Page 69

G eorgina pulled on her leather riding gloves while waiting for her horse to be brought from the stable.

The yard was busy because of a planned outing to the lake.

Her father had already left, taking some of their guests there in carriages, with those who chose to ride following on horseback.

Others waited for her mother to escort the second group.

Earlier in the day, Georgina knew, hardworking servants had made a banquet bower by the shore with tables laden with food and drink for their enjoyment.

Her parents had spared no expense for this house party and it showed.

Her brother began making his way into the yard, ignoring the young women who vied for his attention.

When he reached Georgina, she lifted her cheek for a brotherly kiss.

“We are a spectacle,” she grumbled while several young gentlemen smiled in her direction.

“The leeches are out in full force this afternoon.”

Andrew chuckled. “What did you expect, dearest sister, when our parents have made it perfectly clear they wish for us to wed?”

She peered up at her brother. “They could at the very least appear to show a small measure of decorum. Why, I had an earl after breakfast trip over his own feet just to reach my side when I left the table. I’m surprised he didn’t take me down to the floor with him.”

“Had to be embarrassing for the chap,” Andrew declared looking to the man in question. “Lord Tripps certainly lives up to his name. It’s not often you have someone groveling at your feet, Gina.”

She gave an exasperated sigh. “I don’t wish anyone to be groveling at my feet, Andrew. Anyone with such a lack of spine would only make for a deplorable husband, and you know it.”

“I understand completely. Honestly, I do. If I hear one more woman tell me how handsome I am, I may just mount my horse and keep riding away from this entire fiasco.” He ran his hand through his tawny locks. “Honestly, Gina… what were our parents thinking?”

“I wish I had an answer for you.” She looked over the crowd of guests. What a crush, she thought. It was exactly what she hated about London, and here it was, at her beloved, quiet country home. She wished the party were over.

But then, she’d be betrothed, and she wasn’t enthused about that , either.

“The duke seems a likable chap,” Andrew declared as he watched her intently.

“I suppose,” she murmured as she watched Laurence checking and then tightening his saddle’s girth.

“As the highest titled gentleman here, I suspect mother and father would see him as the most advantages match for you.”

“You know I don’t care for a man’s title, Andrew. Besides, I’m certain the Duke of Stonehaven has more than enough women vying for his attention. I don’t need to be among them.” As if to prove her point, several young women made their way over to converse with the man.

Andrew shrugged. “Don’t miss a possible opportunity, dear sister. He could just be the man you’ve been waiting for.”

Georgina didn’t answer her brother. Instead, she focused on the moment of jealousy flaring in the pit of her stomach. Why did such a reaction consume her so suddenly? For the duke, of all people? She barely knew the man. She didn’t want to know him.

Still, she turned away from the duke, knowing she couldn’t stand watching the flock of women twittering around him any longer.

Instead, Georgina focused on Honoria, who had left the keep and begun to make her way into the yard, and then turned her attention to Andrew to see him also watching her friend.

In his expression, Georgina saw the beginnings of something far deeper than casual acquaintance, or even, friendship.

She couldn’t resist trying to tempt Fate in their direction.

“Honoria is lovely this afternoon, is she not?”

“Honoria is lovely every moment of the day or evening,” Andrew said softly, then blinked, as if surprised that he had voiced his inner thoughts aloud.

He cleared his throat. “I mean… you are both lovely today and sure to capture the attention of all the eligible gentlemen here,” he corrected, clearly flustered.

Georgina placed her hand upon his arm. “Andrew…”

Her brother didn’t acknowledge her; instead he appeared to stiffen as Honoria spoke to the Marquess of Brome.

Georgina didn’t mention to Andrew that the Marquess of Brome had tried to steal a kiss from her after breakfast. For some reason, his attempt hadn’t irked her as much as the attempt by the duke.

Mostly she had felt mild distaste, but no overall, body-affecting, tingling sense of…

well, something that she had for the duke.

But the man was lucky he wasn’t wearing a blackened eye, just a slight, reddened bruise on his cheekbone. Her aim must be failing her!

She turned to study her brother, who was most likely unaware of the scowl that currently furrowed his brow. “Andrew…” She said his name again before her brother finally returned his attention back to their conversation.

“What?” he asked in a clearly distracted tone.

“If you care for Honoria at all, then why are you waiting to make your intentions known?”

He seemingly shook himself out of whatever thoughts were racing through his mind and looked at her, finally, his eyes wide with apparent shock. “I can’t have a relationship with your best friend!”

Georgina laughed. “Why not? Clearly you care for her,” she replied, not wanting to voice how Honoria also cared for him. He needed to find that tidbit of information out for himself.

He opened his mouth but, as he returned his attention to her friend, snapped it shut again. Georgina looked to see the Marquess kissing Honoria’s hand instead of the air, as was proper. Now Andrew drew himself up. “Excuse me,” he growled and moved quickly to Honoria’s side.

Georgina muffled a chuckle, beyond thrilled that her brother had finally noticed the lovely neighbor who had always been right before his eyes.

“May I ride with you to the picnic, my lady?” The by-now-familiar deep baritone said behind her. Unbidden, a small thrill ran through her. She took a deep breath before turning to meet the man standing before her.

Dressed in a blue jacket that made his eyes even more brilliant than usual, he smiled down at her.

In the bright sunlight, golden amber flecks hidden in his irises were more noticeable than they’d been before.

She studied his features and was suddenly aware of the shape of his lips—soft and smooth, but also something else.

A touch of roughness hinting at years of experience, perhaps?

One corner of his mouth lifted, giving her the impression that his lips held back untold stories.

She realized she’d forgotten how to breathe and was grateful when he gave her a bow so she could suck in some air as she dropped down into a curtsey.

“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” she said, after rising back to her full height. It was nothing compared to the stature of the man before her. My! He was standing so close—again.

Unexpectedly, the world seemed to tilt and her knees to shake as she remembered the last time they’d stood so close to one another.

Georgina’s heart began to thud in her ears.

She took another deep breath, trying to reestablish her equilibrium.

Good heavens! She’d never had a reaction to anyone like this before.

Or perhaps she was coming down with a megrim of some sort. She took several steps backward.

“Good afternoon,” he returned, before reaching for her fingertips that began to tremble at his touch.

She held her breath in anticipation of the touch of his lips on her skin, but instead was filled with regret when he politely and properly kissed the air between his mouth and her hand.

It was the correct gesture for a gentleman.

So, why did she feel disappointment? “Lady Georgina, I was wondering. Will you ride with me?”

She stared up into those green eyes that could very well be her downfall.

He had kept her secret of pushing him into the lake when he could have voiced his displeasure to her mother and father.

And her brother’s words skirted the edges of her mind: he was a duke.

Such a title usually came with its own form of wealth and privilege.

He would be different than the others who only saw her for her dowry.

Perhaps she should take a chance on getting to know him better.

After all, the alternative was having her father choose a husband for her; it wasn’t as if she was going to escape this house party unbetrothed.

The gaggle of empty-headed females who stood nearby giggled and whispered loudly among themselves and she knew they were focused on Stonehaven.

Georgina couldn’t help but smile slightly in amusement before she discreetly nodded in the women’s direction.

“You might disappoint several other ladies who are vying for your attention, Your Grace. Perhaps you would rather spend your time elsewhere,” she replied quietly.

He reached for and lifted her hand for a second time. Again, the ground quaked. This time, her stomach seemed to flutter and a strange tingling sensation raced through her. She inhaled a deep breath.

“I’m exactly where I wish to be,” he declared in a tone that appeared to be sincere.

She decided—finally—to trust him and she gave him a bright smile. “Then I would be delighted to ride with you, Your Grace.” She nodded toward her horse, which had finally been brought outside. This time it was appropriately tacked up with a ladylike sidesaddle. Of course.

The duke tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and began walking her toward her mare. “Call me Laurence,” he urged.

A gasp left her. “My parents would never approve, Your Grace.”

“Humor me… at least when we are alone,” he said, ushering her to the mounting block before he finally released her hand.

She mounted her horse, adjusted the skirt of her riding habit, and took up the reins.

Gazing around, she ensured that no one would overhear their conversation before she at last answered him.

“Then you may call me Georgina when we are alone… Laurence .” Something shifted inside her when his name passed her lips.

He seemed pleased that she obliged him. His mouth curled on the edges as he gave her a short nod before going to his own horse.

As they left Brockenhurst behind, she urged her horse into a canter and Laurence did the same. The countryside flew by as they rode, and she began to enjoy the house party for the first time. Georgina could only hope that perhaps this was the start to something wonderful.