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.