Page 23 of Watching the Earl

“You would not have found me there. I rented a place at the start of the Season, so we are in Mayfair.”

Philip raised his brows. “Then your investments are going better than you anticipated?”

“No, but my wife wished to host the Curious Ladies while we are in Town, so we needed a house. Where will you and your wife stay after you marry?”

“I haven’t thought that far. I was thinking of leaving her at Crestfield Hall.”

“You’re welcome to use the place we’ve rented, but you’ll have to bring your own servants. I don’t have enough yet to staff two houses. In fact, I still don’t have a full complement at Stoneleigh House. I’m focusing on the building itself and the tenants first.”

Philip’s horse tried to turn away, and he brought it back. “What do you say to taking a seat?” He pointed to a bench beneath a tree nearby.

“A good idea.” Tamworth dismounted and walked over to the bench.

Philip followed with his horse before dismounting, but he remained standing. “I want to properly thank you for alerting me to Lady Georgina’s situation. Lord Claremont has been apprised of my payment arriving in a fortnight.”

“I’m pleased all is going as you wished. How do you find the lady?”

“She is pleasant to look upon.”

Tamworth shook his head. “I could’ve told you that. I mean in personality. Do you find her to be a good fit as your countess?”

“I suppose. She is a well-bred lady and attended that school, so I imagine she will do well enough.”

“Damn, do you not know anything about her yet?”

Taken aback by the question, Philip straightened his shoulders. “Of course I do. I’ve spent almost half a dozen outings with her. Her parents are more than willing to leave her in my care. I must say, I have not seen many parents who are worse than they are.”

“How so?”

“They can’t wait to be rid of her. I think if we were caught in a compromising position, they would be thrilled, as that would move up the wedding date. Do you know they refuse to leave Town to attend the wedding?”

Tamworth appeared duly surprised. “Sophie said that Lady Georgina’s parents were not kind to her, but to not witness her nuptials is quite telling.”

“Exactly. You’re still planning to serve as my witness, are you not?”

“I am. Sophie is Lady Georgina’s, so I’d be there anyway. My wife is quite concerned about her friend, which is one of the reasons she is hosting a gathering while we’re here. Does she have need to worry?”

“About what?”

“About your betrothed. Is she happy to be marrying you? Is she resigned? Is she afraid? Does she hope to spend the Season in London among her friends? Does she wish you to take her traveling? How is she?”

He blinked, not able to answer any of Tamworth’s questions. “I assume she is content. I did ask her if she wished to marry me, and she said yes.”

Tamworth sighed. “Durham, if you wish to have any hope at contentment, you need to talk to your betrothed. Ask her these questions. For all you know, she had a terrible experience with the cad who sullied her and could even be afraid of the marriage bed!”

Philip rubbed the back of his neck. He’d been so worried about appearances that he hadn’t thought to actually get to know Lady Georgina. “I fear I have once again been rather selfish.”

“Believe me, I know all about that. But you can still learn what you need to know, preferably before the wedding. You have kissed her, correct? How did she react?”

He stared at Tamworth, not willing to voice the obvious.

Tamworth rose from the bench. “You haven’t kissed her. What are you waiting for? Most men can’t wait for the betrothal contract to be signed so they can have time alone with their wife-to-be to find what level of passion to expect.”

As he’d just been thinking about that very thing before Tamworth joined him, Philip felt better able to respond. “I’m sure she will be quite lively, as she’s always fidgeting and moving. But I hadn’t thought about her past experience, mainly because I try not to.”

“I do understand. You still have a week left. I suggest getting to know the lady, because if you really are intent on fulfilling your role as the Earl of Durham, you will need to have a good rapport with the new countess. After all, she will be running your household, hosting your balls, and can be an asset with her friends. Remember, she has the full endorsement of the Duke and Duchess of Northwick in addition to all her classmates. I can tell you from experience that those connections are both a great asset and some work to maintain.”

Philip sat on the bench. “I don’t know that I can do this.”