
“You aren’t? I’d say that’s a good thing.”
He nodded, not even sure why he’d spoken of it.
Still, he kept silent that it was a specific clause in the betrothal contract.
If he was found placing a bet anywhere, Lord Edgerton would let Society know the terms of the marriage, which was not something he was willing to risk.
“I imagine my future wife wouldn’t like me gambling away the roof over her head.
I admit, I haven’t fully contemplated the changes that will occur once I have a wife. She will be my responsibility.”
“Yes, but she can also be your companion and a great help in all that you must do. I can tell you, Stoneleigh House would not be nearly so far along if it weren’t for Sophie.
You’re lucky that you have a Curious Lady for a future bride.
They are very intelligent. I admit I didn’t realize how much, but now, married over a month, I can say with certainty that marrying Sophie helped my timeline instead of hurting it. ”
A wife as a help? He found that doubtful, but didn’t say as much. “I see now I need to learn a lot more about the Lady Georgina.”
“To that end, Sophie is having some of her old classmates to our townhouse this week. Lady Georgina will be receiving an invitation. If you think you can escort her, you’re welcome to help me with a few decisions I need to make about the renovations.
I’d appreciate your thoughts on some plans I’ve drawn up. ”
Philip rose. “I can do that. It’s the least I can do. Just be aware, my opinion may not be as valuable as you would like.”
Tamworth laughed. “Don’t worry. Yours isn’t the only opinion I’m searching out.”
“Good. Have your wife send me the details, and I’ll be sure Lady Georgina is there.”
“I will. Now, mind if I join you on your ride across the park?”
“I’d consider it an honor.”
Tamworth laughed again as he mounted up. Once Philip was mounted as well, they set off at a goodly pace, the fresh air clearing Philip’s mind of all his responsibilities for a while.