Page 83 of An Earl to Remember
The duchess, his grandmother, and his mother were seated on the sofa, all three appearing far too pleased with themselves. Almost an hour ago, his lover had slipped away upstairs to his bedchamber, and he wanted nothing more than to be with her, either drinking brandy and playing chess by the fire or engaging in another bout of torrid lovemaking.
By God, Georgianna Heyford had been perfectly, exquisitely fashioned for him.
Every kiss, conversation, and lovely laugh spilled from her throat had endlessly teased Daniel with possibilities he had never considered. Being with her was the most honest and refreshing connection he’d ever formed. He couldn’t begin to think about their sexual attraction, or his body might respond unpardonably.
A sound whispered through the night, and he stiffened when he saw a slim figure hurrying down the steps of his townhouse, a valise clutched in her hand, the cowl of her cloak covering her hair. He would know her shape and walk anywhere, and for a moment, incomprehension muddled his thoughts.
Daniel sucked in a harsh breath when he realized she was leaving, and the manner in which she did so revealed she did not want to inform him.
By God, she truly is leaving.
A cold knot of dread invaded his heart. He did not want to lose her.
Daniel recalled the agony that had burned her eyes bright when he’d asked her to be his lover, and she had taken a deep breath as if bracing herself against some terrible wound. He recalled the feel of that soft kiss on his jaw, and that he had not understood she said farewell. Regret, sharp and hot, spliced through his chest. He had reduced her to this with his thoughtlessness, sneaking away from a gentleman’s townhouse as if she were an unwanted, unloved burden. He had made her believe she was not worth more, that he would only ever see her as a woman he would use and then discard when she was…. Bloody hell, she was simplyeverything.
He pressed a hand over his eyes, squeezing his temples hard, as if that would center him against the desperate love rising in his heart. Daniel took a long, hard breath. Georgianna Heyford was a bright, living flame—passionate, kind, loyal, witty, creative, and dedicated to her passion and those she loved.
His heart hammered, and he released his pent-up breath. She was gone. It was not yet a damn second, and he felt that hole gaping inside his chest like a physical ailment. A hired carriage rumbled to stop before her, and she waited until the steps were knocked down before entering. A twisting pain squeezed deep into his body.
The hackney would have rattled away, taking her from his life, her actions informing him that this time, it was permanent, with no door open for her to return. They would indeed now be mere memories in each other’s lives, a moment they would years in the future look back on, either with fondness or with the bitterest of pains. Recalling the haunted shadows in her expression and the bright burn of pain in her eyes, he knew Georgianna would never look back on their moments with anything akin to joy.
And who are you to be, wife?He briefly closed his eyes. He had not shown the desperate feelings brewing in his heart for her, feelings that would only build and grow, for he had fallen for her with his entire heart. “I am a damn fool.”
His grandmother frowned. “Whatever do you speak of, Stannis?”
“You will forgive me, Nana, Mother, Your Grace, I have an urgent matter to attend to.”
“Stannis,” his grandmother said sharply. “This is not a matter that can be delayed. The duke will expect—”
“As I already have a wife, I cannot imagine what the duke could expect of me. Of course, Lady Katherine would not have known this when she plotted her scheme. Everyone should be allowed the dignity of making their own choices, and your daughter tried to steal mine, Your Grace. Given the close association between our families, I will forget the entire matter, but I will not be forming any alliance with your daughter. Even if it is your dearest hope.”
His grandmother spilled the tea down the front of her French gown, then swooned rather dramatically against the sofa. “What do you mean you are alreadymarried? To whom?”
The duchess gasped and surged to her feet, every line in her body taut with anger. She cast him a fulminating glare and marched for the drawing room, slamming the door.
“Who are you married to?” his mother cried. “What manner of cruel jest is this?”
Aware of their shock, a humorless smile tugged at his mouth. “Miss Heyford is my wife.”
His grandmother’s lips parted in a silent gasp. “You married the cook?When?”
A rough laugh escaped him, and padding over, he kissed her cheek. “The marriage was officiated by one Miss Sarah Heyford some weeks ago in Crandell. A pity you missed it; it was a rather lovely day, Nana.”
His nana spluttered and snapped her spine straight. “I do not appreciate your jesting about matters of such serious importance…”
He leveled her with a stare that tapered her words and had her arching a brow.
“You mean a lot to me, Nana, but I will decide my future and countess. It took me a while to understand that what I feel for Miss Heyford is not just mere affection for a lover and friend.”
“I knew there was something between the two of you,” his mother gasped, a hand fluttering to her chest. “You are in love with that creature?”
The words settled between them, heavy and fraught.
“She wraps me in knots I do not understand,” he said, providing the unvarnished truth.
“Does she haveanysuitable connections?” his mother asked, standing.
“Marianna,” his nana snapped. “Do not encourage the boy to foolhardiness! Society will not forgive him for marrying a lady so decidedly inferior to him in background, reputation, and—”
