Page 74 of Unmasking the Earl

“About that…” She sat back on her haunches and regarded Ned steadily. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. And I have now started to consider my future in a more positive light. If Francis still wishes to marry me, I would like to accept him.”

Wycherley rushed forward. “Georgiana! I can’t believe my ears!”

“It’s true, my darling.”

There was a great rustle of silk as Wycherley swept her up and pressed her to his chest.

Ned wanted to shout at them to stop. Please, not here, not now. How could he bear to look on the happiness of others when his own felt so threatened?

His sister eased out of her lover’s embrace and gazed hopefully at Ned. “We would value your blessing, brother.”

“Now is not a propitious time. But I promise I’ll think about it,” was all he could manage for the moment. Of course he would consent. But let the man stew a little.

“Miss Blythe warned me you’d be like this,” Georgiana declared. “She said while you’re making up your mind, I must exact your solemn promise not to harm Francis. You’re not to call him out, do him violence, or attempt to ruin his prospects.”

“I am not accustomed to caving in to ultimatums,” he retorted. “What if I won’t promise?”

Georgiana bit her lip. “Then you will never see us again,” she said sadly. “We will disappear, go to the Colonies or India, where fortunes are to be made. Isn’t that right, Francis?”

“It’s an exciting idea,” offered Wycherley, but to his credit, his cautious gaze was directed at Ned, as if imploring him to reconsider.

“But not a wise one. I could easily stop you,” Ned replied, though his heart wasn’t in it. He’d lost his sister once, and he may have lost Cassie to his rival. He wanted his sister back, at least.

She seemed to sense the spreading cracks in his determination. “Yes, but you won’t.” Smiling, she tenderly patted his hand. “Seeing you again has been such a tonic, Ned. But I’m feeling weary now. Francis, can you take me home? We’ll all feel better after a night’s rest. We can make our plans in the morning.” She took the captain’s arm and held him close in an intimate gesture.

Irritation sluiced through Ned. “You seem very sure I’m eventually going to let you marry Wycherley.”

“I know you will.” She tipped her head and gave him a sly look. “Because you’ve been learning about love yourself lately, and know you cannot stand in its way.”

He stilled. “Where would you have come by such a ridiculous notion?”

“Why, you and Miss Blythe, of course.”

He felt an invisible knife to the heart. “Love?” he scoffed. “You are quite mistaken.”

“I think not. Anyone would be blind not to see you have feelings for one another.”

Try telling her that. Or him, he thought, and cast an unfriendly eye on the sleeping form of Mr. Carnforth.

“You are imagining things,” he said.

“Perhaps. Perhaps not,” she mused with a knowing smile. “You should give this one a chance, at least.”

He ground his teeth. “Leave it, Georgiana. My romantic life, or lack of one, is none of your concern.”

Her smile only widened. “Francis and I will be dropping in on Miss Blythe. Shall I tell her to come to you?”

“You’ll do no such thing!”

Georgiana tilted her head. “All right. You don’t want Miss Blythe to see you in this sorry state. I understand.”

Another twist of that knife. “I know you mean well,” he retorted, “but I’m weary and would like to sleep now. Be sure Matthews accompanies you home.” He cast Wycherley a curt, meaningful look. “You still have a reputation to maintain, Georgiana, and I have a scandal to hush up.”

Wycherley coughed and shuffled his feet, but Ned ignored him. If he wanted to court Georgiana, it was time he played by the rules.

“I am so glad you came to find me,” she told Ned. “This week has been a turning point for us all. Farewell for now, darling. Let me kiss you.”

“I’m very glad, as well,” he said with heartfelt sincerity.