Page 9 of Better Not Bet a Bluestocking (Ladies of Opportunity #3)

Robyn was quite sure Georgine had taught Regina how to prepare tea. The invitation was more to keep the girl occupied than a need to learn the skill.

Regina hesitated, gazing at Robyn with something akin to adoration.

Good God .

He kept the shock from registering upon his face, but only just.

Had the chit become enamored of him?

She couldn’t be more than fifteen or sixteen.

Matilda must have noticed Regina’s rapt attention too, for she hurried to grasp the girl’s hand. “ You may act as the hostess and help choose the dainties. I believe Mrs . Fennick baked jam tarts this morning.”

That did the trick.

Regina bounced to her feet.

“ I’ve poured tea at home, of course, but only with Georgine and occasionally a visitor.” She sent Robyn a coy glance. “ Never with a handsome gentleman in attendance.”

Georgine raised an elegant eyebrow.

Ah , so she had noticed her sister’s smitten behavior.

Matilda and Regina exited the drawing room, heads together as they discussed the proper procedure for nipping sugar from the cone.

Yes indeed, Regina Thackerly kept one on constant alert.

Robyn needed to nip Regina’s infatuation in the bud, but how to do so without causing lasting hurt?

Perhaps he should seek Georgine’s advice on the delicate subject.

Still , how did one broach the subject?

“ I’m not an eggshell teacup in danger of shattering, Robyn .”

Georgine tilted her head, roving her intelligent gaze over him.

“ You needn’t hover about. Go do whatever it is you do with your days. If I become fatigued, I shall return to my chamber.” She twisted her mouth into an apologetic half-smile. “ I vow the walls were closing in on me, Robyn .”

He chuckled, pausing for a moment to smell a pale pink stock in the floral arrangement on the table between two tall windows. “ Matilda possesses a deft hand with flowers.”

“ Yes , she truly does.” Georgine’s smile widened. “ She is quite good with Regina too.”

Nodding , Robyn perched on the settee’s arm.

“ I say, Georgine .” He cleared his throat. “ This is rather awkward.”

“ Is it about Regina ?” She ran a slender finger along the book’s spine.

Robyn gave a slow nod. “ How did you?—?”

“ You’ve been sending me frantic glances like a man who’s lost a duel with a blancmange.”

She snapped the book shut and gave him her full attention. “ Go on.”

“ Well … she appears to be under the impression that I am—how shall I put this?—an object of intense admiration.” He tugged at his cravat. Discussing a teenage girl’s infatuation proved decidedly off-putting, especially since Robyn quite fancied the elder sister.

Georgine leaned back, her expression amused. “ She’s sixteen. Last week, she was in love with Lord Byron . The week before that, it was a French waiter. Her tendre shall pass soon enough, I assure you.”

Robyn lifted a shoulder. “ She looks at me like I’ve written poetry and bled heroically for the crown.”

“ So , what do you propose?” Georgine fought a smile. “ Fleeing the country? Feigning an incurable rash?”

What would Regina do if he declared himself to Georgine , admitting he was interested in courting her?

What would Georgine do?

Perhaps now wasn’t the time, but soon.

Before Doctor Tinsdale released her to travel.

Head canted, Robyn crossed his arms. “ I was rather hoping you might speak to her. Gently . Possibly while pretending I’m engaged to someone frightfully plain and fond of rectory records.”

“ I could claim you’ve sworn an oath of eternal celibacy.” Hilarity shone in her blue, blue eyes and pulled her rosebud mouth upward at the corners.

Now she was making a May game of him.

Shaking his head, he gave an exaggerated wince.

“ Too dramatic.” And not likely this side of heaven, by God . “ And that might only encourage her to reform me.”

“ Leave it to me. I shall be tactful.” Georgine shifted slightly, as if to get more comfortable. Northanger Abbey and Persuasion toppled between the cushions encircling her chair.

“ Drat .” Bending forward, she giggled. “ I cannot see the book. The pillows have swallowed it whole.”

“ Never fear, fair damsel. I shall retrieve your tome.” Robyn shot her a grin. Bracing one arm on the chair, he kneeled to retrieve the volume. As the book had slid under the chair, the act nearly placed his head in her lap.

He glanced up, and their eyes locked.

At once, sensual tension engulfed him.

Georgine felt it too.

Her eyes rounded, then went soft and womanly before she darted her tongue out to wet her lips.

Robyn almost groaned out loud.

He’d wanted to sample that sweet mouth for weeks now.

Perhaps , one small kiss…

“ Georgine …”

Voices and footsteps sounded in the corridor.

Deuced unlucky timing.

To ease the strain, he quipped, “ Matilda and Regina prepared the tea tray in record time.”

Georgine cleared her throat, and when she spoke, her voice had a husky tenor. “ Perhaps you should wait until I have returned to my bedchamber.”

“ Not a bit of it. Almost there,” he grunted, straining further, his cheek brushing her thigh.

God help him.

“ It’s wedged fast, Georgie .”

“ I didn’t realize it would be so hard…”

A theatrical gasp sliced through the air. “ Scan -dal-ous .”