Dark Deceptions: A Regency and Medieval Collection of Dark Romances(42)

Adam’s fingers tightened around Georgina’s. She winced from the pain of his grip. He immediately loosened his hold but did not release her. “She is a nurse. And,” he looked down at Georgina, holding her eyes with his, “I’m going to marry her.”

Silence met his pronouncement.

His mother inclined her head. “Is that so?”

Georgina pulled her hand free. “No!” She couldn’t marry him. Not with all the lies between them. When he finally heard her confession, he would withdraw his offer faster than her racing heart.

Adam glowered at her. “I’m marrying her. With or without approval.” That statement was directed at the earl.

Georgina expected a vitriolic outburst from the staid nobleman.

It did not come.

“Is…” His mother paused and, for a moment, her mouth opened and closed like a trout out of water. “Is there a reason for…for haste?” she finished, ever so hesitantly.

The meaning was quite clear. Heat flooded Georgina’s cheeks.

Adam shook his head. “There is no child.”

“Thank God,” the earl muttered beneath his breath.

She failed to hear the heated conversation that ensued.

A child. Suddenly, the cold within her melted beneath a single frisson of warmth. It flickered like a small flame in her womb, spiraling and spinning, and catching her afire. It grew and grew—the longing for a child sucked her into its fold, and she embraced it, wrapped herself around it, letting it consume her.

She wanted this marriage. Needed it for reasons that were entirely selfish. Not all of which had to do with her and Adam, but also for the hope and dreams of a child. Yearning filled her—for the unborn child she would cradle to her breast, love, and protect with all her heart. In her mind, the babe had the look of a cherub; he had Adam’s pale golden curls and moss-green eyes. He was so real. So close, she wanted to reach out and caress his satiny skin. Her child. A person who would love her unconditionally. A person she would never fail. Not as her own mother and father had failed her.

“Georgina?”

She jumped, her heart racing.

Three pairs of eyes were leveled on her.

Adam claimed her hand. “If you don’t wish to wed me, I will not force you. But I—”

Selfish, greedy creature that she was, Georgina’s answer sprang to her lips. “Yes!”

The earl cursed.

She ignored him. “I want to marry you. I…that is, if you still want to wed me. I—”

Adam held a finger to her lips, silencing her. “I’m marrying you, love.”

Georgina smiled. It would appear that sometimes people like her managed to find their own slivers of heaven, after all. Reality jabbed at the corners of her heart, but she forced doubt away. She shared her father’s blood, but they were not the same person. And she would be a good wife to Adam.

Wife.

Still the guilt twisted within her.

“We’ll need to prepare her for London,” the countess was saying, her mouth pinched at the corners. “We’ll need to have a story for Miss Wilcox.” She looked at Georgina. “I imagine since you are to be my daughter-in-law, it would be appropriate for me to address you by your first name.”

“Georgina.”

“This is madness!” the earl shouted. He took two steps toward Georgina, jabbing a finger in her direction. “This woman isn’t fit to grace the front stoop of this townhouse, let alone marry Adam. This—”

Adam had his brother by the collar of his shirt. The countess cried out, but fury thrummed through him. He dragged his brother up until they were eye to eye. “Do not say one more word. If you value me as a friend and brother, you will quit your insults. I’m marrying her.” He released the earl so suddenly the other man stumbled back, gasping for breath.

“You’d choose this…this interloper over me?” he asked, a solemnity to that question.

“I would.”

Georgina’s heart lodged in her throat.

Oh God, I do not deserve him. He is good and loyal and I am destroying the bond he shares with his brother.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She tried to force them up through her constricted throat. To no avail.

The earl took a step toward Adam, eyes ablaze with fury.

But the countess placed a staying hand on his arm. “Stop,” she murmured. “It is done.”

The other man wrenched free. “Surely you cannot agree to this! We know nothing about her.” He used the word as if discussing the lowest whore from the streets of London. He looked at Georgina, his eyes shooting sparks of fury and distrust. “She will hurt you, Adam. Mark my words. This woman is not to be trusted.”

Georgina curled her fingers into tight balls. Jagged nails bit painfully into the palms of her hand, leaving indentations of guilt. The earl was right. Adam deserved better than a deceitful creature like her. Moments ago, she’d managed to silently convince herself that her birthright didn’t matter, had tried to separate herself from Father and Jamie’s treachery. Though she’d trade her right hand for this marriage, she couldn’t trap Adam this way. A confession sprang to her lips.

Adam placed his hands upon her shoulders. “You don’t know anything about her. She is good, loyal, and loving. And you aren’t fit to touch the heels of her boots.”