Page 70 of Her Wicked Duke
“Georgia is in the garden,” Lady Hess told Anne, gesturing for her to follow her. “Is she expecting you?”
“Yes,” Anne said, although Georgia’s letter told her to visit her anytime. She might not have necessarily meant today.
When Anne stepped into the garden, Lady Hess left her, and she watched as her friend sat by the fountain in their sprawling garden.
Alexander stepped back into the shadows of the back terrace. “I’ll stay back here. Go and talk to her. I’ll wait for you. How about I treat you to dessert after this?”
Anne paused, raising an eyebrow.
Alexander shrugged his shoulders, the picture of nonchalance, as always. “I thought you might want a break from everything. A lot has happened, and I have things to open up to you about?—”
“But you said you’re not ready?—”
“I know, but I wish to start learning to be more open,” he said. “I owe you that much. And my future wife deserves to know, once and for all, whom she will be marrying and the madness I have known to make me the way I am.”
That admission meant more to Anne than she could say. She only brushed the back of her hand against his in response. “Thank you. Dessert will be lovely.”
She descended the stone steps to the fountain, feeling Georgia’s eyes settle on her with a weight of anticipation.
“Anne.” Her voice was gentle and welcoming, as it always had been.
“Georgia.”
From Anne’s perspective, Georgia may not have caused the rumors, but she hadn’t stopped them either, nor had she stood up for her in any capacity.
“Thank you for coming—and so quickly. I’m due to meet with Earl of Marston in an hour, so I can’t speak to you for very long, but it’s plenty of time to hopefully say what I need to say.” Georgia’s smile was barely contained. “I’m to go out to shop for my wedding dress, Anne.”
The news registered numbly—yet another thing Anne had missed. But she smiled, feeling genuine excitement for her friend as she embraced her.
“I don’t wish to fall out with you,” Anne said, sighing. “I’m hurt. I’m hurt by this whole situation and by the fact that you didn’t try to stop it.”
“I know,” Georgia admitted, nodding. “And I’m so sorry for that, Anne—I truly am. As you know, I have been courted by the Earl, and I was pressured by my parents not to speak up for you and the Duke, for it might have jeopardized my impending engagement. I only thought of myself, but I hurt you, my closest friend, in the process.” She hung her head.
As hurt as Anne was, she couldn’t ignore her understanding of why this had happened.
“Was it worth it?” she asked quietly. “Standing by while Clarice and Jocelyn also turned their backs on me and ruined my reputation before the entire ton?”
Georgia shook her head. “I’m now engaged, but the Earl has made his feelings clear that he thinks the Duke of Winsor is a decent man and that he bears him no ill will. I’m ashamed to say that standing with you or against you wouldn’t have made a difference. I have judged you harshly, and now I wish to make amends.”
“And what about the others?”
“I think Jocelyn is neutral,” Georgia said. “She wishes to have you as her friend, but… You know how Clarice can be. She can be powerful and persuasive.”
“And no doubt she has all the suitors looking her way now,” Anne muttered.
Not that it mattered to her anymore, but her heart was heavy at the thought of being so awfully dragged into this situation just for her friend to sabotage her chances of success, had she not had the Duke as an option now.
“Let us talk about you, Anne,” Georgia suggested. “I’ve missed you. I wish to know the truth. Do you love His Grace?”
It was Anne’s turn to smile in that girlish, newly-in-love way. “It has been a complicated road, but I believe I’ve found what you and I have always dreamed of. Alexander is slowly learning to trust me, and I love him for everything that he has shown me and everything that he has yet to show me.” She paused. “He has expressed his desire to marry me.”
“Anne!” Georgia exclaimed, grasping her hands. “This is wonderful news! Oh, Anne, as a plea of forgiveness, please let me throw you an engagement ball! It shall be grand, I promise you. I’ll host it here, and perhaps we can both officially announce our engagements.”
Her eyes were bright with excitement. Anne yearned for their old, easy friendship.
“I would like that,” she said slowly. “Alexander is not one for public speeches, but perhaps he will do it for me.”
She smiled deviously. Perhaps she could make him do it, upon the promise of one last reward if he did. It could be an apology gift to her, as well.
