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G eorgina strolled alongside Melisande as they made their way toward Easton Abbey.

Charlotte and Jaclyn had been several paces ahead of them.

She didn’t mind a more sedate pace, but Melisande definitely did.

The other girl grumbled every step of the way as they headed over to the house party for the day’s activities.

She hadn’t wanted to go even though she’d had a grand time playing lawn billiards.

It probably didn’t help that Miss Abernathy had lectured Melisande on proper behavior all the way to the abbey.

“Remember what I explained,” Miss Abernathy told Melisande.

“You’re to act like a proper young lady or you will be left at Havenwood under severe restrictions.

You may believe you do not wish to attend the house party or participate in any of the activities, but you will regret that loss if you abuse this privilege. ”

Melisande rolled her eyes. “Yes, ma’am,” she said. Her tone was far from being demure. In fact, it was more scathing than acquiescent.

“You have been warned,” Miss Abernathy said. “You will not have a second chance. You best remember that before you consider misbehaving.”

“I’ll be so well behaved you won’t even recognize me,” Melisande retorted. “I’ll keep Georgina company. No one could accuse me of any sort of transgression with her around. She’s as innocent as a new babe.” Melisande grinned. “Aren’t you, darling?”

Miss Abernathy shook her head. Clearly she didn’t believe Melisande any more than Georgina did. She couldn’t do much about Melisande’s behavior even if she deigned to attempt such a feat. The instructors at Havenwood had quite the task before them regarding that particular young woman.

Georgina blinked at her a little dumbfounded. “I am not going to be your moral compass,” she told Melisande. “You are capable of determining right from wrong all on your own. In fact, I do believe you purposely choose the path of deviousness.”

“You may be correct,” Melisande agreed. “It’s far more fun than being proper all the time.” She jutted her lip out in a fine pout. “But I do promise to be good today.” She grinned. “Will you allow me to accompany you?”

“I have little choice in the matter,” Georgina said. “We’re both to stay with Miss Abernathy, and therefore, I must also stay with you.”

“I believe that archery is the entertainment for the day,” Miss Abernathy told them. “I’ll stay at the sidelines with Miss Spencer if you two wish to participate.”

Melisande met Georgina’s gaze and then said, “I do believe we will.” She didn’t even give Georgina a chance to decline. What if she didn’t like archery? Did Melisande even care?

“Very well,” Miss Abernathy said. “I will go join Miss Spencer over there.” They had approached the back lawn, and targets were being set up by servants. The archery would not begin for a while yet. That was good. Georgina didn’t wish to start immediately. She had hoped to find Lord Foxmoore first.

After the instructor walked away, she turned on Melisande. “Did you ever consider that I may not wish to participate?”

“No.” She shrugged. “Don’t look so irritated. There is a reason why I said we would participate.”

“And pray tell,” Georgina said as she glared at her. “What is that?” She arched a brow. This was going to be interesting. Melisande was many things, but boring did not top that list.

“I must admit,” Melisande began, “that you are starting to come out of that shell you have yourself stuffed into.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Georgina narrowed her gaze. She had a feeling that she understood exactly what Melisande had been referring to. Her shyness had always been a crutch to her ability to socialize. She hid behind it like a nice unbreakable wall.

“You have become a bit cheeky,” Melisande said, then shrugged. “It’s nice to see that you can be brazen with some people.” She grinned. “Though you should use a little of that with that earl that you have on the hook.”

“I don’t presume to understand what you’re referring to.

” She understood perfectly. Melisande referred to Lord Foxmoore.

But she couldn’t be certain that he was interested in her.

Yes, he’d paid attention to her, and he had been kind in their interactions.

That did not mean he wished to have anything more with her.

From the little she had known about him, he was a scoundrel of the first order.

One of the ton’s most notorious rakehells.

That meant with a man like him flirting was a sport he excelled at and left little nobodys like her in the dust.

“Pretend all you like,” Melisande said. “But we both know that man has a keen interest in you. Mark my words. He’ll try to kiss you and then you won’t be able to deny there’s something between you.”

Georgina doubted that would happen. He may be a rogue, but she was not the sort a scoundrel determined to seduce. “You’re wrong.”

“I’m not,” she insisted. “Which brings me back to the reason for us participating in the archery.”

She had forgotten all about that in their discussion.

“I suppose you’re in the mood to share those reasons with me now.

” Melisande was correct on one other thing.

She had forgotten to be shy around her. The way she kept barging forward and dragging Georgina along with her left her little room to act the demure debutante without a thought in her head.

Not that Georgina had ever been the sort to not have any thoughts of her own.

She just struggled to share them with anyone.

“I am,” Melisande said in a sassy tone. “I’m generous like that.” The grin that spread across her face was infectious. Georgina couldn’t help smiling in return. “Archery,” she began, “is how you will spend the afternoon with your earl. It will be the perfect opportunity for him to assist you.”

“I know how to nock a bow and aim it at a target,” Georgina insisted.

“That may be true,” Melisande said. “But he doesn’t need to know that.”

Georgina blinked several times. “You mean I should pretend to be without skill and allow him to teach me?” Could she be that devious?

It seemed wrong to make him think she couldn’t shoot a bow and arrow.

It was one of the few things she did have a talent for and enjoyed.

Which meant she would have participated even if Melisande hadn’t volunteered her.

That didn’t mean she’d tell the girl that either.

Perhaps she could be deceptive with the right motivation.

“Precisely,” Melisande said. She gestured toward the field. “And there he is now speaking with Jaclyn and Charlotte.”

She glanced in the direction that Melisande had indicated.

Lord Foxmoore was there, along with the Duke of Amberwood.

The duke and Jaclyn did not appear happy.

Especially as Jaclyn practically stomped away from them…

She enjoyed the opportunity to appraise Lord Foxmoore without him knowing.

She brazenly perused him with a freedom she hadn’t previously allowed herself.

He really was a fine figure of a man. No wonder he was a perfect scoundrel.

His handsome physique probably made it difficult for a woman to resist his charms, and of what she could surmise, there were many.

Likely more than she had a right to know about…

“What will you do as I attempt to use my supposed na?veté to my advantage?” Georgina asked. She should start considering excuses she could offer up as to why she and Melisande separated. She had no doubt the girl planned on disappearing at some juncture.

“I have my own quarry to lure into a bit of archery.” She winked. “I am a decent shot. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t improve. I hope to lure Lord Kendal into tutoring me in the art of archery.”

Of course she did. “You like him then?” She had seemed interested in Lord Kendal during lawn billiards, but Georgina didn’t know Melisande that well yet.

Melisande shrugged. “He’ll do for now.” Her tone was noncommittal, but Georgina didn’t believe her. There was real interest there. Given the chance, she fully believed Melisande would accept Lord Kendal in any fashion he offered her.

“All right,” Georgina said. “I’ll go along with your plan.” She did not have much choice. Melisande was likely to do whatever she wanted regardless of what Georgina wanted. “Not because you insist or think it is best, but because it is what I desire.”

“I thought you might.” Melisande grinned. “Now prepare yourself, darling. The earl is heading toward us now.”

She glanced up and her gaze met Lord Foxmoore’s.

He was indeed strolling toward them. His purposeful strides indicated he wanted to reach them as fast as possible.

Did he think they’d leave if he didn’t reach them in time?

Did he not know that they were unlikely to leave regardless of his wishes?

Perhaps Melisande was correct about this too.

Mayhap the earl did have an interest in her.

If so… Well, that changed everything. Georgina wondered what else Melisande was correct about.

Could she actually experience a kiss? One with Lord Foxmoore?

Oh… Heat filled her at the thought and tiny sensations spread through her belly.

She very much wanted a kiss from that man, and if fortune smiled upon her, she might attain that very wish.

*

Adrian reached Miss Georgina and Lady Melisande and grinned at them both.

“Hello, ladies,” he greeted them. “I trust you are both well?” He sounded like a right idiot.

What happened to the smooth, charming rogue he normally presented to a desirable woman?

Apparently, that scoundrel had left for greener pastures and left him fumbling to form words.

He had to somehow pull himself together before he did something foolish.