Roger was getting nowhere, he had planned a mornings work to set up his brothel but was frustrated at every turn. After wasting all the morning he decided he should walk the streets looking for another recruit. He thought about Reggie, what a shame she would have been a real draw card. Roger imagined using her himself, his day dreams ran rampant until an image of Georgina's smiling face extinguished all of his erotic thoughts. Strangely he was not disappointed, he needed to deal with Georgina, he had lied last night, losing her was NOT a price he was prepared to pay.
He rang her.
"Hello Georgina's phone, who is calling, please?"
"Reggie, this is Roger. Can I speak to Georgina, please?"
"She won't come to the phone."
"Please Reggie, can you persuade her?"
"No Roger she is very distant this morning."
"Reggie, I'm sorry I know I've hurt her. Please I need to speak to her."
The line was silent.
"Reggie, please!"
Then he heard Reggie sigh.
"Reggie?"
"OK, she's at work. Don't fuck it up again!"
The phone was slammed down, it echoed in Roger's ear all the way to Grierly's office. There was little doubt whose side Reggie was on, he mumbled to himself, "... and I saved her life too, how ungrateful."
He looked up just in time to avoid walking into Georgina.
"How prophetic, you don't have to consider an opposing view when you talk to yourself," she said.
Georgina looked beautiful, her eyes were red. Everyone thought she was grieving her fly-boy but Roger knew the truth. The corridor was busy so he couldn't do what he wanted.
"Georgina, I have some information which might help dispel some of your grief. I wonder if I could explain over lunch?"
"Some things are immutable and need commitment not lip service. Will your information about my loss still be helpful?"
"I believe so."
He mouthed 'please.'
"I'm just taking lunch now. Where did you plan, nothing cheap I hope."
"The most I'm allowed to spend on a non ration meal is five shillings, or we could do British Restaurants."
"I'll give the Community Feeding Center a miss. Five bob will do. Shall we have wine or will it be ruined by bad news?"
NO one else listening would realize that Roger was getting cut to shreds. Georgina was a capable enemy. He escorted her out of the back door of the building. In the quiet of the alley outside he stopped.
"You'd better do your worst, I know I deserve it."
Based on her coded comments in the building he expected to be mauled and he was. His brain was well behind his body which was responding fully to her kiss and her warmth which permeating their coats and soaked into his core. His brain caught up about the time she broke the kiss.
"Georgina, I thought you were mad at me?"
"I am, can't you tell?"
He shook his head, "If that was mad, I can't wait for loving."
She grabbed his hand, "Come on, I'm hungry I never learned how to eat and cry."
They walked out to the street, Roger hailed a cab.
"Mayfair, the Dorchester please."
The cabby responded with a smile and headed down Buckingham Gate to Constitution Hill. Roger found so much of interest in Georgina's eyes that he missed Piccadilly entirely and was surprised when the cab slowed and he found himself in Park Lane.
"Here we are Sir,"
The cabby actually got out of the cab to open the door for Georgina, her smile of appreciation was an ample reward but it didn't stop Roger from tipping generously. They walked into the Dorchester.
"Lord Alveston, are you dining with us today?" he bowed to Georgina, "Madam," he said in greeting.
"Wicklow, good afternoon to you too. Yes if we could, I'm sorry I didn't make a reservation."
"Let me see what I can do, Sir"
Wicklow hurried off. Georgina looked at the queue waiting for a place.
"We can go somewhere else," Georgina whispered.
Before Roger could reply, Wicklow returned.
"His Grace, your brother, is dining with us Sir. He would be pleased to share his table. Would that be suitable Sir?"
Roger frowned he didn't want to share Georgina with anyone particularly his brother. He was about to agree with Georgina's suggestion when he felt someone squeeze his hand.
"Yes, thank you for your ingenuity Wicklow. That will be acceptable."
They followed the Maitre D' to a quiet alcove. Roger was very aware that Georgina had not relinquished his hand.
"Almondbury," Roger said as he approached his brother's table.
"So formal Rags," he then ignored his brother. "Georgie, what a surprise," he kissed the back of her hand. He waved Wicklow away and seated Georgina himself.
"Don't waft like a lovelorn butterfly brother, you can handle your own chair. It's nice to see you Rags, have you made any progress?"
"Christ, Eight let's order some food first."
Georgina looked at Duke of Almondsbury, then at his completed entree and grinned.
"Sharp as a tack, Georgie, it's Eight" He spelled it.
"Pater thought the eighth Duke of Almondsbury should be named Octavian. Unlike Rags my initials make me sound too grand."
Georgina raised an eyebrow.
"Eight is Octavian Percival Ulysses Stetson-Hoyden. I'm not sure that Opus is too grand I think it matches his pomposity perfectly."
"Surely not jealous brother. Dear Georgie, what have you done to him?"
"Nothing Your Grace, much like yourself I try to treat him as if he is actually human."
"Well said, my dear. Do you think you can keep this one?" Eight said.
Roger stood and walked to the men's room.
"He is smitten Georgie, you have broken my heart. Do you do that to everyone?"
"Excuse me Your Grace but you are full of shit."
Roger heard his brother's laughter across the restaurant, he fought a wave of jealousy. When he returned the places were set for lunch. As was the frown on his face. Eight looked up and laughed.
Roger growled at his brother.
"Georgina is not for your dalliances, she is made of sterner stuff. You are sadly destined to add another inbred boring over-important lady to your bed, where pedigree is more important than grace. While I have the opportunity to bring charm and intelligence to the family line."
"I will throw my hat wherever I want. She would be unable to resist my charms"
"Only if you want to risk another beating. She is mine."
"Are you good enough with half a leg?"
"To beat your pompous arse for the favor of a lady... absolutely."
Georgina interrupted the brotherly duel.
"The chattel you are discussing is sitting here. You two can pretend to be men by playing your childish games, but when your spat is decided, I will choose either or NEITHER of you."
She stared at Roger as she delivered the last part of her sentence. Roger swallowed hard, he realized that even with the kiss and lunch, nothing was settled between them.
Octavian smiled, he had been baiting his brother.
"Oh sibling dear you are safe, but don't mess it up, baby brother. Those tears have not been for the recently departed. She's certainly better than your last cock sucking money hungry slut."
"Octavian!"
Eight knew he should stop but brother baiting was the most enjoyable thing he'd do today.
"She was glass to everyone but you, you were the last one to see through her."
Roger stood, his fists were clenched and his face was red. Eight decided he should back up. It he got Roger angry he would destroy the Dorchester to seek his revenge.
Georgina sensing the direction of the wind said, "Oh, Your Grace I am sorry when I said you were full of shit, I should have said you are BOTH overflowing in excrement."
Roger deflated and joined the laughter. He realized he was being baited even though his brother's jibes were true. Still Eight had ruled himself out as a rival, it was enough to allow Roger to enjoy a pleasant lunch.
"Now, tell me the story," Eight said.
Eight was the sponsor of Roger's approach to expose the spy network who were leaking Britain's shipping movements, so Roger brought him up to date on his progress or lack of it."
"Let Georgie manage it."
Roger was horrified. His face betrayed his feelings. Eight was about to continue but Georgina touched his hand to stop him. They both watched Roger.
He was working through the issues. He didn't want Georgina touched by the depravity of the endeavor but he realized she had sanctioned his direct carnal involvement, she couldn't be more involved. They had feelings for each other and yet she had allowed him to fornicate freely. She either cared not at all or too much. He realized what a gift she had given him, had he been any sort of gentleman he would have refused it. Even though she knew he had fucked Lola all evening, she was here with him. These thoughts flicked across his face, his fellow diners understood much of what he was feeling.
"Do you want to?" he asked, Georgina.
"Octavian assigned me to look after you, I can't do that from Scotland Yard, especially if you plan to get yourself dishonorably discharged. Plus you seem to be running around in circles. Yes, I'll run the House with the Red Door, while you go and seduce your ladies... you seem good at that."
"Touche, brother dear," Eight said, laughing.
Georgina had said that she wanted to care for him, that his endeavor was important and deserved her support, why then did he feel he had been cut to shreds, again. He took his frustration out on his brother.
