No Gentleman for Georgina by Jess Michaels Page A

desperate confession versus her polite overstatement.
    “With Rivers spending more time at home, we do often conduct our business there.” He smiled.
    “It must be rather thrilling, running such a successful establishment.”
    His smile slowly faded. Being an innocent, Georgina had no idea the truth about the club he managed. The Donville Masquerade, Rivers’ den of sex and gambling, would horrify her if she ever did discover the reality of it.
    “Sometimes I think I should sneak a visit there, perhaps convince Annabelle to allow it,” she said with a light laugh.
    Paul stiffened at the idea of Georgina there. Of watching her watch the debauched acts. Despite himself, his cock began to swell at the thought and he fought for the control he always held over himself before he said, “I doubt your father would approve of such a plan, Miss Hickson.”
    She shrugged, but the light in her eyes dimmed. “My father approves of so little I do anymore, Mr. Abbot. It makes me wonder if I should not try to please myself for a while since he will not be pleased by any action I do or do not take.”
    Paul took a step toward her even though it was improper to do so. He couldn’t help it. Although Georgina rarely made comments like that one to him, he had watched her struggle with her family’s increasing frustration at her lack of a marriage over the years. He wanted to comfort her somehow. Honestly, he wanted to know how the men of the ton had been so stupid as to not snatch her up already.
    But before he could say anything, her face went pale and her eyes suddenly focused on a spot behind him.
    “Georgina,” came the sharp voice of none other than her father. Paul turned and gave a formal nod to the man, which was, as always, ignored. “Come, our presence is required elsewhere.”
    Georgina’s lips pursed together, but she did not argue. She slowly moved away to her father’s side. She turned back before they walked away. “Good evening, Mr. Abbot. I’m sorry we didn’t get to speak further.”
    “Good night, Miss Hickson,” he said as she began to disappear into the milling crowd once more.
    The fact that she was lost to him within a moment of leaving his side was practically a metaphor, and he downed the rest of his drink in a swig.
    “Don’t be a fool,” he muttered to himself as he set the empty glass aside to be collected by a servant at some point. “Whatever you wish would happen never will.”
    But even as he forced himself to move, find his hosts and excuse himself for the evening to get back to work, he realized that what he told himself would never change how he felt. It was impossible to change the desires that boiled inside of him. Desires that would remain forever unfulfilled.

    Georgina winced as her father guided her into one of the Duke of Hartholm’s private rooms and shut the door with a loud click. As he turned, she braced herself for the barrage of scolding bound to come, and he did not disappoint.
    “What are you thinking?” he snapped.
    She took a long breath. “About what, specifically?”
    His eyebrows lifted. “No sass, now. You know what I’m talking about.”
    She turned her face, because, of course, she did know exactly what had upset her father this time. It was a subject that always caused consternation between them. Still, she shrugged. “I’m afraid I’m not certain what sin I have committed, Papa. You will have to clarify.”
    “Don’t be daft,” he said with a shake of his head. “We have talked about this many times. You had no reason to be standing in the middle of a crowded room with Paul Abbot.”
    Georgina walked away from him, wringing her hands. Her father had been haranguing her about Paul since the very first night she met him two years ago. He was not rich, and more importantly, he was not titled, so in her father’s mind, there was no need for further discussion.
    What he didn’t know, what he didn’t understand, was that in a room full of people Georgina