by Josie Bonham
Georgie’s heart skipped a beat. Could Mrs Armstrong be right? Was she worrying for nothing? She dragged her attention back to the conversation.
“Why not indeed, my love,” Mr Armstrong said. “His Lordship is a lucky man.” He smiled at Georgie.
“I can’t tell you how happy everyone in the area is about your wedding,” Mrs Amstrong said. “There has been a lot of speculation about who Lord Hargreaves might wed. Everyone is relieved he picked a sensible, caring young woman like you.”
She squeezed Georgie’s hand and let it go. “Lady Overton knows the ways of the polite world. My advice is to leave it all to her and say nothing.”
Georgie nodded. “Thank you. I’m sure you’re right. She’s helped me enormously already. If you will excuse me I ought to go and speak to Mr and Mrs Wright.”
Georgie spent a few minutes in greeting the Wrights until Barton announced dinner. Eliza signalled to her to lead the way to the dining room. They were a merry group. Georgie soaked up the happy atmosphere as if it was a concrete thing, forgetting her worries. For too long her life had been unremitting grief and gloom. It was lovely to enjoy cheerful company.
Max was telling some sort of tale at the opposite end of the table. His listeners burst out laughing. She tried to drag her gaze away from him. As if realising he was observed, Max glanced up at her and smiled. Her heart skipped a beat and she smiled back. She must hope and pray that Max wouldn’t break her heart. At the very worst she had gained a congenial family.
It was a fabulous meal, with traditional favourites like roast beef, Christmas goose and plum pudding all featuring. Georgie felt as if she wouldn’t be able to eat another thing for days by the end of it. The Hargreaves cook was excellent and all the dishes had been so tempting. Was it time for the ladies to retire to the drawing room? She glanced across at Eliza who gave her a small nod. She could do with spending months with Eliza, there was so much to learn.
“Shall we leave the gentlemen to their port, ladies?” Georgie smiled around the table.
Mrs Armstrong gave her an encouraging nod but she caught a speculative glance from Mrs Wright. She suppressed a sigh. They would have to get used to being the object of conjecture for some time, which wouldn’t be helped by Mrs Powell’s attitude. Would Max weary of it and wish he hadn’t offered her marriage?
Chapter Fifteen
Max watched the ladies troop out. Was it his imagination or did Georgie seem edgy? She wasn’t still worrying about Mrs Powell was she? Barton came in with a decanter of port and placed it on the table in front of him.
“Thank you, Barton. Perhaps you would send us another decanter of this and a decanter of brandy? Then tell the staff they may leave their duties for the rest of the evening. You may take what wine and spirits you think suitable down to the servants’ quarters to help the celebrations.”
Barton bowed. “Thank you, my lord. The staff will be grateful.” He was smiling as he left the room.
Now that was a rare occurrence seeing Barton smile. Perhaps he ought to consult with him over Mrs Powell? It might be wise but not until after Christmas when the roads were clear and they could make their escape to London. He didn’t want Georgie suffering any more than she already was.
A footman arrived with two decanters. “There is another full decanter of each in the library my lord.”
“Excellent.”
The door closed behind him. Max poured a generous measure of the port into his glass before passing the decanter around the table. He leaned back in his chair and raised the glass to the light of the candelabra in the middle of the table.
“Wakeley and I have already sampled this. I came across it in the cellar a few weeks ago. It must be one my father laid down.”
There were general murmurs of appreciation as they sipped their drinks.
Rollo caught his eye. “Did you mean that about taking me to Ireland?”
“I certainly mean you to have the opportunity to go to Ireland and spend some time on the stud farm. Whether I’m with you depends on whether Georgie wants to go. If she doesn’t, I’ll send my agent over and leave him to show you around.”
Rollo’s face fell momentarily. Perhaps the lad would be fine after all. He was obviously desperate to be considered an adult and to mix with the men of the family.
“I expect Georgie will want to see Ireland. I hope so because I would enjoy showing you around the stud. There will be a batch of hunters ready for sale by the summer. If your father has approved it beforehand, you may select one. Your father wanted to pay me for it but consider it a coming of age present”
Rollo smiled slightly. “Thank you.”
Good Lord, the lad was a cold one. He didn’t seem particularly excited. “I’ve been told this year’s crop is particularly good. You may have first choice.”
“That will be interesting.” Rollo had himself well in check but his eyes were glowing before he looked away from Max.
Timothy and Neil stared at their brother with mouths open. Max smiled at them.
“I’ll do the same for both of you when you’re Rollo’s age.”
Wakeley laughed. “Are you sure about this? If you have many more nephews it could prove very expensive.”
“I’m more worried about the cost of pearls for my nieces. Come we are neglecting our guests. I understand you have known my wife for some time, Mr Armstrong.”
“We’ve known her since she was born. Her uncle and I were at university together. Our paths led us in different directions but we kept in touch. When Mr Weston died, she and her aunt moved near to us and we saw a lot more of Georgie until Mrs Weston died.”
“She’s been through a difficult period then.” Nat turned in his chair to look at him. “I’m sure Max will look after her well now.”
Max grinned at him. “I most certainly will, Nat. I have every hope that we will be as happy as you and Eliza.”
“I’m extremely glad to hear it, my lord,” Mr Armstrong said. “She is a lovely young woman and will be a great support to you I’m sure.”
Max nodded and passed the port around. It seemed such a long time since Georgie had fallen into his life and yet it was only a few days. He considered his next words carefully.
“It might have been better to wait until after Christmas and have a big family wedding but Georgie was scared of what those awful cousins she’s had problems with would do. As my wife she is quite safe from them.”
Mr Wright nodded. “I was so pleased to conduct the service. I’m sure you were right to secure her peace of mind.”
The conversation turned general. Once they had finished their port Max led them towards the drawing room. He studied his eldest nephew. Was Rollo using him as a model of gentlemanly behaviour and was that what Georgie had hinted at? She seemed astute. He had to admit that he adopted an aloof manner sometimes and could be dictatorial. It was a front he had developed to help him deal with a huge enterprise, controlling hundreds of staff, at a very young age.
He hadn’t realised the strength of the link between Georgie’s family and the Armstrongs. Why hadn’t she gone straight to them? The Armstrongs clearly had considerable affection for her and Mr Armstrong seemed entirely genuine in his responses. Surely, they would have taken her in and she would have known them well enough to realise that? An awful suspicion hit him.
Was she about to order transport to them when hunger drove her to eat some of an abandoned meal? Had she recognised him and set out to trap him? He shook his head in an effort to dispel the thought. How would hiding in the hay barn overnight have helped her to snare him? She couldn’t have known she would be found by him. But then if she had another option why had she accepted his offer of marriage when all she knew of him was that he was a rake who drank too much? He shook his head trying to dispel his sudden doubts. She was so lovely he was worrying about nothing. Lavinia had seemed lovely too until he realised it was his friend who she wanted in her bed but his ring on her finger. All she wanted from him was his title and r
iches. He was a green boy then. He had far better judgement now.
His eyes met Georgie’s as soon as he entered the drawing room. He broke into a spontaneous smile and she responded in kind. The tight knot his insides had wrapped themselves into dissolved. He’d lay a considerable amount of blunt that Georgie was a kind-hearted girl. She was sitting next to Cecilia who blushed and jumped up as he approached. She bobbed a curtsey and gave him a pretty thank you for her pearls before running off to sit by Eliza.
He sank into the vacated seat. “I’m glad to see at least one of my siblings’ children is showing signs of tact.”
Georgie gave that musical laugh that always made him want to whisk her off somewhere private.
“I think she is a little in awe of you, besides being horribly embarrassed by the trouble she put you through.”
“The whole incident has dented her confidence. I told her not to worry about that. I was badly taken in once when I was two or three years older than her.”
Georgie raised her eyebrows in enquiry.
He shrugged. “It was a long time ago. I was only a boy at the time. I’m not sure Sally wouldn’t have done better to keep her at home for another year until she regains some of her confidence.”
“She’ll be alright once she’s established. I think she’s worried the story will have leaked.” Georgie hung her head for a moment before squaring her shoulders and meeting his gaze. “She’s not the only one to be nervous.”
Max took one of her hands and ran his thumb around the palm. She shuddered and closed her eyes. Her immediate response to him drew an answering surge of excitement. It was fortunate their corner was in one of the gloomier parts of the room. He leant towards her.
“I had better stop touching you or I’ll be forced to carry you up to bed.”
Georgie’s eyes flew open and she smiled at him. “You’re having the same effect on me.”
Max placed her hand by her side and sat back. “There’s no need for either of you to worry.” His expression hardened. “No one will dare to challenge us openly. Besides I’m confident my sister, Augusta, Duchess of Cathlay, will be able to squash any rumours. The whole of the Ton is terrified of her.”
Georgie giggled. “Augusta is your oldest sister, isn’t she? If she’s that scary should I be worried about her?”
“Very possibly, she still terrifies me. Yes, she’s the eldest. Her husband is formidable too. The Cathlay family are spending Christmas with relatives of Cathlay in Berkshire this year. They will leave for London as soon as the weather is suitable, which is lucky for us.”
Georgie laughed out loud and he grinned back at her.
“It will take me a long time to get used to the idea of being part of a large family. I don’t even know all the names yet but I’ve heard Eliza and Sally mention Augusta with awe.”
“It was much quieter when she left home but I think we’re all secretly proud of her. She has the ear of most of the government. Of course, being married to the Duke of Cathlay is a big help in that.”
“You will have to make me a list of all the names of children and spouses.”
“I’ll try. When my parents were alive we used to have a big gathering here in the summer. Once you’re settled it’s something we might reintroduce.”
“I would like that. It would be easier if I met a least a few more of them first though.”
People seemed to have moved into groups. A quick glance around showed no one looking in their direction. Max edged up closer to Georgie until he could feel the heat of her thigh pressed against his. He put an arm around her and drew her close. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. His thoughts turned to quiet evenings in the future, spent together with no family intruding. Once he had introduced Georgie to the Ton, he planned on staying put in the country for at least a year.
***
Georgie gave a sigh of contentment. She felt so safe with Max’s arm around her. The events of the past couple of years, which had dragged her down so much, seemed so far away it felt like they were from a different country. In a way they were. She was living in a completely different world now. No matter how reliable or otherwise Max proved to be, she was sure that he would protect her from people like Cousin Mary. The sounds of people chatting receded until all she could hear was the sound of Max’s heart beating steadily against the ear that was resting on his chest.
The next thing she knew she was being carried up the grand staircase, in Max’s arms. She tried to sit up.
“Keep still, Georgie. I don’t want to drop you.”
She lay back, eyes closed. The smell of the wonderful cologne that haunted her dreams tickled her nose. Max ran up the rest of the stairs as if she weighed no more than a powder puff. This time he didn’t have mounds of snow slowing him down, or a sore head. She heard him kick a door open and opened her eyes. Max laid her down on her bed.
She stretched. “How long was I asleep? So rude of me.”
Max perched on the edge of the bed next to her. “Well over an hour but don’t worry. I don’t think anyone noticed for some time. For once my family were giving us some privacy. The Armstrongs said they were glad you were so relaxed. I saw them to the carriage when they were ready.”
“Thank you, Max. They’re such good people.”
“It seems you know them well, much better than I realised. Why didn’t you see Mr Pleck and hire a carriage to take you to them?”
Georgie finished waking up with a jolt. Why was he thinking about that? A hand flew to her cheek. “I was afraid you might return and tell everyone I was a whore.” It sounded rather lame said like that but it was the truth, or at least part of the truth.
Her eyes found his. He didn’t look convinced. “I didn’t plan to go to them because Cousin Mary had a legal hold on me until my birthday. She has a friend who is a rather sinister lawyer.”
Max cradled her hand and some of the tension ebbed out of her.
“Yet you were trying to get to them later?”
“I had no choice then. I didn’t feel safe at the inn even if Mr Pleck would agree to give me a room.” She glanced at Max who had the grace to blush. “I was confident they would take me in, but I didn’t want to put them in the position of aiding a criminal act by arriving before reaching my majority. The church might have disciplined Mr Armstrong if it had come out. It would have been difficult to keep my presence secret at the vicarage.”
“Perhaps, but you would have been more likely to be discovered at a public place like the Golden Cross.”
She must try and make him understand. Her head was aching but she ploughed on. “No one takes much notice of comings and goings at an inn. If Mrs Pleck had been there, I could have stayed hidden until Christmas Eve quite easily.”
“You look exhausted. I don’t know why I’m making such a fuss. I was just surprised to see how fond of you the Armstrongs are.” He bent over and kissed her forehead. “You need some sleep. I’ll send Jepson to fetch Martha to help you undress.”
Georgie forced herself into a sitting position. “Don’t have them dragged away from the staff party, Max.”
He laughed. “No matter what I say to Jepson he won’t join the party until he has put my clothes away. Martha will want to attend you.”
He kissed her again and strolled to the connecting door. Fatigue and disappointment overwhelmed her. Didn’t he trust her? She threw a corner of the bedcover over her head as sobs racked her body and the tears flowed. So many tears she thought they would never cease. Eventually her breathing slowed and the tears stopped. If only Max would come back and put his arms around her.
There was a soft tap at the door. “Come in.”
Martha entered. “His Lordship sent Jepson for me, my lady. He said you were exhausted and needed my help.”
“I don’t want you to miss your party.”
“It’s no matter.” She pulled a face. “Old Ma Powell sent me to bed early anyway.”
Georgie noticed Martha’s rumpled clothi
ng and the cap clinging to her head at an odd angle. “I’m sorry if you were woken up.”
“I wasn’t asleep.”
Martha helped her up and out of her clothes. Georgie selected one of the warm nightgowns Eliza had given her. She didn’t feel like wearing one from Max’s present. She squeezed her eyes and mouth tightly shut. She didn’t want to cry in front of Martha. She had had such different plans, ones which included Max undressing her. Martha offered to fetch a warming pan but she sent the by now sleepy girl back to her own bed. She curled up under the covers but sleep eluded her.
Why was Max suddenly suspicious of her actions? Did he think she was more experienced than she was? She couldn’t help herself responding enthusiastically to his lovemaking. Surely that wouldn’t be enough for him to think she had tricked him? He had told her to enjoy herself and she had taken him at his word. A flash of heat surged through her. Perhaps most innocent girls took longer to feel comfortable with that side of things.
Even so he had seemed happy that she was enjoying herself in the marital bed. There must be something more. She had to find out. She felt safe from the world with Max to protect her but if he didn’t trust her, she would never find love with him. Eliza had hinted at the problems he’d had with girls trying to trap him into marriage. What was it he’d said earlier? Something about telling Cecilia he had been a bigger fool than she had and at two or three years older. What was the name he had mentioned? Lavinia, that was it, wanting to marry him for material gain but loving someone else. She would have to try and get Eliza to tell her the whole story.
She’d laughed at other girls declaring instant love when a young man took their fancy. Now she knew it could happen. She couldn’t think of any other reason she had allowed herself to be railroaded into this sham of a marriage. Yes, Max could be forceful, arrogant even, but she could have withstood him. What a fool she had been. Max was a rake. He would always be able to respond to an attractive girl and he’d shown he found her attractive. That didn’t mean he loved her. All the people she had loved in life had gone. Marrying a man who, deep down, she thought could replace them had been foolhardy. She had to try and protect what was left of her heart.
