Chapter Twenty-Two
Philip tapped his thumb against his two middle fingers as his coach made its way through London’s busy streets to Grosvenor Square. After a full sennight without his wife, the last place he’d expected to be talking to her was at his sister’s.
He had to admit that the first three days without Georgina, he’d been busy making sure he set into place everything needed to ensure she would recognize his sincerity.
But after rushing about to accomplish all, he found himself wandering around the townhouse completely at a loss.
Even good news from Crestfield had done little to relieve his worry, despite his mother’s assurances.
Three days ago, when he couldn’t stand being away from her another day, he’d called on both Lord Harewood and Lord Ferncroft, only to be told they were out. Whether they were or not was of little importance. He only wished to discover if their wives had told them where Georgina was.
At least he had come to understand exactly how strong the bond was between the Curious Ladies before Lord Tamworth and his wife had shown up at the townhouse two days ago insisting on learning everything.
Once Lady Tamworth left to visit the other Curious Ladies, he had hoped she’d come home with Georgina in tow, but that didn’t happen.
Instead, she returned assuring him she’d seen Georgina and she was well, but refused to tell him where his own wife was.
Angry that everyone but him could visit his wife, he had told Lord and Lady Tamworth that there would be no annulment under any circumstances and stormed out of the townhouse, only to find himself at Monsieur Armand’s confectionary, trying a variety of puff pastries for the man.
It was far better than watching Tamworth and his wife enjoying each other’s company.
Finally, Berry had sent him a note saying his wife would speak with him.
That Georgina had hidden at his sister’s not only spoke to her intelligence in knowing where to hide from him, but also how determined she was not to see him, which made him far more nervous now that he would finally have the chance to make amends… if he could.
He swallowed hard as the coach came to a stop before his sister’s townhouse. It was time. His heart started racing at the thought of his finally seeing Georgina again. Not waiting for the footman, he bounded out of the conveyance.
He was halfway to the door when the footman called him. Irritated, he turned to bark at the man, but swallowed his words. He’d forgotten the gift he’d brought. “Well, bring it here.”
The footman carried the birdcage covered in a cloth up to him.
“Thank you.” He turned back toward the house to find the door open and his sister standing there. He walked up the steps. “Good day.”
“Good day to you, brother. She’s in the garden.” She pointed over her shoulder.
He looked down the central corridor, then turned back to her. “Is she well?”
“If you mean is her physical health good, then yes.”
He almost took a step, but stopped. “And you? Are you well?”
His sister’s brows rose. “I am. How unusual for you to ask.”
He gave her a sheepish smile. “I know.”
“Go talk to your wife, brother, and fix this mess you made.”
“I hope to.” He gave her a nod then started down the corridor to the back of the house. When he opened the door to the garden and stepped out onto the top step, he stopped, his heart thudding in his chest.
Georgina sat as still as the bench beneath her, watching a bird on a bush no more than two feet away.
Her brown hair was pulled back neatly, showing her long neck.
Her light green day gown had her appearing like a fairy in her own domain.
She was even more beautiful than he remembered—or maybe she seemed so because he could lose her.
Her cheeks were fuller and her hands, one on the bench and one on her lap, were still.
She was far beyond beautiful. She had a sharp mind and a tender heart, and he had trampled all over both.
He set the birdcage on the top step and quietly walked down, not wishing to startle her or the little bird she watched. He had just reached the ground when the bird hopped back into the bush. “Georgina?”
She didn’t turn to look at him. “Philip.”
Did she not look at him because it hurt or because he made her angry? He took a step closer. “I’ve come to apologize for my rash words. I did not think. I…I’m trying to learn to think first instead of react.”
“That is good of you. I accept your apology. Now will you annul our marriage? Sophie said that you wouldn’t unless you could talk to me.”
He’d have to thank Lady Tamworth for wording it in just that way—no doubt that was why Georgina had agreed to see him—but that she still wanted an annulment made his stomach tense.
He took a few more steps closer, wanting more than anything to hold her in his arms, inhale her light pansy scent, and gaze into her fascinating eyes, but she still wouldn’t look at him.
“Georgina, I knew you wouldn’t have told your secret on purpose.
And when you said you hadn’t, I knew you told the truth.
But instead of calmly discussing who might have, I reacted horribly.
I admit, it took me a few days to understand why, but it came to me in bits, just like that little bird hopped a bit closer to you. ”
Her hands, which had been still, were no longer. She now clasped them, and one thumb rubbed the back of the other, but despite what he was sure was her curiosity, she didn’t speak or look at him. At least he knew she listened.
He began to pace toward her and back, but not in front of her.
“I slowly realized that I had traded one strong emotion for the other. I went from guilt about my father to an obsessive need to keep the family name untarnished. When that complete focus failed, I lashed out at the one person who could not only understand my thought process, but who could help me save everything. Instead of us finding a solution together, you had to do it on your own.”
“The rumor is dead.” Her voice was stoic, as if there were no emotion left inside her. That scared him.
“Yes, the rumor is dead, and Ashfield has been thrown out of White’s. I almost was too, for hitting him in self-defense, but a few men spoke for me. I probably should have been thrown out. I’m no gentleman if I can talk to my wife as I did to you.”
He stopped pacing as he noticed her hands now clutching at her dress.
“When I found you gone, I immediately searched for you. The more people that told me you were fine, the angrier I got. I needed to see you, to make things better for you. The fact that you didn’t want to see me was devastating. I hated not knowing where you were.”
Still she didn’t look at him, and his hope dwindled.
“The owners of the townhouse contacted me and accepted our offer. I signed the paperwork. I always want you to feel you have a home, even if you’re angry at me. The townhouse is yours. I will move out of it today if you tell me to, though you do have some guests at the moment.”
“Sophie.” Though Georgina still didn’t look at him, he could see her knee moving up and down. It was barely perceptible, but it was there. He was sure of it.
“Yes, Lord and Lady Tamworth are there. Who’s not there is you. With you gone, I realized something very important.”
She readjusted her skirts, but still didn’t ask him anything.
His heart started to pound. Wanting her to acknowledge him in some way, he stepped up next to her, though she continued to look at the bush where the bird had perched.
“What I realized is that nothing is more important to me than you—not guilt, not friends, not money, not even family reputation. You’re the most important part of my life.
In fact, I told my mother the truth about my gambling and that I had to marry you for your dowry.
I told her because I’m willing to let all of Society know how I failed and you saved us.
I don’t care what others think of me or my family name.
All I care about is having you in my life.
If that is what it takes to have you back, I’m happy to do so. Just tell me when.”
Finally, she turned her head to look at him, her eyes locked on his, unblinking. He gazed into them, wishing her to see the sincerity of his words.
She studied him for what seemed like hours, but it had to have been merely minutes. Then she cocked her head. “Tomorrow.”
He pulled his head back. “Tomorrow what?”
“Let everyone know you married me for my dowry.”
No smile quirked her lips. She was completely serious.
He pulled himself up to his full height. “I will. I will start at White’s then visit Lady Dulac. She is excellent at spreading gossip.”
“And will you also tell them you expected to suffer with me as your wife?”
He grimaced. “If you so wish, but I will be clear that you became my joy instead. As long as you come home with me, I will do anything.”
She looked away, readjusting her skirts again as if they weren’t perfect, as if she wasn’t perfect for him.
Unable to wait any longer, he knelt before her and took one of her hands in both his own.
“Georgina, if I could marry you again, I would. I know I don’t deserve another chance, but I’m asking for one anyway.
You’re the only thing I’ve done right since I left Oxford, and I can’t let you go.
My nest is empty without you in it. You’re truly my phoenix, and while I may not be your equal, I’m sure my feathers will molt and I’ll change for the better.
I won’t be perfect, but I’ll keep trying and you can guide me. ”
Her gaze returned to his face. Then she gave the smallest of nods and her lips lifted.
His chest lightened and his breathing increased. “Truly?”
“Yes.”
Joy filled him, making him want to shout, but her agreement was far too precious for that. As if she were a delicate bird, he rose, bringing her up with him. “I love you, Georgina.”
She rested her hand on the side of his face as she stared into his eyes. “I love you too.”
He lowered his lips to hers and sealed their new beginning with a gentle kiss.
When they pulled apart, she looked into his eyes. “I missed you. Even though I hurt, I couldn’t stop loving you.”
“When I realized what I’d done, I was desperate to make it right. I never want to hurt you again. I promise to try not to, but I don’t have a lot of faith in myself yet.”
“I do. I know you don’t want to hurt anyone. I’d even bet on it.”
“You would?” He held her a little tighter. “What would you bet?”
“I’d bet that if you hurt me again, I would live without you for a month.”
He swallowed hard. His wife had grown into a confident and strong woman, one he needed to match. “And what if I toe the line? What do I receive?”
She moved her mouth closer to his. “You will receive children.”
He breathed deeply, her scent filling his nostrils, causing his body to respond. “Then I accept your bet.”
She gave him a soft smile just before he took her lips with his, this time with all the love and passion he felt. He might not deserve her, but she was his and he’d spend every day making her happy she was his wife.
A loud screech came from the steps, and Georgina pulled away. “That’s a bird. A frightened bird.”
He’d almost forgotten his gift once again. “It is a bird. I brought you a present.” Reluctantly, he let her go and walked to the steps to retrieve the cage. “This is a special bird. I had to find just the right one for you.” He set the cage on the bench, and she joined him there.
Slowly, she lifted the material off the cage and stared.
The white bird, its high crown of feathers straight up, hopped to the edge of its cage and cocked its head to stare at her.
Immediately, she crouched down. “A cockatoo.” Her voice was so low, he barely heard her. “Hello, little one. I’m your new mama.”
The bird bobbed its head and let out a soft chirp.
Georgina looked up at Philip. “Thank you. She’s perfect.” She turned her attention back to the bird. “I’m going to call you Elodie. Do you like that? El-ooooo-dee, like Melody.”
The bird rubbed its head against the metal slats and let out an odd sound. “Oooooodeeeeee.”
Georgina laughed. “Yes. El-oooo-deee. And I’m Mama.”
The bird cocked its head again then bobbed it up and down. “Oooooooodeeeee.”
“Good girl. At least you like your name.”
The bird gave a few more chirps, then Georgina rose and covered the cage. She turned to Philip and took his hand. “We’d like to go home now.”
His heart filled with happiness. He squeezed her hand before reaching over with his other and gently lifting the cage. “Hear that, Elodie? We’re going home.”