Page 74 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“It also puts you to sleep. Save it for when slumber is illusive.” Damian then pulled her into the shop.

Oh, she would love to purchase another book, one that held her interest, and it would be nice to have when she and Grace sailed back to Italy. Though she would be with her sister and there were many things to discuss, there would be times when there was nothing to say, which could become tedious.

After she had perused the shelves, Georgie had settled on two options and now held both and tried to decide which she would enjoy better. One was Emma apparently written by the same author, who remained anonymous, of Pride and Prejudice. Had she read that novel, she might know if she would enjoy Emma.

The other was Glenarvon, a gothic novel, also published anonymously.

Why didn’t English authors want their names known?

“You will find either of those more interesting than the book you have been forcing yourself to read on principle.” He chuckled.

“Have you read them?” At least if Damian could offer a recommendation, then she would know which one to choose.

“No.”

“Then how do you know they are more interesting?” she demanded.

“Because Pride and Prejudice, apparently, was widely enjoyed and as the same author wrote Emma, it can be assumed that it would be an enjoyable book.”

“Maybe if I had read Pride and Prejudice, I would be better able to decide.” It was simply a comment, having never even heard of the book until she read the note that Emma was written by the same author.

Damian disappeared for a moment then returned and handed the book to her.

“This still does not help me decide which book I should choose.”

He arched an eyebrow in warning.

“That was not an argument but a statement of fact,” she insisted.

Damian chuckled. “Very well, though I have no doubt that I will win my wager.”

Georgie quirked a smile. “I do not recall that I agreed to a wager. You simply stated that you had no doubt that I would argue with you.”

He opened his mouth, but she held up a finger to silence him. “Again, it is a statement based on what you had said, not an argument.”

“Very well. It is a statement,” he finally agreed.

Georgie then held up Glenarvon. “Do you have an opinion as to whether I would enjoy this book more than the other two? And why are all three published anonymously?”

“The last question is easier to answer,” he stated. “It is widely believed that when a name does not appear it is because the piece of fiction was written by a female.”

“Yet, you do not know that for fact.”

“No, it is assumed.”

Which did make sense since the world was prejudiced against women, believing they needed protectors, or were not as intelligent as men, and needed to be sheltered from the unpleasantness of the world, and too foolish to travel on their own. Therefore, a woman could not be capable of writing a decent novel, therefore, to sell such a book, her name could not be shown.

The entire situation made her angry. It was because of those beliefs that she had Damian as her personal guard—protector. Though, she truly no longer had complaints about his presence as she did enjoy his company, most of the time.

“Do you have an opinion as to the third, anonymous book?”

His smile was slow as his blue eyes lit with mischief. “What do you know of Lord Byron, or is he known in Italy?” he asked in a whisper.

Her face heated with the stories she had heard. “Yes, he was recently in Florence, not far from Carrera, and has quite the reputation. He would be what you English call a rake—a man lacking of morals.”

“Yes, that would be Byron.” Damian chuckled.

“Why is this book of significance to Lord Byron?”