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Smiling, Robert rang the bell. Servants immediately appeared to clear their plates and bring in dessert.

They waited in silence until the servants had withdrawn again.

Robert picked up his spoon and dug into his sponge cake with an appreciative sigh. “This is very good.”

Georgiana tasted her own cake before nodding in agreement.

“I suppose I should ask whether you are interested in being courted. Did you run away because that is not something you desire?”

“No,” she shook her head vehemently. “I just…got into such a panic. I was suddenly overcome with an urge to flee. I cannot even tell you why.”

He nodded slowly. “I see. I would like to suggest that we enjoy our digestif in the parlor. Should you develop any degree of fear, please tell me.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“I think it is.” He raised both eyebrows. “I know they say that a lady should close her eyes and think of England, but I personally prefer an enthusiastic participant.”

Her face flamed. “I see…” she bit her bottom lip, watching him warily.

He turned to his dessert, taking another eager bite. He was glad to see that she followed suit and noticed that her wine glass was empty. He hastened to pour her more.

“Tell me about Angela.”

Robert startled at her request and lowered his fork. “What would you like to know?”

“What was it about her that made you want to propose? You mentioned you were not in love, but there had to be something about her that made you choose her instead of another lady.”

He smiled in gentle remembrance. “She was a bold girl, unafraid to oppose the demands and traditions of the ton. She approached me at the ball and informed me that I would be her first dance,” Robert chuckled, “I was suitably affronted; how dare she? But I was also intrigued, and by the time I had dredged up a suitable retort she had already walked off.”

Georgiana grinned. “She seems like a woman after my own heart.”

“Bold as brass she was, but also amiable and kind.” Robert reminisced. “By the end of the night I had grown to admire her spirit, and it was clear to me that we were a practical match. We would make good companions, but nothing more.”

“I can imagine.”

“Yes,” he shrugged and chuckled, “I suppose I have always been old and cynical.”

“You are hardly old,” she said wryly.

“Decrepit,” Robert insisted.

Georgiana giggled, her hand over her mouth. “If you insist.”

“It is a wonder you can bear to look at me.”

Georgiana went from giggling to guffawing, her head thrown back with the force of her unrestrained mirth. “Oh. Oh dear, this is not very demure of me. I think I have had too much to drink.”

“Do not worry yourself about it. I rather like it when you are at ease and cheerful.”

“Is that so?”

He shrugged. “Yes. First of all, because you deserve to be comfortable and happy. And secondly, because I have realized that I am missing a lot by clinging to the past while wasting the present.”

Georgiana looked at him, impressed. “That is very profound, Your Grace.”

“I try, my lady. Some more wine?”

“Oh, a hot toddy would go down a treat.”