The Merry Lives of Spinsters

by Rebecca Connolly

  “But will he?” Georgie murmured before she could stop herself.

  Charlotte gave her an odd look. “Georgiana Allen, have you taken leave of your senses? Or have you really become such a skeptic that you can’t see one of the good ones right before your eyes?” She lifted a dubious brow, then moved away, seemingly perfectly at ease.

  Georgie watched her go, her brow furrowing. She knew Tony was a good man, certainly, but what did that matter? Good men behaved in ways not becoming them all the time, and despite Tony’s clever wit and kindness where they were concerned, she could not know how he would respond. She would like to think he had good motives, both for helping Prue and for helping Lucy Wilton, but…

  Well, it hardly mattered at the moment. He was helping them for the time being and that was the most important thing.

  She spotted Jane in conversation with Mr. Greensley, which was unfortunate, as that was a rather good pairing. She hated to break it up, but surely there would be more opportunities for them. Mr. Greensley was a good sort. He would undoubtedly try again, if Jane were the woman he wanted.

  “Miss Wilton,” Georgie said with as much warmth as she could. “Mr. Greensley. I wonder if I might steal Miss Wilton away for a moment. I desperately need her advice on a gift for my cousin, and she is so good at these sorts of things.”

  “Of course,” Mr. Greensley replied with a smart bow. “Please.”

  Jane looked at Georgie with a bewildered expression as she pulled her away. “Miss Allen, surely by now you have heard that I am dismal when it comes to presents. My sisters talk about it constantly.”

  Georgie nodded quickly. “Yes, I am well aware. I need your presence more than advice on presents. Come with me.”

  They strolled back around the side of the room, apparently deep in conversation, though it was all a pretense. The moment Jane had the slightest understanding of what her sister had done, Georgie was charged with keeping her restrained and at her side, so she wouldn’t march off to confront Lucy and Delaney herself. A fuss such as that would only cause more gossip, and it would be a miracle if the secret could remain a secret if such a scene were to occur.

  Lucy came through the doorway then, looking perturbed but not altogether distressed or disheveled. Georgie released Jane’s arm and watched as she took her sister by the hand and hauled her away, Jane’s jaw set while Lucy looked merely resigned.

  No one would pay any attention to that sort of sight. The sight of older sisters dragging wayward younger ones was quite commonplace, and Lucy Wilton had already earned herself the sort of reputation that would make nobody question what was happening. No one would suspect anything untoward.

  Georgie allowed herself a silent sigh of relief, and glanced back at the doorway, wondering where Simon Delaney had gotten to, and what Tony was about. But so long as Lucy was safe and out of the way, she was perfectly content.

  She smiled to herself and skirted around the edges of the room to join the others and Lady Hetty.

  Charlotte, as usual, was not with them. One could only expect her to be engaging her usual collection of men, all of whom were doomed to fail in their pursuit of her.

  “What’s happened?” Izzy murmured beside her.

  “It’ll keep,” she replied, patting her cousin’s hand. She took a deep, cleansing breath. “It’ll keep.”

  “Oh no, it won’t!”

  Charlotte was suddenly before them, looking excitable and lively, her dark eyes dancing, her dimple making an appearance.

  Georgie looked past Charlotte for a moment, then back at her. “Where did you come from?”

  “Everybody always asks me that,” she quipped, adjusting her gloves. “I never know quite what to say.”

  Grace heaved an irritated sigh. “Not generally speaking, Charlotte. Where did you just come from at this moment? Specifically.”

  Charlotte looked behind both shoulders as if anybody was listening, which they were not, then leaned forward. “I’ve been eavesdropping on Tony and Simon Delaney.”

  Izzy gasped. “Simon Delaney? Is Tony a friend of his?”

  “If he was before,” Charlotte retorted with a little smirk, “he certainly isn’t now!”

  She quickly related to them what she had heard, which was only the tail end of the conversation, in which Tony had scolded Simon Delaney for taking advantage of a young girl’s nature. Simon had insisted that Lucy Wilton had professed to know exactly what she was doing. Two questions further had revealed that Lucy had not, in fact, known what she was doing. Tony had sent her back into the ballroom and told her that if he did not have her as a partner for a dance in ten minutes, he would send out a search party.

  “So that’s why Lucy looks as though she’s eaten lemons,” Grace mused.

  Lady Hetty harrumphed. “She always looks like that.”

  “Thank the Lord for Tony,” Izzy breathed, putting a hand to her cheek. “That could have been disastrous.”

  Prue was too shocked and flushed to even manage a stammer.

  Poor dear.

  “That’s not the best part,” Charlotte added, looking rather smug. “You should have heard what Tony said to Simon Delaney.”

  “Oh Charlotte!” Izzy squealed softly. “Can you recall it?”

  “She can always recall it,” Grace and Georgie said together.

  Charlotte shrugged. “I can. Simon Delaney was most put out and said many things that I will not repeat out of feminine delicacy.”

  Georgie snorted at that.

  Charlotte ignored her. “Then Delaney said something about seeing her a spinster like us. And Tony, oh, he was magnificent. He said, ‘Better a spinster like them than ruined by a toad like you.’ And Delaney said, ‘You don’t even know her!’ Rather put out he was.”

  “What did Tony say to that?” Prue asked, her voice awed.

  It was the first time she’d called him Tony, and they all knew it. That seemed significant somehow.

  Charlotte smiled warmly at Prue. “He said, ‘No, nor do I need to. And if I see you anywhere near her, or any other female not bound to you by blood or marital ties again, I will make certain you are run out of London by more powerful men than you could ever think to name’.”

  Georgie’s heart felt as though it was bursting in her chest at the repeated words, and she couldn’t manage to draw a proper breath. Tony had said exactly the words she could have wished and more. He had taken up their cause for his own without anybody instructing him.

  “And Tony looked so tall and powerful,” Charlotte was saying almost dreamily.

  Lady Hetty laughed once, leaning in. “He is tall.”

  “And strong,” Grace reminded them.

  Izzy nodded at them both. “And probably influential considering…”

  “Yes, yes,” Charlotte replied quickly with a wave of her hand, “but he was full of vigor and energy and…”

  “Charlotte,” Georgie interrupted gently, finding her voice at last. “Is that exactly what he said?”

  Her friend looked almost outraged. “Yes. Exactly, Georgie. You know I never lie about eavesdropping.”

  She did know that. They all knew that.

  “And he didn’t know you were there?”

  Now Charlotte looked mortally offended. “Of course not! What kind of eavesdropper would I be if people knew I was there? He marched straight out and joined in the waltz with his cousin’s wife without seeing me. I promise you, Georgie, he was not saying it for my benefit.”

  Georgie looked out at the dancing now, where the waltz was coming to its conclusion. Tony escorted Lady Sterling off the floor, then turned and walked to Lucy Wilton, who was appropriately waiting and looking much chagrined. He never gave her a hint of a sour or superior expression. He was warm and engaging, smiling the entire time.

  Lucy Wilton would be in love with him before the night was out.

  And this was a man she was not sure she could trust? He had proven himself to be beyond what she had initially expected, and more than equal t
o the tasks they had given him. He was a fine ally for them and a fine gentleman besides. He’d treated Prue with kindness, he’d borne Lady Hetty’s eccentricities with ease, he’d bantered with Georgie skillfully, and he’d taken care of Lucy Wilton beyond imagining.

  If Georgie couldn’t trust him, then she was beyond hope of ever trusting anyone.

  She watched him thoughtfully for a moment. Perhaps he would not think so ill of her as others might, if she were to confide in him.

  Rising from her seat with a wordless murmur to the others, she proceeded around the edge of the room again, stopping near the spot where Tony danced with Lucy. Her heart pounded so hard it began to pain her, but she could not back down now. Someone had to know, help her decide, set her mind at ease, and it was better that person be an outsider than one of the Spinsters in truth.

  The dance concluded, and Tony bowed to Lucy, who, sure enough, beamed at him too fondly. He returned her to her sister, then saw Georgie coming towards him. He looked surprised but smiled and met her as the next dance continued.

  “Come to ask me to dance, Miss Allen?” he asked.

  She shook her head, trying to smile at him, but failing.

  He frowned at once. “Georgie? What is it?”

  He said her name so easily, and without any hint of rancor or teasing. She needed that, and she used it to buoy her wavering confidence.

  “May I speak to you for a moment?” she queried.

  He nodded and gestured towards the window nearby. Once there, he looked at her more carefully. “Georgie, Miss Lucy is secure, you saw me dancing with her just now. She’s a bit embarrassed, perhaps foolish, but she is well and whole. No lasting harm done.”

  Georgie smiled, shaking her head quickly. “No, it isn’t that, you were marvelous with her. I am most appreciative. It’s just…” She straightened a little. “Tony, I’ve misjudged you and I am sorry for it. You have proven yourself worthy of trust, and to be a very fine man indeed. I should like to be friends with you in earnest, not just for the Spinsters.”

  Tony’s brows rose, and he smiled. “I’m not sure I like where this is going, Georgie. You’re complimenting me, and that leaves me quite terrified.”

  She laughed at that, the tension in her chest easing. “Yes, I fear I am a difficult person at times.”

  “But only in the best of ways,” he assured her. “And I accept your friendship readily.”

  Georgie chewed her lip for a moment. “Tony, if you want to know the true state of the Spinsters, I have… That is… may I confide in you about something? As a friend.”

  He sobered, and his brow furrowed a bit. “Of course, Georgie.”

  “Promise not to tell a soul?” she demanded.

  He nodded once. “On my honor.”

  Georgie stared at him, exhaling slowly. “I sometimes regret ever assembling the Spinsters. And I’m wondering if it isn’t time to end things.”

  Chapter Eight

  A voice of reason is essential to any young lady, no matter if she be married or not. It is preferable if that voice of reason is her own, for convenience’s sake if nothing else. But if one does not possess a voice of reason herself, an outside voice will do. Reason must always be objective, and that voice must be clear and impartial. Partiality can never be trusted as reason.

  -The Spinster Chronicles, 2 September 1817

  She wanted to end things? She wanted to end things?

  She had started the Spinster Chronicles in the first place out of her own righteous indignation, and now she wanted to end things?

  Hugh would have been dancing in the streets if he knew.

  Fortunately, Tony had the good sense not to say a word about Georgie’s extraordinary claim the night before. In fact, he hadn’t even let Georgie get into any details about what she had said. If it were anybody else, he would have thought they were being dramatic or having a fit of capriciousness.

  Not Georgie.

  He’d seen her face, could see what it cost her to say it, but more than that, he had come to know her, at least a little, and she would never have admitted such a thing unless it had occupied her thoughts for some time. She was entirely serious.

  But a ball surrounded by gossips and opponents of her group was hardly the place to have that discussion. He’d managed to persuade her not to do anything rash, which made her snap at him about never doing anything rash, a retort that he absolutely believed.

  Georgiana Allen would have made a perfectly laid out plan that she was determined to see through to the very end. Nothing ill-conceived or hasty in any way, shape, or form.

  He wasn’t sure if that was a comfort or not.

  If she would always proceed with thought and care, giving every aspect due consideration, she would not have approached him lightly. She could already have a plan for making a proper retreat from the situation she had created for them. It was even conceivable that the strategy was already being implemented, whatever it was.

  That was a terrifying thought.

  He was convinced that the others had no idea Georgie was having these regrets. The fact that she came to him, of all people, to confess them ought to have been proof of that. And she had done so in confidence, at that.

  Which meant he still had time.

  For what, he was still unclear about.

  His cousin, and most of the men in London, wanted the Spinsters to be disbanded so they could return to their previous way of thinking and doing things. They wanted no interference from others in their pursuit of young women, and they did not want the young women of London to have examples of independent thinkers to look to. They wanted the naïveté to return, the thirst for a husband of any sort, the ease of their way to the altar.

  They undoubtedly wanted other things as well, but he refused to consider those with any real thought.

  It was not worth the effort.

  Hugh had begged him to break them up, to do something about the mess, and he had agreed. He hadn’t actually planned to do anything about the situation other than investigate, but now there was a chance to accomplish the original intention without causing anyone personal injury or doing any harm.

  Georgie wanted the Spinsters to be ended, at least in some way. Tony had come to them for the same purpose, though none of them knew it. It was too easy to see how both parties could have their desired result and make many others happy in the process.

  Except Tony couldn’t think of a single reason the Spinsters ought to have been disbanded.

  Not a one.

  That perplexed him exceedingly.

  He had no idea what Georgie would say further on the subject, but, as her friend, he had agreed to meet her today so that they might have a discussion on the topic. They were to walk in Hyde Park, though he wasn’t entirely sure how that was going to be orchestrated. Georgie had said she would see to all the arrangements, whatever that meant, and he could only pray she was not planning to stage some sort of illicit assignation.

  He was willing to go to many lengths for these women, he knew, but that was beyond anything. A gentleman could only endure so much talk before something began to stick.

  Tony sighed as Rollins helped him into his jacket, then proceeded to brush the sleeves for him. “I’m going to have a private conversation with a woman today, Rollins.”

  “Congratulations, sir,” the valet replied, focused on his task.

  “I doubt that’s the correct sentiment.” Tony craned his neck, tugging at his cravat. “She’s going to confide in me.”

  “My condolences, sir,” Rollins replied.

  Tony frowned at his valet in the mirror. “I don’t think that is the appropriate sentiment either.”

  Rollins met his gaze. “I have sisters, sir. Trust me, it is absolutely the correct sentiment.” He patted Tony’s shoulder firmly and turned to the bureau.

  “She trusts me, Rollins,” Tony insisted, tugging at his weskit and examining his reflection. “It’s a mark of honor.”

  “If you say so, sir,” cam
e the dubious reply.

  Tony gave up the argument. It was obvious that Rollins wouldn’t agree, and Tony’s attempts to insist that this was a good thing were weak, even in his own mind.

  “God help me,” he muttered, tugging at the cravat again.

  “That about sums it up, sir,” Rollins concurred as he fixed the cravat that Tony had just mussed.

  Tony scowled at him. “Thank you, Rollins. That will be all.”

  The valet almost smiled and nodded. “Yes, sir. Good luck, sir.” He bowed and moved to leave the room.

  Tony frowned as Rollins left. “You needn’t make it sound as though I am riding off to battle.”

  Rollins paused at the door. “Aren’t you, sir?” He gave him a knowing look, and then departed.

  Insubordinate servant. Tony shook his head, exhaling sharply.

  “Captain Sterling, sir!” came the voice of the landlord. “Rider come for you, sir, with a missive.”

  Tony rolled his eyes and strode for the door to his apartments. The man could never slide the missives under the door like other landlords. He always felt the need to announce the messages, desperate to find out anything he could about the business of his tenants.

  He opened the door and took the note, handing over a few coins. “My thanks to the rider, and thank you, Mr. Lawson.” He shut the door before Mr. Lawson could begin to make inquiries, and broke the seal on the note, opening it quickly.

  Mr. Partlowe is going to be taking his wife on a walk in Hyde Park around eleven this morning. Mrs. Partlowe has invited me along. It would be best if you happened to come upon us. We will be taking the south path.

  Georgie

  It was interesting, but the flourish with which she wrote the G in her name made him smile. It was quite different from the neat simplicity with which she had written everything else. Georgie was a no-nonsense sort, with a surprising wit and an intriguing side of mischief, but never anything resembling embellishment.

  Except, apparently, for one letter in her name.