Chapter Nine

It was the opening night of the Season.

Georgie was conflicted. Part of her was excited to finally take her place amongst the ton. Tonight would be about meeting new people and making new friends—and possibly forming an attachment with a gentleman. She still wished she could be sharing this night with her twin. Or Mirella and her cousins.

Her injured sister had traveled by carriage two days ago to Shadowcrest. Mama had insisted on accompanying her daughter home and seeing her settled, but she promised Georgie that she would return in time for tonight's ball, hosted by Lord and Lady Pennywise. Thankfully, Mama had returned home at noon today. Georgie couldn't imagine going into the opening night without her mother by her side. It was bad enough that Pippa wasn't here.

She went to the dressing table and opened a drawer, removing the letter she had received from her twin only this morning, deciding to read it again for comfort.

My dearest Georgie –

Oh, how I have missed you!

Every time I see something interesting, I want to turn and tell you about it. Fortunately, Seth is here with me, seeing and doing everything I am, introducing me to new sights and customs. These Americans may speak English, but their accents sound rather harsh to my ears! A few of them have been downright hostile, hearing my own English accent, saying they want nothing to do with King George or Great Britain, making a point of saying they have started their own country and are better for doing so.

Yet the vast majority of them have been nothing but courteous and friendly to us. We first spent time in a place called New York City. It is a bustling city, much as London is, and quite exciting. There is an electricity in the air. It is the newness of being on their own, I suppose. The food is quite good. I will have to see if Cook can recreate some of the dishes once I am home and tell her about them.

We are off to Boston in the morning with first tide, which is why I am posting this first letter to you. Traveling across the Atlantic Ocean was an adventure in itself. Seth, being a former captain, was welcomed by the captain of our sailing ship, and we were allowed to go places other passengers were not. Seth has taught me much about ships and the various jobs of the sailors onboard. The captain had us dine with him frequently, and we spent a great deal of time in his company.

Seth has also taught me some songs which I can never sing around anyone but you! They are quite risqué, but he has a wonderful singing voice, and we blend together nicely. He has also shared many legends and stories (some of them with ghosts!), and I will try to remember them all and tell them to you once we return home.

I can tell you that I am QUITE satisfied with my marriage. Married life is even better than I could have expected. Oh, Georgie, I love my husband SO MUCH! It is hard to recall what my life was like before Seth came along. He is so loving and smart and takes such good care of me. Really good care. I know you do not yet understand that, but I hope you find a husband who will kiss you senseless and make you feel like a princess. Seth does that for me. He is always in my thoughts, and somehow, I think I love him more each day.

I am not certain when this will reach you. I am hoping before the Season begins. If it has already started, then I hope you have become a huge success and danced until there are holes in your slippers! Know that you are (next to Seth) my soulmate. We will always be the best of friends. Just marry a man who worships you—and who will like Seth and me—because we want to be around you a lot.

Georgie, as I write this, I miss you terribly. There is a possibility that I might be with child. Me, a mother—can you believe it? It is early, but Seth says he can already see (feel!) the difference in my body. He says my breasts are slightly larger (which I have always hoped for), and that is an indication I am increasing. I will know for certain by the next time I write.

I hope you are happy and enjoying all the social events of the Season. We will head to Canada after a short time in Boston, and then it will be many long days at sea after that. Seth says things are too volatile for us to go ashore in South America, so it won't be until we reach the Sandwich Islands before I write again and post a letter to you. No, I can actually write again and have the letter sent home to you from Canada. That is what I will do!

I miss you. I love you. I hope you are well and happy.

All my love forever and ever!

Pippa (Lady Hopewell!)

Georgie couldn't help but smile. The letter was all Pippa, down to the numerous exclamation marks throughout it. She was delighted her twin was so happy in her marriage and perhaps even a bit envious that Pippa might be with child. More than anything, Georgie longed to be a mother. Still, she would not rush into a marriage simply to become one. She would take her time and hope her heart whispered to her which man was the one for her.

Placing Pippa's letter in the drawer again, she took a sip of tea. Mama had a cup sent up to Georgie, saying it would soothe her before the whirlwind began.

An hour later, she was dressed in one of her favorite gowns Madame Dumas had created for her. The modiste and her seamstresses had almost completed all the gowns for Georgie and Mama and was done with those for Sophie. Madame had even taken on a few other clients since three of the Strongs had chosen not to make their come-outs, giving the modiste more time.

"You are a vision of loveliness," Mama said, her eyes misting over as she looked at her daughter.

"You are beautiful tonight, Mama," she replied. "Every gentleman present at Lord and Lady Pennywise's ball will be vying for a dance with you."

Mama laughed and then motioned to Libby, her maid, who had come and dressed Georgie's hair, sweeping it high on her head, allowing a few curls to frame her face.

Libby handed Mama a box, and her mother presented it to Georgie.

"Open it," her mother insisted.

She did so, removing a gold locket on a thin chain. Engraved on the locket was a G.

"It is lovely, Mama. Thank you so much."

Her mother took the necklace and placed it about Georgie's neck, fastening it. She sat at the dressing table and admired her image in the mirror, fingering the locket.

"It has a lock of your hair inside it. I saved it from when you were a baby, always intending to present you with the locket on the night of your debut."

Georgie motioned, and Millie knew to provide a handkerchief. Wiping her eyes, Georgie shook her head. "It is a wonderful gift, Mama."

"I gave Pippa hers before she and Seth left for London and their voyage."

"Oh, that is wonderful!"

Mama shook her head. "I also had lockets engraved for Mirella, Lyric, and Allegra. Even Effie because I wanted all of them to match and thought it would be wise to do so at the same time. The others will have to wait for theirs."

"Do you think Allegra and Lyric will ever make their come-outs?" she asked.

"I have not addressed the issue with them," her mother admitted. "I was so busy seeing to Mirella when I was at Shadowcrest that the matter never came up. However, your cousins seemed happy. Effie, too. Then again, Effie is like Pippa—happiest in the country, with all her animals."

"I think Mirella made the right decision to postpone her debut," she said. "You know how much she enjoys dancing. From what I gather, married ladies do not dance much at all. It would have been a shame if Mirella caught the eye of a gentleman and wed him, only for Mirella to find herself siting with all the other matrons."

"Your sister will be fine. You are the one I am concerned about now."

"I will be in good hands, Mama. Do not forget that Pippa and I want to see you happy, too."

"Whatever comes my way, I will be open to it," Mama promised. "But we should go downstairs. James and Sophie will be waiting for us."

When they went to the foyer, only Sophie was present.

"You look lovely, Sophie," Mama said to her. "You are glowing."

"Thank you, Dinah. I am feeling a bit odd."

"Why so?" questioned Georgie.

Her sister-in-law blushed. She leaned closer to the pair, so as not to be overheard by the nearby footmen, and whispered, "My breasts are actually larger these days. The gown was a little snug on me. I am a bit self-conscious about them."

"It goes with the territory of giving birth. Mine grew in size each time when I had one of my girls," Mama confided. "They usually go back to the size they were before. I only had one friend whose breasts remained that large."

She wanted to mention that Pippa had written about the same thing and then realized her twin may not have shared that news in her letter to Mama. She and Pippa had always told one another things they did not tell others. For now, Georgie would keep this to herself. It was a small piece of Pippa that she would hold dear. By the next time they received a letter from her twin, she was certain Pippa would mention whether or not there might be a babe.

James emerged from his study, and Georgie couldn't help herself. "My, the Duke of Seaton certainly looks handsome tonight. And to think just a few months ago, you were a mere ship's captain. Now, here you are, decked out in all your ducal finery, making your tailor proud."

Her brother laughed, slipping an arm about Sophie, and bending to kiss her cheek. "This is the one who looks the best of us," he said, praising his wife's appearance. "However, the two of you look quite nice yourselves. This duke will be happy to claim you all this evening."

Mama laughed. "I should hope so, Your Grace."

"Shall we go?" James asked, leading the three women to where the carriage awaited them.

Once aboard it, Sophie said, "I am a bundle of nerves. I do not know about the two of you, but I fear every eye will be on me tonight."

"You will have the attention of the ton, Sophie," Mama agreed. "James, too. After all, you are a new duke and duchess being introduced into Polite Society. Simply be yourselves, and all will go well. I believe you will make friends, left and right, tonight."

"I wish I would have heard from Lord Edgethorne," James said. "I even went personally to his townhouse earlier this afternoon to see if my note had gone astray, and whether or not the marquess had returned from the country. His butler informed me that Edgethorne would not arrive for at least another week. Possibly two."

Hearing these words, Georgie's spirits flagged. She had wanted more than anything to dance with Lord Edgethorne this evening. Perhaps it was for the best. It would allow her to focus on meeting other gentlemen for the first time, without constantly searching the ballroom for a glimpse of their neighbor.

The carriage slowed, and Mama glanced out the window. "As always, the first night of the Season sees the roads clogged with vehicles. This may be as close as we can get. Are you able to walk the rest of the way, Sophie?"

James answered gallantly, "If my wife cannot, I will sweep her into my arms and carry her there."

Sophie blushed profusely. "You will not," she insisted. "I am perfectly capable of walking a short distance. In fact, I am beginning to have more energy."

"That is common when you are increasing," Mama said. "Those early months, you can be so very sick, and then during the middle of your term, you seem to have more life about you. Then life will have to slow down for you again in those last couple of months. You will become quite large by then. You will not want to exert yourself."

"Then I may have to arrange for a daily meeting with Mr. Barnes at the townhouse," Sophie declared.

The carriage stopped, and moments later, a footman opened the door.

"Your Grace, the coachman says this is as close as he can get you."

"Not a problem," James said cheerfully, bounding down the steps and handing each of them down.

Mama linked arms with Georgie, and they followed James and Sophie, heading to the townhouse where everyone seemed to be going. Once inside, they joined a lengthy receiving line.

Sophie leaned over to Georgie. "This is where you will begin to scrutinize others," she said, acting as a fellow conspirator might. "I am certain there will still be bachelors amongst the guests who were bachelors during my time of coming out. Some gentlemen choose to wait many years before committing themselves to a marriage, sowing their oats before settling down."

"I do not believe that is the kind of man I wish for my husband," she declared.

"Do not close any doors, Georgie," Sophie cautioned. "You do not want to judge a man by his past. Look to his present and future potential."

James said, "Well, I will certainly be investigating suitors' pasts. Any gentleman who is interested in you, Georgie, will have to go through me. That will be the true test. If the suitor is confident enough—and interested enough in you—he will make it past me. Then you can decide if he is worthy of you or not."

"The two of you must stop calling her Georgie in public," Mama admonished. "It makes her sound as if she is a seven-year-old boy. She is to be Lady Georgina at these events."

They finally reached the front of their line, and Mama introduced them to their hosts.

"It is so good to see you at an event again, Your Grace," the countess said to Mama. "I am sorry to hear of the passing of His Grace."

"While it was sad for our entire family, we are handling things well," Mama said diplomatically. "May I introduce to you the new Duke of Seaton and his duchess?"

After greeting James and Sophie, Mama indicated Georgie. "And this is my eldest daughter, Lady Georgina Strong. She is making her come-out this Season."

"Ah," Lord Pennywise said. "You possess the good looks of your mother and the confidence of your father. Gentlemen this Season will have their hands full with a beauty such as yourself, Lady Georgina. They will be clamoring for dances, and your drawing room will be filled each afternoon with a bevy of suitors."

She had no idea what to say to the earl and so merely smiled graciously.

They entered the ballroom, which was already half-full, and Mama took them to the left, pausing to speak with two couples standing there. It included two friends of her mother and their husbands, no one who would be asking Georgie to dance.

Some unspoken message occurred however, and the two couples moved on.

"We will remain in this spot," Mama told their group. "After all, James and Sophie are a duke and duchess. It is for people to come to us—and not us to go to others."

The words were barely out of her mother's mouth when it seemed that a new line formed in which to meet and greet the new Duke and Duchess of Seaton. Mama was gracious as always, introducing James and Sophie, along with Georgie. Before she knew it, she had not taken another step into the ballroom, and yet her programme was filled.

All except for one dance.

She foolishly held out hope that somehow, some way, Lord Edgethorne might actually arrive in town and choose to attend the Pennywise ball.

Their hosts entered the ballroom, and soon after, the musicians took up their instruments. Georgie had been to a few dances at the assembly room at Crestview, the village closet to Shadowcrest, and she was thrilled to be dancing again after so long a time. The first part of the evening passed swiftly, the dances all lively. She found herself out of breath a few times, and one of her more thoughtful partners fetched a glass of ratafia for her after the dance concluded, staying by her side after doing so and chatting a few minutes before it was time for the next number to commence.

The supper dance finally arrived, and Lord Blankenship claimed her. It was a waltz, as Mama had predicted, and she found the viscount to be a fairly good dancer. They did not speak during the actual waltz itself, however, and she believed he was having to count the steps to himself.

That was hard for her to imagine. Playing the pianoforte as she did, she always intrinsically felt the beat of any music she heard.

When the dance ended, Lord Blankenship bowed to her and asked formally, "May I escort you to the midnight buffet, Lady Georgina?"

"Certainly, my lord. I am happy to dine with you."

"I was going to meet up with a few friends of mine. I hope you do not mind."

"Not at all," she replied. "If I have yet to meet them this evening, then I hope you will kindly make the introductions."

They entered the room where the buffet was being held, and Georgie saw the tables about to buckle under the weight of all the food.

The viscount escorted her to a table for eight, and then he introduced her to the other two gentlemen seated there. They, in turn, introduced her to the two ladies they had partnered with for the supper dance.

Lord Blankenship asked, "Would you like to remain here and chat with your new friends while I fetch us something from the buffet?"

"That would be quite thoughtful, my lord. Thank you."

The other two ladies also remained at the table, and Georgie spent the next quarter-hour engaging them in conversation. They were cousins, both from Somerset. Lady Lida had made her come-out last Season, while Miss Markle was making her debut tonight. She found the pair quite amiable and enjoyed their time together, realizing the Season would not only be about a search for a husband but giving her time to make new friends, as well.

The three gentlemen returned, each carrying two plates. Lord Blankenship set one down in front of her.

Laughing, she said, "I am not certain I can eat a third of this, my lord."

He shrugged. "I forgot to ask what your favorites were. I suppose I was blinded by your beauty, my lady," he flirted.

She felt her cheeks pinken. "I will sample a bit of everything."

The conversation flowed easily, and Georgie could see how much fun these ton events would be.

Then an odd feeling settled over her. She looked up to see if anyone was watching her.

And saw Lord Edgethorne standing in the doorway of the room.