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“But what of him? What abouthisbehavior? Am I simply to disregard it? What should I do?”

Selina shrugged bleakly. “I wish I had an answer for you. But as you well know, I was also married off to an absent man at nine and ten.”

“Yes, I know. But you lived with him, albeit platonically, for five years.”

Selina snorted, shaking her head. “It was not by design. I remember my wedding night well…” she shook her head, “the ladies had washed me, brushed my hair, and dressed me in lace and satin, ready for my husband in our bed. But I waited for him for so long, I was so nervous…that I fell asleep. In the morning, I awoke to find that I was still alone in my bed. Goodness, I have told you this many times already, have I not?”

“It is all right, my friend. You thought he had come, found you asleep and left.”

“Yes. I went and sought him out. He sent me away with such… harsh words. I barely knew anything, and lived out most of my married life in utter bewilderment. I have been left floundering since his demise last year. I do not know what I would have done if I had not found you.”

Georgiana took Selina’s hand in hers and squeezed it in appreciation.

“I trust that you know the feeling is mutual my dear.”

“Of course, Georgie darling,” Selina responded. “Oh. Incidentally, have you tried asking Cecile? You remember it was she who enlightened me on how a man’s arousal comes about—and that it was likely my husband could not…participate.”

Georgiana laughed cheerlessly, “Yes, I do remember and no, I have not. I have been avoiding speaking with her since I got back. I know she is dying to give me quite the scolding for running off without her. I do not think I could tell her what happened between myself and the duke without melting into a puddle of mortification. I feel that she will think me extremely foolish.”

Selina rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. “I doubt that very much. Why would she think you were being foolish? That is ridiculous. And perhaps she might have come across a comparable situation in the French court. Do you not think it is likely?”

“Ha! I doubt there is a French woman anywhere who would behave as I did. They would know exactly what to do to have their men eating out of their palms.”

“Is that what you want? For the duke to eat out of your palm?”

Georgiana paused, blinking uneasily as she thought about what she had just said.

Is that what I want? Do I want him to fawn over me?

Her cheeks heated at the thought. Selina pointed to her accusingly. “You are falling in love with him!”

“No, I am not! I could never be so foolhardy. I just want to have a normal marriage; with the prospect of children and mutual respect between us. Is that too much to ask?”

Selina sighed before shaking her head slowly. “We had best speak with Cecile as soon as possible. She will know what to do.”

“Agreed. Do you think we could be a little naughty and perhaps add some whiskey to this tea?” Georgiana suggested.

“How could I possibly resist a little naughtiness? It is practically my calling,” Selina agreed with a chuckle.

“What a whirlwind!” Lionel exclaimed once Robert had completed his story.

Robert nodded slowly. “Indeed.”

Lionel narrowed his eyes and stared at Robert. “And I suspect you have not divulgedeverydetail to me.”

Robert huffed. “Certain intimacies are best kept between husband and wife, where they belong.”

“Ah, so you have remembered you have a wife now.”

Robert gave him a look. “I always knew. And you know why I kept my distance.”

Lionel’s face sobered. “You mean Angela.”

Robert turned his head away and stared out the window. The murmuring voices of the other club members faded into the background as their little alcove became engulfed in somber silence.

“There was nothing you could have done for her, my friend. Once that horse fell on her, it was too late,” Lionel said.

Robert flinched, shaking his head. “I keep thinking back to those days. She came to that park to see me. I was the man who brought her in front of death.”