Page 94 of Ironvine

“Can’t bring yourself to utter the words ‘she killed him’ can you?”

“I am finding it rather difficult to fathom.”

“Anything is possible in this world, dear Georgie. Anything.”

“I have come to that realisation.”

A knock came on the door, and a servant entered. “My lord, a letter and a package have arrived from Fairthorn for Lady Ryvves.” In his hands, he held a box.

Charles took it from him and brought it to Georgina.

“What could that possibly be?” Georgina’s mouth dried, her heart thudding in her chest as her hand reached out for the letter.

ChapterForty-One

Charles

“Please, Charles. You read it.”

He broke the seal and opened the letter as she opened the box.

Dearest Sister,

Our mother has been deeply affected by your outrageous behaviour, as she phrased it, and your wild course of action, and will not retrench in her feelings toward you or, most especially, toward your marriage to Charles.

Although I am relieved that the Earl of Ryvves did indeed marry you after the unexpected loss of his brother, thus saving you from further disgrace, this union to the Montclare family seems to have only made Mother’s feelings regarding your betrayal all the more vicious, resulting in her attempt to destroy your possessions in such a ferocious manner.

Once the fire was put out, I saved what I could, and am sending these items on to you. I know these letters, in particular, have always been a great comfort to you, and I was most pleased to see that they survived along with a few of your sketchbooks, although somewhat charred, and only this one small painting of your beloved father’s.

This morning, Mother quit Fairthorn for our sister’s home where she will stay. I am sorry to report that she remains angry and unremorseful. I do hope one day our mother and sister shall be able to accept your marriage and all shall be as before.

Although I am gratified that you are now the Countess of Ryvves and live close by, I confess I remain troubled by your wilful behaviour.

Yours,

Thomas

“Your disgrace, indeed,”Charles muttered, folding up the letter.

Georgina’s fingers spread over the charred leather folder. “My father’s letters survived the fire. That is all that matters.” She clutched the damaged folder to her chest.

Charles tossed the letter on the table. “This was kind of Thomas, considering he remains troubled.”

“Yes, it was.” Her eyes gleamed with water as she opened the folder, her fingers running over the missives in neat packets. She’d been very attached to her father, how very unlike his experience with his own.

He drew up next to her as she fingered the letters. “I seem to remember you had just entered society when your father died, is that right?”

“Yes. I was sixteen, a very exciting time, and then the very next day after I was presented at court, we learnt of his death.”

“How did he…”

“He was on his way home from Edinburgh for my coming out. He had promised he would be there. But on that day, he was not there. I was most disappointed, Mother was livid. And the next morning we received word that there had been a carriage accident just outside of London. He’d been trampled by the horses, crushed.” She winced. “A horrible way to die.”

“And he left you with every ounce of sterling he was worth.”

“How do you know?”

“There was gossip at the time about how fine a catch you were, but I know the details because your brother-in-law told me when we discussed the betrothal arrangements.”

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