First Comes Scandal (Rokesbys #4)(76)

“And did you meet with the land agent?”

Nicholas handed off his coat to Wheelock, who’d practically jumped in front of Georgie to get it. “The land agent?”

“For the house,” Georgie said.

“The house,” he repeated.

“In which we might live.”

He blinked.

She told herself that he was tired. That she must be patient. So she said, “In Edinburgh. Surely you don’t want to remain at Scotsby any longer than we must.”

“No, of course not. It’s only I hadn’t the time.”

“Oh.” Georgie followed him into the dining room. This was not what she’d been hoping to hear.

Nicholas looked around. “Is there anything to eat?”

“Yes, of course, we’ve been keeping it warm for you.” Georgie motioned to a chair. “Sit.”

He did, and she took a seat next to him. “Lamb stew,” she told him. “It’s very good. With freshly baked bread and raspberry trifle for dessert. I’m sorry I did not wait for you.”

“No, no, don’t be silly. I was delayed.”

Georgie waited while Mrs. Hibbert brought out supper. Then she waited while Nicholas ate a few bites. But then she couldn’t wait any longer. “So you didn’t even contact him?”

He looked at her blankly.

“The land agent,” she reminded him.

“Oh, yes.” He wiped his mouth. “Sorry, no.”

Georgie did her best to keep her disappointment off her face. He was busy, she reminded herself. He was learning how to save actual lives.

Nicholas reached forward and took her hand. “I’ll do it this week, I promise.”

She nodded, then managed to wait five whole seconds before asking, “Once you do contact him, how long do you think it will take to find a house?”

“I don’t know,” he said with the beginnings of impatience. “I’ve never leased a house before.”

“But didn’t your father say he was sending notice ahead? So he’ll be expecting you.”

“It’s possible.”

“Perhaps by the time you meet with him it will all be settled.”

Nicholas scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m dead on my feet, Georgie. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

She smiled tightly. It felt like all her smiles were tight this evening. “Of course.”

He ate, and she watched, and then, because the silence was making her itchy, she asked, “Did you learn anything new this week?”

He looked at her. “Didn’t you already ask me that?”

“You didn’t answer.”

“You didn’t give me a chance.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, unable to keep all traces of sarcasm from her voice. “I was preoccupied by the fact that you haven’t been to see the land agent.”

“I’m sorry I was too busy to see to it,” he snapped. “I spent the entire time dealing with everything I missed traveling down to Kent for you.”

There it was. The expectation of gratitude. She’d almost forgotten that she’d been waiting for it.

“Thank you for marrying me,” she said, shoving her chair back so she could stand. “I am sorry it has made your life so difficult.”

“For God’s sake, Georgie. You know that’s not what I meant.”

“I know it’s not what you thought you meant.”

“Don’t put words in my mouth,” he warned, rising to his feet.

“I knew this would happen.”

He rolled his eyes so hard she wouldn’t have been surprised if he saw his brain.

“I’m going to bed,” she said. She walked to the door, hoping he’d try to stop her, hoping he’d say something, say anything.

“Georgie, wait.”

She turned just as he laid his hand on her arm.

“I don’t want to go to bed angry,” he said.

Something inside of her softened. “Nor do I.”

“I don’t even know why we’re angry.”

She shook her head. “It’s my fault.”

“No,” he said, and his voice was firm even as his weariness seemed to cloak them both. “No, it’s not.”

“I missed you,” she said. “And I was bored. And all I wanted was to hear that I would be able to move to Edinburgh so I could be with you.”

He pulled her into his arms. “That’s all I want too.”

A part of her wanted to ask why, then, hadn’t he gone to see the land agent, but she knew that would be petty. He was exhausted, and he had every right to be.

“I don’t want you to feel grateful that I married you,” he said.

“But I do,” she admitted.

“Fine, then. Feel grateful.”

She drew back. “What?”

“If you want to feel grateful, feel grateful.”

She blinked. This was not what she’d expected him to say.

Then he took her hand and raised it to his lips. “But I get to feel grateful too.”

That was when she knew. She loved him. How could she not?

“Can we go to bed now?” he asked. “I’m so tired. I don’t even know how I’m still standing.”