Page 4

“Wife? Is that you?”

CHAPTER 2

“Your Grace?” Georgiana frowned, peering at him through the darkness.

“How many times have I asked you to call me Robert?” the Duke of Emberford—herhusband—said.

She blanched. “Not that many since I have barely seen you over the last three months. Not that I can recall, in any event.” She glanced at the two groaning men. “Th-thank you. For rescuing me.”

He shook his head slowly, his face like thunder. “Why were you even here? Not to mention all alone too! Do not tell me that you have already begun to have illicit rendezvous.”

She favored him with a gimlet eye. “Certainly not!” She spat. “And I will thank you not to insult my honor.”

He laughed sardonically, indicating in the direction of the two men. “It is not I who seeks to do that.”

Georgiana took two steps back, turned around, and stumbled towards the inn. She wanted the safety that the tavern’s crowd afforded. Behind her, she could hear Robert’s footsteps quickly approaching.

“What are you doing here?” he called out to her.

She snorted, shaking her head. “Since when have you taken an interest in my activities?”

“Since I came upon you in a random inn at the mercy of vagabonds.”

She stopped walking, turned around, and stared at him in disbelief. “I said thank you. And besides, that is hardly the point.”

He grinned unapologetically, shrugging in an exaggerated manner. “What is the point then, dear wife?”

She stared daggers at him. “Are you following me?”

Robert scoffed, “Perhaps I should have thought of doing that sooner, had I known you had a penchant for putting yourself in danger.”

“I was not willingly putting myself in danger. I merely needed some air. It is not my fault those men accosted me.”

“I did not say it was your fault, madam. Merely that you should be more aware of your surroundings. We are no longer in the polite parlors of London.”

Although his words infuriated her, Georgiana knew he was right. She should have been more careful and should have thought twice before going outside alone. But her anxiety over her sister and her tiredness from the long journey had eclipsed her common sense.

Still, she was not going to give the duke the satisfaction of telling him he was right.

The tavern’s conversational volume dropped as they entered, and the patrons stared at them with interest. Georgiana had no desire to provide the crowd with additional entertainment.

She hesitated, feeling caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. She did not know which way to go.

Suddenly, Caroline hurried up to her. “Ma’am! Tis’ good that you came back. You left your reticule on the bench,” she held it out, “I kept it safe for ye.”

Georgiana’s eyes narrowed. She could have done without her husband hearing about her additional incompetence.

Caroline reared back, her eyes showing fear, and Georgiana realized she was glaring at the poor serving girl. “Forgive me,” she said, reaching out to take the reticule, “I am not in my right mind.”

Georgiana turned and rushed for the stairs. She did not actually have plans to spend the night, too anxious about Daisy to stop moving, even for one night. But between the vagabonds outside and the unexpected appearance of her husband, she needed somewhere to calm down.

“Ma’am? Ma’am? Can I help you with something?” She realized that the high, frantic voice was speaking to her.

She turned around on the stairs to see Robert staring at her from below, while a rotund, apple-cheeked woman of late middle age hurried up the stairs towards her.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “I am in search of a room, some hot water, and a place to lie down,” Georgiana said in a quiet voice, hoping that Robert could not hear.

“Oh,” the woman said, “Right this way, please. I have not yet rented out my best room.” She struggled past Georgiana before waddling down the corridor to its very end.