Chapter Twenty-Nine
What he would like to do was visit Liechtenstein and have Georgie by his side, especially if he dared her to argue with him. She was an enjoyable companion and he truly did like spending time with her.
More than he should. And it was not just about desire, which he had not only suffered from painfully this morning, but while shopping and talking and teasing.
Oh, she would be the ideal person to have along on any adventure.
They spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon visiting different shops and he did not purchase anything else for her.
He simply enjoyed spending time with Georgie.
She had a bonnet, books, and a reticule and he truly hoped that these items would bring her fond memories when she was once again living in Carrera and he was back at his desk at Trade Wynd.
He would never forget Georgie. In fact, she may be the standard by which he judged all women in the future.
Mistresses were false because his pleasure depended on their security of having a temporary home, food, and clothing, and maybe that was why he tired of them so quickly.
Yet, misses on the marriage mart were no different, for they fluttered eyelashes, giggled, and blushed, likely as they had been taught by their mothers to win a husband.
A gentleman had no idea what a miss’s true personality was, or if the two would even truly suit living in the same household until it was too late.
However, with Georgie, there was nothing but honesty and genuineness.
He could not imagine that she was keeping secrets from him, or trying to hide any part of her personality, other than quickly going silent when she was about to argue with him, but that was only for today and because she intended to win the challenge.
Yes, a stubborn disposition was something that a miss would be cautioned to hide until after she had been married.
They stopped before a shop window and Georgie peered in. It carried ribbons, lace, and fans.
“Do you want to go in?” he asked.
“It is not necessary,” she answered.
“Those are items all women covet, are they not?”
“I am certain that they do, but they are impractical. I have no need for pretty ribbons, delicate fans, or lace trim while working in the heat of a bakery.”
“You cannot spend all of your time baking.”
“No. But when not in Accetta Panetteria, I have other duties, such as the herb and vegetable gardens and when I do have time to myself, I sit in the gardens and read or visit with friends. We are of a common class and have no need for adornments.”
“Are there no public assemblies in Carrera?”
“What would those be?” she asked.
“Assembly rooms, or a central location where entertainments are held such as dancing.”
“We do not have those, or none that I have been made aware.”
“There are no soirees or gatherings?”
Not that he attended such events, but there were many held and he received invitations quite often, which were ignored.
“Friends gather, and there are sometimes festivals in Piazza Alberica, which I have enjoyed, but no entertainment that would require such adornment as I viewed in the shop.”
She was raised in a different world. Not only the country, but he had wealth and privilege because his father had been an earl and she worked in a bakery even though her grandfather held the same rank. And he loved the simplicity and practicality of Georgie.
As they continued to walk, they soon found themselves in front of the Crown Inn, where they had arrived the night before. It was in one of those rooms that he had awakened in a most pleasant manner, with Georgie curled around him, her head on his chest.
It was also afternoon and he was growing hungry and since a coaching inn was one of the few places a woman could take a meal with a husband or chaperone, he directed her inside.
“Is this not where we arrived yesterday?” she asked
“It is and I am hungry,” he answered. “I assume you are as well.”
“I am thirsty,” she said. “And I would not mind a small repast.”
There were no private rooms available, unfortunately, so Damian led her to a table that was vacant and away from the others and positioned in a back corner. He then obtained a tankard of ale for each of them.
“The proprietor tells me that the large platters on the long table are communal for travelers to serve themselves.” Whenever he found himself eating at a coaching inn in the past, during his travels between Southampton and London, he usually took a meal in his chamber or in a private room, so he did not know if this was common practice or not.
“There are plates and utensils if you would like to partake.”
“I would,” she said right before she stood and walked to the communal table.
There she added roasted meat, cheese, and fruit to her plate. He chose the same, as well as potatoes and bread and followed her back to their table.
“This has been a very pleasant day, Damian. Thank you for walking around Liverpool with me.”
“I have enjoyed myself as well, Georgie.”
*
The remainder of the day was spent as pleasantly as it had begun. And even though she had promised herself that she would not argue with Damian, the promise was soon forgotten because Georgie found no further reasons to object. She simply enjoyed being with him.
It was more than enjoyment and she feared that a piece of her heart had been lost to Damian today.
Not that she would ever tell him, of course.
But now that he wasn’t being so difficult and showed how thoughtful he could be, along with his teasing and laughter, and maybe seeing who he truly was when relaxed, had gone a long way in softening her heart and increasing her desire for him.
Damian had seen that she had obtained the stationery she needed then returned with her to the coaching inn where she wrote a letter to her family, updating them on what she knew of Grace.
He then saw that it was posted before they returned to Chisholm’s office and were taken to his home and introduced to his wife.
When Mrs. Chisholm learned how long Georgie and Damian had been traveling by mail coach, she insisted that they rest and provided a bath because she would have hated having gone without such a luxury after even two days.
As they were believed to be married, this had left Georgie and Damian in a difficult position.
Yes, she would love to bathe and wash her hair since it was unknown when she would be granted the opportunity again, but not while Damian was also in the chamber with her.
Thankfully, he made the excuse that she preferred her privacy and then chuckled to indicate that it was foolish given they were married.
Her face had heated while she was also grateful.
While she had luxuriated in the bath, Georgie relived the day from the moment she woke until they had arrived at Chisholm’s home and that was when she knew for certain that she was in danger of falling in love with Damian.
That wasn’t all either. She wanted him—desired Damian in a way that she did not think possible.
What would it be like to wake every morning as she had done today, to experience an evening spent in intimacy, to be filled, held, kissed, touched, and caressed?
Sadly, despite the yearnings of her physical body, Damian gave no indication that she was anything more to him than someone to protect, though maybe a friendship had developed.
Their hosts and Damian were already in the parlor when she returned downstairs. Damian had also changed his clothing and his hair was still damp, which meant he must have bathed as well.
When he glanced in her direction, he studied her from the top of her head to her slippers then back up to meet her eyes, a half smile on his lips and warmth in his blue eyes.
Georgie’s face heated. She had no idea why, other than her wayward and improper thoughts of what she would like to do with him, and the frustrated ache such thoughts produced that would go unrelieved.
Thankfully, she was saved from having to speak because dinner was announced.
Damian came forward and offered his arm before they followed their hosts to the dining room.
“I am quite curious, how did the two of you meet?” Mrs. Chisholm asked.
Did she dare answer honestly? As she wasn’t certain what she should say, Georgie raised an eyebrow and waited for Damian to answer. Afterall, he was the one who first claimed they were married.
“She stowed away on one of my ships,” he answered honestly.
“You did!” Mrs. Chisholm exclaimed.
“Yes,” Georgie murmured as a cream soup was set before them
“From where?”
“Carrera, Italy.”
“You were not caught?” Chisholm inquired with a bit of alarm.
“Not until she was seen walking away from the ship in Southampton,” Damian explained. “I caught her and before I could decide whether to send her back or call the constable…well, I couldn’t do either and I ended up marrying her.”
“Absolutely romantic,” Mrs. Chisholm responded.
He hadn’t lied. That is exactly how they met, he’d simply left out pertinent details, which was for the best.
“Why did you stow away instead of booking passage?” Chisholm asked.
“I lacked the funds,” she answered honestly.
“Why did you wish to come to England?” Mrs. Chisholm asked.
What did she say? If it was to track down her sister, they would realize that she hadn’t been in England long enough to have married Damian.
“She missed her sister,” Damian answered. “Grace had come to England as a companion and as it was unknown when she would return, Georgie decided to visit her.”
He had spoken the truth but as the urgency in her making the trip wasn’t explained, thank goodness, her stowing away likely sounded foolish to their hosts.
“Is this the sister you are searching for?” Chisholm asked.
“Yes,” Georgie answered. “She fell in love with a sailor and they ran away together, for reasons she did not explain to me, and that is why we are trying to find her before she leaves England for America.”
“I gather she is young?” Mrs. Chisholm asked.
“Yes, just eight-and-ten.”
Mrs. Chisholm shook her head. “So many foolish decisions made by those who are young and believe they are in love.”
She knew very well the foolish decisions made by youth.
Except, it was only the female who suffered from transgressions, never the man.
In fact, men had freedom to do what they pleased, when they pleased and with whom they pleased.
Nobody batted an eyelash to a man accompanying a mistress about.
Nobody shunned a man if he had lost his virginity before marriage and nobody thought it odd if a man were alone either on a street, in a shop, or even traveling because it was perfectly acceptable, whereas a woman was censured and scorned if she behaved in the same manner.
Georgie set her spoon aside, no longer hungry and only managed a bite or two of each course, and only because it was polite as she listened to Damian and Chisholm share tales of their youth.
And while many of the antics they got up to were things she would never consider, it irritated her that if she had behaved in the same manner, doors would be closed to her all through Carrera and England alike.
It was all truly unfair and put her in a foul mood for what remained of the dinner, yet she maintained a pleasant facade, or so she hoped.