The Kiss (34 page)

"As I told your father, Georgiana, you'll be forced to give over the vast majority of the rents. That should more than make up the difference."

"But, the repairs. The enormous greenhouse, and I can see the new wood on the barns in the distance. Frankly, I'm terrified to see what you've done inside. We'll never be able to repay you." She bowed her head.

"Ah," he said, his expression darkening. "But you've forgotten to mention the new falcon mews, the horses, the oxen, chickens, the sheep, and the"— he cleared his throat—
"bloody ocean
that is being dug as we speak." His eyes were half hooded.

Her jaw had dropped. "What?" she whispered.

"It should be done in the next month or so. I hope you won't mind that there will be a small island in the center, much like a miniature Loe Pool." He swore under his breath. "I was able to talk him out of the glass house in the center he was so intent on building. I hope you don't mind."

"Darling," Rosamunde said to Luc softly, "I don't think she can take much more."

"I'm sorry. You know gratitude always brings out the worst in me."

Rosamunde stroked his cheek. "And that is why I love you."

Luc cursed again under his breath and refused to look at Georgiana. "They need larger brimmed hats. The sun is too bright for Caro and Henry." He sighed and then lifted his other child from his wife's shoulder. "I'm going inside. I shall leave you to rectify this mess, Rosamunde. I'm done with it. Never should have agreed to this farce."

As Georgiana looked at Luc's retreating back she caught sight of Quinn again, the cat at his heels just like a dog. Grace stood beside him, a smile on her lips, within a small circle of new friends. Quinn leaned down to scratch the cat's ears and the orange tabby jumped into his arms.

"He did it all," Georgiana whispered to Rosamunde. "Oh God."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Rosamunde gently touched her shoulder. "He was determined to do it and Luc forbade me to tell you. Quinn was certain you would refuse it all if you knew. It appears he likes gratitude even less than my husband."

Georgiana's throat closed and she couldn't say a word—couldn't move.

"Oh, my dearest friend," Rosamunde whispered sadly as she looked at her. "Come, take my arm. We'll go to the greenhouse where there's privacy. Can you walk? It's only a little way. Shall I get Luc? You're very pale. You're not going to faint, are you? Oh, please don't."

She forced herself to speak when panic laced Rosamunde's words. "No, no. I'm perfectly fine." She grasped Rosamunde's arm and they walked very carefully toward the huge glass-paned greenhouse, which was more like a French-style giant orangerie.

The beautiful space was empty save for the beginnings of a foundation of the plants Georgiana knew would take years to find. This would be her refuge. It was different from anything at Penrose— unlike the lake and mews he had arranged.

Georgiana sank onto the nearest bench. She retrieved a handkerchief from her pocket and twisted it. "He's always been so unbearably generous and kind. It's what makes everything so difficult. I've never known a more honorable man, Rosamunde. And I fear"—she gulped—"no ... I
know
I will never encounter another like him. No, you are not to say a word. I do not feel sorry for myself. It is a rare person who does not suffer unrequited love at least once in their life. And I am the luckiest woman alive. I will be living in the lap of luxury, and I have projects in front of me that will take up the rest of my life and longer."

When Rosamunde did not argue with her, Georgiana knew. She knew that even her best friend had given up hope of Georgiana ever securing Quinn's love.

"I am determined to make this estate the most profitable in all of Cornwall—if only to pay him back every last farthing. And I will work day and night to do it." She retrieved the stub of a pencil and a list from her other pocket and tried hard to force back her emotions. She would not burden Rosamunde any longer.

In the long pause that followed, Rosamunde laid her hand on Georgiana's shoulder and patted it. 'And you will do it too."

She felt her friend's fingers trail around her waist and then tug her into an embrace. "Geor-giana, I hate to tell you this now, but there might not be another moment of privacy between us," she whispered into her ear. "Grace told me last night that Quinn has agreed to accompany her to the Duchess of Kendale's house party the week after next."

The list fluttered from her fingers.

She was so numb she barely felt Rosamunde tugging her closer. "You must prepare yourself. It is certain he will make a betrothal announcement before they leave."

Georgiana withdrew from Rosamunde's embrace and forced a smile to her face. "It's all right, you know. It will be a relief almost. I've been waiting for it."

"I'm glad Ata, Sarah, and Elizabeth are coming to stay here. And Fairleigh will want to come too, when Quinn and Grace go to Kendale."

"I should be very happy to have her with me," Georgiana whispered and looked down at her hands.

"Georgiana, you are not to pretend with me. I am guessing you would prefer not to see Quinn. But fear not on that point. I don't know how or when, but a miracle occurred sometime during the last month. Luc and Quinn have formed a friendship. And I will make sure it's Luc who brings Fairleigh to you since Amberley is so close by."

"I'm so glad Trehallow is such an easy distance," Georgiana returned. "You are the very best friend in the world, Rosamunde. I hope I will always deserve your friendship."

Rosamunde smiled lovingly. "The feeling is entirely mutual, dearest. I'm very grateful to you for inviting Ata and everyone else to stay with you." She looked at her closely for a long moment. "But you must promise me you will not cut yourself off from future chances of happiness. My brother, Miles, much as I tease him, admires you greatly. Perhaps, with time, things might—"

"No, Rosamunde. I respect him and appreciate his attentions of late. But if I ever sensed for a moment that his heart was seriously engaged, that would be the end of it. I even went so far as to tell him that, several days ago. And he seemed relieved. Now we flirt with great ease, since we both know there is nothing behind it." She grasped her friend's hand. "I just can't tolerate the idea of a marriage of convenience, much as I might desire the promise of companionship."

"I thought not," Rosamunde said, sadly. "Well, I know you'll forgive me for trying to make you my sister in law."

Georgiana smiled. "Considering how poorly I fared with my in-laws, I shall be delighted simply to remain your best friend."

A half hour later found Georgiana standing beside her father and mother, bobbing curtsies to each of the departing neighbors. She wasn't sure how she managed to contain all the emotions running through her.

He had done this all for her.

All of it.

And yet, it was simply because he was a man of great character, bound to adhere to the strictest of principles, which included providing for the widow of a man who had cuckolded him.

And suddenly he was before her. Quinn thrust an interesting object between them. "A small gift for you, Georgiana. Fairleigh and I made several of them."

She looked at it, careful not to meet his eye. "It's a beehive, isn't it?"

"Yes. I'm not sure if we constructed them properly. It was from memory."

"This is the design you described—the cork-bottomed ones from Portugal."

"The very one."

Grace was beside Quinn and she placed a beautifully embroidered cushion into Georgiana's other arm. "And this is from me. I hope you like it."

"Oh, Grace. It's exquisite. I shall cherish it always. It's the most lovely thing I've ever possessed.

A hand was tugging at her arm. "Georgiana, Papa told me the bestest news ever, this morning. He said that when he goes to visit his friends I can come and stay with you and Ata and the other ladies if you'll have me. And I told him that was ridiculous. Of course you would have me—"

"Fairleigh," Quinn broke in with his exasperated-father voice. "I told you I would have to discuss it with Georgiana first. It isn't proper to invite yourself."

Georgiana dropped to her knees and put all the gifts to one side to take Fairleigh in her arms. "You must listen to your father, dearest. He is always right, you know. But I will tell you a secret. There will always be a chamber next to mine with a bed and a painting box next to it. And it will always be reserved for you, and you alone."

She finally raised her eyes. Grace was conversing with departing guests and Quinn was looking down at Fairleigh, wrapped in her arms.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"It is I who should be thanking you," she whispered back.

He looked at her for a long moment, his eyes glimmering with unspoken emotion.

The feelings it engendered in her breast were so powerful, she had to glance away. Beyond his shoulder, she saw the familiar form of a lone rider coming over the rise to the east, and a tremor of hope flickered.

And then, all hell broke loose.

Chapter 18

"Lord Ellesmere!" Mr. Brown shouted while
MA
running from the stables as fast as his spindly old legs would allow. "Lord almighty! She's taken your phaeton."

Quinn grasped the arm of the new Trehallow footman. "Four horses, man. Have four horses saddled immediately." His voice held the authority of a king. The footman ran so fast that his white wig flew off his head, revealing the dark queue beneath.

"Bloody hell." Dark horror streaked Luc's face as he came running. The gaggle of remaining guests said hurried good-byes and flew away.

"Luc, circle St. Ives. I'll take the road to Penzance," Quinn said quickly. "Brownie, you go toward Penrose; Miles, take the north road, and"—he looked at Georgiana—"tell whoever is coming through the gardens to take the eastern route to the opposite coast."

Without another word they scattered.