Read Online Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley - Free Book Online Page B

long since left. Georgie’s servants had packed her belongings for her jaunt to the interior, and now she was merely waiting in keen anticipation for word from Lord Griffith to find out what came next. He had said he would be in touch with her soon.
    Pressing her heel down for a good stretch in her calf, she was wondering if he intended for them to leave for Janpur tomorrow morning, as she had suggested, when her maid, Gita, came hurrying out to the garden carrying a note.
    â€œMemsahib, this just came for you by messenger.”
    â€œFrom Lord Griffith?”
    â€œYes, Miss.”
    â€œI will take it here,” she answered quickly. She folded her legs and sat in lotus position. “
Dhonnobad,
Gita,” she murmured, accepting the note with a nod of thanks. Her heart skipped a beat as she cracked the seal and read:

    Dear Miss Knight,
    I have, alas, too many preparations to attend to before I leave Calcutta, so this missive comes to you in my place. You will soon note that I’ve taken the liberty of ordering a few additional measures to ensure your safety, just in case there’s any sign of trouble from the people at the funeral today. I will give your brothers your best regards when I see them. Will call on you when I return.
    Yr servant,
Griffith

    Georgie furrowed her brow and frowned, thinking she must have missed the part about the two of them traveling together to Janpur.
    She read it again as the truth dawned.
He means to go without me!
A spasm immediately racked her lungs in protest of his intention to abandon her, but Georgie was suddenly livid and paid it little mind. Jumping to her feet, she pulled on her tunic and dashed upstairs to change her clothes, seething.
I don’t believe it. That traitor! Blackguard! Double-crossing knave!
Well, she was not going to stand for this. She would drive right over to the Akbar Grand Hotel and straighten that man out!
    When she arrived at her silk-hung bedchamber, Lakshmi was standing before the mirror holding Georgie’s blue sari up against her, considering it on herself. “What’s wrong?” she asked abruptly at Georgie’s wrathful expression.
    â€œI need something to wear,” she muttered. “Fast.”
    â€œThis?” She held out the blue sari, but Georgie waved it off impatiently.
    â€œEnglish. Day-dress.” She strode over to the tall mahogany wardrobe and whisked through the hanging gowns that weren’t packed.
    â€œGigi, what’s the matter?”
    â€œThat verminous Londoner—lied to me!” she exclaimed as she wrenched off her yoga clothes and fought her way into the first decent walking dress that her hand seized. She pulled it on over her head. “Well, maybe not lied,” she amended, angrily fluffing the ruffled skirts, “but he certainly didn’t tell me the truth. He told me what I wanted to hear—so he could get rid of me. Very tricky, Marquess. Very tricky!” she railed at the air. “What additional measures was he talking about, anyway?” she asked rhetorically, eager to get to the hotel to make him explain the cryptic statement.
    She did not like the sound of that one bit.
    â€œUm, Gigi, are you decent? I—I think you had better come and see this,” Lakshmi called uneasily. She had drifted over to the window and now pointed downward, sending Georgie an anxious glance over her shoulder.
    â€œWhat is it? Has he come?” she demanded, adjusting the neckline of her gown to a more respectable situation. “Oh, I hope he’s found the nerve to show his face. There are so many things I’d love to say to him right now!”
    â€œNo, it’s not the marquess. Look,” Lakshmi said, as Georgie marched over and joined her by the window. “There are soldiers posted all around your house!”
    Her jaw dropped. It was true.
    â€œGigi?”
    She heard Lakshmi’s worried inquiry as though it traveled to her through a