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Robert felt trapped. He instinctively looked to his left and right for a way out.

“No. Stop,” she said as though she could read his mind. “There is nowhere to go. Put down your burdens, my dearest boy, share them, and let someone help you.”

Robert panted, overcome by panic. “I…do not know how.”

“Come inside. Let us have tea while Stanley packs a bag for you. We shall converse about Lady Angela. You need to talk.”

No!Robert wanted to shout.

His visceral reaction finally caused him to realize that he needed to bare his soul.

“Fine. Let us go.” He took a deep breath and gestured for her to precede him as they reentered the manor.

CHAPTER 35

“Georgie!” Georgiana looked down to see Daisy staring up at her in horror, “Why did you not ring for help?”

Georgiana cautiously made her way down the stairs, clutching the banister for support because her head was still woozy. She could go for long periods of time without any problem, but then the floor would suddenly sway beneath her feet as though she was at sea.

The physician said it would eventually pass, but Georgiana was impatient. She was not used to being so weak.

Daisy hurried up the stairs and grabbed Georgiana’s upper arm. “You could fall and hurt yourself even more,” she chided.

Georgiana huffed. “I am not a child, Daisy. I can walk down the stairs without assistance.”

“Normally, that would be true, but not for now!”

Georgiana rolled her eyes. Daisy watched with painstaking care as she descended each step. Georgiana did not appreciate being made to feel like an invalid, but she knew Daisy meant well. Once they had finally reached the landing, they turned right to enter the parlor.

Daisy settled Georgiana upon the sofa and was still fussing with the pillows when the butler came in to announce a visitor.

“Lord Stanmore has come to call.”

Georgiana noticed how rapidly Daisy’s face lit up at the news. “Send him in,” she said.

The viscount entered, brandishing two bouquets of flowers. He beamed as he caught sight of them. “How wonderful to see you out and about, Your Grace. I must write to Robert at once and inform him. He will be so relieved.”

Georgiana barely refrained from snorting in derision. “I am not sure he would care,” she blurted.

Lionel frowned. “Of course he would.”

A serving girl retrieved the flowers from him to place them in vases. Lionel took a seat across from the ladies, a look of concern on his face.

“You must understand my friend. He is a stoic gentleman on the outside, but he feels everything so deeply on the inside.Sometimes, it can paralyze him for years. He disguises it with a lot of movement—travel, work, what have you—but in reality, he is frozen in terror.”

Georgiana blinked at his candidness. She did not know how to respond.

“Itoldyou he cared,” Daisy said triumphantly.

To change the subject, Georgiana turned her attention to Lionel. “Speaking of caring, I understand you have been leaving my sister notes.”

“Georgie!” Daisy gasped, mortified.

Georgiana waved a dismissive hand at her. “Must I inquire what your intentions are with my sister?”

Lionel chuckled as Daisy put her face in her hands and whimpered. “Indeed, you should, as the young lady’s guardian. However, I assure you that my intentions are entirely honorable.”

Georgiana nodded. “Good. Because Daisy has been cooped up with me all the while I have been ill. She needs to get some sun. Would you be so kind as to take her for a walk? My lady’s maid will accompany you.”