Page 50 of Wedding the Widow

“And this occurred when you were six?” Wrotham looked doubtfully at Georgie.

“Yes, I found Lucy in Father’s study and was trying to get her to leave with me. I pulled her collar, and it slipped over her head. I fell against Father’s worktable. A bottle of ink spilled, and he spanked me. The once.” She nodded at Jemmy. “That’s when my brother came in and took us out of the room.”

The exact same look of disbelief mixed with repressed laughter on the Wrothams’ faces made Jemmy want to laugh even more. “As you see, my lord, hardly a dire matter.” He tried to school his face, but a chuckle escaped him.

Lord and Lady Wrotham joined him, leaving Georgie miffed.

“It may not have been a proper beating, but it did hurt,” she said indignantly.

“I believe it is now time to go in.” Lady Wrotham took her husband’s arm and led them from the room, her shoulders twitching.

Jemmy followed, with Georgina on his arm. “You had best beware, bran face. I will make that little smack seem like a feather’s stroke if you don’t stop telling that story.”

“Then you will be the one to rue the day, Jemmy. One of Lucy’s great-grandpuppies is still at Blackham.” She smiled sweetly up at him. “And I’ve heard tell she bites.”

* * *

The journey to Blackham, Jemmy’s second in three days, had been more pleasant than expected, given his and Georgie’s confrontation the evening before. His sister had started the day bravely cheerful; however, the final hour of the trip had seen her grow pensive, her front teeth worrying her bottom lip. As they swept up to the castle, she gripped his hand.

“It will be all right, my dear.” He squeezed her hand back and helped her down from the carriage. “We can rest and dine before facing Father.” Something he wanted to do as little as she. “Hal is home, at least he was yesterday. You never know how long he will light here.”

Quick met them at the door. “His lordship requests your immediate presence in his office, my lord, my lady.” The older man’s face split with an unaccustomed smile. “It is very good to see you again, Lady Georgina.”

“Thank you, Quick. It is good to see you as well.” Georgie smiled as she relinquished her green wool spencer. “You haven’t changed at all.” She peered round the foyer, at the heavy ancestral weapons hung around the room. “Nothing has.”

The butler bowed. “I will have Charles fetch your things to your old rooms.”

“Thank you, Quick, but I will be staying the night only. Fellowes will see to my personal items. The rest can remain in the carriage. I leave at first light tomorrow.”

“Very good, my lord.”

Jemmy offered his arm, and Georgie placed a very small, very cold hand on it. “Don’t worry, my dear. I will see you through the first interview with Father.”

“Yes, but then you will leave me.” She puckered her brows. “I shall have to go seek out Lulu.”

“Lulu?”

“Lucy’s great-grandpup.”

Jemmy chuckled as they strode down the corridor. Georgina would be all right despite Father. He’d wager a year’s income on his sister’s resilience. At last, he stopped before the office door. “Are you ready?”

Raising her chin, she nodded and gripped his arm afresh.

Their father sat, behind the captain’s table, in the exact same posture—hunched over, writing a letter—as Jemmy had left him in yesterday morning. Had the man not moved at all? What a wretched existence he must lead. When he inherited the marquessate, he’d be damned if he let the running of it consume his life like that.

They waited several moments before the older man raised his head, his dark eyes betraying an interest in Georgina. “Well, step forward, let me have a look at you, child.” He rose slowly, his face flinching as though he’d not done so in many hours.

Georgie bit her lip but dutifully stepped toward the table, giving him a slight smile. “Good afternoon, Father.”

“Hmm. Turn around please.”

Obediently, Georgie turned in a circle with a sigh, the small steps making her bob.

“You have turned into a lovely young woman.” The marquess sounded surprised. “I commend you on making the most of yourself, despite your disobedience and subsequent dire circumstances.”

“Thank you, Father. I have had the good fortune to make friends who have been very kind.” Georgie clasped her hands, squeezing them together.

“You’ll not need those friends any longer. I have arranged a very advantageous match for you, despite your previous disrespect to me and to the family.” Father’s brows dipped almost to his nose. “You are to marry within the month. I have had a letter just today that confirms the arrangement.”