Page 53 of Watching the Earl

“Yes, you. You are their new countess, so they wish to make a good impression.”

She shifted her gaze to the seat across from them as the coach moved down the lane. He could see her mind working as she puzzled out something. He’d seen her do it twice earlier, when two farmers and their wives mentioned issues they had. Both times she’d come up with a creative solution.

Anxious to learn what was in her head now, he turned her chin toward him. “What is it you think upon?”

Her eyes searched his own. “It is a complicated transition. One moment I’m a woman looking for a husband because my family doesn’t want me underfoot a moment longer. The next…three weeks and five days, to be exact, I become the Countess of Durham, with a husband, one hundred and twelve servants, and two hundred and eleven tenants, a new mother and sister, and my own dovecote. I worry that I can’t fulfill all my responsibilities. No one ever found me worthy before, not even you. Now, I’m suddenly good enough, as it were.”

He understood her uncertainty far more than she would ever know. Taking her hand, he gazed into her amber eyes. “I admit, I did not notice you, but it was not because of who you are. Rather, it was because I didn’t notice any woman anxious to find a husband. I was far too focused on enjoying my time while unmarried and unsupervised. I was foolish, not only in brushing off searching out a prospective bride, but in gambling and my other pastimes as well. It was only upon losing that ill-conceived bet that I came to my senses. I like to think our unfortunate pasts brought us together at the right time in our lives.”

As she continued to look at him as if afraid to hope, he kept his gaze steady, wanting her to understand how sincere he was.

“So then it would not be simply myself who is the phoenix, but you as well.”

“Yes, and who is more compatible with a phoenix than a phoenix?”

Her smile was tentative. “I’m most grateful to have married you.”

Protectiveness filled him, along with something else he didn’t understand—but what he knew for certain was that she was the right woman for Crestfield. He leaned forward and kissed her gently, showing her what he felt inside, though he could not begin to put it into words. When he pulled back, she opened her eyes, and her brow was furrowed as if she were confused.

“I think I need another kiss.”

If she was confused by that kiss, he would give her one she could be very sure of. “I’m happy to oblige.” This time, he pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. As his lips met hers, she immediately deepened the kiss.

Gibson’s words upon hearing of Georgina’s willingness echoed in Philip’s brain. Then you’re twice fortunate, my lord. Indeed he was.

She pulled back abruptly. “This is frustrating.”

“I apologize. What exactly is frustrating?”

Her cheeks reddened. “I find myself wanting you to take me at the most inconvenient times.”

At her words, his whole body reacted and he shifted on the seat. “Is this one of those times?”

“Yes. I wish we were home already.”

He chuckled. “We don’t need to be home for me to take you. We just need privacy—like we have now.”

“Yes, I know. But I don’t like having my face in the seat cushion.”

He stared at his wife for a moment, trying to comprehend why she would think having sex in a coach meant her face would be on the seat.

The only possible answer hit him—hard.

“Georgina, did you lose your virginity in a coach?”

“Yes. It was very disappointing and rather boring.” She sighed and looked out the window at the passing scenery, as if just speaking about it bored her.

He’d had a woman in a coach more than a couple of times, but her face was never in the seat. For that to be the case, she had to be on her stomach, but that would be difficult. Either that position or on her hands and knees on the floor of the vehicle—

He refused to finish the thought. He was already clenching his fists as he thought of how Georgina had been treated. He had to know who had treated her so poorly.

“Georgina.”

She turned back to look at him. “Yes?”

Even as he gazed at her, he questioned his motivation. “Would you tell me who dared to take in you in such a way in a coach?”

“Of course, but I thought you weren’t interested.”