by Rose Pearson
“Thank you, Allerton,” she said quietly as her brother smiled. “You are very good to me, and I appreciate your consideration.”
“It is the very least I can do after my foolish behavior,” he told her, his hand lifting from her shoulder as he turned to look at Lady Allerton. “And you have Alice to thank for this also. Without her, I do not think I would have ever managed to find someone suitable for you, given how ridiculous my first two suggestions have been!”
“Then I thank you also, Alice,” Georgiana said honestly. “And I look forward to meeting Lord Poole very soon.”
* * *
“You are looking quite lovely this evening, Lady Georgiana.”
Georgiana smiled at Mr. Lowell as he came towards her, seeing how he bowed carefully and then tucked his hands behind his back, holding himself tall as any gentleman might.
“I thank you for your very kind compliment, Mr. Lowell,” she answered, aware she was still feeling very nervous about her meeting with Lord Poole and hoping the strain did not show in her manner. “And are you enjoying the ball this evening?”
He grinned. “I am,” he said with a chuckle. “Everyone present wishes to speak well of my cousin so, despite the fact that I have no title and that I do not come from England, they are being more than polite to me. And that even with my many mistakes!”
“I am sure you are doing very well,” Georgiana replied firmly. “Although…” She trailed off, biting her lip and remaining as uncertain as she had been yesterday as to whether or not she ought to say something about Lady Northcott, whom Mr. Lowell had been speaking to yesterday afternoon.
“Is there something you wish to say, Lady Georgiana?” Mr. Lowell asked with a slight look of concern. “Is it, in fact, to do with yesterday afternoon when we met in the shop?”
Georgiana’s eyes flared wide, seeing the immediate reaction on Mr. Lowell’s face as she tried to explain.
“I was very well aware both yourself and Lady Allerton were rather…cautious when it came to my new acquaintance,” Mr. Lowell said with a slightly wry look. “I have not mentioned it to Lady Rutledge for fear she would rail at me again when she was already very busy indeed with the preparations for the ball, but I would appreciate it if you were honest with me about what I did wrong.”
“Oh, no, no!” Georgiana exclaimed, putting one hand out towards him. “No, Mr. Lowell, you are not to think you have anything to concern yourself with as regards Lady Northcott.” She shook her head, recalling how she and Lady Allerton had talked at length about what they should have done or if they had any right to say anything to Mr. Lowell at all. “I do not want you to think even for a moment that there is anything you have done you need to concern yourself with.”
“Then it must be to do with Lady Northcott,” he said with a frown. “I will be honest with you, Lady Georgiana, if I may—I found her very…unusual.”
Georgiana blinked. “Unusual?” she repeated, tilting her head and looking at him carefully. “Might I ask in what way?”
Mr. Lowell hesitated. “I found her to be the opposite of what I have been told to expect,” he said slowly. “I don’t want to start speaking ill of her, given I know that would be rudeness itself—but I have been instructed very carefully not to introduce myself to a lady, to keep conversation somewhat bland until a better friendship is established, and never to appear overfamiliar.”
“And Lady Northcott was all of those things,” Georgiana finished for him, seeing him nod slowly. She sighed heavily, trying to choose her words with the greatest of care. “I will start by saying that I have no intention of speaking ill of Lady Northcott, which was why both myself and Lady Allerton struggled to know whether or not we should speak to you.”
Mr. Lowell took a small step closer to her, his eyes fixed on hers—and Georgiana felt her stomach tighten.
“I would be more than a little grateful for any insight, Lady Georgiana,” he said humbly. “If you haven’t noticed already, I am driving Lady Rutledge near to madness with my constant failings.”
“I hardly think that is true,” Georgiana answered, seeing his rueful smile but feeling her heart ache for him. “I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you. I have been brought up with it all, so I feel as though I have always known what is expected of me, whereas you...” Closing her eyes for a moment, she let out a long breath and then looked at him again. “Lady Northcott is a widow, Mr. Lowell. She has very specific intentions at the present moment.” His eyes remained blank, and there was no clear understanding of what she was saying. All the more embarrassed, Georgiana closed her eyes and tried to think of what to say to help him understand. “She enjoys the friendship of certain gentlemen who might be willing to give her some financial assistance in exchange for her company.” Unable to look at him straight in the face, Georgiana turned away just a little, aware of just how hot her face now had become. “Might I ask if she asked about your background?”
Mr. Lowell cleared his throat and, daring a glance at him, Georgiana saw he too was flushed. “She did, yes,” he stated, his voice low and rather gruff. “I quite understand, Lady Georgiana. Thank you for telling me.”
A sudden tense laugh escaped from Georgiana’s mouth as Mr. Lowell’s eyes shot back towards hers—and they were both laughing. The tension and awkwardness shattered at once, and Georgiana found Mr. Lowell’s face transformed into a bright, warm expression, his eyes dancing as he shook his head.
“Goodness, Lady Georgiana, I don’t think you know just how grateful I am to you,” Mr. Lowell said once they had managed to regain their composure. “If I had told Lady Rutledge what had happened with Lady Northcott, I do believe she would have sent me back to America almost at once!” Sighing heavily, he gave her a rueful smile. “I think I will need a good deal more guidance from you, Lady Georgiana.”
Pulling out a handkerchief from her pocket, Georgiana dabbed at her eyes, relieved there was no awkwardness between them now. “I would be glad to help you in any way I can, Mr. Lowell,” she found herself saying, a little surprised by her willingness. “I know that society is difficult enough to traverse as it is, and to have to come into it now and attempt to learn all that is required and expected in a short time must be almost impossible.”
Mr. Lowell tilted his head to one side, studying her closely. “Would you truly be willing, Lady Georgiana?” he asked quietly. “My poor cousin is quite worn out with me, and I know she would be grateful for your input.”
Georgiana found herself nodding, surprised at just how fervently she found herself wanting to help him. This was most unorthodox, of course, for she had no reason to assist him given he was not her relative nor even close friend, but something had shifted in her acquaintance with him, and Georgiana’s heart was now filled with compassion for his struggles. “I know Lady Allerton would be very glad to continue her acquaintance with you,” she said with a smile. “I will make sure you are given an invitation to dine with us very soon.”
“And might I visit you one afternoon?” he asked, looking a little awkward. “That is permitted, I hope?”
Again, she laughed, seeing how confused he was. “Yes, that is permitted,” she said with a wave of her hand. “How long is it until you leave for America?”
He shrugged, looking at her thoughtfully. “I have not yet decided,” he said with a shrug. “If I leave soon, I might make it back home in time for Christmas, but it is unlikely.”
“Then you must wait until after Christmas has passed,” she said lightly, feeling a strange sense of happiness he was willing to stay in England a little longer. “Experience Christmas as it is here, for when are you going to have such an opportunity again?”
He nodded, his expression still thoughtful. “That is a wise suggestion,” he agreed, making her blush just a little. “Thank you, Lady Georgiana. Might I visit you tomorrow?”
“That would be a good idea, I think,” she agreed, with a wry smile. “Lady Northcott’s soiree is in two days’ time, so mayhap we shou
ld discuss what you absolutely must not do, regardless of how Lady Northcott presses you.” She arched one eyebrow, and Mr. Lowell chuckled, shaking his head again.
“I think that would be an excellent idea,” he agreed, a little ruefully. “Now, a dance, perhaps? And then I should let you return to your brother. He appears to be searching for you.”
Georgiana turned her head and saw her brother only a short distance away, looking meaningfully at her. Her stomach dropped, and she swallowed hard, very anxious.
“Yes, a dance. Of course.” Holding out her dance card, Georgiana did not even notice where Mr. Lowell wrote his name, her smile disappearing as the knowledge of who she was to meet next hit her.
“Thank you, Lady Georgiana,” Mr. Lowell said, bowing with a flourish. “You are truly a very kind and considerate lady, and I am very glad to have made your acquaintance.”
A tiny smile caught the corner of her mouth. “Very proper, Mr. Lowell,” she said curtsying. “And if you would excuse me now, I must go and speak to my brother.”
“Good evening, Lord Poole.”
Georgiana held her breath as a fair-haired gentleman turned around from where he had been speaking to someone else, looking at Lord Allerton and grunting in a gruff manner. She glanced at the person moving away from him, a little surprised to note it was none other than Lady Northcott. Her attention was soon swiftly drawn back to Lord Poole’s face as her brother beamed in her direction, clearly delighted at this meeting.
“I thought to present my sister to you,” Lord Allerton continued as Georgiana forced herself to look directly into Lord Poole’s face. She saw a broad-shouldered gentleman with a square jaw and sharp green eyes that were fixed upon her own. He was not unhandsome, with his long roman nose and thick, fair hair that was swept neatly to one side. However, there was no light in his eyes, no smile on his lips, and a coldness about his manner that made Georgiana want to shiver.
“Lady Georgiana.” Lord Poole bowed slowly, a little stiffly. “How very good to meet you this evening.”
“Lord Poole,” she replied, curtsying beautifully and lifting her chin to look back into his eyes, telling herself not to allow her first impression to push her away from him. Both her brother and Lady Allerton thought that Lord Poole was a good match. Therefore, she expected him to have a decent character, which she certainly could not expect to see within the first few minutes of their meeting! “I am glad to make your acquaintance.” She placed a light smile on her lips and waited for him to speak, expecting him to make some conversation, but as the seconds ticked by, Georgiana began to realize he had no intention of saying anything more. Finding this to be very awkward indeed, she looked to her brother, only to discover that Lord Allerton had melted away and was now standing a few steps to Lord Poole’s left, talking animatedly with another acquaintance, evidently still able to see Georgiana from where he stood.
“Are you enjoying this evening?” she asked, her voice a little higher pitched with the strain of trying to make conversation with someone who did not appear to be interested in speaking to her. “My brother says you have not often been in London.”
“There has been no need to be present before,” he told her with a small sniff as his eyes drifted across the crowd. “And once the agreement between myself and your brother is finalized, there will be no need for me to remain.”
Georgiana had to force herself to remain standing calmly in front of Lord Poole when everything in her wanted to exclaim aloud. Why would a newly betrothed gentleman return to his estate when there would be so much to prepare? Did he not want to spend time with her, so they might get to know each other a little better?
“I have a townhouse here, of course,” Lord Poole continued as if this was something of particular interest. “My brother also resides in London, but his townhouse is in a part of London I have no inclination towards visiting.” Again, he sniffed as though such a thought brought him a sense of disgust. Georgiana felt her skin crawl. This gentleman clearly had no consideration for anyone but himself.
“I look forward to returning to my estate,” Lord Poole finished dryly, his eyes running over the assembled crowd as though he were much higher above them, much better in status than they. “Thankfully, I will not have to linger unless the snow should prevent my travel.” This was said with a deep, angry frown that made it appear as though Lord Poole would be disgruntled with nature itself, seeing it as something preventing him from achieving what he wished.
“We will marry in the parish at my brother’s estate, surely,” she said slowly, watching him carefully but seeing no reaction on his almost expressionless face. “That will mean you will have to travel from your estate to his. Surely it would be better to remain here in London so that we might spend time in each other’s company.”
His eyes appeared to be a little glazed as he sighed and looked at her discontentedly. “There is no need for such things,” he said quite calmly. “You know your expectations as my wife, and I know my expectations as your husband. Therefore, we should rub along well enough together, I am sure.”
Georgiana did not know what to say to this. She had never thought the gentleman she would marry would be practically a stranger—a stranger who clearly had no intention of knowing her better! Was that all he wanted from her? A lady who would know her duty and fulfill it without question?
“Your dowry is sufficient, so I can see no need for any delay,” Lord Poole finished with another sniff that began to irritate Georgiana intently. “I should be able to return to my estate within the next ten days or so, once we have decided the wedding date and, as you have said, the place we shall marry.”
“And are we never to converse?” Georgiana asked, feeling a mixture of both upset and anger. “We are not to talk a walk together in the park, or even take tea?”
Lord Poole looked quite confused. “My dear lady, why should you even think of such things?” he asked in a tone that suggested she was being quite ridiculous. “We are to wed. There will be plenty of time to further our regard for each other in the years to follow.” With a small wave of his hand, he thrust her questions even further away. “No, the practical arrangements will be seen to first. Thereafter, we might consider conversing and the like.”
“But what if I do not suit?” she demanded, seeing how he attempted to step away and feeling riled all the more. “What if I am much too obnoxious for you? What if I do not have all the requirements you expect from a wife?” She threw up her hands, her eyes fixed on his. “I do not play the pianoforte particularly well, for example.”
Lord Poole leaned in, his green eyes darkening. “But you do play the harp exceedingly well,” he said softly. “Have no fear, Lady Georgiana, I have spoken to your brother at length and know you very well indeed.”
She gave a slight shudder, looking up into his green eyes and seeing them as cold as emeralds, glittering in an almost ominous fashion. This gentleman would care nothing for her. He spoke of there being regard growing between them in the years that would follow, but Georgiana could already tell there would be no such thing. This gentleman was not someone with a kind spirit, a gentle smile, and a warmth in his eyes. He was cold and calculating, seeing this marriage as nothing more than a solution to his requirement for marriage. She would be used to produce the heir, perhaps an additional child thereafter, and nothing more. Her hope for a life of contentment and happiness seemed likely to remain unfulfilled.
And yet, there was nothing she could say to refuse Lord Poole. He was, as her brother and sister-in-law had decided, quite suitable. He had a title, a good fortune, and would be able to keep her in comfort for the rest of her days. His manner was stiff and formal but not rude or arrogant, as Lord Tolliver had been. All that was lacking was any sense he might truly come to care for her. Georgiana was certain Lord Poole would keep her at arm’s length for the rest of her life, confining her to a world of loneliness.
Her mind filled with the memory of Mr. Lowell and how they had shared laughter and u
nderstanding only a few minutes before. Why she was thinking of him, she could not say, but in her heart, Georgiana knew that what she had shared with Mr. Lowell was the kind of thing she longed to share with her future husband.
But it seemed that dream was not to be fulfilled. With Lord Poole to be her husband, there could never be that friendship she so longed for. She was trapped, it seemed, and there was nothing for her to do but accept that this was now her future.
Chapter Six
“Good evening, Lady Northcott.”
Oliver bowed low as Lady Northcott put out one hand towards him, her eyes twinkling up at him as he took it gently. He bowed over it as he knew was expected but did not allow his lips to touch her skin. That would give her the wrong impression, and it was something he distinctly wanted to avoid.
Knowing the lady’s intentions as he now did, Oliver was doing all he could to ensure he behaved with absolute propriety. There was still that sense of awkwardness that had begun to come over him when he had first met the lady, although she seemed quite oblivious to it. Either that or she hoped that her warmth towards him would ensure he returned her friendly advances.
“I am so very glad you could attend,” Lady Northcott said with a bright smile. “You will know a few guests here, of course, and Lady Allerton and Lady Georgiana have only just arrived.” She gestured with one hand out towards the large drawing-room where a few guests milled around. There was an open door that must, Oliver thought, lead to another room where mayhap there was a pianoforte and the like, given Lady Northcott had said there would be music at some point in the evening.
