Chapter Seventeen #3
“My friend Sophie’s husband arranged—” She stopped. She’d been about to explain how Lord Tamworth had arranged the match, since she was no longer a virgin and Philip needed the funds.
“Arranged what, Georgie?”
She searched her mind for a reasonable explanation. “He arranged for Sophie to help me plan the wedding. But you already know that. Lord and Lady Tamworth are very generous.”
“I truly enjoyed meeting all the Curious Ladies at your wedding. I look forward to seeing them again.”
Still rattled by how close she’d come to telling Philip’s mother the truth about their marriage, Georgina just smiled and nodded.
“I know you’re one of eight children. It must have been fun growing up with so many siblings. Are you hoping to have as many?”
Thankful for the change in topic, she quickly answered, “I’d count every child as a treasure.”
The dowager sighed. “I would very much enjoy having grandchildren. I know most women find children to be a bother until a certain age, but I admit to enjoying every stage of life. My daughter hasn’t conceived yet. I fear she may have the same trouble I did.”
“I don’t believe I will have any problems.” Georgina lowered her voice. “I promise you that we are trying all the time.”
As her mother-in-law laughed, Georgina relaxed and took another cake.
The rest of her rather long visit was enjoyable, and soon she was headed back to the townhouse, anxious to talk to Philip about what she’d learned.
She just hoped what she knew would help.
She didn’t like the idea of him punishing himself.
She’d been punished far too many times by her mother, father, brother, tutor, and governess.
It was not pleasant at all when deserved.
But when it wasn’t deserved, it was simply cruel.
She’d no sooner stepped into the entryway when Philip strode out of his study. “Where have you been?”
She blinked, surprised by his worried tone. “I visited Lady Rose and then your mother. I did tell Haines I was going calling.” She looked at the butler, who nodded. “Why? Did you need me?”
Philip stared at her for a moment then shook his head, turned on his heel, and went back into his study, closing the door behind him.
She turned to Haines. “I don’t understand?”
“He was worried, my lady. When I told him you had left, he seemed to think you weren’t coming back.”
She frowned, trying to figure out why Philip would think such a thing. “You did tell him I was calling on friends, correct?”
“I did. If I may, my lady, I believe he’s very taken with you and that can be, shall I say, uncomfortable.”
Completely stupefied, she cocked her head and pulled her earlobe, trying to make sense of this. “Explain, please.”
For the first time since she’d met him, Haines’s posture slumped and his shoulders rolled forward. “When I first realized I loved the missus, I suddenly feared that another man would try to take her from me. It is an uncomfortable feeling for a man.”
She stared at him. “You think my husband loves me?”
He nodded.
Her heart started to race. “Has he said as much?”
“We men don’t talk about these things.”
She found that odd, since she and her friends talked about everything. Then again, Haines was a servant. “Then you’re guessing.”
“It is an educated guess born of experience and, if I may, being a man.”
Philip loved her? The thought sent joy through her entire body. Not wishing to dance in front of her butler, she started for the stairs, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Thank you, Haines.”
“You’re welcome, my lady.”
She turned back and ran up the stairs, not wishing Haines to see her smile. Her mother had said that being appropriate in front of the servants was paramount to keeping one’s name out of gossip.
As soon as she reached her room, she closed the door and squealed. Then she danced about the room as if waltzing with Philip. He loved her. Had she hoped? Yes, very much. Had she expected it? Never so soon.
He loved her.
That meant she could love him! She stopped dancing and flounced back upon her bed, looking up at the canopy above her. Her husband actually loved her. She couldn’t quite believe it. Her parents only tolerated one another, but all her friends who had married had found love, and now she had too.
She’d tried really hard not to love Philip, but she couldn’t help herself. In fact, she was quite positive she’d fallen in love with him before they married, but didn’t want to admit it. Now she could, and it felt wonderful.
She sat up. What if Haines was wrong? What if Philip didn’t love her? Or what if he did and didn’t know it yet? She rose and started to pace. If he did and didn’t know it, there was no harm in loving him. He would come to realize it eventually.
She stopped. But what if he didn’t love her, and she loved him? Then she would have to wait. And if he didn’t fall in love with her?
She sat back on the bed again, clasping her hands together. What would her friends do? The answer came swiftly. “They’d ask.”
That was what she would do—tonight. She’d ask her husband if he loved her.