“No!” Lady Littleton and Adeline pronounced at the same time.
“She was merely not expecting you,” Adeline said. “In fact, she had convinced herself you no longer cared. If you did in the first place.” This last bit was said in a harder tone.
“Of course I care about her.” For some reason, he sat up a little straighter. It had been a long time since he’d had to answer to anyone. Yet convincing Adeline that he truly wanted Georgie was essential to getting her to marry him. “She is the only lady with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life.” He wondered how far he should go . . . Well, she was a married lady. “She is the only one I can imagine waking up to. To having my children with.”
She tilted her head as if she could see him better from a different angle. “But you do not love her.”
“If there was any woman I could love, it would be her.” Gavin had to make her understand. “I can’t put my—”
She held up her hand, silencing him. “Frits told me about your father.” She rose, causing Littleton and Gavin to stand. “I cannot say that I understand you. On the other hand, I shall not stand in your way . . . Yet.” Adeline narrowed her eyes. “If I see you harm her in any way, you will no longer be welcome at Littlewood.”
“That is more than fair.” And a good deal more than he expected from a friend of Georgie’s.
As Adeline left the terrace, Lady Littleton waved her hand toward the tray. “Finish your sandwich. I have a great deal to do before tomorrow.”
He’d taken a rather large bite and had to swallow it before asking, “What is going on tomorrow?”
She gave him a wide, innocent look. That usually meant she was scheming. “Did I not tell you?”
He shook his head as she expected him to. “The dowager Viscountess Featherton and the dowager Duchess of Bridgewater are joining us.”
Littleton barked a laugh and slapped Gavin on his back when he choked. “Georgie’s grandmother?”
“Indeed. My daughter-in-law is not the only one who is concerned about Georgie’s future.”
Gavin ran his finger between his collar and his neck. He didn’t even want to think about what the three older ladies would get up to while he was trying to court Georgie. Maybe he should prostrate himself at their feet and ask for their help. Then again, that might not be a bad idea. He obviously needed all the assistance he could get.
* * *
Georgie had been pacing the parlor in the rooms she had been given since she’d reached their sanctuary. Although the sun was sinking, light still filtered through the mullioned lacework that decorated the top of the long casement windows, making patterns on the large Turkish rug. If only she’d had some notice that Turley was arriving, she could have been more prepared. As it was, she’d made a fool of herself, exhibiting no conversation and acting like a frightened child. She could absolutely not continue in this manner. If only she knew how to respond to his presence. Perhaps she would have to be blunt and explain that she could not marry a man who did not love her?
A light tap sounded on the door to Georgie’s parlor. Smith opened it and stood aside as Adeline swept into the room.
“I did not think you would be resting.” She sounded pleased to have been right. “How are you doing?”
Georgie shrugged. “I wish I knew.”
“I can tell you that he does want very much to marry you.” Georgie pulled a face. “Yet he is still haunted by his father.”
In an attempt to help, Littleton had told Adeline who in turn told Georgie about the mess the former Lord Turley had made of everything after his wife had died. “I understand why he thinks he should not love his wife, but I do not understand how one can stop oneself from falling in love.” And that was the essence of the matter. Georgie firmly believed that love was the thing that held two people together during difficult times. She began pacing the room again, changing directions so as not to wear a path in the rug. “Do I give him another chance? Or would I be wasting my time? If he is so certain he will not love his wife, I do not see what I can do to change his mind.”
Adeline’s forehead creased in thought. “Allowing him until the end of the month to convince you would still give you time to go back to Town before the Season ends, and it would answer your questions.”
“I suppose you are correct.” Georgie stopped pacing. Why was this so hard? She closed her eyes and reached deep into her heart. There was a chance that there might be another gentleman out there who was even more perfect for her than Lord Turley only because this unknown gentleman loved her. But until she knew for certain that Turley would never love her, she would give him an opportunity to prove himself. “I shall give him one more chance.”
“I need to tell you one more bit of information.” This time her friend had a wicked grin on her face. “Your grandmother and her friend the duchess arrive tomorrow. They are staying with Mama-in-law.”
“And Turley.” Georgie felt her eyes widen. “Oh my. That will be interesting. What I would not give to hear what they have to say to him.”
“That is exactly what I thought,” her friend agreed. “Frits has suggested that he be allowed to come here as often as he wishes in order to court you. Do you have any objections?”
Georgie began pacing again. For some reason, she could not remain still. Littlewood really was the perfect place for a courtship. Other than the house party entertainments, they could spend time out of the eyes of the ton. It would give her—them—both the opportunity to attempt to resolve the differences in what they each wanted in a marriage. “No.” She wondered what role her grandmother and the duchess would play. “No. I have no objections.” Having a course of action would, at the very least, help her shake off the malaise she had been experiencing. “In fact, I believe I am looking forward to seeing how he intends to convince me I should enter into a loveless marriage.”
“That is a very interesting way to put it.” Adeline tapped a finger against her chin. “Somehow I do not think Lord Turley would describe what he wishes for in a marriage in exactly that fashion.”
Georgie studied her friend, and wondered what Turley had said that Adeline was not sharing. “What else would one call a marriage not based upon love?”
“And that is an extremely good question.” Adeline’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “One you should pose to him when the time is right.”
“And one he will have to answer if he wishes to make me his wife.” And his response was what Georgie would insist on hearing.
Adeline wiggled her fingers as she left the parlor, and Georgie went to the window seat. She had thought she’d known Turley, but did she truly? He had written to her—via her father, of course—over the summer asking for help with his tenants. And she had responded—via her father’s secretary—giving him the advice he needed. Those letters had led her to believe that she knew him. Yet, obviously, she did not. Georgie had not, for example, known what he wanted in a marriage. How deep did his fear that he would turn out like his father go? If he did find himself in love with her, would he turn that against her?
She blew out a puff of breath. There were too many questions and not enough answers. And the only way to find out what she wanted to know was to spend more time with him. But that took her right back where she began. The only thing to do was to be prepared for anything.