Page 45 of When the Marquess Was Mine
“Obviously I do not think that far ahead,” she said under her breath. Rob made a sound that might have been a muffled snort of laughter. “What do you mean, sir?”
Smiling faintly, the major gestured from her to Rob. “You told Lady Winston that my brother is Lord Sterling. One presumes you don’t wish to go back and tell her that no, you made a dreadful mistake, and he’s really Westmorland.”
Georgiana gave a tiny shake of her head. No, she hoped to be halfway across Britain before Kitty discovered that.
“One also presumes you did not intend to live there with him indefinitely.”
“Of course not!”
He raised his brows. “Then what was your escape plan?”
She took a deep breath, then let it out. “None of this was planned—I spoke without thinking of anything other than his health.”
“For which I am deeply grateful,” put in Rob.
She managed a wan smile, still unable to look at him even though she could feel his eyes on her.
“My best idea was to persuade everyone that I should take him to London, to consult a doctor, and hope his mind recovered there. But I still hadn’t worked out exactly how to tell anyone the truth.” She lifted one shoulder in useless apology. “In short, Major, I cede to you, utterly and completely, all control of the situation. I’ve made a terrible mess, and it would be a relief if someone else sorted how to repair it. And besides, I suspect you’ve got a plan all worked out and I shall simply be run over if I try to interfere.”
The major had a curious smile, one corner of his lips higher than the other, with a small lift in the middle. It was like Rob’s smile, but on the major it looked more cunning than amused. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
He explained it, answered her questions, and then stood, pulling loose the fastening at the collar of his coat. “All right then, off with you both. Lady Georgiana.” He executed a crisp bow.
Dazed, she got to her feet and turned to go. Her reticule caught on the arm of the chair and she stumbled. Rob caught her with an arm around her waist. For the briefest moment she melted into his tall, strong figure. In just a few days she’d got so used to him, his crooked smile, his wicked humor, the way he looked at her...
And it was all a lie. He’d only looked at her that way because he thought they were engaged. Now he knew the truth... and quite possibly hated her for it.
She straightened with a murmured apology. Rob said nothing, but his hand lingered on her back until she made herself step away. Face burning, she went back into the hall. Rob followed, leaning on his cane again. Without a word he offered her his arm, and Georgiana took it.
Neither spoke until they were in the carriage, driving away from the Bull and Dog.
“How much have you remembered?” she finally asked.
“Not everything,” he said slowly. “I’ve no memory of our meeting in London.”
She flushed scarlet. “I daresay you never will remember that. It wasn’t much of a meeting—more like an introduction in passing...”
“Yet I made quite an impression.”
She bit her lip and said nothing.
He let out his breath. “I don’t remember why I came to Osbourne House. My brother tells me I won the house in a wager.”
Georgiana thought of the deed still hidden in her stocking drawer, and some of her spirit revived. “You did. You taunted Charles about turning it into a house of vice and demanded the deed from his solicitor. We all believed you meant to toss out Kitty and her family.”
A deep frown settled on his face. “Why on earth would I do that? What would I want with a house in Derbyshire?”
“It’s a lovely house!”
“A charming cottage,” he said. “If I wanted to live in such a rustic spot, I would go to Salmsbury.”
She snapped her mouth shut. “Then why did you take the deed?”
“Why did Charles Winston offer it to me?”
“Because he’s an idiot when he drinks!” she shot back.
Rob gave a snort of laughter. “We all are, I suppose. But I don’t want the house.”
