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L aurence had never remembered spending such an enjoyable afternoon in a lady’s company before this very moment.

Generally, they all praised his good looks or tried to hold his attention by proclaiming their own merits on how they would make a good wife.

But Georgina was entirely different and her demeanor was a welcome change as they casually strolled along the lake’s bank.

He was able to relax and just be himself, especially now that he’d determined he didn’t care to win the wager of achieving a first kiss.

He hoped, however, were he to try, she wouldn’t push him into the water again to put him in his place.

He listened intently while Georgina told an amusing story of her childhood and getting even with her brother after he put a frog in one of her dresser drawers, chuckling at the images she created of two young siblings teasing one another.

“You retaliated by putting mud in his shoe?” he questioned with a grin.

“Every pair of shoes he owned at the time as I recall, Your Grace,” she answered with an enchanting smile that lit up her entire countenance. The sight made his heart pound. She was indeed a rare beauty.

“Laurence,” he reminded her as they continued their stroll next to the lake. “No one is near who will reprimand you, Georgina.”

“But Your Gr—” she began, but with a lift of his brow to remind her of the promise they’d made just a short while earlier she gave a heavy sigh and relented. “Laurence.”

He patted her hand, tucked nicely in the crook of his arm. “Much better,” he declared as they continued walking. “Andrew’s servant must have been beside himself.”

“Mother and Father were more concerned of what steps I might take if Andrew didn’t apologize fast enough. I was only five at the time and always enjoyed making mud pies. It seemed a fitting punishment for when the frog jumped out at me and scared me witless.”

“At such an age, most young girls are usually more interested in playing with their dolls, my sister Portia included,” Laurence remarked, thinking of this young lady’s unusual upbringing.

“My parents indulged us, I believe, from the moment we were born. Unusual, yes, but they have been firm believers in allowing us to explore and do whatever made us happy,” Georgina said softly. “Even if it meant getting muddy.”

Or fencing. “An admirable quality, to be sure, and one I hope to give my own children one day,” Laurence murmured, imagining the experience of going through life with this woman by his side. He had to admit he liked the notion, the more he got to know her.

She sighed again as if remembering her past and possibly, her future. “Their parenting had its own drawbacks,” she said quietly before giving a slight shrug of her shoulder. “I suppose that is why I am in my current predicament.”

“And what predicament do you find yourself in that is so dire, my lady?” he inquired softly, though he was certain he knew what it was.

She appeared to consider her words carefully as a blush stained her cheeks. “May I be honest with you?”

He smiled at the pretty image she presented. “Honesty would be a refreshing change, Georgina. Most of the women in my experience have been too busy scheming to land a duke than to be honest with me. Unlike you, which I appreciate.”

She waved her hand at all the guests walking the shore of the lake or sitting to enjoy the picnic set out for them. “This… My parents do not entertain often, and if you haven’t noticed, this is all a show for my brother and me to… well… find suitable spouses.”

Laurence stared ahead, already well aware of why some of the most eligible gentlemen and ladies in London were in attendance.

He stole a glimpse at the young lady holding his arm, remembering how her father had spoken to him as they’d lunched on the lakeshore.

Laurence had calmly listened to the earl as he prattled on about the merits of his daughter but he’d been already impressed with the young lady after only a few conversations with her—and one incident by this very same lake.

He didn’t need her father to spout on about how lucky a man would be to take Georgina as his wife.

He had already learned that for himself. She was beautiful and brilliant.

“Your Grace…” she murmured beside him.

He shook himself from remembering his conversation with her father. “My apologies… I was lost in thought.”

She gave a light laugh. “I did not mean for my comment about needing to find a husband to scare you into silence,” she said, making light of her earlier words.

“Is the thought of marrying so difficult to accept? All of us must do so at some point in our lives, so why do we fight it so?” he asked thoughtfully. At this moment, it was hard to remember exactly why he’d protested so firmly for most of his adult life.

“To be honest, I have avoided the trap for so long that I thought I would have more time to choose a man who would see me for… well… me , and not my fortune.”

He gave a nod of understanding. “You and I have far more in common than you may think,” he said, giving her a slight grin.

She glanced up at him with a curious expression. “How so?” she asked.

He discreetly waved his hand toward several women who stood nearby as they whispered among themselves and darted sour glances their way. “They only see the title and not the man. I tire of women throwing themselves at me so they might one day have the status afforded a duchess.”

“At least you have the ability to consider a bride of your own choosing. My parents have lost their patience with my brother and me and are forcing our hands.”

He stopped walking to stare down upon her.

“Surely, they would not force you to marry someone you disliked,” he replied.

While it was true marriages were often arranged without a care for the feelings of either party, it was distasteful to him, especially when applied to Georgina.

It momentarily made him rethink his opinion of her parents, not that he would ever voice such thoughts aloud.

But Georgina deserved better, or at least, more.

The corners of her mouth lifted in a small smile.

“No. I doubt they would ever go that far. They honestly only want what is best for us, as any parent would wish for their children. And what is best, really, is that we marry sooner than later. More so me than Andrew, of course. Gentlemen are allowed to delay becoming married.” She slanted him a look as if realizing she’d implicated him in her observation.

He reacted with a nod. What she said was true. Younger women had more of an opportunity to bear heirs.

They continued their walk and she added, “But for me, finding someone who will take me as I am has been difficult, if I may be blunt. For one thing, I prefer the country to Town life and as a result have managed to avoid many Society engagements where I would meet eligible bachelors seeking wives. But—the truth is—not many gentlemen of my acquaintance want an opinionated woman who speaks her mind, let alone one who chooses to engage in some of the entertainments I enjoy.”

“Like fencing,” he murmured with a nod of understanding. “And riding astride.”

“Yes. Exactly.” She hesitated, blushing, before she continued, “I must be boring you immensely while baring my soul to you as though I’ve known you all my life. You must forgive me for being such a chatterbox.”

“I haven’t minded one bit, Georgina. I am just surprised to find such an amazing woman such as yourself, still unwed. The men of London must be fools to have not offered for you,” he said with an honest heart.

She shrugged his words off. “As I said, London isn’t a place I choose to visit often.

So I can’t blame them for not offering for me.

But the truth is… well… the men to whom I have previously been introduced…

as I said, they’ve only been interested in my dowry.

That makes me dismiss most of the gentleman here.

” She halted their progress again and turned to face him.

“You don’t seem to be made of the same type, Your Grace.

And if I may again be so bold to say, maybe that is why I somehow feel connected to you. ”

He gave a chuckle. “Even after pushing me into the lake?”

She laughed and the sound was infectious; he had to join her.

It was comfortable to be with a lady who could freely laugh—another thing that made her so different from the young ladies of his acquaintance.

Georgina was herself , and he appreciated that.

Appreciated her. “You had it coming, and you know it. Trying to kiss me when we had not even been properly introduced. Now, that was daring of you,” she said with another enchanting smile.

“Hopefully, you have forgiven me,” he said softly watching her blue eyes sparkle in amusement.

“I have now, Your Grace,” she said with a hint of what he thought might be admiration.

Her lips parted slightly and if there was ever a moment when he wanted to kiss her, now would be the time.

But, alas, there were too many nearby for him to take advantage of the opportunity.

Instead, he lifted her hand from his arm, turned it, and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist. Her gasp of surprise made his heart soar.

Tucking her hand back into the crook of his arm, he began escorting her again as they continued their stroll.

He turned their conversation to tales of his own upbringing so that they might learn more about one another, leaving all thoughts of marriage to another day.

He wanted to enjoy this woman’s company for as long as he had her undivided attention.

Tonight, she would be obligated to make the rounds with the other gentlemen guests.

Laurence suddenly did not care for the thought of losing her to another.

He may not have wanted to admit it freely, but he had the notion he had already fallen in love with the young woman on his arm. The question was: how did she feel about him?