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

by Anna Macy

Mr. Wains, please, give her a moment.” Serena’s voice was the first thing Georgiana heard as her eyelids fluttered back to awareness. She was laying across the settee, Robert at her side. His face was filled with stark fear as he watched her. The minute she focused her eyes, her heart threatened to tear in two again.

  She turned away from him, sniffling as she battled to contain her misery. She had glanced around at the now scrambled Conning family members who still watched, eager to find out what she had to say about her flight reaction to a Lord’s declaration of love.

  “Georgiana, are you feeling better now?” Robert’s warm fingers pressed against her forehead. Georgiana flinched away, hating the way he would feel the panicked clammy sweat that she knew had to be breaking out over her whole body. Robert retreated; his handsome face looked befuddled as he rocked back on his heels to give her additional space.

  Serena chose that moment to strike, sliding her body quickly between the two of them. Georgiana stared at her brother’s wife, suddenly relieved to see her as calm, quick fingers dashed across the heat of her face. Georgiana gripped her fingers tightly.

  “Please,” she whispered. Serena nodded once, turning to the room with a swirl of her dark skirts. Chin raised; she addressed the entire family.

  “Georgiana needs to lay down a bit longer. Edwin, perhaps you can help her upstairs to her room?”

  “I can help her,” Robert offered immediately, leaning towards Georgiana.

  “Absolutely not, Mr. Wains,” Serena cut him off with one look, her words biting. “While we do not share all of the same proprieties as the Wains family, I cannot abide by letting you carry Georgiana to her room. Edwin will handle her from here.”

  Edwin, propelled forward by her words, sidled past Robert, pushing the blonde man further away from Georgiana’s side. The distress on his face was enough to make Georgiana almost break. If he spoke again, she would never be able to walk away. It had to be now.

  “Thank you, Edwin,” Georgiana whispered to her brother. While he was a slender man, Georgiana’s weight was nothing to him, and he swung her up easily. Bobbling for a moment to find the correct, least embarrassing spots to hold onto her, Edwin moved through the room and up the stairs.

  Placing her upon her doorway, Edwin kept his hands on her shoulders. “Will you be alright now? Do you need me to settle you in bed? I can send up Serena.”

  “No, please. I’ll be fine.” Georgiana just wanted to be alone. Her heart was breaking, and the only thing she needed was the peace to ride out the rest of this pain.

  Edwin hesitated, his sharp face filled with anguish, “You’re sure?”

  Georgiana nodded, “Go, please.”

  Dropping his head, Edwin shuffled off down the hallway.

  Alone, Georgiana shut her door, then launched herself onto her bed. With her head buried in pillows and the sweet softness of her bedding, Georgiana finally let the tears that had been threatening fall freely.

  ELEVEN

  As Edwin slowly made his way down the stairs, Robert lunged to his feet.

  “Is she alright?” He didn’t bother to hide the worry in his voice. He’d just declared his love to the woman. There was no reason to hide the concern that held him, hostage now.

  Edwin looked at him sadly. “She’ll be fine after a little rest.”

  Robert’s brow furrowed, and he briefly calculated how easily it might dart around Edwin and make it up to Georgiana’s room before someone stopped him.

  From somewhere behind him, Teddy’s wife was speaking again. “I wouldn’t worry, Mr. Wains. I’m sure Georgiana just got overwhelmed at the prospect of your marriage.”

  Robert looked at her, finally focusing on the lovely woman Teddy had chosen over Robert’s sister. Unlike the other day, Serena appeared content, supportive almost of Robert’s questions.

  “You better not have compromised her, Wains,” Bert’s sour voice set Robert’s teeth on edge.

  “I would never harm Georgiana in any way,” Robert said slowly, his temper rising.

  Bert grumbled loudly, stomping about the room. Edwin nodded to the sparring men, moving casually between his father and Robert. “Of course we know that, Robert.”

  Bert rolled his eyes, returning to the bar cart. Over his shoulder, he spoke to the room. “So it’s a done deal then? Robert Wains is to marry our sweet Georgie.”

  Robert’s heart hammered in his chest, even as suspicion lurked. “Just like that?”

  Bert handed him a short glass of something that made his nostrils burn. “Just like that. A toast, to seal the deal.”

  Robert raised his glass, his body tight with anticipation. Bert quickly shot down the first drink and went to refill. While he tutted at the almost empty decanter, Edwin stepped forward, his glass in his fist.

  Locking eyes with Robert, Edwin raised his glass in a toast. “To the future Viscount and Lady of Devonshire.”

  “Here, here,” Bert said, quickly downing his drink. Robert hesitated a moment, then promptly threw back his own. The whiskey was sharp and burned his throat as he silently swallowed. When he put the glass down, he watched Bert’s cruel smile cross his face.

  Uneasiness swelled in his chest, instead of the overwhelming joy he’d expected. The whiskey and the company suddenly left a sour taste in his mouth. Swallowing again, hoping to clear the taste and the uneasiness, Robert backed away, facing the room.

  “If our business is concluded, I will take my leave.” Robert bowed to the room. “I look forward to getting to know you all better as we move forward with the wedding.

  He wished Georgiana was here. More than anything, he wanted her by his side as they faced their future together. He glanced up the hall to the stairs hiding his love.

  “Mrs. Conning,” Robert spoke quietly, Serena’s head whipped around, even while Georgiana’s mother shrunk into the shadow of her husband. “Will you please let Georgiana know I’m thinking of her, and I’d like to call on her when she’s feeling ready for guests.”

  Serena nodded, then dropped into a curtsy. Robert smiled at her, his face tight with lingering concern. He glanced at Bert one last time to find that the man was jotting something at his desk, his hand flying across the parchment as he leaned over. There was no concern at all for his daughter.

  Stomping down on his temper, Robert took his winter outerwear from the butler. Forcing himself to walk out of the Conning brownstone was one of the worst things he’d ever had to do.

  He got into the Devonshire rig, his mind flush with the reality that he was marrying into a complicated and potentially malicious family. A quick memory of Georgiana laughing in their kitchen flashed across his vision. He couldn’t help but smile.

  She was worth it all and more.

  ***

  Georgiana felt numb. She had hoped her family would leave her alone today. After all today was her first day as a newly betrothed woman. If she were in any other situation, people would be lining up outdoors to call on the Conning family and collect the gossip about how a commoner, however beautiful, captured the future Viscount of Devonshire.

  But their parlor remained empty, and a sort of dread settled over the home. Perhaps it was because she knew now more than ever, that she could never marry Robert Wains. She loved him, and that meant she had to keep him safe. She could do this one thing for him even if it broke both of their hearts.

  Unaware or uninterested in the pain he was causing, Bert glared at her across his desk. “Focus, Georgiana. Do you know what these are?” He tapped his nail against the heavy oak furniture. Edwin shifted in the background; every line of his body was tense and unhappy.

  Georgiana nodded, dropping her red-rimmed eyes to the pile of papers between them. They were the ledgers that accounted for Conning Shipwrights' business. Careful notes consisting of upcoming projects, outstanding debts, even private client information. In a nutshell, it was the backbone of the family’s business.

  “I need to see Wains’ ledgers, anything you can find.”

&nb
sp; Georgiana had thought she could no longer be shocked, that her father had gone to the furthest reaches already. But she was wrong. Horror spread through her veins, making her limbs heavy and clumsy.

  “You see, Georgie, if I can compare Wains numbers to my own, then I can undercut his prices for clients. Maybe even woo a few new projects for the new year.”

  Georgiana’s heart was frozen, scared into silence. Her face must’ve gone pale as Edwin looked at her with extreme concern in his soft brown eyes.

  “You want me to steal Robert’s ledgers?” Georgiana choked out. She was sure that she had to have misunderstood. Her father was in ruin, a drunk, but he was not a cheater. At least, she couldn't believe he was.

  “Don’t worry; it won’t be obvious. Not for a company as vast as the Wains Shipbuilding. They will never guess it’s you.”

  “That’s not why I’m worried,” Georgiana was shouting now. “Does it not bother you that you are turning me into a common criminal?”

  “It’s a fair enough trade. I give him you; he, by proxy of you, gives me a list of names that could bring about the next great phase of Conning Family Shipwrights.” Bert sniffed loudly, his lips smacking as he stared down at the small pile of his own client lists.

  Devastation didn’t cover the emotion Georgiana now battled with. Her heart ached as she stared at her father. He was worse than a cheater; he was a scoundrel.

  Bert’s cheeks were red as he snorted at her acquisition. “There is far worse done daily amongst the ton. I am only making a small home for myself in this business. And I would do far worse for my family.”

  “But it’s my life that’s now on the line? It seems far easier for you to risk me than it was ever to risk yourself.” Georgiana swallowed hard, her body throbbing with anger.

  “Father, Georgiana is correct. This has gone too far. You can’t be serious about stealing company ledgers. Those are essential and irreplaceable.” Edwin approached in his quiet, stoic way. Georgiana clutched her chest, trying to step away, but being held in place by her father’s sweating hands. He seemed to have forgotten he had a hold of her, but she was too afraid to draw his attention.

  “I’m as serious as bankruptcy, my boy,” Bert smiled at his heir. Edwin flinched, looking between his sister and the door as if he was considering making a dash for the exit.

  “I won’t do it. I will not steal from him, from them. They are good people, Father. He and I have a chance to be happy together.” Georgiana shouted the words, her temper loose for all to see.

  Bert answered with his own cantankerous words, “If you want to marry him, you will do this for me. Otherwise, his request for your hand will be declined.”

  Georgiana gasped, “You would truly do that? Deny your only daughter's happiness. All because of money.”

  “Absolutely. As I said before, I have done and will do much worse to continue the success of this family.” Bert’s answer was like a stab to her gut. Painful, slow, and deadly.

  “Edwin, please, this is insanity,” Georgiana whispered to her brother. Georgiana wanted to hit him, pound on her brother’s chest until he awoke from this haze. She had no chance of convincing her father. But maybe, just maybe, Edwin could.

  “There has to be another way, Father,” Edwin said quietly.

  “There isn’t. I’ve decided that this is the price. If she wants to marry him, she gets us the ledgers for this year’s business.” Bert said, rubbing his chin. Edwin didn’t speak again. He ran his hands through his short, thick hair, afraid to meet her gaze. He would not fight for her on this matter. Georgiana gripped the back of the desk chair, feeling faint.

  “May I be excused, sir?” Georgiana felt like her heart ripped right out of her chest.

  “Only if you assure me you know what is expected,” Bert said.

  “Yes, Father, I do,” Georgiana said softly. Letting those words, meant to seal a marriage, seal the death warrant of her engagement.

  ***

  “Georgie?” Serena’s voice floated through her door, the gentle timber drawing Georgiana away from the sleepy dark that she had immersed herself in since she’d heard Robert leave.

  “I hate that nickname,” Georgiana growled into her pillow. Serena must’ve taken that as admittance as she came in, quickly shutting the door after.

  “I’m sorry, I was trying to get a smile out of you,” Serena said.

  Georgiana felt the bed creak and dip as Serena sat on the edge furthest from her ball of sorrow she’d created. “I don’t think a smile befits the situation I’m currently in.”

  Serena shrugged, or Georgiana felt like she may have, based on the mattress's slight bounce. “There are a hundred paths to every future, or at least that’s what my mother told me when Teddy proposed.”

  At that, Georgiana opened her eyes, the lids feeling gritty and abused from her crying. She’d never had a personal conversation with her sister by law, least of all about her courtship with Teddy. “A woman’s only job is to choose the path with the shortest route to your ultimate destination.”

  “Let me guess. You married Teddy so that you could join his wonderful family.” Sarcasm tainted Georgiana’s voice.

  Serena chuckled softly. She patted Georgiana’s slender hip. “Not exactly, but whatever the love story, you have to keep the end in the forefront of your mind.”

  “Yesterday was the end for Robert and me. I cannot do what my father is asking of me. It’s easier this way, for all of us.”

  “For all of us? Don’t you mean easier for you? I’ve seen the two of you together. It’s destiny for you to be together.”

  Georgiana rolled her eyes. “Destiny? I don’t believe you.”

  “Well, then you must be blind. I saw it first at the Grand Theater weeks ago, and the way that man pledged his heart to you today. It’s what most of us girls can only dream of.” Serena went silent for a moment. “Not all of us get a happy ending. For the sake of us who may not ever fall asleep in the arms of the man they love, go after him. Love him.”

  Georgiana sniffled. Her eyes were dry, but her entire body ached as she realized the inevitability of Serena’s words. She couldn’t go after Robert, not like Serena wanted her to. Georgiana knew that this was her chance to protect him from a lifetime of serving the Conning family.

  Soon she would be one of those women who never got their love story. What a torturous situation to have love waiting, just out of reach.

  Georgiana sat up, staring into Serena’s pretty, solemn face. “Thank you, Serena.”

  The American smiled, her face lighting up. “My pleasure.” She shifted, sliding off of Georgiana’s bed and going to the door.

  “Serena?” Georgiana called out lightly.

  “Yes, Georgiana?”

  “I hope you get your happy ending.”

  “Me too.” Serena ducked her head, retreating to the hall with the door closed behind.

  Flopping back onto the bed, Georgiana realized that she had several incredibly significant actions to take. First, she needed to write Robert a note. Secondly, she needed to plan how she was going to get her chance at a happy ending.

  ***

  The next morning, Robert sat curled over the daily newspaper, his mind a mess of emotions. He’d tossed and turned the entire night. When he’d come home from his meeting at the Connings, he'd been planning on barging in on his mother’s women’s luncheon to announce his betrothal. But he had held back. Something was off, and he couldn’t place his finger on it. He couldn’t enjoy the day as he’d hoped.

  Robert had penned a quick note to Georgiana, wishing her all the best and asking to see her soon. But at the last moment, he’d crumpled it up rather than send a messenger over to the Connings. Even to him, his actions seemed insecure, desperate.

  As a result, he’d spent the remainder of the day in a foul mood and now waking up in the same mind space as before. Groaning, Robert dropped his head to his hands, rubbing furiously at his sleep-deprived eyes.

  “Well, aren’t you
a sight for sore eyes,” came a teasing voice from the doorway. Robert twisted, leaping out of his chair when he caught sight of a grinning Nicholas Euston, youngest grandson of the Earl of Cullor and one of his closest friends.

  “Nick! When did you get into London?” Robert enveloped his friend in a tight hug, laughing as Nick begrudgingly returned the affection, mumbling curses all the while.

  “Put me down, you brute, and I’ll tell you.”

  The butler came spinning around the corner, his face flushed, and a bit sweaty. He stared at the two embracing gentlemen before bowing quickly.

  “The Honorable Nicholas Euston, my Lord,” the butler offered stoically.

  Robert looked at Nicholas, then quickly back to his ruffled butler. “Thank you, Henrich. You’re dismissed.”