Zachary frowned. ‘He is a man grown, Georgianna.’
‘And you are his guardian.’ Her eyes glittered a deep, emotional violet.
‘And, no doubt, you will never forgive me if something should happen to him.’ It was a statement rather than a question.
‘And I doubt my forgiveness is of the least interest, or importance, to you.’
‘You might be surprised,’ Zachary murmured softly before sighing as Georgianna continued to look at him expectantly. ‘I make no promises, but I will see what can be done to prevent Jeffrey from rushing headlong into the coming war,’ he added grimly.
She sighed. ‘He admires you tremendously, you know.’
‘Unlike his sister,’ Zachary drawled drily.
She gave him a brief glance. ‘It is not a question of not admiring you, Hawksmere. Indeed, I admire your endeavours on behalf of the Crown enormously.’
‘That is something, I suppose,’ he drawled.
‘The rest of your personality leaves a lot to be desired, of course,’ she added caustically, ‘but one cannot have everything.’
‘As usual, the sword thrust in the velvet glove.’
Georgianna eyed him mockingly. ‘At least I am consistent.’
‘Oh, you are most certainly that, Georgianna,’ Zachary allowed before sobering. ‘Is it convenient for you to come here tomorrow afternoon?’
‘Why?’ She eyed him warily now.
He grimaced. ‘I would prefer to discuss that with you tomorrow.’
And Georgianna would prefer to know now what that discussion was to be about.
Unfortunately, Jeffrey chose that moment to return to the dining room, so putting an end to their own conversation as they all began to talk instead of the invitations they had accepted for the coming season.
*
‘Thank you, Hinds.’ Georgianna smiled politely at the butler as he showed her into the blue salon of Hawksmere House the following afternoon.
After she had spent the night, and all of this morning, fretting and worrying as to what it was Hawksmere could possibly wish to discuss with her today in private.
Hawksmere himself had his back turned towards her as he stood in front of one of the large bay windows, looking out of into the garden beyond. He turned the moment the door closed as evidence of his butler’s departure.
‘I did not think, when I asked you to come here.’ He frowned darkly. ‘You do at least have a maid with you, I hope?’
Georgianna nodded. ‘She is waiting out in the hallway.’
‘Would you care for refreshment?’ the duke offered politely. ‘Tea, perhaps?’
She eyed him scathingly. ‘The only time I have been in this house, apart from that surreal dinner with Jeffrey yesterday evening, was as your prisoner, so, no, I do not require the nicety of tea, thank you, Hawksmere.’
‘The time for social politeness between the two of us really is over then, hmm?’ he guessed drily.
‘I am not sure it ever began.’
Once again Zachary found himself chuckling at Georgianna’s honesty. ‘Let us at least sit down,’ he invited ruefully.
‘You consider I might feel a need to do so, once you have spoken with me?’ she murmured concernedly as she moved to perch demurely on the edge of one of the armchairs.
Zachary had debated with himself long and hard as to what he should tell Georgianna about Rousseau. And still he had no real answer, only knew that she needed to know that the other man no longer posed a threat, to her liberty or her life.