Page 76 of When the Marquess Was Mine
Higgins opened the door. “Lord Westmorland and Major Churchill-Gray, madam.”
She ducked her head and curtsied, only to give a gasp when she looked up and saw them. It was Rob, but no longer polished and elegant. His eyes were bloodshot, and his lip was swollen. His brother, sporting an incredible black eye and a grim expression, looked no better.
“Lady Sidlow.” Rob bowed. “Lady Georgiana.” His eyes met hers, wryly apologetic.
“Won’t you sit down, my lords?” Lady Sidlow was obviously trying to decide what to do, not wanting to offend a marquess but also not approving of their appearance. She rang the bell and crisply said, “Tea,” when Mary popped into the room a moment later.
Slowly Georgiana took her seat, feeling just as thrown as her chaperone. Last night he had been polished and perfect, the Rob she remembered from Derbyshire, and today he looked like he’d come out the loser in a fight. “How kind of you to call, sir,” she said cautiously.
He gave her one of his crooked little smiles. “’Tis my pleasure. Thank you for receiving me.”Like this, his eyes seemed to say.
“It was a delight to make your acquaintance last evening, sir,” said Lady Sidlow. “Forgive us for being taken by surprise by your visit today.”
“The fault is mine,” he told her. “I did not think to pay calls today, but then...” His gaze slid toward Georgiana for a moment. “It seemed too fine a day to stay inside.”
“Of course,” Lady Sidlow murmured. An awkward moment of silence. “Have you returned to town for the duration? Gentlemen are scarce in London these days, with the excellent weather making the country so appealing.”
“I do fancy the outdoors,” he agreed. “We were recently in Lancashire, at our parents’ home, where one might be pardoned for wishing to live outdoors.”
“Ah.” Real pleasure finally warmed the countess’s voice. Georgiana could guess why; Rob might be a shocking rogue, but the Duke and Duchess of Rowland were entirely different. During the Season, the duchess’s parties were the envy of the entireton. Not that Georgiana had ever been invited to one of the Rowland routs, but Lady Sidlow had often expressed hope that her friendship with Sophie, Duchess of Ware, might lead to more elite invitations like that. “Her Grace your mother is such an admirable lady. So thoughtful and gracious.”
“She is,” Rob replied. “I have recently resolved to keep her guidance more in mind.”
Lady Sidlow shot Georgiana a startled look. “I’m sure it will bring great credit to you, sir.”
“No doubt she hopes so.” He hesitated, his mouth tight. Georgiana noticed his hand was in a fist on his knee, and suddenly she realized he was in pain.
“I also prefer the outdoors,” she said brightly. “Not that I’ve been to Lancashire, but I did spend the most delightful month in Derbyshire, which is surely the most beautiful countryside in all of England. I’ve not set foot outside yet today, and I wonder if perhaps we could take a turn about the square? The clouds threaten rain later, and I should hate to miss the sunshine.”
Rob fairly beamed gratitude at her. “I would be delighted to escort you, Lady Georgiana.”
“Splendid!” She jumped to her feet as Mary brought in the tea tray.
“Just a moment,” protested Lady Sidlow, but Georgiana wasn’t about to be deterred.
“You can see the entire square from this window. We’ll just take one turn. I’m simply perishing for some fresh air!” She left, Rob on her heels. Behind her, she heard Tom say something to Lady Sidlow, but she kept going, down the stairs, tying on her bonnet at speed and almost flying out the door.
On the steps she paused. Rob stepped out behind her, setting his hat on his head. Once they were seen in public together, the gossip would start, and it would be incendiary. She had not told anyone except Sophie and Eliza that her engagement was over. Walking out with another man, let alone a man as notorious as Rob, would set every tongue in London wagging...
But then she saw the cane he leaned on again, and her concern over gossip vanished. He hadn’t had that in the drawing room, but must have retrieved it from Higgins. “Are you hurt?” she asked anxiously.
He limped down the steps and offered his arm. “Not when I look at you.”
Her heart fluttered. “An obvious lie, but a flattering one.” She took his arm and they crossed the street.
The green at the heart of Cavendish Square was a small one, with a path around it and an iron fence enclosing the whole thing. Only a few trees impeded Lady Sidlow’s view from the drawing room windows, and when Georgiana stole a peek over her shoulder, she saw the woman watching from there.
Let her. There would be nothing scandalous to see.
Probably.
Sadly.
“Are we being watched?” Rob murmured.
“Without doubt.” Georgiana paused to give a cheery wave. “She likes to keep an eye on everything and everyone. She made certain to take the large room at the front for hers as well, leaving me to the back.” She smiled impishly. “Which only put the joke on her, as that makes it far easier to sneak out, let me tell you!”
Rob laughed. “Well worth it.”
