Chapter 13

"I think finding business in this country is a very good idea," Sebastian agreed as they left the meeting George had set up for the morning. "You should always be thinking about expanding your empire, and London is the perfect city for that, is it not?"

"Why did you ask that as a question?" George demanded. "Yes, it is always good to have business meetings, especially with those who do not trust my brother's word about me. Or who have been lucky enough not to hear the lies that he has spilled. I did not think that I would find people like that in the city, but I am grateful that I have."

But that did not seem to be enough to deter Sebastian from his line of questioning. "Because I am left wondering if you are simply looking to expand your business, or move it completely."

George paused for just a second, before he continued walking. "I do not know what you are talking about, Sebastian. You know that meeting was about trade and shipments. You were sitting in there with me. You know I would never want to live in London. I left this city for a reason, and I do not wish to return."

"And yet, you are here longer than you planned to be…"

George shot Sebastian a glare. "You know why that is. I have to protect Lady Dashwood from my brother."

"So, why are you in business meetings today instead of at the park?"

"What on earth are you talking about, Sebastian?"

"It is a day filled with sunshine, and that means the ton are all out socializing. They will be at Hempstead Park because that is the best place to be seen today."

That really did make George stop in his tracks. If the ton were all going to be at the park, then Lady Sophie would likely be there too. His brother might also be in attendance which was going to give him plenty of time to woo Sophie. To charm her and act like he was not fake.

Other gentlemen would also have that opportunity, but George was not worried about that. As long as she did not fall for Gregory, that was all he cared about…

At least, that was what he wanted to keep telling himself, but his heart did not agree with that sentiment.

His heart did not wish for Sophie to be wooed by anyone.

"Then we must go right away," he told his friend sharpish. "We must be where the ton is so I can prevent my brother from corrupting anyone."

Sebastian laughed. "Of course. We must go and woo the young lady, so she is not wooed by another."

George refused to rise to the bait. He was not going to let Sebastian's teasing get under his skin. Not when he had a mission at hand. It did not matter what Sebastian or his heart thought, this was what he needed to do, and there was nothing more to it.

***

The carriage ride did not take as long as George worried it might. He had gotten himself all tied up in knots, worried that Gregory would have all the time in the world to twist Sophie's mind and turn her against him. Realistically he knew that she was much stronger willed than that, but he could not stop his worries. He could not help his emotions getting the better of him.

So when they finally reached the park and found themselves surrounded by so many wanting to greet him, he found himself a little frustrated. Especially because he knew that they were really all here to greet Sebastian. He was the one that they all liked and enjoyed talking with because he was confident and fun to be around. Plus, Sebastian really enjoyed this sort of event. He loved socializing and getting to know new people. It made him extremely happy.

He allowed his eyes to scan around the park, to see who he could spot there. Who he could see already with Sophie…

And there she was.

There was the scene that he most certainly did not wish to see.

Sophie was, just as he feared, being charmed by Gregory.

But as he stared at her, she seemed to sense his eyes upon her. She turned to face him, and their eyes locked in once more.

All the emotions that he did not want to crash over him in that moment, of course did. She made him warm and happy, but knowing that she was walking with Gregory left him with a nasty pit of jealousy coursing through his veins. He had to make his way over there immediately, to capture her attention and remind her that he was a far better option for her.

"I shall be back," he told Sebastian, not that his friend was really listening to him. He was too busy chatting and gossiping.

So, George crossed the park with his heart pounding hard against his rib cage, anticipation rocketing through his body. The closer he got to Gregory and Sophie, the more annoyed with his brother he became. Why did Gregory have to pick the one person he could not stand to see hurt? It was almost as if his twin could sense what would get to him the most.

"Well hello there, Gregory… and Lady Dashwood."

Even though he spoke through gritted teeth, George did what he could to keep his tone light and sweet. He did not want anyone to pick up on the truth of his mood.

"Lord Harrington." Sophie curtsied to him, keeping a polite distance. But he could see from the flames in her eyes that she recalled the sensation of his hands all over her. In her fantasies, but as they danced as well. "Good afternoon."

"George, what are you doing here?" Gregory spat out spitefully, doing far less to hide his derision. "I most certainly did not think that you would make it today. What have you been doing?"

"Taking care of business."

"Business, right," Gregory drawled with an almost eye roll. "Does that include last night as well?"

George could sense that this was a sarcastic comment, but he could not work out what Gregory was supposed to be getting at. He was being mocked, but Gregory was not making it obvious why he was making fun of him.

"Yes. I was taking care of business then as well."

"Interesting. Seems like you have a lot of business at the moment. Must be a lot for you to handle."

George could not help but notice the look that Gregory gave Sophie. His heart sunk because he knew in that moment, endless lies has been spun about him. He could only hope that Sophie knew him well enough now to see that his brother was not telling the truth.

Although George had to admit that he'd been a little guarded around Sophie. He had not been open and willing to allow her to see all of him. That left her with room for interpretation. Gregory might have taken advantage of that without even realizing what he was doing.

"Well, I am sure that you have plenty of business to take care of now that you are here, so Lady Dashwood and I are going to continue on with our delightful walk. We are having such a lovely time getting to know one another and do not wish to be disturbed. I am sure that is something you can understand, my very busy brother."

George could not help but notice that Sophie did not seem to agree with him. She looked like she might wish to actually spend more time with George, but society rules dictated that they could not do anything considered rude. So he was going to have to take a step back and allow this to happen.

With a bit of luck, their conversation would not last too long, and he would be able to sweep her off her feet. Even if only for a few moments. As long as he left a good impression on her, and she would leave the park today, thinking only of him.

"Please, enjoy yourself," he declared as he took a step back from them both. "I hope you have a lovely walk on this wonderful day."

Urgh, it was really hard being a gentleman and doing what was expected of him. Especially when it allowed Sophie to slip through his fingers far too easily.

But for now, all he could do was step back and watch. Watch as they walked around the park together, spending the time that George wanted to be getting close to Sophie, with him talking to her instead.

This was all terribly frustrating. Standing on the side lines made him feel sick to his stomach, but he would not give up. He would not let Gregory win. Not when Sophie's heart was on the line. That was far too precious.

***

"He has not let her out of his sight for even a second," George complained to Sebastian. "It is as if Gregory knows that I am trying to speak with her, and he will do anything that he can to prevent that from happening."

Sebastian nodded understandingly. "I know, I can see exactly what you mean, but it does not have to be today."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, until anything serious happens with your brother and Lady Dashwood, there is plenty of time for you to talk to her. You can visit her in the morning, and perhaps bring her some gifts. Something like that. Then you will be given a chance to talk with her without anyone getting in the way. You do not need to worry about Gregory then."

George felt a little defeated. But he knew that Sebastian was right. Just because his plans had not gone the way that he wanted them, did not mean he had been foiled. Sophie had not shown any sign that she was falling for Gregory as yet, and there was no marriage proposal on the horizon. Perhaps he was worried that Gregory would move far too quickly because of his desire to sort out the family's financial situation.

The situation that Gregory was solely responsible for.

But there was time, and that was all he needed to remember. He could still woo her.

"What gift should I get for the lady?" he asked Sebastian, since his friend had a much cooler head than George. "How can I stand out among the throngs of people who seem to have taken an interest in Lady Dashwood?"

"Something meaningful," Sebastian shot back immediately. "She will likely receive lots of flowers from gentlemen who want to court her, but have not yet learned anything about her. You have spoken with her, quite a lot, so you must know something."

Books.

That was the first thought that came to George's mind.

She loved reading and it was something that they shared as well. Since they had met on the boat, perhaps he could incorporate that as well. He could search for a novel which involved a daring boat trip, and perhaps a rescue. A hero pulling the heroine to safety, causing her to fall for him.

Would that be possible?

With this new and very exciting idea playing in his mind, George felt a surge of determination. He could do this after all, he could continue to woo Sophie, whipping her away from Gregory before his brother could do any real damage to her.

Surely, she would find him far more charming than Gregory? Everyone else always had. The only reason people tolerated his brother now was because of his title. The one that he had won unfairly.

Perhaps this was not going to be the easiest mission of his life, but he was sure that he could succeed anyway. He had never been defeated in life before, and he most certainly did not wish to start now.