Chapter Eight #3
Her face became animated with her conversation, but not in a nervous way, as it had on the settee. That told him his hope of asking more serious, more intimate questions might have to wait.
“What of you, Lord Durham? I noticed you chose cinnamon ice cream at Monsieur Armand’s. Is that your favorite food?”
“I have never contemplated my favorite food. But I do admit, as for ice cream, cinnamon is my favorite. I’m quite taken with rout cakes, if I consider only desserts.”
“That is good to know. I don’t think your favorite color is blue. You don’t wear it often. Your favorite color could be yellow, but again, you couldn’t wear it, though I don’t think it is. You prefer more somber colors such as black and gray.”
Did he? “I haven’t given much thought to a particular color.”
She nodded as if she’d expected as much. “What I don’t know is what your interests are—besides gambling, of course. I know little of that, so I suppose it’s just as well you no longer do so. But beyond that pastime, are there other—”
“Your tea, my lady.” The butler walked in and set the tray on the table. In addition to the teacups and tea was a plate of marzipan.
“Oh my, I almost forgot.” Quickly, she moved around the chair she’d stood behind and sat.
Philip took the chair next to her, watching as she expertly poured the tea. “I take it black.”
She lifted the filled teacup and handed it to him. “And now I know something else about you.”
He gave her a smile. “Indeed you do. And how do you take yours?”
“I have a liking for sweets. I take mine with extra sugar.” She stirred her tea before taking a sip. “Please, have a marzipan.”
To be polite, he took one of the bird-shaped treats, though they were not something he would normally eat.
“Tell me, Lord Durham, before you came upon difficult times, were you courting anyone?”
Her question surprised him. “No, I was not. I had not thought about having a wife yet.”
“So you’re not truly ready for marriage, then.”
Her disappointment was obvious. “In fact, I am. I inherited my title three years ago, and it is time I started a family.”
Lady Georgina’s hand came up and she pulled on her left ear. It was an action she’d done earlier. “Of course. You will need a son to carry on your line.”
“Yes. I hope you also want children.”
She set down her teacup and stared at it as her right hand squeezed her dress skirts. “If I have children, I will never be unkind to them.”
There was more to her statement than simply what she said. He could guess the reason. Lady Edgerton appeared to quite dislike her youngest child. “Would you send them to school or have a tutor?”
Her gaze snapped to his. “I’d like to have a tutor for them, though like Ellie—I mean, Lady Ferncroft—I’d also like to teach them about the subjects I know.”
He felt much more comfortable with the turn the conversation had taken. “And what subjects would you like to teach them?”
“Of course I’d teach my children about birds, but I also enjoy history and a few of the sciences, like biology. I know a bit about agriculture, but I’m sure you would teach your son that.”
He was surprised by that, particularly her final statement. “Our son.”
She paused as she lifted her teacup. “Yes, I guess that would be true. But are not men much more likely to call sons theirs, and daughters are their mothers’?”
“I don’t think that’s the case. My father was quite fond and rather proud of my sister.” And in the end, he was quite sure the former Lord Durham was gravely disappointed in his only son.
She set her teacup down once again. “And your mother is fond and proud of you. But you don’t care to be around her. Did you and she have a disagreement?”
That would be an understatement, and yet it wasn’t exactly correct. “We see some things differently.”
“Such as what?” She popped a small marzipan into her mouth and closed her eyes in pure happiness.
He stared, a little taken aback. Was that what she would look like in their bed when he brought her fulfillment? Suddenly uncomfortable with his thoughts, he stood. “I fear I have overstayed. I don’t wish to take all of your afternoon.”
Her eyes popped open wide. “Have I said something untoward?”
“No, I only meant to pay a call, and I see I have stayed nearly half an hour.”
She turned her head to look at the clock on the mantel, her long, slender neck as graceful as a swan’s.
“But I do so enjoy your company.” She rose.
“I wish you could stay. Mother isn’t allowing any visitors except Sophie—that’s Lady Tamworth—and she has not arrived yet.
If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t see anyone until the wedding. ”
“Our wedding. Yes, I know your mother is very concerned about you keeping your secret until we wed, but I have good news. Lord and Lady Tamworth arrived yesterday, and you should be receiving an invitation to their home for later this week. I’m to bring you there.
From what I understand, it is a meeting of the Curious Ladies? ”
“Oh, Philip, that’s wonderful!” Lady Georgina threw her arms out as if she would hug him, then seemed to remember her manners. “I apologize. I mean, Lord Durham, this is such welcome news. Now I will have something to look forward to before our wedding.”
If he hadn’t already deduced it from their conversation in Hyde Park, her reaction about the gathering confirmed that she would not be happy if she couldn’t spend the rest of the Season in Town. He’d discuss Tamworth’s rental when next he saw him. “And are you looking forward to our wedding?”
She didn’t answer immediately, as if choosing her words. “I am. I’m ready to be a countess and fulfill my duties as your wife.”
The seriousness with which she responded wasn’t quite the joyous anticipation of one’s betrothed, but given their circumstances, he could understand that.
He, himself, was both ready and yet reluctant.
“And I’m ready to be your husband and fulfill my role as the Earl of Durham. I do believe we are well matched.”
She nodded her agreement, but didn’t smile.
He did wish to leave, but one doubt kept niggling at the back of his mind, and as they were alone, it was time to he cleared it up, one way or the other.
“Tell me, Lady Georgina, before I go. There is something I need to know. Do you still have feelings for the man who forced you into this position?”
Though he admired his ability to say it in the most delicate way possible, her brows lowered and her hands fisted, making him think perhaps he’d just ruined any chances of them having an amenable marriage.
“My lord, if the man who showered me with gifts and professed his undying love to get beneath my skirts mere days before proposing to another woman were to drown in the Thames tomorrow, I’d don my best dress and celebrate at Vaux Hall by dancing.”
Her odd-colored eyes flashed with fury and her height seemed to increase as she leaned toward him. The force of her anger was so unexpected that he found himself taking a step back. “I appreciate your candor, and I will endeavor to reciprocate such honesty.”
Her shoulders immediately lowered and she released her skirts. “My lord, you have always been honest with me, and I will always be honest with you, so you need not worry on that account.”
“You have relieved my mind on many subjects, Lady Georgina. I will look forward to our next outing.”
She gave him a soft smile. “As will I.”
As he entered his coach, he found himself preoccupied with Lady Georgina.
Though he’d not learned all he’d hoped to, he had learned that she had passion.
He also was relieved to know that she didn’t harbor any soft feelings for the man who had ruined her.
What he hadn’t expected was for her to reveal such a base element of herself, but it was something to be thankful for.
That she couldn’t hide her true feelings for the cad who’d forced her to seek a man like himself meant he need never worry that she hid her strong emotions, or that she would be unfaithful without telling him.
Relaxing into the cushions, he began to contemplate what it truly would be like to have her in his life every day.
At first, he’d hoped to lead more separate lives, but there was far more to his betrothed than he’d first assumed.
He found himself imagining her across the table from him at Crestfield, or taking a stroll through the gardens, or sitting at her dressing table as he stepped into her room at night.
At least he wouldn’t have a virgin on his hands.
The thought of having to explain sex to a wife made him shudder.
Since Lady Georgina knew what to expect, he shouldn’t have to worry about shyness or confusion.
The image of her as she enjoyed her first piece of marzipan filled his head.
In that moment, he’d found himself attracted, a true relief.
Yes, he was looking forward to consummating his marriage.