A Lord's Redemption: A Historical Romance (Unexpected Love Book 2)

by Anna Macy

  Reaching up, she brushed her fingers across a single framed photograph in the corner. It was one of the first things he had hung. The last ship that Bert Conning and the elder Robert Wains had designed and built together many years ago. The photo had been taken just before Georgiana’s father split from the company.

  “I remember this one. Papa always said she was the finest ship he’d ever designed.” A smile was pulling at Georgiana’s remarkable face; her eyes faded as if in deep thought. She shook her head sadly. “He was such a fool. He turned from friendship, from history, and sacrificed his family’s well-being, all for the glory of having his name in larger print. I fear I still don’t understand him.”

  “I’m sure he did what he believed was right at the time.” Robert walked to stand behind her, staring up at the young versions of their fathers. They stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the massive ship, pride shining out of their faces.

  “That’s kind of you to say. If you talked to him now, you wouldn’t even recognize the man he’s become. He blames everybody but himself. Some nights, he and my mother just sit and stare into the fire, and I know they are just reveling in their misery. It infects all of us like a terrible illness. I hate it.” Georgiana’s throat grew tight as she disclosed this horrible family secret.

  “I’m sure he doesn’t blame you,” Robert said.

  “But he does.” Georgiana sniffed. “I would do absolutely anything to put my family back together again.”

  Robert’s chest ached, and he pressed a hand against it, exasperated at how easily this woman got under his skin. He reached his arm around her waist, Robert boldly pulling her against him. Heart pounding, he stared down into her soft doe-like eyes. She wore her innocence like a shield.

  Breathing ragged, Robert watched tersely as Georgiana tucked her head against his chest again. A soft sigh escaped her. This was the sound of pleasure, nothing like the stressed, anxious breath earlier. Dropping his head, he didn’t stop himself when he wanted to press a kiss there, only to feel her heartbeat pick up again.

  The shocking maneuver should’ve felt wrong or, in the least, scandalous, but the feel of her against him was as natural as breathing. And in fact, it was harder to remain apart from her than it was to draw her close. It was as if the distance between them was directly linked to his happiness.

  His breeches were feeling tight as she let her hips sway against him, inevitably dragging her body against his. Robert was honorable as the day was long, but he was still a man. He grumbled softly against her neck, a warning as her fingers intertwined with his. She didn’t stop him as he pulled her tighter against him. She paused then when there was nothing but fabric between them.

  If she felt how badly he wanted her, she gave no sign. Her breathing grew rapidly deeper as Robert let his mouth explore the softness of the skin at the back of her neck. Georgiana turned, meeting his dark gaze with her own eyes, heavy-lidded and smoldering. His blood sang with the notion that he had turned her into this liquid heat. Robert breathed deep, his nose was filled with the scent of rosewater.

  Sliding her body against his, she let her hands slide up his shoulders to link at the base of his neck, her fingers pulling at strands of his hair there. He smiled down at her, his eyes inevitably following the line of her neck, over her collarbones, to the barely visible mounds hidden by a shock of white lace.

  Robert clenched his jaw, insistent as always that he remain in control. To his surprise and pleasure, she rose on her toes to press a kiss to his jaw, murmuring softly against the skin.

  “You are quite tense, Mr. Wains.” The heat of her breath sent lightning straight to his groin, his body shifting restlessly against the softness of her feminine one.

  “I can’t imagine why, Miss. Conning,” Robert replied, his words tight as her lips continued to taste his jaw, down to the heavy column of his neck, stopping just above his cravat. Georgiana laughed softly, nervously against his skin.

  “What would happen if you released even the smallest bit of that famous Wains family control?” Her words were teasing, but the heat behind them would have driven him to his knees. Watching her, every part of his body straining at its leash, he struggled.

  “I am a man of honor, Miss Conning. I have already been too forward,” Robert said.

  “Perhaps you have,” Georgiana said, her fingers tracing the seams of his shirt, “but did you hear me complain?”

  As if unaware of the ramifications, she let her tongue slip out to wet her lip. Just like that, his leash snapped with violence even he hadn’t expected.

  He drove her backward against the wall, urgent hands on her hips. Her gasp of surprise left her mouth open for his taking, which he gladly did. His lips toyed with her, drawing her into a fierce battle of wills and desire as he let his hips grind against the softness of her body.

  Her hands were deep in his thick blonde hair, the fingers tugging lightly as they fought against each other, feeding the painful ache of desire that consumed him.

  Sliding one hand down her body, he found the back of her knee, dragging the limb up and exposing the sweet softness at her core. Even though the fabric she could feel him, the hard length of him driving all coherent thought from her mind.

  Gasping for breath, she broke the kiss, leaning her head back against the wall as his lips slipped down her neck to whisper across the lush tops of her breasts. Just a pull of one hand, and he could release them, free them from the tightly constraining fabric. One pull, and he would fasten his lips around those sweet peaks and wring more of those mind-numbing moans from her lips.

  God, what he would do to hear her moan again, her lips against his ears, he could be driven to do horribly dishonorable things to hear it.

  With a furious groan, Robert turned and made his way back up her body to reach her mouth, his lips speaking louder than his words ever could. She was intoxicating, this woman, who spent her days fighting. Fighting her family’s battle, fighting her own needs, and now fighting him for this mutual pleasure.

  No wonder his control had snapped.

  SIX

  “Wains! Damn it Devonshire, are you still here?” Robert’s head snapped up at the sound of the dockmaster’s worried voice.

  With a snarl on his lips, Robert pushed off of the wall, and Georgiana and crossed the small office quickly. One instant, he was buried in the fiery beauty of Georgiana, and the next, this man had come crashing in with the force of a hurricane.

  Forcing himself to straighten his jacket, his cuffs as if nothing had happened, he glimpsed himself in the reflective glass of one of the frames along the wall. His hair was hurriedly pushed back, and he situated himself best he could in the short time he knew they had.

  He strode to the door, hearing the heavy booted footsteps just beyond. Quickly, Robert glanced back at Georgiana. She swiftly did the same. Her hair was fixed as neatly as possible, her face was flushed, but the glowing heat that had just encompassed her was now nothing more than a simmer that her magnetic eyes gave off as they met his.

  Offering him a quick smile, she nodded.

  Robert turned and threw open the door. Stephen Brown, the dockmaster, dressed for the winter cold, stood there, his eyes quickly scanning the section of Robert’s office he could see.

  “Can I help you?” Robert knew his voice was cold, but considering the circumstances, he thought he was rather courteous.

  “One of my guards said they saw a girl wandering around, claiming to be Georgiana Conning. I cannot find her over by the Conning building. Please tell me she is here” Mr. Browns voice was vibrating with urgency, his eyes were manic as they darted over Robert’s face.

  “Mr. Brown, please do not despair. Mr. Wains was able to detain me before I got too lost.” Georgiana spoke from behind Robert, stepping into the dockmaster’s view.

  Mr. Brown paled considerably, taking her in dirty skirts, her tumbling, loose hair. “What happened, Miss Conning?”

  Incredibly his eyes turned to Robert, icy and full of
incrimination. He moved to enter the office, but Robert refused him, his broad stance offering no means of entrance.

  “I ran into some trouble with the local scoundrels. As I mentioned before, Mr. Wains was nearby and came to my aid. The only thing that suffered was the hem of my frock, and it’s nothing that a good launder won’t cure.” Georgiana crept forward, her steps timid and unsure.

  “I had just invited Miss Conning in to warm up before we found her a safe ride home,” Robert said, his face a mask of indifference as the other man’s eyes carefully took stock of the office. Whatever he was looking for, he must’ve found as he pulled his eyes back to Robert’s face. Taking in the clenched jaw and the breadth of Robert’s shoulders, he seemed less than willing to push the Lord past his breaking point.

  “If you’d like, I’m going back up to catch a hansom now. Miss Conning, I’d be happy to escort you safely home.” Mr. Brown’s thin lips pulled back in what he must’ve assumed was a smile.

  Robert fought the urge to push the man out of his doorway, slamming it behind him. But he could feel Georgiana approaching, her body moving into his shadow with a soft step. Her face was warm, pleased as she looked up at Mr. Brown.

  Putting one hand on Robert’s forearm, she stepped between the two men. Her brown eyes were wary, a warning to him, as was her hand and the pressure she put on him.

  “I think that would be best. My family will be missing me.” She looked right at Robert, her words full of sorrow that pulled at his heart. They both knew that she was being returned to a household that barely knew her. And to a father who would risk her life on account of some nonessential records. If she were his family, he would’ve torn apart half of London the moment he realized she wasn’t safe.

  Her family was missing out on all the best parts of Georgiana. She deserved so much more than the idle consideration of those obsessed with the value of their lives, more than the value of those in their lives.

  Robert dropped his arms, stepping away from Georgiana as he offered her a polite bow. As they hadn’t just been curled into each other as if they were sharing a final breath.

  She curtsied and, just for a moment, grinned at him, the sparkling brown eyes reaching straight down to his heart, before turning to take Mr. Brown’s arm.

  He stood at the edge of the warehouse, watching her walk away, her proud head high until they boarded a hansom cab just outside of the port’s main entrance.

  Knowing she was safe, Robert closed the door. Alone in his office, Robert’s face split into a wide grin. The night had not turned out the way he thought it would, but now he knew for sure. Miss Georgiana Conning wanted him just as badly as he wanted her.

  ***

  Georgiana had barely made it into her room before she collapsed into sobs. She had to tell her Father that this was the end of their agreement. If tonight were any example, there was no way she’d be able to get closer to Robert. Not without risking her heart.

  She was wiping away the streaming tears when a knock sounded at her door. She wrenched it open, an angry retort waiting on her tongue. Serena was standing on the other side, looking decidedly shy and nervous, holding a candle tree. Georgiana’s throat tightened.

  “I heard you come in and wanted to be sure you were alright,” Serena said softly.

  Georgiana stared. Emotions welled up in her chest. Guilt, hopelessness, self-loathing overwhelmed her like the mighty river Thames. Her tears flowed anew as she let herself fall into the arms of the pretty American.

  “I don’t know what to do,” she sobbed into Serena’s shoulder, soaking the woman's nightrail as she wrapped her arms about her.

  Serena shushed her quietly, and warm, soothing hands ran up and down Georgiana’s back. Careful to keep the open flame from Georgiana and to mumble quiet words of affirmation, Serena let her cry.

  Minutes, or maybe even hours later, Georgiana finally calmed. Her eyes and face felt sore from the outpouring of emotion; she rarely allowed herself. She pulled back from Serena, anxiously waiting for a scathing remark. But none came. Serena offered only a small smile as she wiped her face dry.

  “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what came over me,” Georgiana said.

  “It’s alright. We all need to release some emotion sometimes.” Serena gazed at her, dark eyes kind.

  “What are you doing awake at this hour?” Georgiana said, sniffling.

  As Serena opened her mouth, a sharp voice barked out from behind Georgiana. “Serena, get to bed. I’ll see to Georgiana.”

  It was her father. He stood in his dressing gown just down the hall from the two of them. Serena immediately dropped to a curtsy before hurrying down the hardwood floors. At the corner, she hesitated, catching Georgiana’s eye quickly.

  Georgiana smiled at her, feeling bad she hadn’t even gotten to thank the girl for her surprising show of kindness.

  “You don’t always have to be the strong one,” Serena whispered, for her ears only. Georgiana’s smile faded. In a flash of candlelight, Serena disappeared around the edge. Georgiana was now alone in the wide corridor with her father. His own candle tree was smaller, casting only a dim halo of light around them as he approached.

  As he got closer, his sharp eyes surveyed her quickly. “Did he take the bait?”

  Blood pounded in Georgiana’s ears. “Do you mean, did he save me from being attacked?” Her voice was ragged, angry.

  Bert grunted in response, uninterested in her drama.

  “Then, yes. It worked,” Georgiana said. Her lips pursed as she stepped away from her father, wholly disenchanted with her family.

  “Good. I’ll inform Edwin of what happened, and he can go begin the process with Robert,” Her father’s voice was thoughtful.

  “And what process is that?” Georgiana felt the thick sarcasm in her words but didn’t care enough to change.

  “Watch your tone with me, young lady.”

  “Why? Otherwise, you’ll throw me out to the wolves again?” Georgiana’s voice rose as she stepped up to Bert. He was taller than she, but as he glared down at her, she had never felt stronger.

  “It was a necessary risk. I don’t understand why you can’t see the long-term ramifications.”

  “I was too busy being chased by monsters to understand long term ramifications, Father,” Georgiana said. “I can’t do this anymore. I was wrong before.”

  “Don’t be dramatic.” The air between them stilled. The flickering flame crackled lightly in the empty hall. “Your brother will begin the process to allow Robert Wains to court you. No doubt, he will be inspired by his own heroic actions.”

  Georgiana’s eyes widened. “How long must I continue this farse you have cooked up?”

  “Until I say otherwise.” Bert stroked the stubble of grey hair along his slim jaw. “Or perhaps, I can sweeten the deal for you.”

  Georgiana snorted, her face settling in a snarl. “What could you possibly do to sweeten this deal?”

  “If you can convince Robert he’s in love with you, in a timely matter, and get me the information we need for the business, then I see no reason that we cannot allow your relationship to continue onward.”

  Georgiana felt her blood go cold. Would she ever not be just a pawn to him? “I-I don’t understand,” Georgiana sputtered out, hurt spreading through her body.

  “I think it’s quite simple. You get me what I want, and you get what you want.” Bert gave her a wide, thin-lipped smile. It made Georgiana squeamish.

  “And that is?” Georgiana could barely breathe.

  “Georgiana, my dear, don’t you see? You get me what I need for Conning Family Shipwrights, and I will let you have the future Viscount of Devonshire.” Bert held his hand out to her, long fingers searching out her own.

  ***

  “My lord, you have a guest. I have taken the liberty to show him into the drawing-room. The butler’s breathy voice woke Robert from his stupor.

  He had barely slept the night before, mostly due to the fact that every time he closed
his eyes, he could feel Georgiana’s hot mouth sliding across his, her body curling around him. His effort to make his way through year-end financials was proving fruitless and a bit daunting. Where his mind usually thrived in matters of mathematics, today it faltered horribly.

  “Thank you, James. I’ll be there shortly.” As soon as the butler retreated to the hall, Robert scrubbed his face with his hands, rising to check his appearance in the mirror above the mantle. His face was haggard but passable.

  He sniffed hard, jerking his jaw to the side to observe the back of his hair before leaving the room. With his father detained in South Asia, he was the face of the Wains family and all of Devonshire estate. He needed to act and appear thus, even when he would rather be back curled in his chair napping.