Page 106 of When the Marquess Was Mine
She blushed, but couldn’t help smiling. “Always.”
Chapter 34
Six weeks later
Salmsbury Abbey
Lancashire
“The rules,” Rob explained, “are simple. You must follow the path across the fields. There is a low stone wall, which you can jump or ride around, as you please. On the far side of that lie fallow fields. Ride directly west across them until you reach the large oak tree on the crest of the rise. Circle the tree on your left.” He paused. “You may not pass it on the right.”
“Why not?” Georgiana asked in surprise.
“It’s a stupid rule,” scoffed William Churchill-Gray. “Designed to help him win.” He grinned at Georgiana. “Westhateslosing. He’ll seize every last inch of advantage he can find.”
Rob loudly disputed Will’s charge as Georgiana laughed. Oh how she loved seeing him with his family—who were now her family, too.
When he’d suggested they come to Salmsbury to be married, she had been a little nervous; surely his family must have no good opinion of her. But as usual, he’d talked her into it, telling tales of his mother’s longing to see him happily married, and of the beauty of Salmsbury Abbey, and how his father had urged him to go to London and see if she cared for him.
It must also be admitted that Georgiana was not sorry to leave town, at least for a while. Reports of her incredible triumph at loo had made her somewhat notorious. She was accustomed to being spoken of, but not gossiped about. Lady Sidlow declared that marriage to a marquess would soon scour away all stain, which was probably true, but in the meantime, Georgiana preferred not to face the stares and whispers every night.
And the Rowland family had welcomed her with open arms, especially the duchess, who pronounced herself delighted beyond measure to have a daughter at last. The duke sized her up with a long stare, then kissed her forehead and called Rob a damned fortunate madman—something Rob refused to explain but swore was a mark of approval. She would have loved Rob if his family had been cold and indifferent, but to be taken into the heart of this warm, boisterous family only made her fall in love with all of them.
Especially Will, who led out a mare with a pink ribbon and a sprig of dried lilac on her bridle, and said she was Georgiana’s wedding gift from him. She was gray with a white nose and could run like the wind. Georgiana adored her at first sight and named her Athena. They had gone riding every day since, but today Rob had promised to show her the finest place to race horses in the world, across the fields of Salmsbury to the dunes of the Irish Sea.
When Rob and Will had finally agreed on a course and rules, they rode. Will had convinced her that riding sidesaddle was slowing her down, so today she was astride, with royal-blue breeches under her loose skirt—and he was right, she could go faster. Athena streaked along the fields, over the crest and toward the sea, and Georgiana couldn’t resist letting out a shriek of pure joy. Even when Will thundered past to win the race, nothing dimmed her mood.
They returned to the house when the clouds blew away and the sun grew hot and bright. Will remained in the stable with the horses, and Rob put his arm around her to stroll back to the house. “I ought to take you on a wedding trip.”
She smiled. “This has been better. Lancashire is new to me, remember.” She’d sent one final letter to Alistair informing him that she was wedding Rob, and had received a terse response from his solicitor, explaining that there would be a delay in paying her dowry funds. After that Rob put everything into the solicitor’s hands. Georgiana had a feeling she’d never hear from her brother again.
A servant was waiting for Rob. “From Lord Beresford, my lord.”
Georgiana raised her brows as Rob took the letter. “I thought you were done with Beresford.”
He shrugged. “Only with his mad schemes. He was pleased with how Heath and I took on Forester, though, so I asked if he might commend me to someone in the Home Office, for more respectable pursuits. Forester’s not the only merchant violating the Slave Trade Act, and I’d like to put more of them out of business. Hopefully I can make myself useful in some way that doesn’t require drinking and gaming all night.”
“No,Ishall require your attention all night,” she told him, tugging at the lapel of his jacket.
“You already command it, morning, noon, and night.” He kissed her. “I’ll see you later.”
Georgiana beamed at him. “You shall.”
Her husband grinned and strode off, already opening Beresford’s letter. Her heart fluttered. How gloriously, and unexpectedly, her rash decision to lie and call him her fiancé had turned out. He wasn’t the rogue everyone called him; he was a prince, and he was hers.
Teatime only brought more proof that she’d been right about Rob. She was savoring her second cup when the butler came in. “You have a caller, Lady Westmorland,” he said. “Lady Winston.”
The teacup almost fell from her hands. “Who?” she repeated in alarm. “I mean... yes, of course. I shall see her.” She set down her cup and rubbed her suddenly damp palms on her skirt.
“Oh my,” murmured Lady Sidlow. “Should I send for the marquess?”
Georgiana chewed her lip. “No.”
“As you wish.” Lady Sidlow took another tiny cake and sat back.
She had accompanied Georgiana into Lancashire for propriety, and then stayed as an invited guest. Once Georgiana was married, Lady Sidlow had become a new woman, pleased to be free of responsibility. Every now and then her lips pursed up as before, when Rob and his brothers retold some daring adventure, but Rob had won her over with weekly bouquets delivered to her room—and a generous annuity.
Now Lady Sidlow sat by watching as Georgiana jumped up to pace nervously. Oh Lord. She felt the strongest urge to run into the garden and keep going, all the way to the seashore.
