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He had already fulfilled his duty and husbanded her around the dance floor; he would not be expected to dance with her again.

But he could no longer stand the keen looks of the waiting men, and could not stomach the suggestive glances Ketteridge was giving Georgiana.

Hiswife.

CHAPTER 25

“May I cut in?”

Georgiana felt herself jump at the sound of his deep, familiar voice.

She was mid-laugh, Ketteridge doing his best to remind her of the antics he had pulled when they were younger, in a concerted effort to lead Georgiana and Daisy astray.

Daisy had been much more inclined to listen to him, while Georgiana had done her best to make sure they did not get into too much mischief while Peter’s family visited.

His father, the late Earl of Ketteridge, and Georgiana’s father were old school friends. Once a year the entire family came to stay at Weavington Hall, the Milton family home.

The place was old and decrepit, freezing cold in the winter, and too big to keep clean with the few servants they had. Butfor children, the mansion offered grand adventure and endless opportunities for mischief.

She thought of Peter as the brother she had never had.

It was therefore an unwelcome intrusion when Robert glared at their joined hands before rudely pushing himself between them.

“I wish to dance with my wife,” he declared.

Georgiana merely gaped at him while Peter smirked, and an amused twinkle grew in his eyes.

“Of course, Your Grace. Enjoy.” He bowed to Robert and wandered off as Georgiana looked after him in bemusement.

She turned her gaze to Robert, raising an eyebrow. “Was that necessary?” she asked as he led her around the floor.

He grumbled jealously. “You tell me. What was I to do when my wife was making puppy eyes at some other man right in front of me?”

She gaped at him in disbelief. “Puppy eyes? Me?”

He nodded a few times. “Or do you deny it? Do you deny the evidence of my own eyes?”

She snorted derisively. “I think you should look into getting some quizzing glasses if that is what you saw.”

He leaned in closer, his voice sharp and low. “Or perhaps it is that every man in the ton seems to think they have the right to gawk over what is mine.”

She lifted her chin proudly. “You make it sound as though it is my fault. I need no excuses because I have done nothing wrong.”

He turned to meet her eye. “Very well then. I think there is only one way this can be resolved.”

“And how is that?”

He abruptly let go of her hands and stepped back. “Meet me in the library in five minutes.”

“What do you mean to do?” she responded.

He merely smirked before turning on his heel and walking away. Georgiana watched him go, utterly mystified by his behavior.

Thankfully, no one approached Georgiana, and she was able to reach the library door without delay or incident.

She lifted her hand and knocked tentatively. The door opened and she looked up to see Robert’s expectant face.

He reached out and pulled her into the room, shutting the door behind him.