Chapter Fourteen #2
Glancing at the connecting door, he felt an odd sense of relief fill him. Georgina had saved his family’s reputation with her dowry, and maybe she would be the salvation he needed. Maybe.
Opening the door to the corridor, he crossed it and slipped back into his room.
Tomorrow, he would tell Mrs. Newman that while he was in London, the staff could move his belongings into his father’s rooms. That would give them plenty of time.
It would also give him time to prepare himself and maybe enjoy a few days as a newly married man.
*
“Whom will we visit next?”
At Georgina’s excited question, Philip held back a chuckle. “You’ve met almost thirty. I thought you’d like to save the rest for other days.”
“How many more are there? I don’t want anyone to feel that I’ve snubbed them.”
“I have two hundred and eleven tenant farmers. If we visit them in the order of closest to farthest, there shouldn’t be any hard feelings. In fact, I will bet that the wives of those farmers you haven’t met yet are now quickly planning what to wear when they meet you.”
“Me?” She set her hand to the neckline of her pale pink dress. It made her look far more delicate than he knew her to be.
“Yes, you. You are their new countess, so they wish to make a good impression.”
She shifted her gaze to the seat across from them as the coach moved down the lane. He could see her mind working as she puzzled out something. He’d seen her do it twice earlier, when two farmers and their wives mentioned issues they had. Both times she’d come up with a creative solution.
Anxious to learn what was in her head now, he turned her chin toward him. “What is it you think upon?”
Her eyes searched his own. “It is a complicated transition. One moment I’m a woman looking for a husband because my family doesn’t want me underfoot a moment longer.
The next…three weeks and five days, to be exact, I become the Countess of Durham, with a husband, one hundred and twelve servants, and two hundred and eleven tenants, a new mother and sister, and my own dovecote.
I worry that I can’t fulfill all my responsibilities.
No one ever found me worthy before, not even you.
Now, I’m suddenly good enough, as it were. ”
He understood her uncertainty far more than she would ever know.
Taking her hand, he gazed into her amber eyes.
“I admit, I did not notice you, but it was not because of who you are. Rather, it was because I didn’t notice any woman anxious to find a husband.
I was far too focused on enjoying my time while unmarried and unsupervised.
I was foolish, not only in brushing off searching out a prospective bride, but in gambling and my other pastimes as well.
It was only upon losing that ill-conceived bet that I came to my senses.
I like to think our unfortunate pasts brought us together at the right time in our lives. ”
As she continued to look at him as if afraid to hope, he kept his gaze steady, wanting her to understand how sincere he was.
“So then it would not be simply myself who is the phoenix, but you as well.”
“Yes, and who is more compatible with a phoenix than a phoenix?”
Her smile was tentative. “I’m most grateful to have married you.”
Protectiveness filled him, along with something else he didn’t understand—but what he knew for certain was that she was the right woman for Crestfield.
He leaned forward and kissed her gently, showing her what he felt inside, though he could not begin to put it into words.
When he pulled back, she opened her eyes, and her brow was furrowed as if she were confused.
“I think I need another kiss.”
If she was confused by that kiss, he would give her one she could be very sure of. “I’m happy to oblige.” This time, he pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. As his lips met hers, she immediately deepened the kiss.
Gibson’s words upon hearing of Georgina’s willingness echoed in Philip’s brain. Then you’re twice fortunate, my lord. Indeed he was.
She pulled back abruptly. “This is frustrating.”
“I apologize. What exactly is frustrating?”
Her cheeks reddened. “I find myself wanting you to take me at the most inconvenient times.”
At her words, his whole body reacted and he shifted on the seat. “Is this one of those times?”
“Yes. I wish we were home already.”
He chuckled. “We don’t need to be home for me to take you. We just need privacy—like we have now.”
“Yes, I know. But I don’t like having my face in the seat cushion.”
He stared at his wife for a moment, trying to comprehend why she would think having sex in a coach meant her face would be on the seat.
The only possible answer hit him—hard.
“Georgina, did you lose your virginity in a coach?”
“Yes. It was very disappointing and rather boring.” She sighed and looked out the window at the passing scenery, as if just speaking about it bored her.
He’d had a woman in a coach more than a couple of times, but her face was never in the seat. For that to be the case, she had to be on her stomach, but that would be difficult. Either that position or on her hands and knees on the floor of the vehicle—
He refused to finish the thought. He was already clenching his fists as he thought of how Georgina had been treated. He had to know who had treated her so poorly.
“Georgina.”
She turned back to look at him. “Yes?”
Even as he gazed at her, he questioned his motivation. “Would you tell me who dared to take in you in such a way in a coach?”
“Of course, but I thought you weren’t interested.”
That was true, he hadn’t been. So why was he now? “I find that I need to know who treated you so poorly.”
“I see now, because of you, that what I experienced was unacceptable.” Her brows lowered and her gaze hardened. “The man who did so was Lord Ashfield.”
“Ashfield.” The name came out between gritted teeth.
He’d seen the man while he’d been in London.
They were barely acquaintances. He’d always thought the man arrogant in the rudest of ways.
Ashfield was even rumored to have half a dozen illegitimate children by a variety of widows, maids, and actresses.
Georgina’s hand on his clenched fist had him looking at her. “It is of no consequence. We have each other now, partly thanks to him and his lies.”
“If you expect me to be grateful toward him, you’re mistaken.”
She shook her head. “I don’t. I’d as soon forget him, but I do sympathize with his wife. Lady Ann is too nice a woman to have such a man for a husband. I’m much more fortunate.”
As he gazed into her eyes, he knew he’d spend the rest of his life fulfilling her expectations. “I agree. Still, it seems the man should pay for what he did.”
Surprisingly, Georgina grinned. “Don’t worry on that account. Lady Rose has been a thorn in his side this Season, though he has no idea it’s her. She’s already played two rather embarrassing pranks on him.”
He appreciated her outlook, but he had something a bit harsher in mind. “You have very good friends, don’t you?”
“I do. I thought I would miss them being here, but now I find myself quite content.”
He understood the feeling, as he’d found himself much less restless while at Crestfield this visit. “Unfortunately, we will have to return to Town in another sennight, so I suggest we make the most of our stay.”
“I agree. I do think we are almost home.”
He glanced out the window to see the sprawling mansion that was Crestfield in view. They were far too close to the house now, but tomorrow he would show her exactly how enjoyable a coach ride could be, as they would be farther away with the next set of tenant visits.
The coach came to a stop and they entered through the front doors. He intended to take his wife for a walk in the gardens before dinner, but upon entering, Haines intercepted him.
“My lord. The steward is here. He said he must speak to you.”
Philip turned to his wife. “I had hoped to spend time with you before dinner is served, but it appears that will have to wait. Perhaps you’d like to rest now?”
“Oh no, I’m not tired at all. I will take this time to unpack my books on birds and set them up in my sitting room. I will see you at dinner.”
Before he knew what she was about, she kissed him on the cheek and headed up the grand staircase.
He watched the sway of her hips until she disappeared from sight, and even then, he still watched.
“My lord? The steward?”
Forcing himself to refocus his attention, he looked at Haines. “Yes, of course.” He started for his study then paused. “Have the cook send up a plate of marzipan and hot chocolate with cinnamon to my wife.”
“Of course, sir.”
Pleased that he’d thought of her over his own reluctance to meet with his steward, he continued toward his study. Doing something for someone else gave him a feeling of accomplishment and, just maybe, a little of his self-respect back.