about?”
“Part of the reason your brother desired me to escort you to France was to convince you of your duty.” He grimaced, but the scorn soon vanished from his face.
Why did he and Jonathan always speak in riddles? “What duty, Jack?”
He gently pulled his hand from her grip. “You were meant for…for that loathsome oaf, Richmond. And now, because of me, you will have no one, once he and his mother return to England and tell your brother what has happened.” He stared at her in silence.
She gave him a reassuring pat on the chest. “Do not worry so. I’m certain Jonathan will understand.” She didn’t want to admit she was partly to blame. If she’d only listened to him and gone back to Bolbec without a fuss, they wouldn’t have bumped into the Richmonds.
Sighing, he took her hand and threaded it through his arm. “Let us go. I’ll try to solve this dilemma whilst we ride.”
She forced a downcast look on her face, although she sensed her horizons had just widened considerably. She would not have to marry a pig like Herbert Richmond. Had they not been in public she would have kissed him for thanks. How utterly brilliant Jack was! He’d saved her from a fate worse than death, twice in as many days.
“I’m sure you will think of something,” she said. It probably would not be too maidenly for her to rejoice in the fact Jack had singlehandedly destroyed all her brother’s future prospects for her. With any luck, Lady Richmond would inform Almack’s patronesses that Georgiana Lockewood was not suitable for marriage. She could live her days the way she wanted: in perfect freedom without any limitations imposed by a dreadful husband.
The throbbing vein diminished on his forehead, but his color was still high. “The best solution would be to drink my hemlock now, before Lockewood hears of it.” He contemplated her for a few seconds before shrugging. “Either way, we should not go to Aunt Adele. I fear the poor lady will have an attack should we tell her what happened. I’ll send word you’re ill and will be staying with me until you’ve recovered. In a few days, I’m sure I can think of some way to salvage your reputation.”
She hid her pleasure at avoiding another dull week with Aunt Adele and Lady Priscilla bemoaning the state of the cakes. Still, she possessed a slight fear of what the sweet old dear would say to her if word reached her. Despite protesting against the ton’s ridiculous rules, she knew she should not have ignored them. Jack was perfectly suitable company in private, but not in public.
Jack stared out the window as they rode back to the chateau. Georgiana couldn’t help but pity him, for he looked so distracted.
He seemed to sense her gaze upon him and spoke without looking at her. “You may stay with me under one condition. No, two. Firstly, you will not question my habits or try to rearrange things. I am used to being alone, and prefer it that way. Secondly, you will keep to the house and gardens. I cannot risk anything else happening to you whilst you’re under my protection.” He grunted. “For all the good it has done you thus far.”
“Goodness, Jack! How you and Jonathan flutter about, like two squawking hens. I am perfectly able to take care of myself.”
“Harrumph!”
“Oh, yes, forgive me, Jack. It was I who invented that preposterous lie to Lady Richmond.”
He poked the air. “Do not look so pleased with yourself, Georgiana. At least, you may be reassured you’re better off without Herbert Richmond. That aside, you can be certain your brother will have it in for us both.”
“You are probably correct.”
“More than probably, I fear. I have few friends in this world, your brother being the oldest and best of the lot.” He sighed heavily. “Why did I not say I was your cousin?” He pounded the side of the carriage, causing her to jump at the noise.
“I know why.”
He scrubbed his face with his hands. “Pray, tell me, since you know so
“Part of the reason your brother desired me to escort you to France was to convince you of your duty.” He grimaced, but the scorn soon vanished from his face.
Why did he and Jonathan always speak in riddles? “What duty, Jack?”
He gently pulled his hand from her grip. “You were meant for…for that loathsome oaf, Richmond. And now, because of me, you will have no one, once he and his mother return to England and tell your brother what has happened.” He stared at her in silence.
She gave him a reassuring pat on the chest. “Do not worry so. I’m certain Jonathan will understand.” She didn’t want to admit she was partly to blame. If she’d only listened to him and gone back to Bolbec without a fuss, they wouldn’t have bumped into the Richmonds.
Sighing, he took her hand and threaded it through his arm. “Let us go. I’ll try to solve this dilemma whilst we ride.”
She forced a downcast look on her face, although she sensed her horizons had just widened considerably. She would not have to marry a pig like Herbert Richmond. Had they not been in public she would have kissed him for thanks. How utterly brilliant Jack was! He’d saved her from a fate worse than death, twice in as many days.
“I’m sure you will think of something,” she said. It probably would not be too maidenly for her to rejoice in the fact Jack had singlehandedly destroyed all her brother’s future prospects for her. With any luck, Lady Richmond would inform Almack’s patronesses that Georgiana Lockewood was not suitable for marriage. She could live her days the way she wanted: in perfect freedom without any limitations imposed by a dreadful husband.
The throbbing vein diminished on his forehead, but his color was still high. “The best solution would be to drink my hemlock now, before Lockewood hears of it.” He contemplated her for a few seconds before shrugging. “Either way, we should not go to Aunt Adele. I fear the poor lady will have an attack should we tell her what happened. I’ll send word you’re ill and will be staying with me until you’ve recovered. In a few days, I’m sure I can think of some way to salvage your reputation.”
She hid her pleasure at avoiding another dull week with Aunt Adele and Lady Priscilla bemoaning the state of the cakes. Still, she possessed a slight fear of what the sweet old dear would say to her if word reached her. Despite protesting against the ton’s ridiculous rules, she knew she should not have ignored them. Jack was perfectly suitable company in private, but not in public.
Jack stared out the window as they rode back to the chateau. Georgiana couldn’t help but pity him, for he looked so distracted.
He seemed to sense her gaze upon him and spoke without looking at her. “You may stay with me under one condition. No, two. Firstly, you will not question my habits or try to rearrange things. I am used to being alone, and prefer it that way. Secondly, you will keep to the house and gardens. I cannot risk anything else happening to you whilst you’re under my protection.” He grunted. “For all the good it has done you thus far.”
“Goodness, Jack! How you and Jonathan flutter about, like two squawking hens. I am perfectly able to take care of myself.”
“Harrumph!”
“Oh, yes, forgive me, Jack. It was I who invented that preposterous lie to Lady Richmond.”
He poked the air. “Do not look so pleased with yourself, Georgiana. At least, you may be reassured you’re better off without Herbert Richmond. That aside, you can be certain your brother will have it in for us both.”
“You are probably correct.”
“More than probably, I fear. I have few friends in this world, your brother being the oldest and best of the lot.” He sighed heavily. “Why did I not say I was your cousin?” He pounded the side of the carriage, causing her to jump at the noise.
“I know why.”
He scrubbed his face with his hands. “Pray, tell me, since you know so
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