Juliet gasped in outrage at her generosity, but Georgie ignored her. She handed the bag to the captain. “Captain Moore can keep these safe until you reach your destination. Goodbye, Josiah, and Godspeed. Captain Moore, I wish you fair winds and a calm sea.”

The captain saluted and gestured for one of his crew to escort Josiah below. Georgie turned her back on her cousin and accepted Benedict’s arm down the wooden gangplank.

“That was well done,” he murmured, as he helped her back into the carriage. Her heart glowed a little with pride.

Juliet climbed in after her and collapsed on the opposite seat. “Well, that was far more than he deserved, I must say,” she huffed. “Now we must go home and face the wrath of Mother.” She sighed gloomily. “Do you suppose there’s even the slightest chance she won’t have found out about Simeon and myself?”

“Not a chance,” Georgie said. “We’ll just have to make the best of it.” She turned to Benedict and suddenly found herself unable to speak. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but she couldn’t form the words at all. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said finally.

He sent her an easy smile. “Don’t mention it, milady. Rescuing damsels in distress is our specialty. All in a day’s work for a Bow Street runner, I assure you.” His hand covered hers where it rested on the door of the carriage, and he gave a brief, reassuring squeeze. “I have to catch up with Alex and Seb, but I’ll be in touch soon, I promise.”

Georgie nodded as the carriage pulled away.

Chapter 37.

Juliet puffed out her cheeks as they clattered toward Grosvenor Square. “Well, I’m glad that’s over. Whatever was Josiah thinking, the nodcock?” She rearranged her skirts and sent Georgie an arch look. “And Mr. Wylde coming to your rescue was the most romantic thing possible, don’t you think?”

Georgie grunted, and Juliet sent her a laughing, chiding frown.

“Oh, don’t deny it! He put himself in harm’s way for you, Georgie, like a real chivalric knight!”

“I am very grateful to Mr. Wylde for—”

“Grateful? Pish! Why are you so afraid of admitting you’re in love with the man?”

Georgie bit her lip. Was she afraid? Juliet wasn’t ashamed to declare her love for Simeon to all and sundry. She threw herself headfirst into it and trusted that all would be well. Such complete abandon could be admired in theory, but the thought of risking it all on one person still terrified her. It was the shipping equivalent of putting one’s most valuable cargo on a single ship and sending it straight out into a storm without a compass.