“What can you mean?” Star asked her brother and turned to look at the gentlemen grinning all around her.
Vern laughed and Edward made up his mind, whereas, at first he had thought otherwise, he now believed this young lord was just that, young. He was obviously in financial straits and needed immediate guidance.
He had immediately deduced that something had gone wrong with the young lords’ attempts to set his house in order. He was at first curious, but now after meeting the lad, he thought he might take matters in hand. Why he should, he couldn’t fathom.
Yet, he could see the young lord had both heart and good intentions and although he told himself none of this was his business and that it shouldn’t matter to him, for it was all a bloody nuisance, he still had quite made up his mind to help.
Miles stole Jules’s thunder at that moment by stepping up immediately and taking Star’s hand and Edward found himself narrowing his eyes as inexplicably he found himself irritated and felt the frown descend over his face.
“I am honored to be one of your three escorts tonight,” Miles said with heart felt resonance.
Jules, evidently not to be outdone, came forward and nearly wrenched Star’s hand from Mile’s grasp. He clicked his heels and Edward nearly choked with laughter. Jules glared at Miles, stared hard at Edward, and then brought his pale blue eyes back to Star’s face and said with great earnest, “And I am as well—honored that is, to be your escort.”
Sir Edward inclined his head and felt a mischievous tingle as he said, “With the pleasure of Miss Madison’s and your company, how could a gentleman be otherwise.”
Star’s eyes glittered at him and he watched her as she turned away from Jules, and answered some remark Miles had made to her.
Georgie said in an aside to him, “Neatly put Sir Edward, but not, I think, very sincere.”
Sir Edward arched a brow at her and gave her a warm smile, saying quite openly as he glanced toward Star, “Oh, but dear lovely lady, sincere enough when I think of you on my arm.”
She eyed him dubiously and laughed right out loud.
*
Was that jealousy coursing through her veins? Jealous of her dearest friend, Georgie? How could that be? Ashamed. She should be so ashamed. She was ashamed and yet, jealously overrode all other considerations and filled her with unmanageable emotion.
What did it matter if Sir Edward preferred Georgie to her? He did seem to prefer Georgie’s company over her own. He scarcely even glanced her way. Well, she had always known she wasn’t his style…yes, but neither was Georgie.
Star could see from the corner of her eyes that his smile seemed more than genuine as it rested on her friend’s countenance. She immediately looked away.
She tried to concentrate on what Miles was saying, yet she couldn’t help but strain to hear what Georgie and Sir Edward were speaking about.
Miles had twice to recall her attention to him.
It was most annoying for she wanted to hear what Sir Edward was saying to her friend. Faith. He was flirting with Georgie…outrageously flirting!
Miles and Jules began a light banter between them about who would be the first to dance with Star, and as they kept calling on her, there was nothing for it—she had to give them her attention.
However, as the banter of these two soon began to take on argumentative proportions, her eyebrows went up and she tried to bring them to task, “Gentlemen…do stop, honestly…”
It was at this juncture that Sir Edward suddenly was front and center between the two men. His hands were up and his expression was severe as he said, “This grows wearisome for me and for the ladies. I am persuaded for Vern here, who is beginning to look more than a little fatigued. Settle it that neither one of you shall have Miss Berkley’s hand for the first waltz.” He turned to her and smiled softly. “Because, the first waltz with Miss Berkley is promised to me.”
Jules and Miles took to blustering over this, while Star felt the blush rush to her head. Star gave up trying to stop Jules and Miles from arguing and heard Georgie say to Sir Edward, “Well done, sir.”
“I thought so, Miss Madison,” Sir Edward said glibly and grinned.
“Yes indeed, but do call me Georgie. If you are to be one of our escorts tonight, we can dispense with formalities.”
“Indeed,” Star agreed as she turned toward them. She suddenly realized, they were going to the ball tonight and grabbed her friend’s hands and exclaimed, “Georgie…we are going to the ball—we have so much to do.” She turned to her brother. “Are you sure it is acceptable…to have gentlemen escort us?”
“Well, Sir Edward thinks it is acceptable, so I bow to his knowledge of such matters. After all, as he says, one gentleman, certainly not. Two, he says…still questionable, but three, quite above board. After all, I certainly can ask my friends to stand in lieu of me. Very respectable,” Vern said. “Now, out with you, all of you, except Georgie.”
Star glanced at both her friend and her brother. It wasn’t the thing to allow Georgie to stay alone with him in his room.
Jules frowned over the matter and surprised Star by sticking in, “I say…I don’t think…no, I don’t at all think Miss Madison should remain here alone with you.”
Georgie put up her hand with a laugh and said, “Good afternoon, Vern. I do hope you feel better very soon.”
“Indeed,” Star added, “You are a naughty boy for it is most improper of you to try and keep Georgie here with you, besides Vern, you really do look fatigued. You must rest.”
Miles made one last attempt to get his way and said, “Vern, I am your oldest and dearest friend. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be perfectly respectable for me to escort your sister and her friend to the ball. We don’t need these two to tag along. After all, only the worst of the sticklers might object.”
“That is just it, I don’t want anyone to object. This makes it certain they can’t,” Vern offered wearily.
Miles sighed and grumbled, “Still think I don’t need Jules or Sir Edward here…” He glanced at Sir Edward and said, “No offense intended.”
“None taken, lad,” Sir Edward said swallowing a laugh.
Star giggled and felt her naughty streak rise up. “You know, he is right Vern. Miles is all the escort we need.”
Jules started to bluster again and Sir Edward glanced her way and a slow smile curved his sensuous lips as their gazes locked.
“Oh, but Star,” Georgie stuck in with her usual good sense. “Only think how it will add to our consequence to walk into Sefton’s tonight with three distinguished escorts—two of which are notable London beaus.” She made a dramatic show of sighing. “Why, it will drive Marigold mad with envy!”
Star laughed and clapped her hands. “So very, very true, you naughty girl.” She turned and with a flirtatious smile, dismissed their guests, “Till tonight, then.”
They waited until they were certain the three gentlemen had left the house before she and Georgie left Vern to his rest and glided over the distance to Star’s room. There they clasped one another and fell into whoops of laughter, landed on Star’s bed and sighed at length over their sudden good fortune. They exchanged glances and Star said, “Can you see her face? Marigold will be green, she will turn green! This will teach her to sneer at us!”
Georgie smiled and said, “La, but you are too sensitive, Star. Why do you allow her to annoy you? She is not a nice person and therefore, her opinion should not matter to us.”
“Right you are. Never mind, Marigold. Are you still going to wear that lovely russet gown?”
“That or the ivory, but Star, tell me…” Georgie hesitated.
Star had gotten up from her bed and was rummaging through her wardrobe. “Tell you, tell you what?”
“Star, look at me,” Georgie said.
Surprised by her friend’s tone, Star turned and gazed at her inquiringly. “Yes, right then, I am looking at you. What is it? What is wrong?” She went forward, sat on the bed again and took her frien
d’s hands.
“I want to know if you want him,” Georgie demanded.
“Star stared at her friend for a long time. “This is not funny. What sort of a question is that? What do you mean, do I want him—who?”
“I am not trying to be funny.” Georgie said gravely. “I am most serious. I want to know if you want him.”
“Georgie, again…want who?”
“Jules Stamford, of course,” Georgie said and looked at her folded hands in her lap.
“Georgie. He is not a piece of jewelry, and I am not a buyer on the loose.”
“Of course not, but he has displayed a marked partiality toward you that I find most obvious and you don’t seem to take notice of him at all.”
“Georgie…?” Star studied her friend with a question. The answer glared at her but she couldn’t quite believe it.
“So, I want to know if you want him.”
Her friend could be most tenacious, Star thought as she gave her a hard once over, “Right, so to be clear, you want to know if I want Jules Stamford,” Star said with a shake of her head and a quirky smile. “I rather thought you knew my mind better than that. I thought I had made it clear already. Jules is a good man, with wit, and a sweet disposition. He is fun and he is any woman’s dream catch, but no, I don’t have a passion for him.” She arched her brow. “Does that answer you?”
“Yes, it does,” Georgie said smiling sweetly.
“Yes it does pudding. So now, you answer me Miss Georgina Madison, why do you want to know?”
“Because, you ninny, if you don’t want him, I do.”
Star stared at her friend for a long moment. Here was a problem. Jules had been chasing after her, but she had never thought he honestly wanted her. She considered the situation and came to a conclusion, “Georgie…why Georgie, it suits. I swear it does. Why did I not see it before? You and Jules would be perfect together…”
“So I have thought, but he seems to be in love with you, Star, and it has made me terribly jealous,” she returned on a sad note.
Star snapped her fingers in the air. “Nonsense. He came at me on the rebound from what he thought was a tragic affair. The truth is, he wasn’t in love then and he isn’t in love now with me.” She went quiet for a moment and then offered, “I tell you what Georgie, when he looks at you, it is with great interest. If you want him, you can’t just sit back as you have done.”
“Indeed, what then should I do?” Miss Madison asked on a heavy sigh.
“Well, a little more positive action will be needed. You must make a real push to bring yourself to his notice. You must look at him just so,” Star posed and they both laughed, “But, the thing is you must. And you must contrive to get him into a private conversation, where he can discover you have like minds, for you do.” She took Georgie’s hands, “You must win his attention just at the moment when you have managed to find yourself besieged by another man’s notice. You must make him aware of you as a desirable woman, Georgie. Men always want what other men what. It is their way. You must make him aware that other men want you, that other men think you are irresistible.”
“Star, that is your style, it is not mine,” Georgie said and laughed. “I would feel a fool.”
“Don’t be absurd. It doesn’t matter if it is your style or not. We are talking about getting his attention. Win that—make him take notice, then be who you are, exactly who you are and he will fall madly in love with you. How could he not?”
“I am not sure I know the knack of doing what you suggest. I have always been so straight forward,” Georgie pulled a face.
“Ah, you are a practical minded woman, but you are also quite, quite lovely and should use that loveliness to your advantage.” Star clapped her hands. “You will see!”
Chapter Ten
GEORGINA SPUN AROUND in a circle for Star to have a good look at her and in an anxious voice inquired, “Well?”
Star examined her friend from head to foot. Tawny curls were neatly arranged. Hazel eyes were bright. Dainty ears were adorned with delicate pearls. The gown of ivory satin with lacey draping short sleeves and lace trim at the high waist was perfect as were the matching ivory slippers on her feet.
“You will break hearts tonight,” Star said at last and with great conviction. They had rushed with the Berkley wagon to Georgie’s home and collected everything she needed. They looked in on her mother who was sitting to tea with a friend and contentedly waved them off, before they returned to Berkley Grange where they had spent the rest of the afternoon sprucing up their gowns.
Star stuck up her long white gloved hand for dramatic effect and asked, “And I?”
Georgie smiled ruefully. “Your hair swept away from your face with the flaxen wisps at your forehead suits you brilliantly, Star. Perfect for your tiny face.” She touched the small diamond studs in Star’s ears and said, “These are lovely and compliment your gown…silver so completely suits your coloring. And this material just shimmers…” she sighed and added, “I do think your bodice cut a bit low for your full breasts though.”
“Do you?” Star dimpled. “Wonderful, we are after all, all grown up and it is the acceptable mode of fashion these days, even here in the country, Georgie.”
“Yes, I know, but Star…” she pointed at Star’s bodice.
“Oh, it isn’t that bad. Just popping out a bit,” Star returned and laughed.
“Well, if I am going to break hearts as you say, you are going to smash them into dust! You are exquisite.” Georgie sighed. “I shall never get Jules to look at me with you there.”
“Nonsense. I am not what he wants. He is forever talking about ‘when my hair grows’ and I shall make it clear that I don’t mean to allow it to grow—ever. Also, he thinks I shall outgrow my impulsive behavior. I shall show him that impulsive is who I am. When he rejects me it will be because he finally sees me. And then he will realize that the woman he wants is you.” Star glanced at the clock. “Oh faith! Look at the time! They will be arriving any moment.”
“Yes, yes they will. What will this modern woman do when Jules looks her way?” Georgie asked sardonically.
“You know very well, Georgie, so don’t be coy. Use your eyes to speak to him and you will have him in your pocket.”
Georgie laughed but Star waved her hand nervously, “We will have to go downstairs. I am sorry, but first, I promised Vern we would look in on him…do come.”
A few moments later, they left Vern chuckling and made their way downstairs, as Star heard the scraping of the coach wheels on the front drive. “Cook and her husband Bankes are asleep, so there is no one to answer the door. Thus, it is up to us,” Star said looking at her friend. “I am so sorry…do you mind?”
“What sort of snob do you put me down as, you miserable girl? Do I mind? Indeed!” Georgie said on a huff and laughed. They heard the door knocker and glanced at each other for a moment.
“Calm, we are calm, it is only a dance and they are men…only men,” Star laughed.
“Yes, but not quite ‘just a dance’, but a ball. The ball of the season and the men on the other side of that door are not just men, but such extraordinary men!” Georgie said practically.
“Now you have gone and done it, you twit,” Star wagged a finger. “I was succeeding in shooing away my butterflies and you have brought them right back and they are taking over my stomach.”
*
The ball proved to be everything a young woman could wish for. Star was rapt as she gazed around and thought everything and anything was now possible.
As predicated, she and Georgie did in fact, most certainly turn heads when they were announced, and they kept those heads turned in their direction for some length of time. Star could not help but notice the appreciative stares directed their way.
Star sighed with great pleasure as her white gloved hand fluttered toward the profusion of colorful flowers set around the room. “Aren’t they lovely…” she said to her friend.
Georgie answered, “Y
es, yes, but do you see the mamas looking our way? Envy, my friend, those are the faces of undisguised envy. We have three of the most eligible bachelors in all the county at both our sides.”
“Oh, my…Georgie…that group looks as though they could strangle us.” Star said on a laugh. She thought about it. How lucky they were. Miles, Jules and Sir Edward were hovering about them and they were indeed, three most desirable and eligible bachelors. After many of the snubs and snide remarks she had sustained after her father’s death regarding hers and Vern’s financial woes, this struck her as funny. She couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
The evening was sultry and Star fanned herself as she watched many of the dancers, waltzing toward the double doors and the flagstone patio outside.
All at once, Star found her hand in that of some fine young buck’s as he pulled her onto the dance floor. As the dance movements took them around the floor, she could not help but notice Sir Edward watching her intently and wondered what he was thinking.
Suddenly, she saw him moving toward them and she knew he was going to cut in. Her heart fluttered with excitement. She was about to feel his hand on her waist. She was about to be in close proximity to him. Oh faith!
Miles, however, had evidently the same notion and Star’s eyes opened wide as she saw the two converge on her and her dance partner.
Sir Edward’s smooth maneuvering brought him to her first and he tapped the young man on the shoulder to say, “Off with you, puppy. The first waltz was promised to me.” He took Star’s waist firmly in hand and maneuvered her away from Miles who had been trapped between the dancers on the floor.
“I know I have already told you that you are stunning, but I must say it again, Miss Berkley. Your eyes…are alive and in their depths, I see such a flames, enticing flames therein. There isn’t a man here who doesn’t want to look into them and unclothe their mystery.”
Star laughed, “Very prettily said.” She looked at him and arched a brow, “It isn’t easy to mind my steps and keep up conversation, but I shall try and not step on your feet.”
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