Chapter Twenty-Four
After they had both completed their meal, he placed the tray and dishes out in the hall, then locked the door to their chamber.
It was dark outside, neither had slept much in the past twenty-four hours, so he could only hope that Georgie crawled in the bed and fell fast asleep.
He was exhausted, but Damian knew that he would not be able to sleep while Georgie was awake and even then, it might be difficult. He also knew that he would drink no more this evening because poor decisions were made while a person was deep in their cups.
“I find it a shame that with your access to ships that you don’t board one and go somewhere fascinating. It might be the saddest thing I have ever heard. You are a man and should take advantage of your position.”
“I do not have time to be away from Trade Wynd for an extended period of time,” Damian explained even though her words tugged at something inside.
There were many times that he had stood atop Trade Wynd offices and watched ships sail away and wondered what it would be like to just once sail away from England.
“Does that mean that you have never wanted to go anywhere?”
“Unfortunately, the place I would like to visit cannot be reached by ship,” he said in hope that it would end this conversation.
He had duties and responsibilities. He simply could not be gone from Southampton for weeks or months.
“You should still go,” she insisted.
“Why?” he finally asked. Why was it so important to Georgie that he go somewhere? Why did she even care?
“Because I cannot,” she answered. “I have always wanted to venture out and explore countries that I have only read about but know that I will never visit. First, I do not have the available funds and second, as you have pointed out, I am a woman and should not travel alone, therefore my opportunities are limited unless there are extenuating circumstances such as my sister disappearing. Whereas you are free to travel anywhere you wish. Your being in a mail coach with me is proof that Trade Wynd will not suffer for your absence, so I reject your excuse that you are needed in England.”
She was scolding him. “You know nothing about my responsibilities.”
“Perhaps.” She shrugged and got up from the table and walked to the far side of the bed. “But it will not keep me from being disappointed and perhaps irritated that you do not take advantage of opportunities that others, including myself, may covet. It is a waste.”
She then pulled back the covers on the bed, fluffed the pillows, then climbed in, still wearing her dress, which was for the best. A nightrail would be too distracting.
*
While irrational, she was irritated, bordering on angry with Damian.
He could do anything he wanted. He was handsome, wealthy, sometimes pleasant, and more importantly, a man, free of restrictions forced on women, and he did not take advantage of the privileges available.
However, she was also making a judgment when she had only known Damian for four days, which was unlike her.
Then again, she had never been in this situation either, and she was on edge, worried, exhausted and frustrated—all because of her sister and the circumstances that brought Georgie to England.
She should not take out her irritation on Damian, who was being of great assistance.
Georgie drew in a deep breath through her nose then slowly blew it out between her lips, something her grandmother had taught her when aggravation seeped into her bones. She then settled into the comfortable bed.
“Where is it that you would like to visit that you cannot reach by ship?”
The corner of his mouth tipped as he leaned further back in his chair. “I am not certain I should tell you since you have chastised me since this conversation began.”
He deserved to be reprimanded because he did not appreciate the opportunities he had. “I promise not to do so.” Besides, she was rather curious about what exotic location he may choose if he allowed himself more freedom.
“Liechtenstein.”
She had expected him to say somewhere in America that he could not reach by ship, or Canada, but certainly not Liechtenstein. “Why?” she asked in disbelief.
“It would be interesting,” he answered simply.
“How?” There were so many more fascinating cities and countries.
At least to her, based on the reading that she had done, and what foreign students of The Accademia delle Belle Arti shared when they came to Accetta Panetteria.
She had questioned them often, especially when they were from somewhere that was not Italy.
“It is small and independent while surrounded by much larger countries.” Damian leaned back in a chair, his blue eyes warm, much like they had been when he spoke about his wine heritage.
“Did you know that Liechtenstein is only sixteen miles long and sits in the middle of the Alps.
A person could walk the length of the country in a single day.
“And why would you want to?”
“I would take my time,” he admitted. “But it would be possible. In fact, I could take a fortnight and likely see all there is of Liechtenstein and enjoy being in the Alps at the same time.”
“You want to be in the Alps?” she asked, surprised again that if he could go anywhere that he wanted to visit the Alps and Liechtenstein.
“I have read description of the mountains. In my mind I cannot imagine something that is so large and impossible to take in the whole even standing far away. I want to visit the mountains. I want to climb and make my way to Liechtenstein.”
“Go in the summer. It is too dangerous and cold in the winter.”
Damian chuckled and shook his head. “I take it you have been there.”
“Not Liechtenstein, but Carrera is in the foothills of the Apuan Mountains and I can see the Apuan Alps from home. Carrera marble comes from the Apuan Mountains. You did know that did you not?” Certainly, he knew this since Trade Wynd was one of the merchants who visited Carrera regularly to export the marble.
“If you wish to view the Alps, board the next ship sailing to Carrera.”
“I am aware of the Apuan Mountains and where marble comes from, but it is the size of the Alps that fascinate me.”
Maybe she should realize her good fortune of living somewhere others only read about.
“I apologize,” she finally whispered. “I should not judge you. You had no control over being born a male with more freedom than me being a female with none.”
“I would not agree. You did, after all, stow away on a ship and have been quite stubborn and insistent about finding your sister. So much so, that I spent two days in a mail coach with you traveling across England when I could have put you back on a ship bound for Italy or sent you on your way with no assistance.”
“I do thank you and recognize that I might still be searching London.”
“Georgie, that is only because you are unfamiliar with England and London. Your tenacity is why you are here now.”
Tenacity. Yes, she liked being considered tenacious.
“We will find Grace, and you have nothing to apologize for. Besides, I might be irritated if I were a female with limited freedoms.”
Yet, he wasn’t.
“Get some sleep. We will go to Chisholm’s office in the morning.”
She lay further down in the bed and pulled the blanket up to her shoulder, back to him. When she heard no movement from him, she peeked over her shoulder.
“You should sleep as well.”
“Yes, I should,” he said as he stood then lifted the blankets from the end of the bed and started spreading them on the floor
“What are you doing?”
“I am not sharing a bed with you.”
The rejection stung, but her intention when she asked had not been seduction because she was very tired.
“You will be uncomfortable and wake grumpy if you sleep at all,” she insisted. “Take the other side of the bed and I promise not to disturb you. I’ll stay tucked over here and you can slumber there.” She pointed to the empty space on the bed.
He glanced at it. Worry in his blue eyes.
Was he afraid of her?
“I really should not.”
“Why?” she asked, aggravation in her tone.
“It is not proper. You would be ruined…It just is not done.”
Georgie blew out a sigh. “You are being foolish. Nobody knows me in England. You are tired, I am tired, and I will not put up with you being unpleasant tomorrow because you did not sleep well. I do not like you when you are irritated.”