Page 16 of Her Duke’s Second Chance (Regency Second Chances #1)

CHAPTER 16

“ F rom what you have said, I am deducing that there is a lack of communication betwixt the two of you,” Lionel said.

Robert sighed deeply. “Indeed.” He nodded defeatedly. “We are sinking deeper and deeper into this marital quagmire each passing day and cannot find a way to pull ourselves out.”

Lionel stopped walking and turned to face Robert. “Tell me, old friend, what do you want?”

Robert frowned and turned to face Lionel. “What do I want? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean that, in the aftermath of Angela’s passing, you studiously avoided intimacy with all women. You then married this woman, a complete stranger by all counts, without courting her. While I sympathize, I believe these… issues you are experiencing with your duchess are a sign that you are ready to try again.”

Robert’s frown deepened. “I am not following.”

Lionel took a deep breath, his eyes dropping to the ground and then back up to Robert. “I believe you are falling in love with your wife, or are at least enamored by her.”

Robert jerked hard as though someone had pushed him. He felt Lionel’s words like a physical blow, and his heart sank.

He shook his head slowly. “I…cannot,” he whispered.

Lionel nodded and resumed talking slowly. “I understand you, my friend. I do. And I am not advising you to run home and declare your undying love and fealty. I am saying that there is a happy middle ground, where you can enjoy the fruits of your marriage, while still protecting your heart.”

Robert pursed his lips. “I am too used to making no effort in this area. The women I met on my travels were far too eager to fling their handkerchiefs at me for the chance at being my mistress, never mind my wife. I suppose I shall have to ponder this and determine how to proceed.”

Lionel laughed, patting Robert consolingly on the shoulder. “It is not that difficult, old chap. If you pay attention, she will tell you what she needs.”

“What she needs…” Robert’s voice trailed away as an image suddenly formed in his mind, “I think I have an idea where to start,” he said.

Lionel grinned in delight. “There you go! I knew you had it in you.”

Robert turned to him. “Tell me, you know London better than I do. Where might I find an excellent French patisserie?”

Lionel looked nonplussed. “Eh?”

Robert threw back his head and laughed, clapping Lionel on the back.

“Never mind. I know just where to look.”

Georgiana woke up feeling miserable. She stared at the bed’s canopy, feeling the slow beat of her heart through the pulse in her neck. She felt disconcertingly untethered from the course her life was taking.

She had gone down to dinner the previous evening, determined to finally face Robert. She had decided she would follow his lead. If he wanted to have a quiet dinner, that is what they would do. If he wanted to discuss what had happened in the library, she was willing to do that as well.

It had occurred to her that her parents might not give her the answers she was seeking, but Robert might. After all, she had nothing to lose. Their relationship was a farce. It could only do them both some good to improve it.

If he kisses me again, I will not run away, no matter how panicked I become.

Unfortunately, Daisy had been the only person who appeared for dinner.

She tried her best to conceal her disappointment from her sister, but she knew she had done a poor job of hiding it. Throughout their meal, Daisy had stared at her sympathetically and tried to distract her with banter and gossip.

It serves me right.

She had been hiding from him and could not blame him for giving up on her.

He probably thought I would not turn up for dinner either.

It still pained her to see how easily he had given up. After all, she had only made herself absent for one day.

Will I hide in my chambers forever?

She flung off the blankets and rang the bell to summon Cecile.

To the bewilderment of his servants, Robert insisted on personally delivering the parcel. He simply smiled and offered no explanation as he carried the cloth-wrapped box to the dining hall.

“Is Her Grace expected for breakfast?” he asked the butler as he placed the box on the table, close to Georgiana’s chair.

Sinclair’s brow furrowed. “I understand she has sent down for a bath, so I do suppose so.”

“Good,” Robert said, “you may go.”

Sinclair momentarily stared open-mouthed at Robert’s dismissal before hastening to do as he was instructed.

At Emberford they were much less formal about their meals, and Robert had even been known to serve himself on occasion. The ton’s continued insistence on formality was just one more reason why he found being in London so tiresome.

The door opened and Georgiana entered, looking around in puzzlement at the lack of servants.

“Good morning,” Robert said with a smile, as he rose from his seat.

“G-Good morning,” Georgiana replied as her cheeks flushed with color.

Robert hastened to pull out her chair and gestured towards it. “Please. Sit.”

She nodded jerkily as she rounded the table. He pushed the chair in and made sure she was comfortable before returning to his seat at the head of the table.

He smiled at her. “I expect you are wondering where the servants are.”

Georgiana nodded her head in acknowledgment but said nothing.

“Well, I thought, it being a nice, sunny day, we could simply enjoy breakfast on our own, with no one waiting in the wings to refill our cups or snatch away our plates the moment we take the last bite.”

She gave a nervous giggle. “Yes, they do tend to do that.”

He nodded. “I am glad you agree with my point of view.” He pointed to the cloth-covered box. “A gift for my bride.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “A gift? Why?”

“Well, I realized that I did not give you any wedding gifts, which was quite remiss of me. I now wish to correct that oversight.”

“Oh…That is… kind of you.”

He gestured to the package. “Please open it first and see if you like it.”

She looked momentarily doubtful, then removed the cloth and saw a large, white box tied with a gold-threaded beige satin ribbon. She pulled on one end of the ribbon and the box opened.

He held his breath in anticipation as she examined its contents. Her face lit up and her large blue eyes turned to look at him in awe.

“How did you know?” she whispered.

He smiled. “I listened.”

Reaching into the box, she picked up one of the puits d’amour . She held it up, staring at it as if it might disappear.

“Where did you find them?” she asked.

“Now that is quite a story. After that footman told you that he could not find any in the city, it stayed in my mind. You seemed quite disappointed at the time.”

She blushed. “I am sorry. It is my one guilty pleasure in this world, and I was quite disappointed.”

“Do not apologize. I quite understand. So, I set out to look for a patisserie that might bake them. Failing in that endeavor, I then entreated a French chef of my acquaintance to make them for me. He did so, and this is the result.”

Her eyes shone even brighter, as though they were filled with sapphire mercury. “That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

“Good morning.” They both looked up to see Daisy standing hesitantly in the doorway. “I… should I leave?”

Georgiana almost leaped at her in her haste to make sure Daisy stayed.

“Oh no, no, no, no, come in. Have a seat. Look what Robert has brought us for breakfast.” She inclined the box so that Daisy could peer inside.

Her sister’s eyes lit up. “Oh! These look delicious! I thought you could not find any.”

“I could not.” Georgiana grinned. “But His Grace did.”

Daisy clapped her hands together delightedly and smiled at Robert. “How sweet of you,” she said, taking a seat.

Georgiana sat back and offered Robert a genuine smile. “Yes, it was very thoughtful.”