Chapter 25

As George stood in the corner of yet another ballroom, watching Sophie dancing with Gregory, his heart was in his mouth. He had heard whispers around the room throughout the evening that his brother was most definitely planning to propose to Sophie, which meant he had to snap into action.

He could not hold back any longer, it was time for him to decide. Was he going to take Sebastian's advice and finally be honest with her about everything, or was he going to slip away and admit that he had failed in his mission?

The more he considered the idea of simply letting her go, the worse he felt about everything.

He truly did have feelings for this woman, he could not avoid that any longer, but if he wanted to be the man by her side for the rest of their lives then he was going to have to marry her. He liked the idea of being her husband, but was not sure that he could commit to London. He had left the city for a reason, and that reason still stood. Because his family did not care for him, or believe that he could be a good man.

"What are you so deep in thought about?" Sebastian asked, making George jump. He had not realized that his friend had even joined him near to the refreshment tables. "Is it what I assume it is? Because you know what my advice is, and I am sure you are already aware that time is running out."

"I know," George agreed. "I have heard the rumors too, but I am worried. I am concerned that it will be disastrous."

"This is one of those times where you need to stop worrying about what you think might happen, and instead focus on your feelings. If you do not, this might become a night that you will always end up regretting."

He could already feel the regret creeping through his system, and that only intensified the moment he spotted his brother and Sophie leaving the dance floor, and heading to the door. They were about to go outside, and if they did, there was no telling what would happen. Gregory might make his intentions to marry Sophie clear. If that happened in ear shot of other people, then the choice might be taken away from him.

"It is time," Sebastian declared, as if he could already sense what was on George's mind. "I suggest you find the courage to tell the truth now."

George gave his best friend one sharp nod before he took off, following Sophie and Gregory outside. They were not the only ones who had excused themselves for some fresh air. There were many people scattered around, gossiping, and engaged in their own conversations, but George was not interested in any of them.

His heart raced as he located Gregory and Sophie, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he tried to think of the best and most polite way to interject.

Is Gregory going to kiss her? He thought in a panicked manner as he spotted his brother drawing ever nearer to Sophie. She did not appear entirely comfortable with the interaction, but was polite and graceful as always. She was well bred, and that showed.

If Gregory wanted to kiss her, then he would destroy her reputation, forcing her hand and making her marry him.

That was the last thing that George wanted.

If she chose to marry him, then there would be nothing that he could do.

"Hello there," George called out the moment he was in hearing distance. It was not the smoothest entrance, but he did not have time for that. "Good to see you both."

Gregory's expression immediately darkened, especially when Sophie beamed with a smile and greeted him kindly. It seemed like he had most definitely interrupted whatever his brother was planning. Now that George was beside them and they were still in view of other party guests, Gregory could not do a thing.

Or so George thought.

"What are you doing here?" Gregory snapped, allowing his mask to slip a little. "Why are you still here, George?"

"In London? Because I have business here…"

"That is not true. Stop lying." Gregory's cheeks shone increasingly red with every word. "You are here to try and ruin my life. You are clearly very jealous because Father chose me to inherit everything, despite you behind the elder sibling. You want to be a lord, but you cannot. Not in England anyway. Perhaps they have time for self-made wealthy men in Sweden, but we do not care for them. There is nothing here for you."

George was absolutely blown away.

He did not expect Gregory to go in so hard. Especially in front of other people. He had become quite good at hiding his true nature from the ton, until now.

Gregory took a step closer to him. "I have no idea why you keep trying to step in the way of me and Sophie as well. You can see that we are getting along well, and having a good time. Yet every time I try to connect deeper with her, there you are." He jabbed his finger hard on George's chest, trying his absolute hardest to get a rise out of him. "I do not know why you are hanging around like a bad smell when you clearly have no intention of marrying Lady Dashwood."

George did not know what to say to that.

He was gob smacked, and so was Sophie.

All the color drained from her cheeks as she darted her eyes between the brothers.

The worst part was he could not even fully deny what Gregory was saying, because he had not yet decided what his next move was going to be. He could not quite work out what his next move was. He still had not decided whether he could really commit to London or not.

"You could not marry a lovely lady like Lady Dashwood anyway," Gregory continued, clearly delighting in the fact that he had silenced George. "How could you when you have nothing to offer her? Her parents are going to want her to be with a gentleman who has a title and land. Someone who has inherited everything!"

"Gregory, we do not want to get into a conversation about why you inherited everything," George warned, but Gregory did not seem to hear him. He could not help but continue to prod with his teasing, trying to put his brother down.

"George, you are pathetic. Everyone in the ton sees it. Do you not hear the whispers about how silly everyone thinks you are?"

"Because of your lies about me, Gregory." George's hands curled up into angry fists. Gregory was getting under his skin now. "Because you were a drunken fool and you fell, but you told Father that I caused those injuries. You convinced him that I was bad news, which is why I had to leave." He felt breathless as the panting words came flying out of his mouth. "But I did not fight you on that. I never argued and told Father the truth. I let you have the inheritance and the title because it clearly meant so much more to you than it did me. Or so I thought."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

George was aware that their argument had started to draw a crowd, but Gregory showed no sign of caring. Poor Sophie was stuck in the middle of it all though, and she looked incredibly uncomfortable. If only he could shut his anger down to comfort her, but honestly this moment with Gregory had been a long time coming, and it truly felt like it was spiraling out of control. There was nothing that George could do to halt it.

"Well, you like to throw lavish parties and put on a show that you are doing rather well in life, Gregory, but that is not the case and we both know it. Do you maybe want to tell Lady Dashwood the truth about your interest in her? I believe she deserves to know."

The color drained from Gregory's cheeks as Sophie finally took a step forward to interject her own words into this. "What is happening?" she demanded. "What is going on here? I do not understand."

But neither of the brothers said anything.

George wanted Gregory to be honest for the first time in his whole life, but it seemed like he was shutting down. It appeared that he did not have a word to say which was incredibly disappointing. Why did he insist on acting like a fake version of himself? It had to be absolutely exhausting to live like that. Did he even know who he was himself?

George cocked his head to one side, silently demanding he just speak.

But still he said nothing.

It was up to George to tell Sophie the truth.

"Your interest in Lady Dashwood has absolutely nothing to do with her as a person, does it, Gregory? You are far more interested in what she has to offer you. You told me yourself that you are only attracted to the dowery she will offer you. You only want her hand in marriage because you will be given some much needed funds. Because the truth is that the title and the inheritance is not enough for a man like you, is it?"

"I… I…" Gregory stammered back awkwardly. "I do not know what you are talking about…"

"I would not worry about all the gossips listening in, Gregory. They do not matter, do they? Not like Lady Dashwood. She is the only one who you should care for. If anyone deserves to know your true intentions, it is her."

"What are you saying?" Sophie insisted once more, sounding a little angrier herself. "What do I need to know?"

"That Gregory is a lord in debt."