Dark Deceptions: A Regency and Medieval Collection of Dark Romances(53)

His mother looked like she wanted to say something else, so he cut her off. “I imagine there was another reason for your visit today?”

Her green eyes sparkled and she perked up. “There was! We don’t have much time.”

His head swam with confusion. “Time for what?”

“Why, to prepare Georgina for her entrance into Society!” She hopped from her seat as if a fire had been lit beneath her feet. “She requires a dance instructor, tutor, and the most fashionable modiste. We have several months…” She paused. “Is she a quick study?”

Adam blinked. “A quick study?”

She waved her hand about. “Yes, you know? Do you imagine it will take her more than the three months before the Season begins?” Mother troubled her lower lip between her teeth. “I had hoped we could have her all prepared for the start of the Season, but if you believe she’ll need more time then…”

Adam shook his head. “She won’t need more time. She is very intelligent.”

His mother snorted. “Most men wouldn’t have such a pleased little expression when saying their wives are intelligent.”

He laughed. “Oh? What of Father?”

She beamed at him. “Your father was different than most men.”

He inclined his head. “Then I can only assume I am different than most men.”

Mother’s smile dipped and sadness came into her eyes. “I miss your father so very much.” A little spasm contorted her ageless face. “For twenty-two years I had everything in the world I could have dreamed of. And do you know what?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “As fast as they ticked by, those years may as well have been minutes. Live joyously, every moment of every day that you are blessed with her, because it can all be taken as quickly as you can blink your eyes. Promise me you’ll steal any and all happiness you can.”

A cold, ominous chill fell over Adam. He told himself it was merely his mother’s macabre words, words that really weren’t intended to be morbid.

He bowed his head solemnly, shoving aside the cloying unease eating at his insides. “I promise,” he murmured. Georgina had known too much heartache—she deserved a lifetime of happiness and he intended to be the person to give it to her.

He showed his mother out. When he returned to his office, he sat behind his desk, staring blankly at the empty room, wondering why he couldn’t stifle the unease that lingered like the shadow of a ghost.

*

Georgina had awakened two hours ago. In that time, she’d taken a warm bath, had a cheery, young maid, Lucy, drag a brush through her tangled knots and help her into a simple, pale yellow dress. She had waited with breathless anticipation for Adam to walk through her chamber door…

He hadn’t come.

She had gone down to the dining room and found a large buffet atop the sideboard. Her stomach had rumbled in hunger, but she’d looked around the room…

And he hadn’t been there either.

A servant had rushed forward to pull out a chair, but she waved him off with a smile, seeing to it herself. She imagined the young man could detect it wasn’t sincere. Georgina forced herself to sit and nibble several links of sausage and a piece of toast. With a napkin, she dabbed at the corners of her lips, and then rose, determined to find her husband—even if he wasn’t as determined to find her.

The servant cleared his throat and she looked up.

“If I may? Mr. Markham can usually be found in his office.” He dropped his gaze to the floor in deferential respect.

Georgina smiled. “Thank you,” she murmured.

His gaze shot up and he returned her smile.

So here she stood, two…no, now three hours, one bath, one meal, and one painful hair-arrangement later, outside his office.

His door was closed as if to say go away, you are unwanted.

She stuck her tongue out at the wood. Well, that was fine, she’d been unwanted the better part of her life.

“Did you just stick your tongue out at the door?”

Georgina screeched and spun around. Her hand covered her thundering heart.

Her wide-eyed gaze shot from where Adam stood several feet away, leaning against the wall, to the closed door. “I thought—you…I…” She stopped talking.

He shoved away from the wall and stalked her like a wild beast stalking its prey and, oh God, how she wanted to be caught. Longed to lay herself bare for him. Her wanton desires turned her skin hot with embarrassment.

“Were you looking for me, Georgina?” A teasing sparkle glinted within the depths of his green eyes.

She wet her lips. “I—I may have been,” she conceded. She couldn’t conjure any real excuse for being outside his office.

“Did you stick your tongue out at my door?”

Her skin grew ten shades warmer. “I—I may have.” She could have kicked herself for answering, but doing so would garner even more attention than the whole sticking her tongue out business, so she contented herself with closing her mouth.

Adam tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. His breath, a sweet blend of mint and coffee, wafted over her skin. He lowered his mouth and claimed her lips. She swayed on her feet, but Adam was there to steady her. Georgina pulled away. Her lids fluttered open. “I love you.” The words spilled from her before she could even try to call them back.