Page 116 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“Grace, may I introduce Mr. Damian Wynd, who has served as guard and protector since I set out from Southampton and accompanied me as I searched for you.”

“I have now been found.” She then grasped Georgie’s hand and pulled her away and across the foyer and directly to Uncle Patrick, whom she had met when she was much younger. He stood with a woman of similar age.

“Look who I have found, Uncle. You remember Georgie, do you not?”

“I do indeed.” Except, he wasn’t so much looking at Georgie but Damian, a question and concern in his eyes.

Damian stepped beside Georgie and held out his hand. “I only served as guard and protector while Miss Wylde pursued her sister,” he explained, using the same words that Georgie had.

Damian then turned to Georgie. “As promised, you have been delivered to your sister, and you have also located an uncle.”

“It appears to be that way.”

“There is no longer a need for me to remain with you.”

Tears welled in her eyes but she willed them to go away. If she cried, her family might have questions that she was not prepared to answer.

“Thank you for all that you have done, Mr. Wynd.”

“It was a pleasure and an adventure, Miss Wylde, and I am certain that I will remember these past twelve days fondly.”

“Even the first day?” she teased.

Damian chuckled. “Yes. I will most certainly miss the most difficult and stubborn woman that I have ever met.”

“I will miss you despite your protectiveness and tendency to be argumentative.”

“I only argue when it is necessary.”

“And I only do so when you are being stubborn and foolish.”

Their words may have seemed harsh, but there was fondness in their tones, so different than when they had first met.

“Thank you, Damian. I will remember these past days fondly.”

“As will I.” He then lifted the back of her hand to his lips. “Goodbye Miss Wylde and safe travels. I will see that your belongings are delivered downstairs to your uncle.”

He then turned and walked away, taking Georgie’s heart with him.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Damian stood at the window that looked out over the harbor from the Trade Wynd office, his attention on the Charlotte Rose. In a few days, she would once again sail for Carrera. It was the same ship that Georgie had stowed away on. The ship that he wanted to board.

He shook his head. To do so would be impractical. He did not even know if she would be home when he arrived. Could he truly leave Trade Wynd for the weeks…months for what might be a foolish venture?

One does not alter their life and future because of twelve days. Except, it felt like it was forever.

He missed her. He loved her.

Damian shook his head, heart aching with emptiness in his soul, a pain within that could not be healed except with time, perhaps, but he wasn’t even confident that would help.

He turned way and closed his ledgers, prepared to exit his office. It was nearing dinnertime and he simply did not want to be at his desk any longer.

Prior to Georgie invading his life, most of his waking hours were spent here, and he thrived, he had control. This was his domain where everything was in perfect order and made sense. He was accomplished and proud of how he had improved Trade Wynd and welcomed challenges daily to make it even better.

The passion that had once served him had diminished and been replaced by another.

Someone who was now out of his reach.