Page 18 of The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere
Chapter Five
“Was your first adventure in the glittering world of thetoneverything you hoped it wouldbe, Georgiana?”
Georgiana turned from the carriage window to arch an eyebrow at Cecilia. “I hadn’t any hopes at all. I expected the ball would be tiresome, and it was.”
Cecilia bit her lip to hide a grin. “You weren’t entertained, then?”
“Not in the least.” Honestly, she didn’t see what was so entertaining about spending an entire evening trapped in an airless ballroom in an itchy masque and a gown that squeezedher breathless.
“What is your opinion of Lady Wylde?” Cecilia blinked innocently at her, but Georgiana wasn’t fooled. Cecilia knew very well what Georgiana thought of aristocrats like Lady Wylde.
As usual, Georgiana didn’t mince words. “My opinion is she’s every bit as dreadful as the gossip claims. Her petulance is exceeded only by Lord Harrington’s. He’s a haughty, smirking thing, and a fool as well, to let a woman of Lady Wylde’s ilk lead him about like a lapdog.” Georgiana hadn’t any patience for fashionable, arrogant countesses, and even less for fashionable,arrogant rakes.
Lord Darlington hadn’t said much since they’d climbed into his plush carriage, but now he choked back a laugh. “Dear God. Poor Harrington.”
“Don’t encourage her, Gideon.” Cecilia lay a hand on her husband’s arm and turned what she likely meant to be a stern look on Georgiana. “Nonsense. It wasn’t as bad as all that.”
Georgiana ached an eyebrow at her. “My dear Cecilia, the entire time he was standing there I was searchingfor his lead.”
Lord Darlington didn’t try to hold back this time, but gave a shout of laughter, and even Cecilia couldn’t prevent a reluctant grin. “Wicked thing. Shame on you, Georgiana.”
Georgiana shrugged off the reprimand. Yes, yes, she had a blistering tongue. She’d been scolded for it often enough, but it had a mind of its own, and she’d long since given up trying to tame it. “What do you suppose happened to Lord Draven tonight?”
Cecilia sighed. “I’ve no idea, but Lord Haslemere is going to be furious when he hears the rumors about Lord Draven and his sister.”
“Yes, he will.” Lord Darlington’s smile faded. “I’ll have my hands full, keeping him from calling Draven out.”
“Calling him out! Would he really go as far as that?” Georgiana had assumed Lord Haslemere would treat the rumors as he had those footraces in Maiden Lane—as if they were amusing, but nothingmore than that.
Lord Darlington looked surprised. “Indeed, he would. He’s fiercely protective of his sister and nephew. He’s careless of his own reputation, but he considers any insult to Jane an insult to himself.”
“He’s a devoted brother, and a loyal friend,” Cecilia added. “If it hadn’t been for Lord Haslemere, half of London would still believe Gideon was a murderer.”
Georgiana winced, her conscience pricking at her. Looking at Lord Darlington now, it was difficult to believe only a few months ago most of London had suspected him of murdering his first wife. She herself had believed him guilty, but she’d been wrong about him. As far as she could tell, his only flaw was his steadfast friendship withLord Haslemere.
A grievous flaw, indeed.
Cecilia, who often guessed Georgiana’s thoughts before she even had a chance to think them, frowned at her. “I’ve told you before, Georgiana. Lord Haslemere is not the feather-brained rake thetonsupposes him to be.”
Yes, Cecilia had said such things before, but Georgiana hadn’t seen any evidence of Lord Haslemere’s alleged cleverness. Shehadseen plenty of evidence to the contrary, but she kept that opinion to herself. “Perhaps we should have stayed another hour to see if Lord Draven would turn up.” She’d have to pay a call on him now, which would be dashed awkward, given they’d never been introduced.
“Not much chance of that.” Cecilia shook her head. “Lady Wylde’s entertainments inevitably descend into debauched frenzies as the evening wears on. If Lord Draven had intended to come, he would have appeared earlier, with the other respectable guests.”
“There were respectable guests there?” Georgiana didn’t recall seeing any. It was nothing but rakes and demi-reps as far as the eye could see, clinging to the edges of the ballroom like scandalous wallpaper. She opened her mouth to say so, but then closed it again, biting her tongue. It was late, and they were all tired. Perhaps the less said about Lady Wylde’s masque ball, and Lady Wylde herself, the better.
A few minutes later, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Clifford School. “We’re off to Kent tomorrow, dearest.” An anxious frown creased Cecilia’s brow as she studied Georgiana’s face. “I’ll miss you dreadfully, but we’llbe back soon.”
However soon it was, it wouldn’t be soon enough for Georgiana, but she feigned a careless shrug, so as not to worry Cecilia. “Don’t hurry backon my account.”
Cecilia squeezed Georgiana’s hand, but stopped her before she could open the carriage door. “Oh, wait. I nearly forgot. I have something for you.” She leaned over, plucked a heavy object from the floor, and held it out. “Sophia asked me to give it to you before weleft for Kent.”
It was too dim inside the carriage for Georgiana to see what it was, but as soon as she felt the cool, smooth glass against her fingertips she guessed, and a smile lit her face. “Mrs. Beeson’s quince preserves! Cecilia, you’re an angel.”
Cecilia laughed. “I thought you’d like it. Don’t have it all at one sitting, mind you, as you did the last jar. I expect you to make it last, so you’ll be sweet-temperedwhen I return.”
Georgiana snorted, but pressed a quick kiss on Cecilia’s cheek, clutching her jar of preserves the way another lady might clutch a fistful of diamonds. “I make no promises. It was kind of you to indulge me this evening, Lord Darlington,” she added, gathering her cloak tight about her chin. “I thank you for it.”
Lord Darlington had been peering through the window into the darkness, a crease between his brows, but now he turned to Georgiana with a distracted smile. “It’s my pleasure, Miss Harley.”
