Chapter Forty-Seven
Seagulls cried above as they walked away from the ship and hailed a hackney to take them to the newly opened Gresham Hotel that also served as a coaching inn. Damian had been told that it was a more elegant lodging for gentry and was becoming fashionable.
He and Georgie had talked long into the night, and she understood his fear and she shared it. Instead, they shared stories, affection, and their bodies, knowing that their days together were limited.
The hotel was not so very far from the docks and when they did arrive, he noted the difference in those coming and going as being more fashionable and likely wealthier than those who normally rode in a mail coach.
Not that it mattered to Damian, as he was wealthy and had been born to privilege and had just as much right to be here as anyone else, even if his appearance was rather rumpled.
He took the two valises and then escorted Georgie inside to first request a mail coach schedule.
“Where would you like to travel?” the proprietor asked.
“Tullamore.”
“That mail coach is due to leave tomorrow morning.”
“Are all the seats taken?” Georgie asked.
The proprietor studied her and then frowned. “No, they are not. I can direct you to a hotel where you may stay for the night.”
Damian glanced over at Georgie and wasn’t certain if she blushed at the man’s rude behavior because her face was still burned.
“We shall stay here.” Damian took his purse from his pocket. “I am Damian Wynd of Trade Wynd and this is my wife. We have just arrived from Scotland and would like a room.”
“Yes, of course,” the man practically stammered. “I will see to it right away.”
He called a servant forward who took their bags then led them up the stairs to another level, then down the hall to a room at the end. After their belongings were placed inside, the servant quietly retreated, closing the door behind him. Only then did Georgie go to a mirror.
“I cannot really blame him. Your clothing is wrinkled and my hair needs to be washed, brushed, and arranged, and then there is my very unladylike sunburn. He was probably quite scandalized.”
“He still should not have treated us in such a manner,” Damian grumbled.
“He rectified the matter as soon as he learned your name.” Georgie turned from the mirror. “Is it the Wynd name or Trade Wynd that earned his respect?”
“Likely Trade Wynd was what he recognized since Dublin is an important port, though our ships do not venture here.” He frowned.
“It could also be that he is familiar with the name Wynd and knows that my brother would be the Earl of Wyndham. It truly does not matter.” He opened his valise and withdrew trousers and a suitcoat that had not yet been worn and were not as disheveled as the rest of him.
He then retrieved a fresh cravat and quickly changed.
At least Georgie looked put to rights, even though her skin was rather pink.
“Shall we go shopping?” He offered his arm as he opened the door.
Georgie retrieved her reticule from the satchel and then joined him.
“Besides books, I wish to purchase you a shawl that will also protect you and your skin from the ocean winds so that you do not feel it necessary to hide away from the sun.”
“I had the same consideration, and perhaps a parasol for further protection.”
Damian was determined to see that Georgie had everything she needed to protect her skin from the sun and books aplenty to keep her entertained on her voyage.
They had the day to together, without any worries and he was going to enjoy it.
“Georgie, is that you?”
His heart sank as a darked-haired woman crossed the lobby toward them.
“Grace?” Georgie asked in surprise as if she were not certain, or perhaps surprised.
And, at that moment, the pain in his chest grew so tight that Damian was certain his heart had shattered.
His time with Georgie had come to an end, abruptly and without warning.
*
Georgie blinked, uncertain if she was truly seeing Grace after all this time. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I should ask you the same. Where did you come from?”
“Scotland,” Georgie answered absently.
“Why were you in Scotland?”
“We went there from Liverpool, after we had arrived from London, after we had traveled from Southampton, where I had thought to find you.”
At least Grace had the good sense to blush. “I can explain.”
“Fisher already did,” Georgie answered. “We saw him and his new wife in Greenock. He was the one who told us that you had continued on with Lady Mountrath.”
“I am not in her employ any longer,” Grace answered excitedly.
“Then who are you with?” And why was her sister apparently alone in a hotel?
“Lady Mountrath knows Uncle Patrick and saw me delivered to his home so that I might visit before I gained the nerve to return home.” Grace frowned. “Did you really sail from Carrera to find me?”
“Yes!” Georgie cried. “I needed to stop you before you did anything more foolish after following Fisher.”
“It was a mistake.”
“But I did not know that until four days ago, and I arrived in Southampton twelve days ago and have been searching for you.”
“I am sorry to make you worry, Georgie, but I did write home as soon as we arrived in London and explained.”
“I was already gone.”
“Well, now you have found me.” Grace grinned then looked at Damian and arched a dark eyebrow.
“Grace, may I introduce Mr. Damian Wynd, who has served as guard and protector since I set out from Southampton and accompanied me as I searched for you.”
“I have now been found.” She then grasped Georgie’s hand and pulled her away and across the foyer and directly to Uncle Patrick, whom she had met when she was much younger. He stood with a woman of similar age.
“Look who I have found, Uncle. You remember Georgie, do you not?”
“I do indeed.” Except, he wasn’t so much looking at Georgie but Damian, a question and concern in his eyes.
Damian stepped beside Georgie and held out his hand. “I only served as guard and protector while Miss Wylde pursued her sister,” he explained, using the same words that Georgie had.
Damian then turned to Georgie. “As promised, you have been delivered to your sister, and you have also located an uncle.”
“It appears to be that way.”
“There is no longer a need for me to remain with you.”
Tears welled in her eyes but she willed them to go away. If she cried, her family might have questions that she was not prepared to answer.
“Thank you for all that you have done, Mr. Wynd.”
“It was a pleasure and an adventure, Miss Wylde, and I am certain that I will remember these past twelve days fondly.”
“Even the first day?” she teased.
Damian chuckled. “Yes. I will most certainly miss the most difficult and stubborn woman that I have ever met.”
“I will miss you despite your protectiveness and tendency to be argumentative.”
“I only argue when it is necessary.”
“And I only do so when you are being stubborn and foolish.”
Their words may have seemed harsh, but there was fondness in their tones, so different than when they had first met.
“Thank you, Damian. I will remember these past days fondly.”
“As will I.” He then lifted the back of her hand to his lips. “Goodbye Miss Wylde and safe travels. I will see that your belongings are delivered downstairs to your uncle.”
He then turned and walked away, taking Georgie’s heart with him.