Page 50 of An Earl to Remember
I am so silly and selfish!
The self-approbation hurt her chest, for she had always placed other needs before hers.And that is what I am doing, she insisted stubbornly,aswithout the earl’s help around the manor, our circumstances would have been even more dire. If she were to calculate the labor he owed for the monies he had not paid over, that would be at least two years!
Why was she faltering in as little as two weeks?
Georgianna scrambled from the bed, a quick glance at the clock on the mantel revealing it was almost six in the afternoon.Good heavens!She’d slept for the entire day!For a second time!
“I shall never drink again so recklessly,” she muttered.
Georgianna hurriedly performed her ablutions, taking a quick bath then dressing in a simple pale green day dress with several buttons to the front. She gathered her hair in a plain chignon, frowning at her reflection in the cheval mirror. Her eyes gleamed with awareness and her cheeks were flushed, and inside she ached.
Silly!
Georgianna hurried from her chamber to below stairs, calling for Lizzie. No one answered, and hurrying to the kitchen, she found it frightfully clean and empty, the fireplace lit, shaving off the chill in the air. There was a pot on the stove, and her recipe notebook opened beside it. She walked over and lifted the lid.
It was curried rice. The smell was divine, and her mouth watered. A very simple but tasty dish she often prepared when their larder ran empty. She noted a slip of paper with presumably the earl’s handwriting.
Boil the rice and drain the water. Slice one large onion very thinly and fry the pieces with a little butter; then add the boiled rice, a tablespoon curry-powder, and a little salt, thyme, bell peppers to season, then mix all together in a skillet for a few minutes. Remember to taste with each dash of seasoning.
Georgianna smiled. She felt foolishly charmed by his efforts. It was her recipe, but he had removed all the flowery creative prose and descriptions she had placed in her notes, making her directions simpler to understand. She plucked up the paper and read it again, wondering if she should write two different instructions in the recipe book she crafted, one set for those of advanced cooking like herself, and another set for those who were ignorant of cooking and would require very simplistic and precise instructions like the earl.
Reaching for a wooden spoon, Georgianna tasted the curried rice, humming her pleasure at the flavorful taste. Setting down the spoon, she peeked through the windows, where she spied Lizzie strolling with Mr. Hayle and the girls. Georgianna bustled through the side kitchen doors to outside, gaily waving.
“Georgie,” Anna cried, running over to her. “You’re finally awake! How you slept and slept and slept! Mr. Stannis promised us two new reading books if we allowed you to rest without disturbance. He said you needed it, and we should care for you, always.”
There went that tumbling warmth inside her chest again. Georgianna tousled the top of her sister’s head and warmly greeted Sarah, Lizzie, and Mr. Hayle. He bowed courteously, reached into his pocket, and extended to her an envelope. Lizzie, who seemingly knew the contents, waited beside him rather breathlessly, her blue eyes glittering.
Georgianna opened the folded note and read, surprise darting through her. “It is an invitation to your mother’s annual spring soiree.”
Mr. Hayle beamed. “Yes. I…ah…I will make an official announcement of my and Miss Lizzie’s engagement right before supper.”
Stunned, Georgianna stared up at Mr. Hayle, swallowing all the fright and doubt rushing up inside her. Lizzie was also glowing, but in her eyes, Georgianna saw a similar uncertainty. She gave her sister a reassuring smile. That Mr. Hayle had come this far now, would he dare turn back? Even though it was the earl’s threat which had brought him up to scratch, she knew Mr. Hayle adored her sister. It was evident in every stare and “accidental” touch. However, she felt certain his parents would never allow him to see through with marrying her sister.
“It would be my pleasure to attend,” she said. “I shall respond right away to Mrs. Hayle. Please allow me to enquire, sir, do your parents know you plan to make an announcement?”
He flushed, tugged at his neckcloth. “I…” Mr. Hayle raked his fingers through his sandy hair and looked away from them, as if he were mortified.
“Mr. Hayle?” Lizzie asked tremulously, her eyes wide and uncertain. “Do you mean to surprise your family with our news?”
Georgianna’s fingers tightened on the envelope, understanding that a public declaration would be hard to deny later on without stirring a scandal. He was deliberately shoving his parents into a corner. As she stared at Mr. Hayle and her sister, Georgianna realized how young they were, and her throat ached because she had no notion of how to help them secure their happiness without causing distress to others.
How long would she have to work for to provide a suitable dowry for Lizzie? Would Mr. and Mrs. Hayle ever understand that their daughter-in-law was a passionate children’s author and she hoped to one day publish a series she had been diligently working on for the last two years? Would they find the connection forged through Aunt Thomasina’s marriage acceptable?
“Mr. Stannis has returned,” Sarah cried, delight lighting up her features. “He has with him a pony!”
Georgianna whirled around, pressing a hand to her chest. “A pony?”
“That is no pony,” Lizzie gasped.
The earl was indeed walking toward the stable with a beautiful brown-and-black horse with sleek lines and powerful muscles.
“I will speak to my husband,” she said to Mr. Hayle. “If you will excuse me. Sarah and Anna, please keep Lizzie’s company.”
The girls nodded enthusiastically, and Lizzie blushed because she understood, given the prior conduct of Mr. Hayle, that Georgianna would no longer allow them to walk alone. She hurried toward Daniel, who paused when he saw her, nerves fluttering in her stomach at his unwavering regard. The earl was dressed in tan trousers with a blue waistcoat and matching tan jacket, absent a neckcloth, revealing the strong columns of his throat. His dark blond hair was tousled, as if he raked his fingers through the strands several times. His gaze hooded as he observed her approach. “Who is this?” she murmured, patting the horse’s side.
He pinned her with an indecipherable look. “He is yours, wife.”
For a moment, Georgianna stared at him with incomprehension. “I beg your pardon?”
