Page 62 of Duke of Silver
As they arrived, Alexander couldn’t shake the feeling that Georgianna was up to something. He recalled their encounter shortly after her return to Town, the way she had maneuvered the conversation, and he wondered what exactly she hoped to achieve by hosting a party in his honor.
“The Marchioness of Delle was just telling me about the French version of the performance,” Elizabeth’s voice interrupted his thoughts as she returned to his side, her enthusiasm evident. “She’s watched it too and thinks very highly of it.”
“I am yet to meet anyone who doesn’t,” Alexander replied, the corners of his mouth lifting in response to her excitement. “Perhaps we can watch it as well, if you’d like,” he proposed, wanting to share in the experience with her.
Her eyes widened with delight. “You mean we travel to France?” she asked.
“Unless you know of some other magical way to watch it from afar,” he chuckled, enjoying the way her excitement seemed to light up her entire face.
“Oh, that sounds marvelous, Alexander,” she exclaimed, and her radiant smile squeezed tenderly at his heart.
Just then, her family arrived, and Elizabeth excused herself to greet them. Alexander watched her go, feeling a sense of satisfaction that her family had not been entirely ostracized from society. He was glad to see that they were managing to find their place once more.
“The man of the hour standing all alone?” A voice drew him from his thoughts. He turned to see Georgianna approaching, her expression as self-assured as ever.
“There is no company greater than one’s own, they say,” Alexander replied, his tone polite but guarded.
“Is that why you’re always abandoning your wife all alone?” Georgianna teased, but there was a sharpness in her words that set him on edge.
He felt his brow furrow in confusion. “One would begin to question your marriage, you see,” she added, her tone dripping with insinuation.
“Thank you for the concern, but my wife is hardly abandoned, Lady Winston,” he returned tersely, his patience wearing thin.
“Lady Winston?” she echoed in exaggerated surprise. “Why so formal, Alexander?” She quirked her lips into a mocking smile.
“I know my place. And you would do well to remember the same,” he said, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.
“Myplaceis as yourfriend, Alexander. As it has always been,” she replied, the smile on her lips sharpening.
“You seem to have quite the deluded conception of this friendship you speak of, my lady,” he countered, his voice edged with irritation.
“Never say I’m the only one who remembers all the good times we shared?” she asked, placing a hand provocatively on her décolletage in a show of feigned innocence.
Alexander remained silent, his expression hardening as he resisted the urge to respond.
“Well, in that case, I must make more of an effort to win you back, it seems,” she added at his silence, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous determination.
“You seem to forget that I am married now, Georgianna,” he ground out, his tone icy.
“Ah, but it seems you just remembered my name now,” she pointed out with a smug smile, clearly pleased to have elicited a reaction from him. “I think my lack of manners is worth it if it gets you to drop the formality,” she chuckled.
Inwardly, Alexander chastised himself for letting his guard slip. Georgianna had a way of bringing out the worst in him, stirring up irritation he normally kept tightly controlled.
“Listen, Lady Winston,” Alexander began, his voice measured as he cast a glance at the distracted guests, his gaze lingering on Elizabeth, who was engrossed in conversation with her family. He felt a pang of guilt at the thought of her overhearing this exchange. “This is the last time I will tolerate such reckless behavior from you,” he continued, his voice low and firm as he turned back to the Countess.
A slight scowl flickered across Georgianna’s features before she masked it with her usual placid expression. “Does that mean I should exercise more caution in approaching you?” she asked, her tone feigning nonchalance. “We can always arrange a more private meeting, perhaps later tonight? If His Grace wishes?”
“It means that I do not have an ounce of interest, and you should refrain from approaching me so carelessly in the future,” he said, his voice steely.
“Why, that is no way to thank a friend for hosting a party in your honor, Alexander,” she replied, and he could detect the irritation seeping through her calm facade.
“Thatfriendneither asked for nor wanted this,” he bit out, his patience nearly exhausted.
“Oh come now, Alexander,” she said, her voice betraying a hint of desperation. “You know giving up has never been in my vocabulary.”
As she reached out to touch him, another hand slid into his arm, the touch familiar and grounding. “Has my husband been keeping you from entertaining your guests, Countess Winston?” Elizabeth’s voice was pleasant, her expression the picture of cordiality. But there was a subtle firmness in her words that made it clear she was not to be dismissed.
Alexander felt an immense wave of relief as she stood by his side, her presence immediately shifting the dynamic. “I’m afraid he can be a little too talkative when he wants to be,” Elizabethcontinued, giving his arm a light pat. Alexander reached over with his free hand, giving her hand a gentle squeeze in return, grateful for her intervention.
