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“Don’t be ridiculous, Daisy,” Georgiana said irritably.

She was not ready to be teased about what had happened, or even talk or think about it. It was just so overwhelming. She did not need her sister filling her ears with needling comments.

“Are you all right, Georgie? You seem a trifle pale.”

“I am fine. But I would be grateful if you would be so kind as to change the subject.”

Daisy immediately looked contrite. “I am sorry, Georgie. I did not mean to embarrass you. But the duke is your husband; of course, you must cuddle with him now and then. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Why Thomas—” she stopped short and looked away.

Georgiana grabbed her hand and dragged Daisy into her chambers, closing and locking the door behind her.

She whirled to face her sister. “You told me nothing happened between you and Lord Newston. Was that a lie?”

“No! It was not. It is just that Thomas… liked to touch me, but it was never anything lewd. Or without clothes. He said it was because he loves me.” Her face fell. “But I have not seen him since we returned.”

Georgiana rubbed her sister’s shoulder consolingly. “He did not deserve you,” she said softly. “Just wait, you will see. Someone better will come along before you know it.”

Daisy bit her lip and blinked hard to dispel the sudden wetness in her eyes. “I know that. Everybody thinks that I am such a scatterbrain, but even I can deduce that he did not really love me.”

“Oh, Daisy…” Georgiana took her sister in her arms, holding her close and rubbing her back soothingly.

She had no words of comfort to offer, only her presence.

Daisy straightened up with a gulp, pulling away from Georgiana.

“I am sorry, I did not mean to upset you. I just meant to tease you for having given in to your husband’s wiles.” She flashed a smile, but it died quickly on her face.

“Yes well… when you get a husband, we will see how longyoulast before you give in to his charms.”

Daisy grasped Georgiana’s arms, jumping up and down with excitement. “Sister Icannotwait.”

“All right, all right, there is plenty of time to talk about that in the morning. For now, we need to go to sleep.” She walked Daisy to her door and unlocked it. “I shall see you in the morning.”

Daisy went reluctantly. “Fine. I shall see you in the morning. Have a good night.”

Georgiana waved at her sister before closing the door behind her. She leaned on it and expelled a breath.

Her body still felt weak and shaky, and she was still experiencing minor aftershocks from her explosive climax.

She was tempted to go in search of Robert and have him explain what was happening to her, but she was not sure she could look him in the eye.

What they had done together was beyond her imagination. It was beyond anything she and Selina had ever discussed.

She had known the basic machinations behind intimacy—she knew there was kissing and touching, she knew about the pain that a virgin should expect to experience. She had read poems about transcendence and completion.

Yet nothing had prepared her for the actuality of it all.

“I could do with a bath.”

She felt sticky and sweaty in addition to being weak and shaky. She did not think she could look her lady’s maid in the eye.

A soft knock upon her door roused her from her thoughts, and she turned around to open it.

A smiling Cecile stood on the other side.

“Good evening, Your Grace,” she said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. “Shall I prepare you for bed?”

Georgiana hesitated a moment before finally giving up. “I am going to need a bath, Cecile.”