Page 62

Brockenhurst Castle, England

L ady Georgina Norwood took the black ribbon from her vanity and quickly tied back her blond hair as her blue eyes sparkled with satisfaction at what she saw in the mirror.

With one last look at her fitted breeches and the white linen shirt her mother had specifically made for her, she slipped her feet into her leather shoes and was ready for her fencing lesson.

She was late and she was certain her mother would take her to task for keeping her teacher waiting.

While her parents indulged her whims by allowing her to learn to fence, they didn’t like their daughter, or either of their children, to be tardy.

She quickly left her bedroom and hurried down the drafty passageway pausing briefly to stare at a medieval painting of her ancestors, Wymar and Ceridwen Norwood.

How many times had she sat before this painting and visualized their romantic story, one that had been passed down for generations?

Too many to count, but she had always admired Ceridwen’s history of dressing as a young lord to hide her identity when she went to serve Empress Matilda’s cause and fight for England’s crown against King Stephen.

Her history of first meeting Wymar in a dark tavern and then saving his life at the Battle of Lincoln made Georgina wish to one day find her own knight in shining armor.

At the age of four and twenty, she had her doubts there was someone out there in the big wide world who she would come to love. Thus far the gentlemen she’d met had only seen her dowry and cared nothing for the lady she had become.

She gave a wistful sigh as she continued staring at the couple before she shook herself out of her thoughts about finding love.

All she knew was that her perfect mate was out there somewhere and when the time was right, he would find her.

Afterall, he, whoever he was, should at least know where she lived and would someday come to Brockenhurst to claim her hand in marriage.

A short laugh escaped her as she thought of her brother Andrew and how many times he had told her if she wanted to find a husband, then she needed to get out and be seen.

But she hated the London Season and thus far, her father hadn’t pushed the matter that she needed to wed.

Georgina had the notion that her father wouldn’t allow the matter to rest for too much longer; he didn’t want his daughter to be a spinster.

And this wool gathering didn’t make her any less late for her lesson.

She rushed down the turret, through the front foyer of the keep, and continued onward until she reached the ballroom.

Her mother was sitting in a chair against the window with her embroidery in hand while her brother stood next to her.

Her fencing master was nowhere to be seen.

“Monsieur Dubois is not teaching me today?” Georgina asked casting a curious gaze toward her mother. Her mother and brother passed a look between them and she realized that whatever was going on was not going to be good.

“We are waiting for your father to join us, dear heart,” her mother, Mervina, answered with a weak smile.

“Father is usually attending to business matters at this hour of the morning. What is so dire that he would step away from important matters regarding the estate?” Georgina inquired.

Andrew stepped forward before waving his hand toward the rapiers set on a table. “Choose your weapon of choice, sister. I will duel with you while we wait.”

Georgina shook her head. “I don’t want to duel with you, brother. I want to know what is going on that has you both looking extremely sheepish. What are you not telling me?”

Footsteps sounded on the marble floor before their father appeared in the entryway. His tawny hair was neatly trimmed and his pale-blue eyes matched her brother’s. In fact, anyone could see that father and son, along with mother and daughter, were related. Their features were that similar.

“We are planning a house party,” her father, Samuel, answered her question entering the room.

He came up to Georgina and placed a kiss upon her temple before going to his wife.

Mervina raised her cheek and he placed a kiss there, too.

As her father stood there between Mother and Andrew, it was as though the three of them were a united front, leaving Georgina feeling as though she was left out, which was true, considering she’d had no knowledge that a party had been planned until now.

“Is there some special occasion we are to celebrate of which I am not aware? Our birthdays are a long way off or have already passed and your and Mother’s anniversary is still three months away,” Georgina asked, staring at each of her family members in turn.

Her mother rose from her chair. “It is a celebration… of sorts.”

“Is that what we’re calling this?” Andrew scoffed, sharing a sympathetic look with her.

Samuel tossed a meaningful glare at his son.

“Enough of your sarcasm, Andrew,” he reprimanded, before turning his gaze toward his daughter.

“Your mother and I have decided it is well past time that you married. We are having a house party. She has sent out invitations to the most eligible men of the ton .”

“I’m not ready to marry anyone,” Georgina declared, frowning. “They only want me for my inheritance.”

Her mother came to her and took her hand. “We have indulged your whim to remain in the country for too many Seasons, dearest daughter. You will never find a husband stuck out here at Brockenhurst away from the buzz of activities that London can offer.”

Georgina pulled back her hand. “I stay in the country for a reason. What madness is this that you would invite every eligible male looking for a wealthy wife to come to our home? Do you care so little for my wishes that you would marry me off to some stranger?” A sob caught in her throat as she tried to hold back her tears.

Andrew moved next to her and placed his arm around her shoulders. “You know they only have your best interest at heart, Gina,” he said with an encouraging smile.

A half snort, half laugh escaped her lips. “Ha! I don’t see them trying to force you into marrying some lady against your will.”

Father held out his hand and Mother made her way back to him. He brought her close to his side. “There will be eligible women for Andrew to choose among as well,” he declared.

Georgina raised her eyes toward her brother. “They are forcing you to find a wife?”

Andrew shrugged. “More like encouraging me to choose one of them, although I have my doubts some woman I could come to love will be amongst the rabble who might attend.”

Mervina made a sound as though insulted at her son’s words.

“I’ll have it known that I have only invited the very best of Society to attend this house party.

It’s not often that we open Brockenhurst to just anyone.

Besides… it will be nice to entertain again and what better reason than for my two children to find themselves their future spouses? ”

Georgina threw up her hands. “This is hardly a cause for celebration, Mother!” she complained bitterly. “I’m perfectly happy living my life as I do now. I certainly don’t need a husband who will only control what I can or cannot do.”

Samuel scowled. “That’s enough, Georgina. The invitations have been sent. Resign yourself to finding a husband, or I will choose one for you. My patience is at an end.”

Turning pleading eyes toward her mother only earned her a disapproving look.

There would be no help coming from that corner.

The tears finally escaped her eyes and she ran from the ballroom and returned to her bedroom where she threw herself onto her bed and let the sobs and tears overtake her.

Her life was about to drastically change.

The man she wanted didn’t exist; she was sure of it.

After all, what man would ever love a woman who could think for herself and who expected to be treated as his equal?