In that moment Georgia was certain that she’d lost her ability to trust another human being for ever. She’d hardly known how Keir was going to react to her news, but she honestly hadn’t expected him to act so coldly. It occurred to her that perhaps he thought she was trying to trap him somehow, because of his wealth and position, because of Glenteign. Maybe he thought she’d seen a chance to stop working so hard and live a far easier life? The thought was apt to make her want to lie down and die.
As she hurried, dazed, back down the grand staircase,— Moira was coming up the other way. She carried a pile of folded laundry in her arms, and she didn’t hold back on the warm, genuinely fond smile she bestowed on the younger woman.
‘Hello, lassie! Where are you off to in such a hurry? Is everything all right?’ She peered closer at Georgia’s stricken preoccupied face.
‘Yes…I’m fine.’
‘Are you sure?’ Moira’s frown told Georgia she didn’t believe her. Glancing round to check that Keir wasn’t following her, and feeling secretly heartsick that he wasn’t, Georgia sighed. ‘I’ve got a bit of a headache, actually. I think I’ll take a walk down to the beach and get some fresh air, try and clear it. I won’t be long.’
‘You do that, my dear, and take your time. When you get back I’ll make you a lovely cup of tea. That’ll soon help put everything to rights again.’
‘Thanks, Moira…you’re very kind.’
Although the temperature was a little warmer today, there— was a distinct crispness in the air. Before she knew it Georgia would be home again. Keir’s permanent— secretary, Valerie, would be reinstalled at Glenteign, and everything would be just as it had been before Georgia had ever set eyes on the estate—or— the charismatic man who owned it.
Inhaling a long, shaky breath, she started to walk down the almost deserted beach. Save for an elderly man, who watched his pet terrier dart in and out of the foaming sea, she had the wide sandy shoreline with its craggy rock formation to herself. Folding her arms across her grey cardigan, her long black skirt billowing about her ankles, she finally allowed the feelings she’d been desperately trying to keep at bay until she got there free rein.
All this time…All this time and she’d never known she could love a man as she loved Keir. She’d given herself to him because she loved him. Her virginity— hadn’t been such a burden that she would have given it to just any man she was attracted to. And now she was going to have his baby. By rights she should be feeling on top of the world. Except for Keir’s hurtful reaction to the news of her pregnancy Georgia told herself she would be. But now she knew that despite their passionate connection, and her love for him, there was no future for them as far as he was concerned.
Probably one day, soon after she had gone, another— woman—a woman from a similarly privileged— background to his—would see his face next to hers when she woke in the morning in their bed. Another woman would come to know that sometimes— he was haunted by his past, would learn to forgive him for his occasional black moods…And another woman would lie in his arms, her head against his chest, and feel loved and protected as she’d never felt loved and protected before…
Georgia pulled herself up short. But Keir didn’t love her. That was the whole point. If he had cared for her in the slightest then he wouldn’t have behaved like some aloof, distant stranger towards her when she’d told him she was carrying his baby. He would at least have reassured her that he would stand by her, come— what may…wouldn’t he?
She had no indication of who was behind her until the golden Labrador flew past her in a flurry of sand and wet fur. He stopped just ahead of where she stood, panting hard, his long tail wagging, his black eyes as bright and liquid as a seal’s as he gazed happily up at her.
‘Hamish!’
Immediately bending low to pet him, Georgia felt her heart lift at the sight of the animal, despite her sorrow. Turning her head, she looked up the beach, expecting— to see Lucy or perhaps Euan jogging towards her. Both young people had taken quite a shine to the Labrador, and occasionally walked him for Georgia. But the tall, dark figure walking towards them wasn’t either of Glenteign’s younger staff members.
Georgia froze, convinced for a moment that her eyes must be deceiving her. Why was Keir walking Hamish? He’d never done it before. She didn’t even know if he liked dogs!
She remembered when she’d first arrived his definite withdrawal when she’d suggested that the dog had sensed he was friendly.