Chapter Twelve

Anticipation had built within Georgie ever since she had brazenly asked Lord Edgethorne to dance with her. She was grateful that Mama had given her the advice to hold back a number. She wasn't certain why she had reserved the last dance of the night, but she was happy to have done so.

Because it was a waltz . . .

She had danced one other waltz this evening with Lord Blankenship. She liked the viscount quite a bit, and she had been surprised to learn he was a friend of Lord Edgethorne's. When he called upon her tomorrow, Georgie would be certain to thank him for asking Lord Edgethorne to sit at their table.

The way the ton had reacted to the marquess' appearance bothered her a great deal. Yes, he wore an eyepatch. Yes, he had a few scars. But it appalled her that people were so shallow as to think appearance made the man.

Her most recent partner escorted her to Mama. She had seen her mother dancing several times throughout the evening and hoped something good would come from it.

"Are you engaged for the last dance, Mama?"

Her mother consulted the programme hanging from her wrist. "I am. Are you?"

Georgie nodded. "I will be dancing with Lord Edgethorne."

Mama nodded sagely. "That was the dance you held in reserve, wasn't it?"

"It was. Did you see him dancing with Sophie?"

"I think the entire ballroom had their eyes on the marquess and our Sophie," Mama said, chuckling.

"He is quite the dancer, isn't he?"

"He is most skilled." Mama touched Georgie's cheek. "Just be careful, dearest."

"What do you mean?"

Her mother smiled brightly. "We will talk later. Your partner is here."

Georgie looked up and saw the marquess now stood before her. He cut a fine figure in his elegant, black evening clothes.

He bowed. "Your Grace. Lady Georgina."

"It is good to see you dancing, my lord," Mama told him. "I hope you accomplished all you needed to while you were at your country estate and can focus on the Season now."

"I am still learning, the same as His Grace. He shared a bit of his story with me this evening, so I feel comforted I am not the only one in the room trying to sort things out, having come into my title."

Another gentleman stepped up to claim her mother, and the marquess turned his full attention to her now.

"Are you ready for our dance, my lady?"

"I was in the group next to yours when you danced the cotillion with Sophie. You are a superb dancer, Lord Edgethorne."

"Thank you for your kind compliment. I always did enjoy dancing. Unfortunately, I have done none during the last several years."

He glanced over his shoulder. "We should go out onto the floor. The others are assembling."

She placed her hand lightly on his sleeve, sensing something pass between them. Something that only occurred with him. None of her partners this evening had generated the physical reactions and strange emotions Georgie was feeling within herself.

Only this man . . .

As they strolled onto the dance floor, she told him, "It is a waltz we will be dancing. I have heard it will become custom to close a ball with this dance during the Season."

He smiled, causing her to glow from within. "Then I suppose I will have you all to myself."

The musicians took up their instruments, and Lord Edgethorne took her hand in his, placing his other one against her back. Again, the ripple of physical sensations new to Georgie caused her heart to skip a beat.

Then the music began, and he swept her into motion.

He was the most skilled dancer she had ever partnered with. He—like her—seemed to feel the beat of the music. He moved her effortlessly about the floor, twirling her until she was almost dizzy.

They did not speak during the dance, for which she proved grateful. While she had wanted to have further conversation with him and thought this dance would be a good opportunity for that to occur, it was pure bliss to dance the way they were, as one, swaying to the music, transported to another place.

All too soon, though, the last strains of the waltz sounded. For a moment, Lord Edgethorne held her, their gazes connecting. She felt something for this man. It was nameless. For now. She would not try to attach a name to it until she was certain.

But her heart was most definitely speaking to her.

He released her, placing her hand atop his sleeve, guiding her back to where her mother, James, and Sophie now stood.

Bowing to her, he said, "Thank you for a most delightful time, Lady Georgina."

"You haven't forgotten that you are to come to tea tomorrow, my lord?" she asked anxiously.

"I will most certainly see you at tea. All of you. Good evening."

Lord Edgethorne moved away from them, melting through a crowd which parted, giving him a wide berth. Georgie wanted to shout at them how foolish they were to behave in such a despicable manner. She had better sense than that, though, and held her tongue.

"Shall we attempt to locate our carriage?" James asked.

Her brother escorted them from the Pennywise ballroom and down the stairs. She called goodbye to several others she had met this evening, a few who had even asked to call upon her tomorrow afternoon.

Once they were inside the carriage, Sophie asked, "How was your first ball, Georgie? Was it everything you thought it might be?"

She said, "It was ever so much fun. Dancing in a ballroom, wearing a beautiful gown, somehow seems different from dancing in the assembly room at Crestview."

Turning her attention to Mama, she asked, "What about you, Mama? What was it like to dance at a ball? I know it has been many years since you have done so."

"I am like you, Georgina. I have always loved to dance. I did several times this evening. Not too much, because I do not want it to be obvious that I might be in search of a husband. Still, it was the most enjoyable evening I have had in many years."

"I do believe our drawing room will be packed tomorrow, containing suitors for the both of you," Sophie declared.

James frowned. "Does that mean we must be present to chaperone? I thought we were going to try to do a little business in the afternoons."

Sophie said, "I have decided because of my delicate condition that I will be conducting Neptune business from the house, my love. The carriage ride to and from the shipping offices would take up quite a bit of time. I intend to have Mr. Barnes come to me around noon each day with matters of importance. That does not mean you have to stick to my schedule."

"It would be helpful if you made an appearance every now and then during these calls," Mama suggested to James. "However, I am a perfect chaperone for Georgina. And if Sophie concludes her business and can venture to the drawing room some afternoons, that will be even better."

"I suppose I can be there whenever you wish me to do so, Dinah," James said with reluctance. "Then again, I may be taking dance lessons from Lord Edgethorne."

"The marquess is giving you dance lessons?" Georgie asked.

"I teased him about doing so because he is so light on his feet and moves so well," her brother said. "It was in jest, but perhaps the marquess might show me a few steps. I don't want to trample any more toes, as I did this evening."

"Perhaps when he comes to tea tomorrow, we could go to the ballroom," Sophie suggested. "Georgie could partner with the marquess, and you will be stuck with me, Your Grace," she teased.

"Oh, Edgethorne is coming for tea?" Mama asked.

At the same time, she and Sophie replied, "Yes."

"You were quite brave when you went to meet Lord Edgethorne in the supper room," Mama told her. "I know you have a kind heart, Georgina, but you must also be aware of the gossips."

"How could I not be aware of them?" she challenged. "Not only did people openly gape at Lord Edgethorne, but I am certain that you heard some of the ugly comments they made because they did not keep their voices down."

"Do not misunderstand me," Mama continued. "I like Edgethorne quite a bit, but if you are not careful, Georgina, people will begin to couple your name together."

"What if that is what I want?" she countered.

Mama slipped her hand around Georgie's. "If he is the man you choose, then we will all support your decision, dearest. It is early, however. I want you to thoroughly enjoy your Season. Meet as many gentlemen as possible. Only then—if your heart speaks to you—should you make a decision and commit to one."

She squeezed her mother's fingers. "I understand, Mama."

But Georgie's heart was already leading her in the direction of the Marquess of Edgethorne.

*

Millie helped Georgiechange into a fresh gown in order to receive her afternoon guests.

"Oh, my lady, they are gathering in the drawing room even now. You must have made quite the impression last night. The entire room is filled with bouquets."

"Some of these callers will be for Mama," she told the servant.

Millie's eyes widened. "Her Grace is considering remarrying?"

"Lady Pippa and I have encouraged her to do so," Georgie said. "Mama is still quite young. She deserves to find some happiness. Whether that is in a second marriage or not, we shall have to see."

She took a final look in the mirror, patting her hair. "Thank you, Millie. That will be all."

"I will have your ball gown ready for this evening, my lady."

"Thank you."

Georgie made her way to the drawing room, quickly counting just over a dozen suitors within. She recognized most of them from last night, but she hoped they would reintroduce themselves because so many names were swimming in her head.

One gentleman she did recognize was Lord Blankenship. He was the first to make his way to her.

The viscount bowed, and she offered her hand to him. He took it and briefly kissed her fingers.

"You look lovely today, Lady Georgina. I appreciate you allowing me to call upon you."

She did like him a great deal, and so it was easy to tell him, "I enjoyed our dance and conversation at last night's ball, my lord. Will you be at tonight's ball?"

He smiled. "I will indeed. Perhaps you might consider saving a dance for me?"

Another tidbit Mama had passed along was not to promise dances in advance, so Georgie said, "If you approach me and wish to sign my programme this evening, I would be more than happy to have you dance with me, my lord."

Lord Blankenship chuckled. "I understand what you are saying, my lady. You cannot blame me for trying to get ahead of the others, though." He glanced about. "I do not wish to monopolize your time. I hope you will enjoy the bouquet I sent."

He bowed to her again and stepped away.

That move broke the dam, and half a dozen men swarmed around her after that. She was grateful when most of them reminded her of their names. All of them mentioned having sent a bouquet of flowers to her, and she promised to go around and look at them after everyone left.

James and Sophie were both present, and she saw them circulating about the drawing room, trying to speak to all the suitors. She looked toward Mama and was pleased at how happy her mother appeared. While Mama was a beautiful woman, she had looked younger ever since Papa had passed. The burden of caring for her husband lifted, Georgie could see the difference it now made.

Each of the callers spent about a quarter-hour before leaving, being replaced by new visitors. Georgie made certain to speak to everyone, whether they were here for her or Mama.

Finally, the last of them left, and she sat, exhausted.

"Is this going to take place every afternoon?" she asked.

"Most likely so," Mama confirmed. "Unless a garden party is being held. Of course, we can reserve one day a week to make morning calls upon friends ourselves, but you will need to make that day known so that no suitors turn up and find you absent."

She glanced about the room. "Did they all send flowers?"

"If they are interested in you, they most certainly did," Sophie said. "The larger the arrangement, the greater their interest. Or their need to outdo the other bachelors."

Her words caused them all to laugh.

"I would assume every man who walked through that door today sent something," Mama said. "There may even be a few arrangements which were sent by gentlemen who were not able to call today."

Georgie went about the room, reading the various cards attached to the bouquets, collecting them as she went.

"Must I write thank you notes for all these, Mama? If I do so, I will miss tonight's ball!"

"No, it is not custom to do so. You have proven to be quite popular, Georgina. I believe our house will be filled with fresh flowers for the next several months."

She bent and sniffed a set of roses. "It seems such a shame. All these flowers coming to one person. Might we distribute them throughout the house, Mama? Put them in various rooms? Why, I would even like to give some to the servants to brighten up their bedchambers."

Taking a seat next to her mother, Mama smoothed Georgie's hair. "That is a lovely idea, my dear. I will have Powell take care of it."

"At least this afternoon gave me a chance to speak a bit with new people," James said. "I spent some time in the card room last night. It was full of older gentlemen, most of them married. This gave me an opportunity to know the young bucks who are vying for the two of your hands."

The clock chimed four, and their butler opened the door, announcing, "Lord Edgethorne, Your Graces."

Hearing that caused Georgie's heart to flutter wildly. She had not had that reaction to any suitor who had called this afternoon. It seemed to be reserved for the marquess alone.

"Send him in, Powell," James said.

Lord Edgethorne entered the drawing room, stopping a moment to look about at the plethora of flowers before continuing across the room to meet them.

"Thank you for inviting me to tea this afternoon," he said. "I suppose I am remiss since I did not think to send flowers."

"It isn't necessary, my lord," Sophie assured him. "These arrangements came from suitors interested in Her Grace and Lady Georgina."

Georgie thought she would give away every bouquet simply to spend time with Lord Edgethorne.