Page 83 of Watching the Earl

“If I had my way, I’d make him wallow in his misery for the rest of the Season.”

Georgina was so shocked that it took a moment to recognize the twinkle in Berry’s eye. “You like making him suffer. Why is that?”

Berry laughed. “Because he made my childhood almost unbearable. He was such a little king. He was always letting me know that even though he was the youngest, if anything happened to Father, he would be in charge. Sometimes, he even tried to order me around. He followed Father around like a hound, even walking like him. He was so arrogant that a couple of times I had to put him in his place.”

Curious despite herself, Georgina returned to her chair. “How did you do that?”

Berry’s smile was far too sly. “One time, when I was ten and he barely seven, we were in the garden at Crestfield when he told me that he would have to be consulted on whom I would marry. It was another of a litany of items he’d been pronouncing to me throughout the day. For this one, though, he decided he had to climb up on the rim of the fountain and declare it. He started walking along the rim and I accidentally bumped into him. He fell in. You should have heard him cry at getting his clothes wet. Even then, he was all about appearances. I fear that’s something my father instilled.”

Georgina could picture the scene in her mind. “Did you get in trouble?”

“Of course not. Philip may have been groomed to be the lord one day, but I was clever, and even he acknowledged that it was an accident when I pointed out the uneven brick I ‘tripped’ on.” Berry grinned, obviously feeling no guilt at all.

“You and my friend Rose would get along very well.”

“Since she’s a Curious Lady, I’m sure we would.”

They sat in companionable silence for a while, Georgina imaging what Philip was like as a child and understanding why his family’s reputation had become such a focus of his existence after he had been about to lose it all.

“Georgie, there’s just one part of this I don’t understand. If my brother married you to punish himself, why is he so miserable without you? Is it just that he knows he did something wrong? Or could it be that he truly loves you? That’s what I can’t decide.”

At Berry’s words, her chest tightened. The answer to those questions would make her decision quite easy. But she would have to talk to Philip to get the answers. She was on the precipice of the age-old chicken or the egg quandary, and she had no idea what to do.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Philip tapped his thumb against his two middle fingers as his coach made its way through London’s busy streets to Grosvenor Square. After a full sennight without his wife, the last place he’d expected to be talking to her was at his sister’s.

He had to admit that the first three days without Georgina, he’d been busy making sure he set into place everything needed to ensure she would recognize his sincerity. But after rushing about to accomplish all, he found himself wandering around the townhouse completely at a loss. Even good news from Crestfield had done little to relieve his worry, despite his mother’s assurances.

Three days ago, when he couldn’t stand being away from her another day, he’d called on both Lord Harewood and Lord Ferncroft, only to be told they were out. Whether they were or not was of little importance. He only wished to discover if their wives had told them where Georgina was.

At least he had come to understand exactly how strong the bond was between the Curious Ladies before Lord Tamworth and his wife had shown up at the townhouse two days ago insisting on learning everything. Once Lady Tamworth left to visit the other Curious Ladies, he had hoped she’d come home with Georgina in tow, but that didn’t happen. Instead, she returned assuring him she’d seen Georgina and she was well, but refused to tell him where his own wife was.

Angry that everyone but him could visit his wife, he had told Lord and Lady Tamworth that there would be no annulment under any circumstances and stormed out of the townhouse, only to find himself at Monsieur Armand’s confectionary, trying a variety of puff pastries for the man. It was far better than watching Tamworth and his wife enjoying each other’s company.

Finally, Berry had sent him a note saying his wife would speak with him. That Georgina had hidden at his sister’s not only spoke to her intelligence in knowing where to hide from him, but also how determined she was not to see him, which made him far more nervous now that he would finally have the chance to make amends…if he could.

He swallowed hard as the coach came to a stop before his sister’s townhouse. It was time. His heart started racing at the thought of his finally seeing Georgina again. Not waiting for the footman, he bounded out of the conveyance.

He was halfway to the door when the footman called him. Irritated, he turned to bark at the man, but swallowed his words. He’d forgotten the gift he’d brought. “Well, bring it here.”

The footman carried the birdcage covered in a cloth up to him.

“Thank you.” He turned back toward the house to find the door open and his sister standing there. He walked up the steps. “Good day.”

“Good day to you, brother. She’s in the garden.” She pointed over her shoulder.

He looked down the central corridor, then turned back to her. “Is she well?”

“If you mean is her physical health good, then yes.”

He almost took a step, but stopped. “And you? Are you well?”

His sister’s brows rose. “I am. How unusual for you to ask.”

He gave her a sheepish smile. “I know.”

“Go talk to your wife, brother, and fix this mess you made.”