Chapter 6
The breakfast room was empty when Georgiana entered the next morning, a rarity since she had come to Hemel Hill. Even though Lord Bath did not always join them for the repast, both Henry and Jane were early risers and were usually present when she arrived. She was not particularly early, so where was everyone?
The footman drew out her chair and helped her to be situated. “I shall let the kitchen know one of the family has come down. We did not want the tea to become cold.”
“You mean no one has risen at all as yet?”
“No, miss. I have not heard of the duke and duchess taking a tray, so I still expect their presence at some point, and Lord Bath went out for an early morning ride. He departed soon after sunrise.”
“I see.” She folded her hands in her lap. “If it helps, I should prefer coffee to tea this morning.”
He nodded. “I shall ensure that comes to the table first.”
“Thank you.”
As she glanced about the empty room, she sighed. If she had known she would be on her own, she would have brought a book to read while she ate. Fitzwilliam did not care for when she read at the table, but she only indulged when he and Lizzy took their breakfast in their sitting room. It was not as though she harmed anyone by the activity. Her brother tended to be concerned of some mishap and food getting on the precious books, although she had not soiled one thus far.
Thankfully, she did not have long to wait before the footman returned with the coffee. He poured her a cup and set the silver vessel on the table where it could be easily reached. “Cook is sending up the toast and muffins. Would you care for anything in particular?”
“I would…” Footsteps from the doorway made her turn. Lord Bath entered and glanced around, giving her a nod before sitting across from her. At the sight of him, her cheeks had heated, and it was all she could do not to press her palms upon them in a futile attempt to cool them. How would he behave after their kiss last night?
Lord Bath’s gaze met hers, but she could not hold it. She cleared her throat. “I would like some bacon.”
The footman gave a slight bow and angled so he was facing Lord Bath, who pointed at the silver pot on the table.
“It is coffee,” she signed.
“Perfect.” He pointed to the coffee so the footman could pour him a cup. “What did you request?”
“I asked for bacon. Would you like for me to mention something in particular for you?”
No sooner had she asked than the butler entered and began speaking with his hands to the earl. In the end, she had not been required to be of aid to him since the butler had been learning how to sign with Mrs. Dereham. It was exceedingly kind of them to do so. Lord Bath was certain to appreciate the servant’s thoughtfulness on the matter.
The butler gave instructions to the footman, who hastened below to the kitchens while the butler stationed himself to one side of the room in the event he was needed.
Her entire body was tense and a little shaky. All she could think of was what happened the night before, and she could not very well mention that as polite discourse over a meal! Not to mention the butler’s presence meant it was not prudent, even if she had a wish to speak of it.
Lord Bath, meanwhile, sipped his coffee as though without a worry. Once again, their gazes met and his lips curved to one side, making her insides flip. He knew of her discomfort and found humour in it! What impudence!
“How was your ride?” The question had taken a great deal of effort to say without her voice wavering, but somehow, she had managed.
“The ground is sodden, but I believe I have ridden in more mud this summer than in my entire life.” He chuckled at what was, no doubt, an exaggeration.
“We have had a prodigious amount of rain.” When in doubt of proper discourse, the weather always seemed to become the most interesting topic available.
“Not that the roads are good. They are not much better than the fields.”
Georgiana could have laughed if it was not so sad. First the weather, then the roads—the two subjects were intertwined depending upon whether it had rained of late—but it seemed they were to discuss each and every topic of polite conversation before breakfast was completed.
The chatter of happy little girls reached her just before Emmeline and Juliana, Henry’s daughters with his late wife skipped into the room with their governess following close behind. Thank the Lord for the reprieve!
“Uncle Charles!” They rushed around the table as Lord Bath turned to greet them. With their energetic behaviour, he had not missed their entrance.
“We are to go for a walk,” said Emmeline with her hands. The girls had learnt the language much quicker than Georgiana. How they had managed was a mystery she would have liked to have known. One day they were muddling through their first letters and words and now, they could hold conversations with their uncle on any variety of matters.
“The sun is out, and the day seems as though it will be a beautiful one.” Lord Bath smiled softly while Juliana climbed up onto his knee. “I bet Jules will be searching the paths for squirrels, will you not?”
The younger nodded. “Miss Fletcher prefers the birds, but the squirrels play and get up to all sorts of mischief. They are my favourite.”
“They are mine as well,” said Lord Bath.
Emmeline bounced on her toes. “Would you like to join us?” She turned to face Georgiana a bit. “Miss Darcy, we would be pleased for you to come too.”
She bit her cheek at the child’s prim manner. “I appreciate your offer, but I have not yet eaten breakfast, and I am hungry.” She signed while she spoke aloud.
“I just returned from my ride and was to eat as well,” said Lord Bath. “Why do we not take a short walk through the gardens before dinner? Would you like that?”
Both girls’ heads bobbed up and down.
“Come, Lady Emmeline and Lady Juliana,” said Miss Fletcher. “Your father wanted to read with you after the walk. We do not want to keep him waiting.”
Without further coaxing, Juliana slid off her uncle’s lap and waved before following her elder sister and governess from the room.
Lord Bath shook his head with a grin. “I find it so difficult to say ‘no’ to them.”
“I understand. I feel the same.”
The footman returned with the meals, and neither spoke while they ate. The silence was awkward in a couple of instances when they looked at each other, but both would swiftly return their attention to their food without a word said.
When Georgiana was finished, she stood. “Excuse me.” She executed a brief curtsey and made for the music room. Before she could close the door behind her, Lord Bath slipped inside. She startled at the quick intrusion. “Did you need something, my lord?”
He pressed his back against the door to close it. “Forgive me, but if we cannot learn to behave as though last night did not happen, then my brother and his wife will know after one glimpse of the awkwardness.”
Behave as though last night did not happen. How was she supposed to do so? Perhaps she had been na?ve in believing it was possible, but now… “How would you suggest I do so? I have never been required…”
His hands clasped hers. “I would suggest you dismiss whatever embarrassment you harbour. I do not think less of you for what happened with that reprobate, nor do I look down upon you for your request of me. As far as I am concerned, we are friends. Do you not agree?”
Friends? She supposed he was correct, so she nodded.
“Good. Then do not dwell on last night a moment longer. Do you understand?”
“I do.” Before she could ask a single question, he peeked through the doorway, then with a hand lifted he slipped into the hall and in the direction of the library.
Charles sipped his brandy, relishing the warmth of his chest as he swallowed the smooth liquor. His eyes closed as he relaxed and allowed his head to loll onto the back of the sofa. While he had once taken pleasure in a moment’s silence, at times, the isolation now ate at him. He would have never got on well if he had remained secluded in his own home. Whether Henry had brought him to Albemarle House or not, Charles would have made his way to Henry’s doorstep sooner or later.
He dragged his eyes open and blinked. A slight movement out of the corner of his vision made him turn his head to the side. The sight before him almost made him laugh aloud.
Tiptoeing along in front of the shelves was Miss Darcy. She was obvious in her desire to remain quiet, creeping from step to step as she was. Had she thought him asleep or was she avoiding his company? Since he had cornered her in the music room two days ago, she had been more at ease in his company.
The meals with Henry and Jane had passed as any others. Neither his brother nor his brother’s wife seemed to hold any suspicion that aught had occurred between him and their guest. He had done all in his power to hold himself in the strictest regulation since the kiss. He had said he would not marry, yet Miss Darcy appeared to be the only lady in England who could tempt him to change his mind.
Her delicate fingers traced along the spines of the books. The manner in which she stood and how she leaned into the shelf showed she was enthralled in her study.
He grinned as he lifted his hands and clapped them together hard. As the sound bounced through the room, Miss Darcy’s entire body leapt and her hand flew to her heart.
She rounded on him with a glare. “That was uncharitable. And here I was attempting not to disturb you.” Her cheeks were a becoming shade of pink, and her eyes flashed in a way he had not seen before. He rather liked her when she was angry.
“By tiptoeing? Do remember, I am unable to hear you, so you need not walk on eggshells. Besides, I was not asleep.”
“Well, I had no way of knowing you were awake. At least I showed some consideration rather than charging in without any care for whether you were resting or not.”
He withheld a chuckle. She would not appreciate the humour. “What were you seeking?”
“I saw a book by Radcliffe a few days ago, but now, I cannot find it.”
“I have not taken note of any Radcliffe.”
She turned back to the shelves and resumed her search, the arch of her neck tempting him to rise and stand behind her. His fingers tightened around the arms of the chair as he endeavoured to resist the lure of the pale flesh that called to him. If he were to surrender and approach her as she stood, that soft place just under her ear would be right there for him to kiss.
He shook himself. Those considerations needed to be buried somewhere deep down to never see the light of day.
Her body drooped, and she turned. “Of course, now I cannot find it. Next time, I shall remove it in the event I want to read it.”
“You did not want to read it when you first found it?”
“No, but I craved it this evening for some unknown reason.”
He rose to pour himself more brandy, then held up the crystal container with a tilt of his head.
She lifted her eyebrows. “I am unsure if the flavour appeals to me, but I suppose I should try it more than once to see if it suits.”
A small amount was poured into another glass, and she took a measured sip. As she swallowed, a small droplet clung to the edge of her bottom lip, and his body seemed to lean forward as her tongue peeked out to swipe it from the soft flesh. He cleared his throat and stepped back.
“I should retire.”
She frowned. “What of your drink?”
“I shall take it with me. I hope you find what you are seeking. Good night.”
His feet were heavy as they carried him from the room, but the escape was necessary—very necessary.