Pretty Persuasion by Olivia Kingsley Page B

"You didn't tell me because you were afraid I'd think you only wanted my money."
    "That was part of it, yes, but—"
    "Which would clearly have been the truth."
    "No!" The fool's hand clenched into a fist, and Robert stiffened. "You misunderstand. It is not a matter that ought to trouble you."
    "If it means you will not marry me because of it, I assure you, it does trouble me!"
    "Of course we shall be married. We'll simply have to delay, until I have found another way to restore my family fortune."
    Delay until you're sure of Southwell's intentions, rather,
Robert amended silently.
    Rossemore reached for her again. "Georgie, please; you mustn't worry."
    She slapped his hand away. "I cannot believe you would have me return to my parents unwed! They would be furious even if we were married, and I had only one defense: that we wanted it too much to wait any longer. But now I apparently have no such excuse."
    The fool's mouth twisted. "You're being impractical, Georgie. We cannot afford to marry without your dowry. You deserve nothing but the best, my dear, and I should never forgive myself if you were forced to live in genteel poverty simply because… simply because I am not worthy of you."
    The bastard could turn a pretty phrase. Surely Georgie was not silly enough to swallow it.
    Her eyes widened again. "How dare you?" she railed. "You're the one crying off because my father might not give you my dowry.
I
don't care about the money!"
    "You wouldn't," Rossemore snapped, his face contorting. "You've never been in want of any."
    Georgie's chest heaved as she stared at her lover, disbelief shining in her eyes. She looked so lost, so vulnerable.
    Robert averted his face, unable to watch any more. Cameron leaned against the door, studying his boots. Seconds ticked by and the silence grew louder. If Rossemore had made off with any other lady, Robert might have pitied him. But it was Georgie the bastard had deceived; it was his Georgie who looked as if her heart had been torn out, stomped on, and left to rot. Rossemore was lucky Robert didn't hold the pistol. Giving the man a limp sounded beyond tempting at the moment.
    "Georgie…"
    At the sound of Rossemore's pleading voice, Robert turned and saw Georgie grab her wrap from the chair. She drew it on, her movements jerky, then picked up her gloves and bonnet.
    "Georgie," Rossemore repeated. "What are you doing?"
    She ignored him. As she rushed to the bags by the toilet table, she ignored Robert, too. She snatched them up and made a beeline for the door, where Cameron, who would not be so easily ignored, halted her progress.
    "For God's sake, what are you doing?" Rossemore hurried after her, and when she still did not answer, he tore one of the valises from her hands.
    Georgie swung on her lover, looking so furious Robert wouldn't have been surprised if she burst into flames. "What the devil do you think I'm doing? I'm leaving!"
    Cursing, now. It would have been amusing if she weren't so upset.
    "Where on earth will you go?"
    "To hell, if it will take me away from you!" She snatched back her bag and turned on her heel. Her rage was so fierce that even Cameron stepped aside to allow her escape. She yanked the door open and stormed out of the room.
    Meeting Cameron's gaze, Robert jerked his head at her disappearing form. His friend glared but complied, slamming the door as he took off after her. Robert would join them, but first, he had a few choice words for the fool.
    And a fool the man certainly was. Only a green, arrogant ass would assume he could so easily make away with Southwell's money. Rossemore had obviously underestimated Georgie's intelligence, as well. She was not as blind in her infatuation as the bastard had assumed, and for that, Robert could hardly be more relieved.
    "I assume this means the wedding is off," Robert drawled. He expected anger, or at the very least a scowl, but Rossemore merely appeared stunned. Giving the man a moment to collect himself, Robert crossed