by Rose Pearson
Oliver looked down at himself, seeing the glistening beads of rain running down his coat. “I am a little damp,” he said with a shrug. “The hackneys were hard to find.”
Lady Rutledge rolled her eyes. “They are not at all hard to find,” she said with a shake of her head. “You need only wave a hand, and one will come to you.”
“They were entirely absent from the street!” he protested, handing his hat and gloves to the waiting butler whilst his cousin wrinkled her nose at the water that sprinkled from him as he took off his coat. “I tried my best, of course. I just hope the books I have sent to a lady will have been delivered to her without any difficulty.”
His cousin, who had been about to walk away, stopped and turned to face him again. Her dark hair was pulled neatly back from her face, a few ringlet curls around her ears, but her brown eyes were wide with surprise, her mouth a perfect circle.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, coming towards her and letting a grin settle on his face. “Is there something the matter?”
Lady Rutledge blinked rapidly, her lips pressing together tightly for a moment. “You sent a book to a lady?” she asked quietly, sounding a little surprised. “To whom?”
He shrugged, not wanting to make much of it. “I met a lady in the bookshop and she spoke very kindly to me. I have even discovered she has a sister-in-law from America!” This exclamation was met with a swift intake of breath, although Oliver did not know why such a thing should distress his cousin so. “Lady Georgiana, if I remember correctly. As a gesture of my thanks for her kindness today, I sent her three books.”
A squeak came from his cousin’s mouth. “Three?” she whispered, one hand pressed to her mouth, the word muffled behind her fingers. “You sent Lady Georgiana three books?”
“Yes,” he said a little confused. “Whatever is wrong with that?”
Lady Rutledge closed her eyes tightly, her breathing still obviously a little quick. “Pray tell me how you came to be acquainted with her.”
“I—I introduced myself to her,” Oliver said as Lady Rutledge let out another exclamation of evident horror. “Why? Whatever is the matter?”
Lady Rutledge let out a long, slow breath and opened her eyes. “My dear cousin, how many times must I tell you that things are very different here in London?”
“You have told me many times,” he admitted with a shrug. “But I cannot see what I have done now that is so intolerable.”
“You do not introduce yourself to a complete stranger, especially if she is a young lady!” Lady Rutledge cried, throwing her hands up in evident exasperation. “I am sure I have told you such a thing before!”
Oliver shook his head slowly. “No, you haven’t,” he said firmly. “You or your husband have always been the ones to make the introductions, but I have never known that I should not introduce myself otherwise.”
Her face began to turn a dusky shade of pink as Lady Rutledge groaned loudly. “I am sure I have done so,” she said firmly. “But not only that, one does not send three books to a young lady so soon after their first meeting!”
Growing all the more frustrated, Oliver shook his head in exasperation. “Why does the number of books make any difference?” he asked, wishing he could throw up his hands as she had done. “I wanted to express my thanks at her kindness and for the happiness that was brought by her telling me of her sister-in-law. I cannot see what the problem was with me doing that!”
“Because one would have been appropriate!” Lady Rutledge cried, clearly very upset. “One book, one gift, one expression of thanks. Three books is much too overt, Lowell! It will suggest to her much more than a simple thanks.”
Oliver swallowed hard, a cold hand grasping his heart. “What do you mean?”
“She will think you are interested in furthering your acquaintance with her!”
“But I am,” he said a little confused. “I would very much like to speak to her again. I was hoping she would be willing to dance with me at the ball tomorrow evening.”
Lady Rutledge groaned again and put her head in her hands. “You do not understand,” she said as though Oliver did not know that already. “To send three books suggests a fondness, Lowell. A regard for her—and not only is such a thing inappropriate for someone you have only just met, but it is highly unorthodox.”
Pressing his lips together hard, Oliver let out a long, heavy sigh and tried not to let this sudden uncomfortable sensation overwhelm him. He had never once thought that a gift of three books would suggest anything other than thanks, but now, it seemed, it would say far too much to Lady Georgiana.
“And you cannot simply go up to her and ask her to dance with you at the ball,” Lady Rutledge continued in a warning voice. “You must be properly introduced, both to Lady Georgiana and then to Lord and Lady Allerton before you can even think of asking to sign her dance card, Lowell.”
Sighing heavily, Oliver admitted defeat. “Very well,” he said heavily, aware of the large space in between his standing in society and that of Lady Georgiana. “So you are suggesting that I might not be able to dance with her, then.”
“I cannot say,” Lady Rutledge muttered with a shake of her head. “After what you have done thus far, I cannot pretend the lady herself, as well as Lord Allerton, will not be affected by it. They might consider you to be a little too improper for their acquaintance.”
Closing his eyes, Oliver felt a rush of homesickness overtake him. He wanted to return to the life he understood and to the customs that were entirely familiar to him. He had been in London for a few weeks now, and whilst he enjoyed many things there, the expectations and the demands of society were something he could not quite grasp.
“Do not think too much on it,” Lady Rutledge said, stepping forward to put one hand on his arm as her eyes shone with a sudden sympathy, perhaps realizing she had been a little too harsh. “I should not have railed at you so. I know you were only trying to express thankfulness to Lady Georgiana, and I am glad she has spoken to you of her sister-in-law.”
Oliver swallowed hard, feeling more foolish than ever before. “I would like to be introduced to Lady Allerton still,” he told his cousin, seeing how she nodded. “If she refuses my acquaintance, then so be it, but given she is from the same country as I, then I can only hope she will forgive me.”
Lady Rutledge smiled tightly but nodded. “I am sure she will understand,” she said with more warmth in her voice. “Lady Allerton made quite a stir when she first appeared in London. She knows how difficult it can be. I think, despite what I have said at first, you will have nothing to fear.”
A little relieved, Oliver nodded, patted his cousin’s hand, and let out a long, heavy breath. “I thank you,” he said, using the words that his cousin had taught him to say instead of a simple ‘thanks.’ “I don’t mean to embarrass you in any way. I am sorry if I’ve managed to do that inadvertently.”
Lady Rutledge sighed, but her smile remained intact. “We will manage, I am quite sure,” she said with a wry look in her eyes. “Just ensure you stay close to myself or Lord Rutledge tomorrow evening. That way, we should be able to make quite certain you do nothing to shock the beau monde.” A quiet laugh escaped her as she pressed his arm for a moment and then turned away. “Come, let us take some refreshment in the drawing-room. You will need something warm to drink after being in that downpour, and I certainly could do with a refreshing cup of tea.”
Grateful to her for her kindness, Oliver followed without question, praying silently that Lady Georgiana would think just as well of him despite his mistake. The ball no longer held the same sense of appeal; the thought of being in her company again no longer as delightful. He swallowed hard as he walked into the drawing-room, feeling a sense of embarrassment capture him all over again. Hopefully, it would have faded by tomorrow evening, else Oliver was not at all sure how he would manage to make it through the evening! The last thing he wanted was to rush away in a flurry of shame and ruin his standing—as little as it was—wit
hin London society.
I will make sure to stick by Lady Rutledge, he told himself as she asked him to ring the bell for tea. And then surely, nothing else will go wrong!
Chapter Three
“Do you think he will be here this evening?”
Georgiana resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Alice’s question, seeing how Lady Allerton looked about the ballroom eagerly. She had been thrilled to hear of Georgiana’s meeting with this new gentleman here in London, although Lord Allerton had not been at all pleased to hear that Georgiana had spoken to a gentleman she did not know without any proper introduction. However, Alice had set his mind to rest very easily but, when Lord Allerton was not listening, teased Georgiana relentlessly about Mr. Lowell’s eagerness to prove his regard for her.
It had been made all the worse by the appearance of not one, not two, but three books sent by the proprietor of the bookshop where she had met Mr. Lowell, with a short note stating it was from the gentleman as a gesture of thanks. She had not known what to make of it, for whilst it was very kind of him to send her a gift, three books spoke of a fondness for her, which certainly could not be given she was only just acquainted with him! Whilst Lady Allerton had laughed aloud at the gift, telling Georgiana it was most likely a mistake on his part, Lord Allerton had not found it at all humorous. In fact, he had gone out of his way to tell Georgiana that to even consider such a gentleman was entirely out of the question.
Georgiana had laughed at this remark, whilst Lady Allerton’s color had heightened, and her temper flared at once. Georgiana left the room long before her brother and his wife could begin to argue in earnest, but she knew very well that her brother’s statement remained regardless. She had no concern as to her consideration of Mr. Lowell, for given he held no title and would soon be returning to America, she knew it would be foolish indeed to give him even a second thought.
Although she would have to thank him for the books, she realized, closing her eyes for a moment in frustration. Just so long as she was able to do so without anyone overhearing her, for fear the gossip mongers would set upon her and spread word about herself and Mr. Lowell throughout London.
“Ah.”
Georgiana caught herself, looking up to see Alice looking across the ballroom floor, her brows beginning to knit together. “What is it?” she asked, a knot of nerves beginning to tighten in her belly. “Is something wrong?”
“I...” Lady Allerton trailed off, her lips twisting together for a moment before she shot Georgiana a rueful look. “I believe your brother is coming to introduce you to the first of his suggestions.”
“Suggestions?” Georgiana repeated, only to realize what Alice meant. Her eyes sought her brother, eventually finding him in the crowd, seeing him walking towards her purposefully with a gentleman just a step or two behind him.
Surely this could not be the Earl of Pembrokeshire! After the clear concern that Lady Allerton had expressed about him, surely Lord Allerton would not bring him to Georgiana now for an introduction? Or was this, in fact, Lord Tolliver, the viscount her brother had mentioned?
Her stomach dropped to the floor as her brother stepped to one side only to reveal a tall, thin gentleman with a gaunt face and a long broad nose that seemed quite out of place given the rest of his angular features. He was very tall, she realized, seeing him practically looming over her brother. There was no smile on his face as he stopped in front of her, and even his bow was short and sharp. Georgiana tried her best not to stare at her brother as Lord Allerton made the introductions, trying her best to remain as calm and as polite as always.
“Good evening, Lord Tolliver,” she said as he looked her up and down in a most improper manner. “I hope you are enjoying this evening?”
“No.” The man’s voice was grating and harsh. “It is most disagreeable to have to come to London this time of year. The only reason I must do so is because my mother will not stop speaking to me of my lack of marriage partner. And thus,” he continued, with a small sniff, “I look to you, Lady Georgiana.”
Georgiana stared at Lord Tolliver for a moment or two, dumbstruck by his words and his manner. Her eyes shifted towards her brother who, thankfully, was no longer smiling but looked a little horrified, looking at Lord Tolliver with the same astonished expression that Georgiana was sure was on her face. The silence stretched between them for some moments, with Lord Tolliver never once lifting his eyes from Georgiana, his expectation she would answer more than clear. Georgiana did not know what to say. She could not imagine being wed to such a man, for his manner was not only incredibly brash and rude, but he had embarrassed both himself and her and yet seemed to be entirely unaware of it.
“I think, Lord Tolliver, you have misunderstood me.” Georgiana looked across at her brother, whose face had darkened just a little, evidencing his evident upset with Lord Tolliver’s words. “I thought to introduce you to my sister, for whilst she needs a husband, I have not yet decided which gentleman would be the most suitable for her.”
Lord Tolliver, however, did not seem at all put off by this remark and instead snorted in a most disparaging manner.
“I hardly think you need to concern yourself with suitability,” he laughed as though Lord Allerton was being more than a little foolish in showing consideration for Georgiana’s requirements. “Any husband will do for your sister, Lord Allerton, provided they are wealthy and bear a good title. I can assure you that I fulfill both of those requirements.”
Georgiana shook her head in astonishment and turned her head to see Lady Allerton glaring furiously at Lord Tolliver, her hands planted on her hips and her cheeks a fiery red. Georgiana feared she was about to explode with anger, about to rail at Lord Tolliver without any consideration of what she was saying or who might hear her words, and so she reached out one hand and settled it on Lady Allerton’s shoulder.
Lady Allerton jerked visibly, only to let her gaze fall to Georgiana’s face, her cheeks still red with evident anger.
“Shall we take a turn about the room?” Georgiana asked whilst Lord Tolliver made a noise of evident disbelief at Georgiana’s rudeness. “I feel quite in need of it, do you not?”
Lady Allerton closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded. “I do,” she answered, her voice tight. “Shall we depart at this very moment?” She did not wait for Georgiana to answer but stepped forward and took Georgiana’s arm in her own, turning them both away from Lord Tolliver and Lord Allerton, both of whom were left standing watching after them, although one with an air of dismay that spoke of the knowledge of just how his wife would berate him once he returned home with her that evening.
“I do not know what Allerton is thinking,” Lady Allerton hissed as she half dragged Georgiana beside her. “That man is not at all suitable! And to think that Allerton thought that I was lacking in gentility and the like when I first came to England.” She let out a long slow breath, clearly trying to keep control of her anger. “He is being quite ridiculous, and I will not permit him to be so.”
“I think he will understand that Lord Tolliver is not suitable,” Georgiana said hopefully. “He appeared just as astonished as we both did.”
“I should hope so,” Lady Allerton said loudly, drawing one or two glances which she did not seem to either notice or care about. “Foolish man! First he suggests Lord Pembrokeshire, and next he brings this fellow to greet you?” She shook her head, finally reaching the other side of the ballroom, which was, it seemed just as far away from Lord Tolliver as they could get. “I will have to speak very firmly to Allerton about this matter,” she finished. “He must do better.”
“If you are speaking of me, then I could not agree with you more.”
With a squeak, Georgiana spun around, only to see Mr. Lowell looking at her in a most sheepish manner.
“Oh, Mr. Lowell,” Georgiana stammered, yet again taken by surprise by his sudden appearance. “Good evening.” It was not at all the done thing to eavesdrop on someone’s conversation and then remark upon it, but
it seemed that even Lady Allerton did not mind. She beamed at Mr. Lowell and nudged Georgiana to introduce them.
“How very fortunate you are here this evening,” Georgiana said quickly, wondering if she could escape any further conversation with the gentleman should she introduce her sister-in-law. He was awkward and certainly a little out of place, but she did not want either her sister-in-law nor her brother to think there was anything at all between herself and Mr. Lowell, especially when her brother would think very poorly of such an acquaintance. “This is Lady Allerton, married to my brother last Season.” A small smile captured Georgiana’s lips as she saw just how eagerly Alice stepped forward. It must be wonderful to speak to someone who knew exactly what it felt like to be in another country and to find everything so very different from their own.
“I am very glad to meet you,” Lady Allerton said as Mr. Lowell’s face broke into a smile. “I hear you are from America. Might I ask where?”
“Boston,” Mr. Lowell answered. “I came to visit my cousin, Lady Rutledge.”
“I know the name, but have never been acquainted with her,” Lady Allerton answered, apologetically. “I was only married last Season and have not spent much time in London as yet.”
Mr. Lowell’s expression remained bright. “Then I shall have to introduce you to her,” he said with a small inclination of his head. “That is, after all, the correct way to go about things.” With a wink, he leaned towards Georgiana, who felt a thrill race up her spine, sending a shiver straight through her. “I made a few mistakes the time we met, Lady Georgiana, and I must apologize for that.” The smile faded, and a glimmer of frustration caught his eyes. “There is a good deal for me to learn.”
“If you are speaking of the books you sent me, then there is nothing you need to apologize for,” Georgiana answered, a little untruthfully. “It was very kind of you to do so.”
“It was by way of thanks,” he replied as she nodded and smiled graciously. “It has been difficult being here in London and finding things so different from home. I was very glad of your willingness to talk to me and to look past my mistakes. I believe I should have found someone who knew me and had a prior acquaintance with you before attempting to make any conversation.”
