Page 61 of This Earl of Mine

Juliet waggled her eyebrows, and Georgie couldn’t prevent a smile at her gleeful prodding. There was nothing her sister liked better than an intrigue. And really, if Georgie hadn’t been so fixated with Benedict, she would have remembered not to underestimate her sibling’s ability to sniff out a scandal. Juliet was like a bloodhound, able to scent the merest whiff of impropriety at fiftypaces. Most of the time it was all in her fertile imagination, of course, but this time she’d hit upon the truth.

“All right. I have a confession to make. I’m not actually married to a sailor, as I told you and Mother. I’m married to Benedict Wylde.”

Juliet’s eyes grew as round as saucers. She clapped her hand over her mouth and gave a little squeal of delight. “Ha! I knew there was something going on the moment I saw the two of you together! Those looks he sent you!” she crowed. “Tell me everything, Georgie, quick!”

Georgie did so, starting with her visit to Newgate but omitting any mention of Bow Street, Johnstone, or the submarine. She glossed over the events at the Tricorn Club, and settled for the rather inadequate phrase, “—and so we decided to, ah, consummate the marriage, and it was… very enjoyable.”

Juliet clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, this is a famous! Worthy of one of Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels. You’re supposed to be the sensible one, you know!”

Georgie sighed. “I don’t know what came over me. I only wanted to keep Josiah at a distance and gain some independence for myself. This whole situation has become far more involved than I ever intended.”

Juliet sobered. “Do you care for him, Georgie?”

“Who, Josiah? Absolutely not.”

“No, you goose! Wylde.”

“I don’t know. I mean, yes, of course, I like him, but—”

“Do you love him?”

Georgie stilled, reluctant to face that loaded question. She certainly loved what he did to her body. But physical attraction faded. Love, a marriage, needed more to survive. It needed shared interests. Compatibility. Respect. Trust.

“I think Icouldlove him, if I allowed myself to,” shefinally admitted. “But that would be a very foolish thing to do. We have an agreement. Once we’re wed in the eyes of theton, we’re going to go our separate ways. He has no intention of making it a long-term arrangement.”

Juliet looked crestfallen. This, apparently, was not how fairy tales were supposed to go. “What if he changes his mind?” she urged. “What if he realizes he doesn’t want to let you go? Simeon would never—”

Georgie pleated the bedcovers. “That isn’t going to happen, Jules. Benedict is nothing like Simeon. Simeon worships the ground you walk on. He loves you with his whole heart.” She sighed again, more heavily. “It’s not like that between Benedict and me. Men like him don’t settle down with just one woman.”

They were silent for a moment, then Georgie brightened. “So, what happened at the Evans’? You said Simeon kissed you.”

Juliet closed her eyes in remembered rapture. “Oh, yes, he did, and it was wonderful! Just as I knew it would be. And guess what else? Heproposed! He wants me to become Mrs. Simeon Pettigrew.”

Her tone made it sound like that was a title equivalent to “Empress of India and Queen of the Known Universe.” Georgie stifled a groan. “You know Mother still has her doubts about Simeon, Jules. She thinks you could do so much better than a penniless poet.”

Her sister’s lips formed a perfect pout. “I don’t want a man with a title. None of them love me as Simeon does. He doesn’t care a fig for how much I’m worth.” She stood and straightened the bedcovers with a thoughtful expression. “Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and present Mother with afait accompli.”

“Don’t do anything rash,” Georgie warned quickly. “She’ll come around. She only wants the best for you, after all. Just give it some time.”

“I know. I just hate pretending I’m considering other people when Simeon’s the only one I will ever want.” Juliet bent and gave Georgie an impulsive hug. “I know I don’t always show it, Georgie, but I’m so glad you’re my sister. I’m heading to Hatchard’s this morning with Mother. Is there anything you’d like?”

Georgie shook her head at her sibling’s mercurial changes of mood. “No, thank you, Ju. I’ll see you at lunch.”

It was only after Georgie dressed that she realized she was missing her wedding band and chain. She flushed; she must have left it in Benedict’s bedroom. She felt oddly naked without it, as if it were some lucky talisman, her private link to him. Even more irritating, she discovered that Benedict had put the fifty pounds she’d refused in her reticule. Stubborn man. She would have to find a way to slip it into his pocket when he wasn’t looking.

Juliet and Mother left for the shops in a flurry of skirts and perfume. Georgie had just entered the drawing room in search of breakfast when Tilly came in, holding a folded note.

“Letter for you, miss.”

Her heart leapt as she took it. “Thank you, Tilly.”

She glanced at the clock. Perhaps Benedict had changed his mind about letting her take part in Johnstone’s capture? She unfolded the missive with shaking hands and squinted at the scrawled, almost illegible writing. It took her a moment to decipher it.Meet me in the park. Copse near Tyburn tree. B.

Georgie frowned. She’d never actually seen Benedict’s handwriting, except for his signature on their marriage documents, but she’d have thought it was neater than this. He must have written it in haste.

She donned her pelisse, cloak, and bonnet and accepted Charlotte’s offer to accompany her “for a breath of freshair.” As soon as they entered the park, however, she told the elderly maidservant to rest on one of the benches overlooking the ornamental lake and headed north, toward the strand of trees as she’d been instructed. She let out an amused huff as she searched the vista for Benedict. Mysterious assignations in parks were more Juliet’s style.

There were very few people around at this unfashionably early hour. Thetonwouldn’t make an appearance until around four o’clock this afternoon when they would stroll down the walks and parade along Rotten Row in their curricles as slowly as possible in order to show off their latest fashionable acquisitions.

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