Page 15 of Her Duke’s Second Chance (Regency Second Chances #1)

CHAPTER 15

“ G ood morning, Your Grace.”

Waking up with his head pounding was not how Robert liked to start his day, but sometimes it was inevitable.

After Georgiana had run away from him, he felt quite justified in finishing what Jakob had started and got himself drunk.

It also did not help his low mood when Georgiana later excused herself from dinner on the pretext of feeling ill. It was a hard blow to his ego to learn that the thought of sitting across from him at the dinner table made her sick.

That was when he opened his second bottle of brandy.

Now he was paying for it. With a groan, he shuffled out of his bedcovers to sit on the side of his bed.

He jerked, startled. “Stanley…I do not recall ringing the bell.”

“I heard you wake, Your Grace.”

Robert let out a sigh, slumping forward tiredly and rubbing his hands across his face. “I am not in the mood to be groomed,” he groaned softly.

Stanley made a noncommittal sound and busied himself with laying out his tools. “Some hot water on your skin will help you feel better, Your Grace,” he said.

Robert surrendered and allowed Stanley to shuffle him over to the vanity, where he seated himself and leaned back. Stanley placed a hot, wet cloth over his face, and he felt himself relaxing despite his aching head.

By the time Stanley had completed his ministrations, Robert felt like a new man. Before venturing out of his chambers, he grabbed a piece of foolscap and quickly wrote a note to Lionel, asking permission to call upon him that morning.

He was willing to admit when he needed help.

Georgiana tensed as she heard a knock on her door.

It must be Cecile, coming for the breakfast tray .

She was not prepared to confront Robert or explain her panicked flight to him.

She closed the book she had been reading by the window and called out, “Come in.”

To her surprise, it was Daisy who poked her head into the room. Georgiana relaxed.

“Oh, good morning, sister. What brings you to my chambers so early?”

Daisy stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. “Well, I did not see you at all yesterday and I was worried.”

Georgiana raised an eyebrow. “Worried about me? Why?”

Daisy walked over to sit across from Georgiana on the window seat. “Well, as I understood it from Olivia—who is a dear lady’s maid, thank you for her—His Grace was walking around like a bull with a spike through his head after he came home yesterday, and she brought me my meal on a tray saying it was better for me to dine in my chambers.”

Georgiana frowned. “Oh…I wasn’t aware.”

“Well, you should be. The entire house is tense because they think you and the duke are one strong word from coming to blows.” Daisy looked worried. “That is not true, is it?”

Georgiana sighed. “Well, no, of course not. It is just that…His Grace and I are not accustomed to living together. I suppose we must learn how to do that. We are simply…adjusting…to each other.”

“Adjusting? How so?”

Georgiana pursed her lips, reluctant to share any of her current troubles with Daisy. She did not want to destroy her sister’s whimsical naivete.

“Well, he has been busy at Emberford all year, and this is the first time we have been in direct proximity for an extended period of time. It was bound to bring clashes; you understand that do you not?”

“Of course. It is like that time Uncle Simon came to stay for the summer and there were a lot of arguments between him and our parents.”

Georgiana nodded in agreement. “Exactly.”

She recalled vividly the summer her mother’s brother had come for a prolonged visit. He and their mama had argued about her parents’ excessive gambling, and Uncle Simon had been angry that their overindulgence had come at the expense of their household’s welfare. From what Georgiana could understand, they owed her uncle quite a bit of money.

He had finally left, uttering threats of litigation in his wake, but Georgiana was unaware whether he had followed through with them.

“Is that why you are hiding in your chambers?” Daisy’s voice startled her out of her musings.

“Er no…well…maybe,” she said sheepishly. “Just for now. I will smooth things over with His Grace soon. Do not worry.”

Daisy reached out and squeezed her hand. “I am not worried,” she said sagely. “You are the wisest person I know. If you feel the need to take some time to yourself, you should do that.”

Georgiana blinked in surprise. “All right. Thank you for understanding.”

Daisy smiled at her before leaning back against the window and staring outside. “This is a very pleasant view. I do not blame you for wanting to remain here. It is peaceful.”

“Yes.” Georgiana smiled. “It is.”

“Robert! How wonderful to see you again so soon,” Lionel remarked as he opened the door to his townhouse. He stepped back, squinting at Robert intently. “Long night?”

Robert groaned. “Please. I do not wish to discuss it.”

Robert lifted one eyebrow but said nothing, closing the door behind him. “Well, I have had a meal prepared for us. Roast beef with vegetables and freshly baked bread, as well as some tea and brandy. I have set us up in my study if you will come this way. My sisters are busy twittering about one ball or another in the den. It is all very tiresome.”

Robert smiled wanly. “Yes, I suppose I should eat something.”

They stepped into his study and Lionel walked over to the tray sitting on a small table and picked up the decanter of brandy. He poured Robert a substantial amount, holding the glass out to him.

“Hair of the dog,” he said in commiseration.

Robert nodded his thanks as he took the glass and downed its contents in one gulp. The queasiness he was feeling faded somewhat, and he lowered himself into an overstuffed armchair with a grateful sigh.

Lionel sat across from him and crossed his legs, examining him keenly. “What is the matter, old friend? You are not usually one to indulge so heavily.”

Robert flicked a glance at him and looked away. “What say we eat first before I bare my soul?”

Lionel nodded. “Very well.”

He reached for the bell and rang it, summoning the butler.

They sat in silence as the door opened and a trio of servants walked in bearing trays laden high with food. The aromatic roast was steaming gently, the crusty bread was warm, and the vegetables were cold and crisp.

Robert’s stomach rumbled and he remembered he had not eaten since the previous evening. He had barely tasted his dinner—he had primarily imbibed—and he had also skipped breakfast, not wanting to sit by himself at the table again.

Once the food was served and they had eaten, the two men sat back sipping brandy-laced tea and commenting on the blue skies and sunshine.

“Shall we venture out for a walk?” Lionel asked as a scream startled them both.

“Should you not check on that?” Robert asked.

Lionel shook his head. “Absolutely not. My sisters are being their loud and tiresome selves. I cannot wait until they return to the country.”

Robert grinned. “Then I will gladly take you up on that stroll. All this sitting and brooding is becoming something of a bore.”

They stood up and collected their walking canes and hats before leaving the house. The sun was indeed pleasant against Robert’s back, and the Mayfair foot traffic was scarce enough to make walking a pleasant pastime rather than a game of dodging puddles, horse manure, and other pedestrians.

“Tell me,” Lionel said.

Robert took a deep breath and began to tell Lionel about his troubles.

Georgiana hailed a passing footman. “Where is my husband?”

“He went out, Your Grace.” The footman gave a bow and hurried past her.

Georgiana sighed as she stood in the corridor. She had worked up her determination, ready to confront the issues between them, and now her pent-up energy had nowhere to go.

She grumbled and put her hands on her hips. “Now what should I do?”

She shook her head, thinking that both Cecile’s and Selina’s advice had ultimately been useless. She decided to collect her cloak and go to her parents’ house for a visit. She needed a reminder that there were more serious things going on in the world than her little problems.

She ordered a carriage with a coachman and a tiger. Going back home was always difficult for her, and she felt the need for extra protection. She had not returned since her wedding, and she was unsure why she was going now, but Robert’s words kept echoing in her mind.

Do you think your parents were able to get such a substantial sum for you because you are pleasant-looking?

She had been presented with a fait-accompli when it came to her marriage. Her parents had come home and announced that she was betrothed.

“What do you mean, I am betrothed? The Season has barely started!” she exclaimed.

“Yes well, consider yourself fortunate that you will not have to display yourself like a sack of goods at the marriage mart. You have successfully caught yourself a duke without lifting a finger.”

“A duke?” she gasped in disbelief.

“Yes, is that not wonderful? No, no need to thank us. There is much to do to prepare for your wedding.”

Thereafter, everything had been a whirlwind of fittings, primping, and assembling her trousseau. She had barely had a moment to think. The steward had assured her that all the accounts were back in the black and that sufficient capital remained to relaunch the family’s income-generating projects.

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths as the carriage came to a stop, before feeling calm enough to approach the house.

Now that she was there, she did not know if her idea had been a clever one.

Come now, Georgie, you have never been a coward. Do not be one now.

She marched determinedly to the front door and rang the bell. After an interminable wait, the butler finally opened the door.

“Cuthbert, you are still here. How lovely to see you. Are the earl and countess home?”

The butler looked extremely surprised and hastened to make an appropriate bow.

“Your Grace!” he exclaimed, flustered. “We did not expect you. Yes, your parents are in. If you give me a moment, I shall be right back.”

“Do not be ridiculous, Cuthbert, I am hardly a visitor.” She breezed past him imperiously, making her way to the parlor. “Tell them I wish to speak with them urgently.”

She made herself comfortable by the window, slowly breathing in and out to calm herself. A servant brought in a tray of tea and sandwiches, setting it down on the table without a word before curtsying and leaving.

My parents are clearly determined to treat me like an unannounced stranger.

She crossed her ankles and waited.

It took twenty minutes for her mother to breeze into the room, wearing a magnificent morning gown of flowered silk. Her hair was done up and liberally powdered. She wore just a touch of color in her cheeks and a pair of pearl earbobs in her lobes.

She came to a stop in the middle of the room and executed an elegant curtsey. “Your Grace, how kind of you to favor us with your presence.”

Georgiana stared at her mother in disbelief. “What on earth are you doing?”

Lady Mayfield took a seat on the turquoise Chesterfield that stood perpendicular to Georgiana’s armchair by the window. She turned to her daughter, one ankle delicately crossed, her hands folded in her lap, and her back ramrod straight.

“Why, giving you the respect you deserve as the wife of a duke. What does it look like I am doing?”

“Playing games,” Georgiana shot back.

Lady Mayfield gave a delicate laugh, “And why would I do that?”

Georgiana looked towards the door. “Where is Father? The two of you are always as thick as thieves. Did he send you here to find out what I wanted?”

Her mother frowned disapprovingly. “I am sure I do not know what you mean, but I can tell you that I am unhappy with your tone. What exactly are you insinuating?”

“I am insinuating that you know exactly why I am here. Hence this noxious display of deference.”

“I cannot read minds, dear Georgiana. If you have something to say to me, I am afraid you must articulate it.”

“All right, then I will.” Georgiana nodded. “How much did you sell me for?”

Lady Mayfield’s face paled slightly through her rouge as she reached for the teapot.

“Shall I pour you a cup?”

“Thank you, but I have already had breakfast. I would rather you answered my question.”

“Whatever this conversation is, I think it would benefit from some tea,” Lady Mayfield said, pouring a cup and handing it to Georgiana.

“I know you were able to pay off all of your debts, because Mr. Crooks told me so.” Her gaze swept across her mother’s luxurious attire. “I can see you are once again able to afford expensive silks for your gowns. All I want you to tell me is what you offered the duke in return for the money. Did you promise him a wife or something more?”

“What more could a duke want from us?” Lady Mayfield asked in a frustrated tone. “I do not understand why you believe we harbored nefarious motives when we secured you a husband who possessed the means to care for you for the rest of your life. Georgiana, you will want for nothing . A little gratitude would be nice.”

Georgiana paused and leaned towards her mother. “A hasty marriage, no choice in the matter, not even a proper period of courting. You thrust me into the duke’s world and left me to fend for myself.” She shook her head. “But I was so accustomed to finding my own way and making do, that it did not occur to me until recently how unusual my situation was. Not until His Grace told me that he compensated you very well for me. So, tell me, Mother , what did he pay for me?”

Lady Mayfield expelled an exasperated breath. “He needed a wife, and our family needed help. That is all there was to it.” She got to her feet. “Now, I will thank you to leave my house, because I am tired of suffering your ungrateful tirade. Do not return until you are ready to apologize.”

Georgiana felt crushed under the weight of her mother’s cold retort. She did not know why she had bothered to come. Her parents would balk at divulging anything to her.

She rose to her feet, still holding her mother’s gaze. “Very well, Countess . Thank you for the tea.”

Georgiana’s heart brimmed with hurt as she took her leave and walked out the door.

As she entered the carriage, Georgiana suddenly realized that her mother had not even asked about Daisy.