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But his only response was another snort, silly man.

Georgia took a deep breath and tried again. “There’s no estate, Demon. You can stay here at Endymion—you do not have to change your life or habits.”

He hmphed bitterly. “I wish. Mother is planning a ball.”

Ah. “Yes. Well…” She took a deep breath. “I hate to say it, but I really do not think there is any way around that.”

Snarling, he whirled back to her, his expression incredulous. “Ye agree with her?”

Her heart ached for the upheaval he must be feeling. “Oh, Demon,” Georgia cried, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face to his neck. “I am sorry. But yes, Society will expect you to be formally presented as the new Duke of Lickwick.”

She might as well be hugging a statue.

“I dinnae want to be a duke,” he finally whispered. “I dinnae want them to—to see me.”

To see him. See his scars. See him.

Her heart broke for him.

Georgia squeezed tighter. “I know.” Her voice barely worked, but she was desperate to offer him what help she could. “I know, Demon. But I will go with you. I will stand beside you, I will offer you whatever help and support I can.”

At last, his arms came around her, pressing her against him.

They stood there in the darkness, and she felt tears gathering at the thought of his fear.

“I will be with you, Demon.” She repeated her vow in a whisper.

“Promise?”

Oh, God. How could anyone think this man a monster, when they saw this vulnerability? “Yes. I promise. I will be with you.” For as long as you need me.

Chapter 19

Mrs. Kettel fainted.

Demon had called them all together—the housekeeper, Mary, Angus and Bruno—in the kitchen to tell them his news. To his surprise, although he really should cease to be surprised about anything when it came to her, Georgia joined him, standing off to one side, her attention solely on him.

As if he was important to her.

And the absolute fook of it was, she’d treated him like this before he found out he was a goddamn duke.

“Look, this is no’ going to be easy for me to say.” He jammed his hands into his pockets and took a deep breath. “I found out—Mother’s written to me…” He tried again. “I’m going to London—Nay, I mean, we’re all going to—shite! I told ye it wouldnae be easy to say.”

He met Georgia’s gaze, and she offered him a slight smile before stepping forward. Demon felt a cowardly sort of relief that she was there to help him, the same way she’d stepped forward to act as his hostess when Rourke and the others had dropped on their doorstep. She was much better in social situations than he was.

A blind donkey with halitosis would be better in social situations than ye are.

“What Lord Endymion is trying to tell you is that he has just unexpectedly inherited a dukedom. He is now the Duke of Lickwick.”

Mrs. Kettel fainted.

And the way the rest of them gaped at him made Demon remember how much he hated being the focus of others’ attentions. Even before he was so horribly scarred, he’d hated it, but he’d forced himself to stand and speak in front of them.

Now, though…?

He hid his shudder with a scowl.

“Look, ye lot, I need ye.” Turd-trumpets, how he hated admitting that. “I’ve got to go to London, because Mother’s throwing a cock-womble ball Georgia says I have to attend. That means I have to open the London house, and…” He glanced at Mrs. Kettel, slumped over the table. “Shite! Get her some water or something. I need her to wake up and figure out who we need to hire in London!”