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He glanced musingly at Georgiana.

Robert cupped his right hand under his chin and gazed at her still form. He had been right about her hair hanging out of the tub. He could not see much aside from that and the profile of her face in the flickering firelight. He chuckled silently as he considered her fiery temper and her sharp retorts.

She looked content, but he had no idea what to do with her.

Bathing while Robert was in the room made Georgiana feel simultaneously uncomfortable in her skin and languid, as though she had consumed too much wine.

She avoided looking at him and concentrated on scrubbing away the sticky feeling of sweat and rain on her skin.

Once she was done with the bath, she grabbed the robe that Robert had placed on the chair by the bath. As she wrapped it around her she was enveloped by his scent of sandalwood, cigars, and whiskey. Georgiana breathed in deeply, sighing contentedly as she inhaled the comforting, masculine aroma.

She wrapped the robe securely around her and went to her reticule to find the hairbrush, cringing in dismay as she remembered she had forgotten to bring it with her from London

Once again, she took a moment to regret rushing off from London half-cocked without a change of clothes or Cecile. In allhonesty, she had thought she would catch up to Daisy before they had gone far. She had not anticipated coming all this way.

She sat down on the bench and began to untangle her hair with her fingers, letting the rhythmic strokes soothe her into a state of meditation. The sound of the rain beating down on the roof, the crackling of the fire, and Robert’s gentle breathing all served as a musical backdrop to her soporific state.

As they sat down to eat their dinner, the fire crackled softly, casting a comforting glow around the room.

Georgiana picked at her food, acutely aware of Robert’s presence across the table.

“Is the chicken not to your liking?” Robert asked, glancing up from his plate and raising an eyebrow.

“It is quite delicious, thank you. I am simply… preoccupied,” Georgiana replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.

“Preoccupied with thoughts of your sister, I presume?” he ventured, his voice teasing but laced with genuine concern.

Georgiana shot him a sharp look. “Yes, well, not everyone has the luxury of living in a world where they can disregard family obligations, Your Grace.”

His expression shifted slightly, his amusement fading. “That is unfair of you, Georgiana. I came here to help.”

“Help? Is that what you call it? Chasing after her without even letting her own sister know?” she shot back, her irritation quickly bubbling to the surface.

Robert leaned back in his chair; his arms crossed. “I am trying to protect your sister from making a mistake. If anyone is to blame for her predicament, it is?—”

“—her own foolishness?” Georgiana interrupted, her voice rising. “You seem to think you know everything.”

“Duchess… If I did not act, who knows what could happen? If your sister is intent on ruining her future, then perhaps she deserves it,” Robert replied, his tone firm but simmering with frustration.

“Deserves it? That is a rather harsh judgment coming from someone who thinks himself a savior,” she retorted, unable to keep the bite from her words.

“I do not think myself a savior, Duchess. I am simply stating the truth. But perhaps we should put aside our bickering for now. We are both tired, and it is best we get some rest before tomorrow’s journey,” he suggested.

“Fine. But I will not make any promises about tomorrow,” she shot back.

After their hearty meal, it was no surprise that Georgiana felt drowsy. She plaited her hair loosely and crossed to the bed, curling up against the pillow, her gaze fixed absently on the flickering firelight.

The quiet crackle of the flames lulled her until, suddenly, a sharp clap of thunder shook the air. At that same moment, the lamp extinguished, plunging her corner of the room into darkness.

Georgiana screamed, startled and terrified. She shot upright and instinctively ran toward Robert’s comforting silhouette.

He had already risen, stepping toward her, but she collided with him before he could take another step. She clung to him, trembling like a leaf in a storm.

His arms immediately wrapped around her shaking body, steady and strong, a haven against the chaos outside.

“It is all right,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing in her ear. “You will be fine. I will keep you safe from harm.”

His hand moved up and down her back in a calming rhythm, as gentle as if he were soothing a spooked horse.