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G ray clouds filled the sky spreading gloom that filled the room.

Miss Georgina Williams stared out the window of her bedroom and at those somber clouds with a sense of dread.

She couldn’t say why, but they seemed to herald the beginning of something that could be either dreadful, or a new beginning for her.

Her dilemma, of course, was that she couldn’t predict which outcome to expect.

Either way, it gave her more anxiety than she could bear.

“Pardon the interruption, miss,” her maid said from the doorway. “Your father wishes to speak with you.”

She let out a lengthy sigh. Meetings with her father, Viscount Greenville, never went well.

Georgina had difficulty speaking and often stammered.

Especially once her father started bellowing at her.

Her brother, Thaddeus, often did his best to protect her from their father’s wrath.

Unfortunately for her, Thaddeus was not often at home anymore.

He’d gone away to school and that was when she’d been left at her father’s mercy.

That had been several years earlier. Now he was done with school and had his own bachelor residence in London.

Thaddeus didn’t visit often. He clashed with their father too much and he enjoyed the freedom of living on his own. Georgina wished she had that luxury.

“Is he in his study?” she asked. There was no other place he would be, but she wanted to stall the inevitable for as long as possible.

Once she was in that room with him she could no longer avoid his disdain.

He had no qualms about explaining what a disappointment she was to him.

Nothing she ever did met his approval. She often wondered if her father loved her at all.

Because it seemed more like he hated her.

“He is, miss,” her maid replied.

“Thank you,” she said politely. It wasn’t her maid’s fault that her father was so horrid to her. “I will go to him now.” She had to quit stalling. It wouldn’t help her and would only make her father more irate.

She blew out a breath and left the room.

Still, she did not quicken her pace. Her father wouldn’t appreciate that either.

A lady never hastens anywhere and should always appear serene and graceful at all times.

Her father had very clear ideas about what a lady should or should not do.

It didn’t matter that Georgina never felt as if she belonged anywhere in polite society.

Crowded rooms made her uneasy and she couldn’t help withdrawing.

She much preferred being amongst the wallflowers.

It made her feel… itchy to be around others.

Like wearing a gown made of coarse wool—uncomfortable and unbearable.

She didn’t fit into society, and the ton didn’t appreciate her either.

That fact had become clear when she’d been relegated to the company of the other wallflowers.

Georgina should be upset by that, but she’d been relieved.

At least amongst the other unwanted ladies she didn’t have to attempt to speak.

The very idea of holding a conversation terrified her.

When she reached her father’s study, she lifted her hand and rapped on the door.

His bellow a few moments later jarred her to the present.

Her thoughts could not wander when she was in that room.

Her father would berate her unmercifully if she did.

“Come in,” her father repeated when she did not immediately enter.

Slowly she pushed open the door and went inside.

Her father sat behind a large mahogany desk. Gray streaks brushed his dark hair and wrinkles formed at the corner of his eyes. When his gaze met hers, she swallowed hard. Those stark gray eyes of his had always unnerved her. “Come in, dear,” he said.

She moved closer to the desk and kept her gaze on the floor. Georgina had always had difficulty meeting her father’s gaze. Anyone’s really… Her excessive timidness had always been one of her worst traits.

Her father sighed. “Have a seat.”

Georgina would rather have this done with.

Sitting implied their discussion would be lengthy.

She didn’t argue with her father. That would only ensure it would take far longer than she’d like.

After she sat, she forced herself to glance up at him.

She had expected anger and frustration to reflect in his eyes, but neither one was evident.

“What did you wish to speak with me regarding?” Was that… concern there?

After a moment he shook his head. He seemed tired. Her father never looked like this. What was going on? “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life,” he began. “I thought that if I was harder on you, it would help you. I was wrong.”

She frowned. “I don’t understand.” What was he trying to say to her?

“Your shyness…” He blew out a breath. “It’s crippling you in society. I didn’t know how to break you out of that habit, and I’ve taken things too far. I don’t know how to help you. I never did.”

Georgina frowned. She knew that she was far too timid for society. As much as she would like to shed that part of her personality it had been too difficult for her. That shyness was innate within her. “I’m sorry,” she said in a quiet tone. “I know I’m a disappointment.”

“You could never be a disappointment,” he said sternly. “You’re my daughter and I love you. I only want the best for you.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “That is why I have made a decision. One you may not like, but I hope it will be preferable to how everything has been for you.”

Anxiety filled her at her father’s words. “I can do better…”

“Yes,” he agreed. “You can. But not without help. I cannot give that to you, so I’ve arranged for you to attend a finishing school.”

“A school?” She didn’t want to go to a school. That would be terrible. She would be expected to hold a conversation. Maybe even speak in class… What would she do in such a setting? She could not go to a school. That would be the worst possible place for her. “But…”

He held up his hand. “I’ve made my decision,” he said.

“This is how it has to be. By sequestering yourself here, you’ve ensured that you will not have any season that will secure you a match.

I’d like for you to be successful and find love, like I found with your mother.

You cannot very well do that when anyone that approaches you makes you close yourself off.

You need to speak with people to learn more about them. ”

She knew that. But it wasn’t that simple. She didn’t know how to talk to anyone. How was she to find love when she barely felt that emotion for herself? “I don’t want to go to school.”

“I realize that the prospect must terrify you,” he said in a soft tone.

“If there was any other way, I’d allow you to remain here.

This is for the best. I promise you. This school will be the perfect place for you.

I’ve discussed the situation at length with the headmistress.

They are in the middle of a term, but they’re willing to accept you now. ”

Georgina swallowed hard. She wanted to argue with him, but what could she really say? Everything he had said was correct. She was a failure and there was no way to climb out of her wallflower status on her own. Especially as she didn’t really want to be anything else. “Where is this school?”

“It’s in Ashington, near the sea.” He smiled. “It’s not far from the Scottish border.”

“That’s…” She swallowed hard. “It’s so far away.”

He nodded. “It will be perfect for you. There’s not much around. You will have the students and instructors to guide you. As you become acquainted with them, you’ll grow more comfortable with them and yourself.”

He could be correct. It still terrified her.

“Will you visit me?” Would he send her away and just forget about her?

It was difficult for her to reconcile herself with the man before her.

He seemed genuinely concerned for her. Georgina was far more accustomed to the man who berated her constantly.

Honestly, she wasn’t certain she would want him to visit once she was there.

“Perhaps,” he said. “I cannot make that promise. But I will write.”

Of course he wouldn’t visit. That would be out of character for him.

That was the man she’d come to know. He claimed to care about her, but did he really?

It was far more likely he wanted her out of his sight.

He had made no secret that he had been disappointed at her lack of prospects.

She’d had no gentleman callers. No one interested in offering for her.

If she didn’t break free from her timid nature she’d become a spinster, and in his household for the rest of her days.

He probably hoped that by sending her away she’d learn to communicate well enough to finally talk to a man.

One that might offer for her. He had said as much…

Did he care about the type of gentleman who might offer her marriage, or would any man do?

She almost asked, but that would be too cheeky.

Georgina was never that bold. “Will you tell Thaddeus?”

“If he asks,” he answered.

So, if she wanted her brother to know she’d have to inform him herself. She almost sighed but held it back. She’d write to him as soon as she was able. “When will I leave?”

“In the morning,” he said. “I’ve already instructed your maid to pack your trunks. Unfortunately, I cannot travel with you. I’ll send you with extra outriders since the journey will be lengthy. Mrs. Havenwood is aware of this and is expecting you.”

“Mrs. Havenwood?” She lifted a brow. “Is that the headmistress?”

“It is,” he said. “You’ll be attending her school. Havenwood Academy is one of the newer finishing schools, but it has garnered a wonderful reputation. I feel that it will be the best place for you, or I’d never send you there.”

Georgina almost snorted. Assuredly, he did. It was best for him; of that, she had no doubt. “Is that all?” she asked him. “Or was there something else you wished to speak about?”

She wanted to run to her room and be free to let her emotions out.

She couldn’t show her father how upset she was at this turn of events.

Being sent to this Havenwood Academy was the worst thing that could have happened to her.

She didn’t know what to do… She couldn’t run away.

That wouldn’t solve anything. Her brother wouldn’t be able to help her either.

This was her lot in life. She had to do as her father demanded.

“That will be all.” He waved at her with his hand. “You may leave.”

How kind of him to give his permission. She recoiled inside.

Sometimes she hated her father. Deep down, where all the pain she carried within her resided.

She hated him most there. She knew she should love him.

He was her father after all, but she didn’t.

Not really. He’d never been kind to her to garner such a warm emotion.

Georgina wouldn’t even know anything resembling love if not for Thaddeus. He had always been kind to her.

“Good day, Father,” she said in a serene tone.

Then she stood and slowly left the study.

She kept her pace even and slow. A lady never rushed from a room.

Even when she’d discovered her entire world had been turned upside down in a matter of moments.

She kept that pace down the hall, up the stairs, and all the way to her bedchamber.

She didn’t even rush once she reached that doorway.

Because her maid would be there, and she couldn’t show any sign of distress. Her father would hear of it…

She couldn’t cry. Not yet. Not until the middle of the night when she knew she was completely alone.

Only then would she give in to the emotions roiling deep inside her.

Then she would admit how very much not all right she truly was, and then she’d set it aside and prepare for the next obstacle in her life.