Chapter Twelve
Philip tried to focus on the numbers before him, but his mind kept wandering to Georgina, or rather to the pleasure she’d experienced less than ten hours earlier. He, on the other hand, had tossed and turned all night, images of her fulfillment generating multiple future scenarios in his mind.
She’d been very responsive to his touch, which had pleased him.
But her experience with the man who’d taken her innocence had an inner fury simmering in his chest. He’d never had a need to protect anyone.
As the youngest child and only son, there was never a younger brother to argue with, share scrapes with, or stand up for.
Feeling protective over Georgina was new for him.
On one hand, he wanted to call out the knave who had so dishonored her, and in such a way.
On the other hand, he wished to do everything he could to erase those first memories for her.
It was a strange set of feelings, much like those that filled him when looking at the ledger his steward kept.
It was meticulous, proof of the prosperity that had continued at Crestfield over the last three years, while he’d gone about winning and losing the fortune his father had left him. A fortune he didn’t deserve.
Shaking his head, he returned once more to the numbers he’d been trying to focus on.
“My lord, a Lord Claremont to see you.”
Philip looked up from the ledger to frown at his butler. “Did you say Claremont?”
“I did, sir.”
He’d heard Claremont was one to ignore the typical niceties of Society, but ten in the morning was quite early to call. Philip stood and shrugged into his tailcoat. “Bring him in, Haines. Let’s see what he needs, as only someone in need would arrive at such an early hour.”
“Indeed, sir.”
Haines’s disdain of the unlikely hour had Philip holding back a grin. It never had taken much to disturb his butler’s sense of propriety. In his youth, Philip had gone out of his way to unsettle the older man.
Footsteps sounded on the wood floor as Haines led Lord Claremont in. “Lord Claremont, my lord.”
Claremont walked forward, his long stride matching his tall, lanky frame as he held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lord Durham.”
Philip shook the man’s hand then gestured to the wingback chair before his desk. “It’s rather early, is it not, Lord Claremont? How is it that I might help you?”
Claremont was no older than himself and sported black hair, but instead of the somber tones of dress that Philip favored, Claremont was bedecked in green, with a paisley waistcoat, as if he’d dressed himself after a drunken night with a harlot.
He ignored Philip’s gesture toward the chair and instead surveyed the room. “Is that painting of your father?”
The last person Philip planned to discuss his father with was the man who’d just won a fortune from him. So he walked to the window to force the man to change his focus. “I do hope this visit is not about our bet. My solicitor should have contacted you by now.”
Claremont glanced at him and waved his hand.
“I’m sure he did. My man would have told me if he hadn’t.
Tell me, why are you not in London? There are three contentious bills being debated at the moment, or so I’m told.
” The man grinned, his dark brown eyes impossible to read before he strode over to a bookcase.
“I just married, and my wife and I are enjoying some time alone.” Philip stressed the last word, more irritated than curious that Claremont had come.
Claremont spun around at that. “Married? I didn’t know you were courting anyone. Congratulations. I’m sure she considers herself lucky to have landed you. Personally, I have no interest in marrying until it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Lord Claremont, is there a reason for your visit? I’m assuming it is important, as the hour is rather early.”
“Important? Not necessarily. You see, I was traveling back to London, as I just attended the most interesting house party. The hostess is a widow and very young. Since I was passing by, I thought I might take a small detour to see if you would be interested in another bet. I can’t tell you how pleased I was to find someone like myself willing to live on the excitement of such high stakes. ”
Claremont was truly the epitome of selfishness, even more so than Philip.
It appeared the man had not found others foolish enough to bet against. Despite his curiosity, Philip didn’t ask about it.
“I appreciate the offer, but now, with a wife and hopefully a family, I’m not as interested in gambling fortunes anymore.
The excitement of a new wife and a new life is plenty for me. ”
Claremont actually grimaced. “It’s a shame. I thought I’d found a kindred spirit, if you will. Nevertheless, if you should reconsider, I’ll be about in Town and you’re welcome to look me up.”
“I appreciate the offer.” Philip walked toward the open door of his library to indicate Claremont’s time was over.
“So how is it that you married? Last I knew, you were too busy enjoying life to meet anyone.”
“As it happens, I met my wife on Twelfth Night, which I take as a good omen. And speaking of her, she is expecting me to break my fast with her. So, if you will excuse me…?”
“Oh, of course. Need to eat to keep up the stamina for the missus, I’m sure. Very well, then I will take my leave.” Claremont walked across the room in four strides. The man was rather tall, after all. At the door, he stopped. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to take one last fling with chance?”
Even if he hadn’t already made a vow not to gamble again, Philip wouldn’t take another bet against Claremont. “No, but thank you for the offer.”
Claremont shrugged. “Then I shall be off. I hear Lord Wellsley was planning a bit of entertainment tonight with a few lovely ladies anxious to show off their attributes.” The man grinned as he winked, then turned toward Haines, who already had the man’s hat and cane in hand.
“Good day, Lord Claremont.”
“Good day, Lord Durham, and many felicitations on your marriage.”
As soon as the man stepped across the threshold, Haines closed the door, the look of distaste on his face a rare sight.
Philip bit down on a smile. “Tell me, Haines, has my wife broken her fast yet?”
“Not that I know of, my lord.”
“Excellent. Please have a tray sent up to her sitting room for both of us.”
“Of course, my lord.” Though Haines didn’t quite smile, it was apparent he was pleased.
Philip walked up the stairs. Something about being around Claremont and the man’s complete disregard for politeness had him wishing to be with his wife.
It could be simply that she was a new development in his life, or it could be that he was appreciating their time alone more than he’d anticipated.
Either way, it didn’t matter. She was now his wife, and they could get to know each other much better without Society’s prying eyes. Their compatibility was key to a united front, as was the lack of any untoward gossip about their past situations.
He’d thought to enter Georgina’s sitting room, but at the thought of seeing her dressing, her hair being put up as she always wore it, he changed direction and opened the door to her bedroom.
It was empty. Not deterred, he strode into the connecting dressing room, but found it also empty.
Surprised she was already dressed for the day, considering the early hour, he moved to the sitting room, just as the door to the corridor opened and Georgina’s lady’s maid stepped in—but there was no sign of Georgina.
“My lord.”
“Where is my wife?”
“She left for the garden about half an hour ago.”
“Did she say where in the garden she was going?” He knew it a futile question, since in a matter of thirty minutes his new wife could have walked the gardens and headed to the woods.
“Yes, she did. She wanted to search out the gardener. I told her about the gardener’s building I learned about last night. I hope that was acceptable, my lord.”
He brushed by the woman, anxious to discover what his wife had in mind. “Yes, that’s fine.” He halted. “Thank you.” Without another word, he headed down the corridor, then the grand staircase, and out through the terrace doors in his study.
He jogged down the two steps and to the small stone building at the east end of the garden, the complete opposite direction of the old dovecote.
When he reached the building, he found the door open, but no one there.
He should have known. He just hoped she didn’t tire old Beeson.
The head gardener was old enough to be a grandfather many times over.
Having an inkling where she might be now, he headed toward the opposite end of the garden.
Just as she was always moving, she also physically moved fast, which he hypothesized meant her mind moved just as fast. From the look she’d given him yesterday when he told her they could open the dovecote again, there was a very good chance she was there.
In fact, he’d bet his horse on that…if he were still gambling, which he wasn’t.
As he approached the dovecote, he heard no voices within. It was fortuitous that he wasn’t betting, then. He stepped across the threshold to find his gardener studying one of the beams. “Mr. Beeson.”
The old man turned his head. “My lord, it’s good to see you.” He walked toward Philip. “I just spoke to your wife, and she is truly a most knowledgeable lady. Congratulations on your marriage.”
Mr. Beeson smiled, so Philip decided not to point out that his success in picking a wife appeared to hinge on her knowledge of birds and dovecotes. “Thank you. Is she about here somewhere?”
“No. She left for the house a few minutes ago. She said she wished to break her fast with you on the terrace because it was such a pleasant day. I have to say, sir, if you don’t mind, her plan to bring doves back to Crestfield Hall makes my old heart happy.”
“As long as your staff takes care of them. I don’t want my wife climbing a ladder to remove eggs out of nests.”
“Of course not, sir.”