Chapter Sixteen

"Amber-lass, I know your memory is coming back, but—"

"My name is Georgiana Hyacinth Eggerton," she interrupted. "Not Amber."

"Aye, lass, that it is. Since ye've remembered your name, ye need to speak to his lordship immediately, but there is something ye need to know." Stepping onto the marbled floor in the entryway, Dermott lengthened his stride, hurrying toward the earl's study.

"Is there a reason to hurry?"

"More than ye realize. The earl will have information ye need, but above all things, he does not want to upset ye, lass. But I must caution ye to hear him out no matter how painful what he has to tell ye might be."

She stared at him, but did not respond. He urged, "Can ye do that, lass?"

"Yes, Dermott, but I do not think…"

"'Tis best if ye don't until ye hear what the earl has to say." He nodded to the footman stationed outside of the study, who stepped aside to allow them entrance. Dermott knocked and waited for the earl to respond.

"Enter." The earl stood up as Dermott escorted the lass into the room. Lippincott nodded to Dermott before studying the lass's face. "I take it you have remembered more, Miss Amber?"

"Yes, your lordship, my name: Georgiana Hyacinth Eggerton. Dermott said you would be able to answer my questions."

"I shall do my best to answer any questions you have, Miss Eggerton. Won't you be seated?"

"Do you mind if I stand? I'm too anxious to sit for more than a moment or two."

"As you wish, Miss Eggerton."

"I understand you know where my father is. There is something of great import that I must ask him."

"I'm afraid that I do not know where Lord Eggerton is at this very moment. I can tell you he sent a missive, but it had been delayed. He asked that if you arrived at Lippincott Manor, I would do all in my power to protect you."

"From Viscount Trenchert?" The earl's surprise was evident, but she expected it. After all, he did not know her at all, and therefore would try to keep pertinent facts from her. It was what Papa used to do until he realized she would badger him until he told her everything. "Before you ask, yes, I do know of the viscount and have seen him from a distance one time. From what Papa has told me of his dealings with the man, he is not to be trusted."

"There is more that you need to know, but I must insist that you take a seat before we continue our discussion, Miss Eggerton."

Dermott cleared his throat loudly, reminding her of her promise to hear the earl out. She immediately replied, "Thank you for your concern, your lordship. Please forgive me for being difficult."

"In your place, I do not know that I would have been as agreeable as you have been while you struggled to remember who you are and what you are doing in Sussex."

"Thank you." She sat on one of the chairs in front of the earl's massive mahogany desk.

From the way the earl seemed to be searching for how to begin, her earlier apprehension returned tenfold. Georgiana did not want to think the worst, but how could she do otherwise? "Whatever you need to tell me must be dire indeed. Has my father been gravely injured?"

The earl's gaze bored into hers. "I'm afraid it is more than that, Miss Eggerton. Your father—"

"There's been an accident," she interrupted. "Was it his carriage?"

"It was not. If you'll allow me—"

"Virulent fever?" she asked.

The earl nodded to Dermott, who walked over to where she sat and reached for her hand, drawing her to her feet.

"He's gone, Dermott, isn't he?"

"If we could spare ye the pain, we would. I'm sorry, lass."

Her belly clenched and her throat tightened as fear chilled her to the bone. She lifted her gaze to meet the man who'd rescued her, protected her, and the compassion in the depths of his brilliant green eyes loosened the tight hold she had on her emotions. Once the first tear slipped past her guard, more quickly followed. When he gently pulled her into his embrace, she went willingly, needing the comfort of his quiet strength.

Though she was tempted to hide forever in his protective embrace, she knew her father would frown upon her ignoring the danger Trenchert posed. She shifted, and Dermott eased his hold on her. She moved to stand beside him as someone knocked on the door.

The earl answered, "Enter."

"Sorry to be late, Lippincott," Chattsworth said, entering the study. "I was conferring with the men. Apparently another missive arrived from King." He handed the note to the earl, who broke the wax seal and began reading.

The earl's frown was fierce as he read. Finished, he locked gazes with Dermott before she watched him turn to look at the viscount. "King advises that we are to continue to protect Miss Eggerton at all costs, and he reiterates Lord Eggerton's plea not to admit Trenchert to Lippincott Manor."

At the mention of the viscount who'd fleeced her father over a hand of cards, Georgiana started to tremble uncontrollably. She prayed for the strength to obey her father's last wishes. "Did Mr. King say anything else?"

Dermott rubbed her arms, soothing her until the shakes subsided. "Is there anything else ye recalled about the viscount?"

She nodded and shared the last conversation she had with her father, adding, "I overheard Papa speak of the man more than once, and none of what he said was good. Papa did not like the viscount, and had steered clear of him for the last few years. I…" She didn't want to speak ill of her father, but now was not the time to be missish and hold something back because it would paint her father in a bad light. "I still cannot credit that my father would sit down and wager at cards with the viscount. Papa did not trust the man, nor did he discount the rumors of the man's penchant for…" She gathered her courage, knowing she must tell them what she knew. "My father tried to protect me from those who would…er…take advantage or force their attentions on innocent young women."

"Say no more, Miss Eggerton," the earl said. "I know of Trenchert's vile reputation, which is the reason the man will not be allowed entrance to my home. Between William, myself, and my brother's guard, he will not be able to do more than make demands that none of us will accede to."

Gratitude filled her. "Thank you, your lordship." She bit her bottom lip, wondering if she should ask the question burning inside of her. Knowing she would not get any rest until she had the answer, she asked, "Would you tell me what happened to my father?"

She watched his blue eyes darken with emotion—a mix of sorrow and regret—although she had no idea what the earl could possibly regret regarding her father. Before she could repeat the question to him, the earl said, "He was involved in a duel."

Her gaze sought Dermott's. He nodded, and she whispered, "I did not want to believe it was true, even though you have only been truthful with me." Her heart ached as she accepted their words. "He did fight a duel…and perished."

"Aye, lass," Dermott answered. "I'm sorry for yer loss, and know what it feels like."

"How could you? Did your father perish in a duel?"

Dermott's gaze never wavered. "Nay, the circumstances of his death were far different. Da and me Uncle Sean were wrongly imprisoned. Me da fell ill and died in me uncle's arms hours before they were to be released."

Razor-sharp guilt sliced through her as Dermott's words brought her sharply back to the present and the thoughtless way she'd lashed out at him. Tears welled in her eyes. She tried to hold them back with a will of iron, but did not succeed. "Please forgive me. I should never have spoken to you so harshly. I am so sorry for your loss."

He inclined his head and handed her his handkerchief. As she wiped her tears, he murmured, "Ye're forgiven. Disbelief and anger are the first part of grieving, lass. Don't try to hold it in—ye'll be the worse for it."

"Thank you, Dermott." Self-disgust ripped through her. She'd struck out at the huge man verbally, as if he had no heart when he had protected her and tried to soften the blow as bits and pieces of her memory returned. Just because of his size and musculature, she had thought him impervious to the tone of her cutting words, never considering he too had suffered at some point in his life. His father's untimely death was still fresh. How long ago had it been? Knowing better than to ask, she fell silent.

From the tension surrounding her, she surmised that there was more to the story of her own father's death. She knew him to be quite capable with a pistol. Was he shot through the heart? Was that how his opponent killed him? "Were there seconds involved and a physician in attendance?"

Dermott answered her question with a question. "How do ye know so much about duels?"

She shrugged in answer, then asked again if there were seconds and a physician in attendance.

The earl nodded. "As is customary, seconds attended both men upon arrival and checked their weapons," he informed her. "Though the duel did not commence until the physician arrived."

"Papa is an excellent shot. In order for him to have been defeated, his opponent must have been a crack shot…or he cheated!"

Dermott had not moved from her side. He reached for her hand and gently squeezed hers. "I wasn't there, lass. Ye'll have to be patient while King and his men uncover what happened. Until then, 'tis just conjecture on our part…not fact. Not helpful."

She bit back her cry of anguish. The need to know had pain throbbing at the base of her skull. Georgiana was thankful for the pain in her head—it distracted her from what was left of her bleeding heart.

"Dermott, would you escort Miss Eggerton to the safety of Aurelia's upstairs sitting room? I'll have Mrs. Jones bring a tea tray for the ladies." Turning to her, the earl added, "Please let me fulfill your father's last wish and protect you, Miss Eggerton."

She wished she could do something other than hide inside Lippincott Manor, but the earl was only trying to do as her father had asked him to. "Of course, your lordship. Thank you for wanting to do as Papa asked. Shall I tell their ladyships what has happened?"

"I believe it best if we tell our wives ourselves," Lippincott answered.

"Aye," Chattsworth agreed. "We'd best see to it before they catch wind of it."

She inclined her head. "I'll let you handle the matter. But if they ask me what I know about a missive?"

"Do not repeat what we discussed," the earl replied.

"You have my word, your lordship."

Dermott chose that moment to speak up. "Once the lass gives her word, ye can count on it her to keep it."

"Excellent." Lippincott nodded to Georgiana. "Thank you. I know this cannot be easy for you. Once we have convinced Trenchert that his attempts to get to you are fruitless, we will reevaluate the situation."

"Yes, your lordship. Thank you for understanding and for your continued protection."

"Dermott, stay with Miss Eggerton and our wives."

"Aye, yer lordship. Will that be all?"

"For now, but that may change at any time."

"Understood." Dermott ushered her from the room and toward the door to the servants' side of the house. "We'll stop in the kitchen—Mrs. Wyatt usually keeps a supply of scones handy. Ye look a bit pale. Are ye hungry?"

She put a hand to her stomach and shook her head. "No, but I would not turn down a cup of tea."

"The earl already requested a tea tray for their ladyships and yourself, so no doubt they are preparing it right now."

A weakness crept up from her toes, as sadness engulfed her entire being. It must be the shock of what happened to her father settling in.

"Lean on me, lass. We'll bypass the kitchen and head straight for Lady Aurelia's upstairs sitting room."

His strength was evident, and held in check, every time he touched her. His compassion shimmered in the warmth of the brilliant green eyes that met hers, silently asking how she felt. "Thank you, Dermott. I do not think I could face this without you."

He opened the door to the servants' staircase and stepped back so she could precede him. "Me pleasure, lass."

As she ascended, she wondered what would become of her if the viscount got his hands on her. By the time she reached the top and opened the door, she asked herself what she would do if he caught her unawares and abducted her. No one would search for her… She had no family. No home. No fortune.

Setting her worry aside as self-serving, she said a silent prayer for her father's soul, hoping her mother was waiting to greet him at the gates of Heaven.