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And Georgiana did.

“I have made such a muddle of things. I do not know what to do.” She finished with a wail of despair.

Selina blinked at her, nonplused. “Well…that is a lot to take in.” She reached for the bell and let it tinkle. “Let us call for some tea and cakes. We are going to require sustenance.”

No sooner had Robert entered the club and made a beeline for the library when he saw his friend sitting in an alcove by the window, his head buried in the day’s paper. A cup of steaming tea sat on the table in front of him, in addition to a tray piled high with sandwiches and cakes.

Lionel has always had a sweet tooth, Robert thought fondly as he made his way over to his friend.

The viscount glanced up and his face beamed as his eyes fell on Robert. He folded the paper and put it aside.

“Your Grace! What a surprise. I would not have expected to see you up so early, let alone out and about.”

“Ha, ha, ha,” Robert said sarcastically, “I suppose you find yourself rather amusing. It is a good thing too, because no one else does.”

Lionel gestured towards the other armchair, inviting Robert to sit.

“What brings you to London?” he asked curiously.

Robert blew out his breath. “I would tell you, but then I would have to silence you forever.”

Lionel let out a surprised laugh but quickly became solemn at the sight of Robert’s serious face. “Oh, you speak in earnest? Please, now you must tell me. Come on, old chap, we have no secrets from each other.”

Robert sighed. “Very well,” he pointed a finger at Lionel, “but you cannot repeat any of this on pain of death.”

Lionel waved his hand airily, “Goes without saying.”

“All right then. Here is what has happened…” Robert settled down to tell the tale.

CHAPTER 13

“Iwas unaware that you harbored romantic feelings towards your husband. Is this a recent development?” Selina asked with a frown.

“Ido notharbor romantic feelings towards him,” Georgiana protested. “I am just…confused.”

“Confused about your feelings?” Selina sought to clarify.

Georgiana sighed irritably. “Confused about the situation I find myself in. We have lived peacefully for the past year, without any expectations between us. Or at least, I have not felt the weight of any…and now…it is all…different,” she mumbled, slumping down on the pillows and curling in on herself.

“We were nothing to each other and then he…” her voice trailed off as she stared into the distance, thinking of the breadth of his chest, how shameless he was, walking around naked in their borrowed chambers, how decisively he had dealt with Newston…

It is just so unfair. Why must he be so…?

Even in her thoughts, she could not think of the right word to describe how her insides became tied in knots and the swooping sensation she experienced each time she laid eyes on him.

Selina covered Georgiana’s hand with her own and Georgiana looked up to meet Selina’s eyes. Selina looked uncharacteristically somber.

“Georgiana darling, you must be careful,” she said quietly.

Georgiana’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

“Remember always what your marriage is and has been from the start. Guard your feelings. Guard your heart, my friend.”

Georgiana merely looked at her.

“Your marriage is one of convenience. It is no love match. Do not behave as if it is,” her friend added.

Georgiana’s eyes fluttered and she looked away. She wanted to shrink from Selina’s words and did not want them to be true—and that was extremely disconcerting to her.