Chapter 21 - GEORGINA—THE CIRCULAR SERPENTINE,WAS THAT SERPENTS?

Chapter 21

GEORGINA—THE CIRCULAR SERPENTINE, OR WAS THATSERPENTS?

Walking with Mark, I concentrated on the grounds we explored. Hyde Park was a playground for avid bird-watchers. My delightful guide started showing me many things when the crowds lessened.

“There are quite a few mating calls.” His cheeks became pink. “Lots of different nuanced ways to profess their love.”

I’d never seen a man blush. Papa didn’t, but it was hard to surprise him.

Tavis didn’t. Though his schemes shocked us. “You know the differences.”

“It’s music.” He took his scope out and craned his neck to the tops of the trees.

The air smelled of rich lavender.

I bent and picked a white daffodil offering scents of spice and vanilla. “I haven’t baked in a week. I haven’t made biscuits.”

He turned his gold tube to me. “I’d love to have your biscuits. I mean they look so . . . good.”

Standing up straight, I cast the petals away. “Has the duke been bragging about them?”

Mark’s face scrunched. “No. Yes. I can see for myself that they have to be good.”

Rolling the scope between his fingers, he became silent again. “Georgina is a very formal name. We should return to Torrance and Lady Hampton faux-closer. I want to give you some sort of endearment.”

“Georgie. We call my sister Kitty when we want her attention. I assume you want mine.”

“Very much so . . . Georgie.”

My smile broadened at how easily he said Georgie. We walked around the bend. The large lake called the Serpentine was ahead.

More daffodils, a mix of yellow and white ones, led the way.

Hyde Park in bloom was a haven of tall trees—more aged plane trees and sweet chestnut.

“I see Torrance found some shade.”

The carriage wasn’t too far away on the other side of the lake. Lydia must be in the duke’s lap. Katherine was on the other side, almost as far from him as possible. “They don’t seem to be feuding, but I wish that they could become friends.”

“Looks can be deceiving, but I think the lady despises Torrance.”

“Mark, has the duke spoken of why they feud? Why is the Duke of Torrance dismissive of my sister, his best friend’s widow?”

“I was going to ask you why Lady Hampton hates the duke. I know the only reason he visited Lord Hampton at all was because your sister asked him to. I suspect their connection, the duke and the dowager, precedes the friendship with your brother-in-law.”

That made sense, didn’t it? Was the duke somehow a part of Katherine’s great adventure?

And if he was, wouldn’t I or Scarlett know?

A fast-sounding gallop came from behind.

Mark took my hand, led me to the tall grasses to the left of the path.

A man charging closer stood in his stirrups yelling, “Sebastian!”

“Company, Mark,” I said, and he smiled back.

The fellow on horseback ripped the hat from his head and waved it like a flag to surrender. He slowed his mount, a dapple-gray mare, inches before crashing into Mark. “Sebastian, you foolish man. Renege, man. Don’t set a wedding date.”

“Livingston, you’re a cad. He’s always joking,” Mark said, holding tightly to my hand, keeping me from running. “This is Miss Wilcox. I told you of her.”

“Pleasure to meet you, miss.” The Livingston fellow turned all his attention on Mark. “So you’re just taking part in the peacock parade? No deeper alliances? Both of you shall escape with your lives unencumbered?”

“Lord Mark, is he all right? He seems pretty bothered. Suggest your friend go get refreshment or merely stare at us like the others.”

“I’ll recover instantly, miss, if you tell me you’ve decided against my friend. Marriage is such an unhealthy business. It ruins the best relationships. Just fool around. Be free.”

Mark started to laugh. It sounded uncomfortable, a bit unhinged, like the rider. “Such a kidder. Miss Georgina Wilcox, this is Alexander Melton, the Earl of Livingston.”

Scarlett had mentioned Livingston several times. Hard to believe this excitable fellow hoping for a faux break in my false relationship was the same brilliant man my sister admired.

“The great researcher. I’ve heard great things about you, sir.”

Like I’d spoken in another language or something fanciful, Mark squinted at me but then shrugged.

Livingston cast questioning eyes upon me too. His mouth held a sardonic line. “I wish I knew more of you. Our mutual friend Sebastian here has not said very much about you at all.”

My hand tightened about his lordship’s arm and I turned to him, playing up our fake romance. “This has been a secret. Our dearest relations knew nothing. I’m terribly sorry that we’ve been unable to share. That may soon change.”

“Yes.” Mark patted my fingers. “Now that Lady Prahmn knows, courtesy of your mother, the Dowager Countess Livingston, everyone will learn of our good news.”

“No,” the earl said. “That was supposed to dissuade you.”

I’d seen people become red but never this shade of purple, lest they were no longer meant for this world. The earl turned darker and grayer than a grape.

“I thought you were my friend,” Mark said.

“Sebastian, I am. It slipped out, and then I felt obligated to explain—”

“To the mother you rarely see. The one trying to find you a new countess to marry and secure grandchildren and an heir.”

“She’ll do nothing of the sort to me. Marriage is an evil business. You both should avoid it like the plague.”

Mark fondled my fingers. “The heart knows what it wants.”

The earl groaned. “The heart also pumps blood coursing with disease all throughout the body. I don’t think a heart which can’t tell the difference between good blood and bad blood should be trusted.”

“Lord Livingston, sir, I can see why he said little about me. You’re not very encouraging, though my sister, Miss Scarlett Wilcox, has read a paper of yours recently. She found it intriguing. I can’t believe I’ve met the author.”

The earl looked happy for a moment, then his smile dropped and he made his horse back up. “Oh, this woman is good. She’ll go for the kill straightaway. She finds a weakness—”

“Like your vanity, sir.” Mark’s laughter grew, but his heated gaze remained on me.

“Oh, she’s very good. Lady Hampton has probably taught all the sisters how to ensnare peers. Get out while you still can, Sebastian. Marriage is dangerous. It’s dangerous for the both of you. Keep your friendship. Have fun, then flee.”

As I brought my hand higher on his arm, Mark gave me another warm look.

I couldn’t figure out where he focused—on my broad pointy nose, my large eyes, or the lips that wouldn’t mind a third kiss, one as indecent as our second.

“Livingston, you run along,” Mark said. “Tell your mother you’ve seen us, and you did your duty to try to break this relationship.”

“I’m not done yet. Sebastian, Miss Wilcox, ending this will be for the good, for you both. Trust me. Marriage is horrible.”

“I guess we’ll know if she formally accepts my hand at Torrance’s ball.”

Mark’s words sounded true.

My unpredictable heart stopped, then beat again in a floppy, foolish beat.

Was this pretend?

Weren’t we still in make-believe?

Frowning like he’d eaten bitter, bitter lemons, the earl rode off.

Mark picked me up and swung me around before setting my feet on low clouds, or the ground. Couldn’t tell where my slippers were or if his words were true.

Did he love me? Was it possible?

And how did I feel about him?

“Well done, Georgie. That will give Livingston a special tale to tell his mother. We’re the season’s young lovers.”

It was pretend.

All for show.

My heart slammed against my chest, and then crawled to a mournful rhythm.

“Georgie, something wrong? Did I hurt you picking you up? I must say I lost my head.”

“Gravel. There’s rocky gravel under my shoes. Let’s go to the duke’s carriage.”

“Yes. Well done.” Mark offered his arm. “Let me steady you.”

I took his help, for that was all he offered. Nothing more.

“You two look guilty.” The duke shook his head. “Well, one does. The other looks angry. Succumbing to the heat, Miss Wilcox? It’s surprisingly warm today.”

Mark helped me inside, then settled in beside me, looking very pleased. More of his keeping up our act, I supposed.

Why was my disappointment growing? Hyde Park had been magical.

Until it wasn’t.

And I couldn’t run from the truth. I was a fool falling for a joke, one I’d created.

The duke gazed at me as he shifted poor Lydia in his arms.

The child had wrinkled his burgundy waistcoat, but he didn’t seem to care.

“Shall we,” he said, smiling at Lydia, “take a final spin about the park?”

I answered no at the same time Mark said yes.

“Again. Please. Again.” Lydia’s voice sounded tired. She yawned and snuggled closer to the humored duke, hugging him about his neck.

Though Katherine rolled her eyes, the duke seemed to love it.

But Lydia’s little brown face seemed redder. Was it too much sunshine? It was a brilliant day.

“Katherine, Lydia doesn’t look so well.”

“She’s . . . fine. Not fine.” My sister stretched and put her wrist to the little one’s brow. “Oh, no. You’re very warm.”

“I said so,” the duke stated. His tone was curt.

My sister ignored him and focused on Lydia. “Are you feeling poorly?”

“Another ride. Again. Then we stop and rest.”

Irritable. She sounded miserable. And when she became extremely ill, it always began with a recurring fever.

“Are you achy, Lydia?” I leaned forward and touched her sweaty hand. “She was good this morning, unless you didn’t tell us. Lydia.”

When she tried to hide her aches, she fidgeted or wanted to be held in your arms, just like the duke did now.

He wrenched off his gloves and put his finger to her temples. “My goodness, you’re very hot, my friend.”

“Just a little. Go again. I’ll be better.”

She winced when Katherine tried to make her sit up.

Then she started to cry.

Mark looked so concerned. “Torrance, let me get her some help. Maybe some water.”

The duke glanced at Katherine. “I don’t know what to do. Lady Hampton—”

“Of course, you wouldn’t.” My sister tried to take Lydia, but the child refused.

She wrapped her arms tighter about the duke and began sobbing. “I want the duke.”

“It’s fine. Your friend’s here.” He knocked off her bonnet and fanned her brow.

“I don’t want to marry you anymore, Your Grace. Marry Georgina or Scarlett or even Katherine. Then you can be my brother. I don’t want to lose you from my life. You care so much. You’ll make me better ’cause you love me.”

It was heartbreaking to hear the poor child’s logic of what would cure her.

She began to groan. The pain she must’ve been hiding made her little body shake.

Mark stood. “Livingston was just here. He’s as good as a physician. He’ll know what to do.”

The duke, with a click of his fingers, had the carriage moving.

I caught Mark’s arm and kept him from falling out.

Katherine clasped her hands together; her gray gloves made her pose look severe, dour. “Where are we going? What are you doing?”

“Honoring Lydia Wilcox’s request.” The duke rocked her like she was a babe.

Lydia had given up her dream of being his duchess for something that could be attained now. She wanted the duke as a brother.

I wasn’t marrying the duke.

I knew Katherine hated him.

Scarlett. What did she want?

“I’m going to make you better. I’m not letting you leave me until you are.” The duke kissed Lydia’s forehead.

“Take us home, Your Grace.” Katherine looked scared, very scared.

“No, to James Street. We’re not far. I have a doctor who can get there quickly.”

“Your Grace,” I said, “Lydia gets colds very easily. She refused to miss this drive. We didn’t know she was ill again.”

“ ‘Again’? Ask Sebastian. I always have doctors and researchers at Anya House. It would be no trouble to get her the best help possible.”

Katherine shook her head, but she didn’t say no again. The duke had the means to give Lydia the best.

“Lady Hampton, you could return with the young lovers for an afternoon drive. We can’t forget our current mission. Then, when you all return, a simple dinner will await. It will be simple. We are in Lent.”

“I’m not leaving her. I’ll—”

“When you return, I suppose you’ll see that I do know what to do for my Lydia.”

“Your Grace, you don’t need to do—”

“Nyet!”

Talk about changing colors. The duke was beyond red. I wasn’t sure dragons had such a color.

“Lady Hampton,” he said, in a slightly calmer tone, “I’ve waited for you to ask for my assistance. To tell me what to do to make things right, but you’re too stubborn to allow me to be a bigger benefit to Georgina, and now you’ll risk Lydia’s health to spite me.”

“Jahleel, please. I wouldn’t.”

I wanted to say something, but this fight wasn’t their typical one. It was deeper and darker, the glimpses, the looks between them, worse than anything I’d ever seen.

And Katherine looked scared.

With a huff, she sat up straight. “I’m sorry, Your Grace,” she said with her teeth gritted like a snarling mama bear. “Now give me Lydia.”

“Nyet.”

“This is none of your business.”

“Lydia has made it my business. Lady Hampton, I haven’t made a bet in six years. How much do you want to wager that I have the power to make sure Lydia Wilcox is protected and remains in my care until she’s healthy and able to walk from my house?”

“You wouldn’t go against my wishes.” Her voice wobbled. “You—”

“Lady Hampton, you claim I’m heartless and manipulative because of a faulty notion of the past. You don’t know the man I’ve become or what I am capable of. My wishes come first. I will make Lydia well.”

This man, who’d been friendly and nurturing and even fun, had the money and influence to do whatever he wanted. The Duke of Torrance’s world was different from mine, and even Mark’s. The duke had power, true power. He’d use it.

The determined man signaled again to his driver to hurry. The very showy landau would soon be at Anya House. He’d given us no choice.

Mark squeezed my hand.

I hadn’t noticed, not until we’d almost arrived, that he still held it.

Sort of needed his comfort, even if it was for show.

Something very wrong had changed in this carriage ride.

And Katherine, our leader, sat alone, looking deathly disturbed.