Page 71 of Watching the Earl

“Here we go. This will be perfect. Just enough room for the family.”

She smiled at the dowager’s comment. It felt good to be part of a family who wanted her. Hopefully, soon, she and Philip would have their own. It was her dream that one of her children would take an interest in ornithology.

“Here we are.” Philip set down a cup of cocoa, a cup of tea, and a plate of macarons.

“You spoil us, son.”

“I try, but there was no cinnamon or marzipan. Now, I shall take myself off to find a stronger drink.”

The dowager looked at Georgina. “He means wine.”

Georgina stifled another giggle. She never giggled and wasn’t quite sure when she’d started or why. Perhaps it was that she had so much happiness inside her that it must come out.

“Now that we’re alone, Georgie, you must tell me what you did to my son.”

She blinked, not a little surprised by the question. “I don’t think I did anything to him.”

The dowager waved her hand as if to dismiss the comment. “Surely you’ve noticed the change in him. He’s smiling more and going out of his way to be, well, pleasant. That’s not the same man that attended dinner at his sister’s over a month ago.”

“I think it may be because he’s happy.”

“Well, of course he is, but how did you manage to make him so?”

Georgina didn’t wish to keep things from her new mother, but her instinct told her that keeping Philip happy was more important, so she shrugged and quickly took a sip of cocoa, not revealing their private conversation from earlier in the week.

As she took a second sip, she smiled. She’d just kept something secret! She couldn’t wait to tell her friends.

“Whatever it is, just keep making him happy.” The dowager took a macaron and daintily bit into it. “Having my son and daughter both married and content is a true relief. My dear sister is still…”

As the dowager continued, Georgina watched the entrance to the courtyard, surprised that no one else had arrived after Rose and Arabella. Had something happened to one of the birds?

Philip returned, sitting next to her. “Has the aviary changed since last you toured it?”

She tried to think of the birds along her walk, but she hadn’t been paying close attention. “I’m not sure. My previous visit was last summer.” She waved toward the entrance to the courtyard. “Do you think something has occurred along the path?”

“No, I think that you and your Curious Ladies just walk a bit faster than most.”

The dowager nodded. “That’s true. I found the pace to be rather brisk. Your friends are lovely ladies. I’m so pleased I had the chance to visit with them this morning. I really must attend more balls so that I may keep up on everyone’s lives. It’s a benefit of being a widow, you know.”

Georgina immediately looked to her husband, but he didn’t stiffen as he used to. Instead, he smiled. “Mother, I thought you content with my cousins. Did not one make her debut this Season? Surely you’ve attended a ball with my aunt for that.”

Georgina spotted people at the entrance to the courtyard and relaxed. “Here they are.”

The crowd slowly filed in, everyone busy talking and a few glancing their way. No wonder everyone took so long. Had they noticed the birds any more than she, or were they too busy chatting? Feeling a bit guilty, she addressed the dowager. “How many nieces do you have? Do you think any would be interested in the Belinda School for Curious Ladies?”

“Now that you mention it, the youngest does seem preoccupied with books, much to my sister’s chagrin.”

“If you like, I’d be happy to talk with her.”

“I will arrange it. The school has a growing reputation.” The dowager reached for another sweet and frowned. “It looks like we’ve finished everything.”

Philip rose. “Not to worry. I shall endeavor to search out more sweets for you both.”

“Thank you, dear.” The dowager watched him walk to the side table before leaning toward Georgina. “I had about given up hope he’d marry. You truly don’t know how relieved I am that you two met. Now, I know it’s soon, but have you thought of names for your children? When I was first married, I must have written down at least twenty. Poor Walter was a bit undone at seeing it. So if you do as I did, I suggest not sharing it.”

“I could never hide something from Philip, so maybe I won’t write it down.”

“Ladies, we must leave. Now,” Philip announced even before he arrived back at the table.