Chapter Fifteen

Georgie was getting ready for that evening's ball. She had thought the Season would be fun. It was—to an extent—but nothing had been the same since her spat with Lord Edgethorne.

And those heavenly kisses . . .

She closed her eyes, the memory of being in his arms overpowering.

Then she opened them, staring at her perfect image in the mirror. Georgie knew she was blessed with beauty. All the Strongs were immensely attractive people. Yet she was so much more than her face and figure. That was what she wanted Polite Society to see.

The townhouse had been inundated with flower arrangements and suitors for the past week. Gentlemen complimented her left and right. One had even told her she sneezed more ladylike than any woman of his acquaintance. That had been too much, and she had laughed to the point of making herself sick, causing the gentleman to flee from her vicinity.

She knew she was the sum of many things. Her appearance. Her intelligence. Her experience. Her education. Her family relations. Her thoughts and emotions.

Why couldn't Lord Edgethorne see that he, too, was more than his scarred face? At the same time, she understood how recent his disfigurement was. It must be jarring for him to think of himself as he once had been—and then to look into a mirror and see what was, in effect, a stranger. It upset her that she would never truly comprehend the level of his struggles.

"How is that, my lady?" Libby asked.

Georgie's eyes went to her image in the mirror, but her thoughts remained on Lord Edgethorne. She wished the ton could see past his scars and missing eye as she did. It hurt her to have heard his name whispered during this past week, knowing the disparaging remarks being bandied about. Of course, no one directly mentioned his name to her. Then again, she had been the one who had pleasantly greeted him when he arrived at the Pennywise ball.

She saw the man—the real man—who lay beneath the scars. And she loved him, much to her dismay.

His kisses had confirmed what Pippa had talked about. Georgie had been captivated by them. By him. The marquess was the first thing she thought about upon waking each morning. She tried to surreptitiously look for him at each social affair she attended. No one—so far—had caused her pulse to race as it did when he was near. She had met several very nice, attractive men, chief among them Viscount Blankenship. He had been most attentive to her. She could even see herself wed to him. They would have a good life together. An easy life with no complications.

But it wasn't the life she wanted. It wasn't the man she wanted.

How could she make Lord Edgethorne want her?

"My lady?"

Georgie blinked. "Oh. Yes, Libby. I quite like this style. You have done an excellent job," she praised.

"Her Grace thought it would suit you. Will there be anything else, my lady?"

"No, thank you."

The maid left, leaving Georgie to her thoughts again. Something told her that Edgethorne was a stubborn man. He had made up his mind and would not consider offering for her. The only alternative would be to offer for him.

That was not the done thing. Even Georgie knew it would be going too far for her to be so brazen as to ask him to marry her. Worse, even if she attempted to do so, her heart told her he would scoff—and then reject her proposal.

"Blast!" she said, frustration filling her.

He was not for her. He had made that obvious. She was going to have to put aside her infatuation with him. That is what others would label it, a foolish, obsessive love for a man who brushed her off. Georgie told herself Lord Edgethorne was not the only man she could be interested in. Others offered just as much, if not more, than Lord Edgethorne. She was being called a diamond of the first water and had her pick of any gentlemen she might wish for. Surely, another could capture her attention as Lord Edgethorne had.

Glancing at her image in the mirror, she proclaimed, "I will be open-minded. I will cease to think about the Marquess of Edgethorne. I will enjoy myself, my surroundings, and the company I keep. I will continue to meet new people and see what they have to offer. I promise myself to be happy. To stop wanting someone I cannot have. To stop fixating on Lord Edgethorne."

It was times like these when she missed Pippa dreadfully. Her twin knew her inside and out and would have given Georgie the exact advice she needed to hear. She wistfully thought of Pippa, married and in love, sailing the Seven Seas with her husband, having the adventure of a lifetime with the man she adored.

Tears welled in Georgie's eyes, and she dabbed them with a handkerchief. She was not truly jealous of Pippa. She was thrilled that her twin had found love with Seth. Georgie only hoped she, too, would be fortunate enough to find love. She loved Lord Edgethorne, but could it be love if the other person did not love her in return?

No, a one-sided love was no love at all. Love needed love to flourish, or it would die. Even if Georgie thought she loved the marquess, he was mulish by nature. He would not compromise and yield. She swore she would not throw herself at him ever again. She would have nothing to do with him.

But she would continue to keep an eye out for him. Watch to see if he attended an event. Observe who he was drawn to. She believed that he would look to the plainest of girls. That meant the wallflowers. Georgie decided to get to know some of them in order to see which ones might be good enough for him. Not that he would want her opinion on the matter, but she decided she would give it to him anyway. He might not want her.

But she wanted him to find happiness.

She joined her mother in the foyer, and James and Sophie soon appeared.

"Ready for another ball?" Sophie asked. "I hear Lord and Lady Hoffman are quite the hosts."

An idea came to her. "You should host a ball," she told them. "After all, you are a duke and duchess. Everyone would come simply because of that."

"Why, that is a splendid idea," Mama said. "I would be happy to help you organize it."

Sophie shook her head. "It would take so much planning, Dinah. I am already splitting my time between Neptune Shipping and ton events. I don't see how I could pull it off."

"Leave it to me," Mama said happily. "I have planned several over the years. It would be good to open up your home to others, not to mention it might help Georgina's prospects."

"Do you think so?" James asked. "And what of other events? I know we have received a plethora of invitations. Is there even room for another event?"

"Most hosts issue invitations a month or more in advance. It is only late April now. How about holding it during the first week in June? We can review what events are to take place then. I know the two of you had mentioned pulling back and only rarely attending an event as June began, due to Sophie's increasing. Why, it would be a wonderful way for you to exit the social Season. You could even announce your happy news at that ball. It—and your sister's come-out—could be the reasons for the celebration."

"I like that idea," Sophie said, linking her arm through Georgie's. "What do you think?"

"I like it, too. And I know Mama loves to give a ball. We girls used to watch all the servants decorating the ballroom in years past. Cook would let us sample the buffet items before the menu was set. It was ever so much fun."

"Then we shall host a ball," her brother declared. "Begin to mention it tonight," he told them. "Do not give an exact date. We will need to decide that tomorrow after we review the invitations we have already received. But it wouldn't hurt to build a bit of excitement about it."

"I agree," Mama said. "Thank you, James. I will handle everything. You and Sophie will not have to lift a finger."

Sophie chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't mind sampling various dishes. That part sounds like fun."

They went to the carriage and soon found themselves at the Hoffmans' townhouse. Their hosts looked to be in their early forties, and Georgie thought Lord Hoffman to be a bit too flirtatious toward both her and Mama while his wife was engaged with James and Sophie.

As they moved toward the ballroom's entrance, she whispered to her mother, "Did you find Lord Hoffman a bit forward?"

"He has a terrible reputation," Mama confirmed. "He and Lady Hoffman have three children, but I have heard he has sired another four out of wedlock."

"Then why do people come to their balls?" she asked. "Shouldn't they be showing their disapproval for his atrocious behavior?"

Mama looked pained as she said, "Many gentlemen of the ton conduct these extramarital affairs, dearest. Wives simply turn a blind eye, as does most of Polite Society." She sighed. "If we were to stay home from events hosted by philandering noblemen, we would rarely leave the house."

"You do not think James—or Seth—would ever have an affair, do you?" Georgie asked worriedly.

"No," Mama assured her. "They are those rare men who have made love matches. They will be loyal to Sophie and Pippa."

"Was Papa true to you, Mama?" she asked, her voice small, already knowing the answer.

"I tried not to think of those things. Ah, Lord Blankenship. How good to see you this evening."

The viscount greeted Mama and then Georgie, asking for a dance with her.

"Might it be the supper dance again, my lady?" he ventured. "I so enjoyed your company during supper the opening night of the Season."

"Yes," she agreed.

It was impossible to truly have a decent conversation at any social event, and balls, in particular. Most of the dances were so lively and exhausting that conversation was simply impossible. She had thought when suitors called upon her the next day that she might delve into deeper topics to get to know them better, but they stayed for such a short period of time, that never seemed possible. Supper was the one time at a ball when you could talk to someone at length. It was time to get to know Lord Blankenship better.

And perhaps even kiss him. No, definitely kiss him. The viscount would the first gentleman she would kiss so that she might compare his kiss to that of Lord Edgethorne.

Georgie allowed the viscount to sign her programme, and it only took a few more minutes for it to fill up. Not entirely, however. She stuck to the idea of keeping one dance open. Not for Lord Edgethorne, of course. They had both made it perfectly clear they would not be speaking to one another, much less dancing together.

With her dance card filling so early, she decided to circulate about the room by herself. Mama had a bevy of men surrounding her, laughing easily, making everyone feel comfortable as she always did. James and Sophie were engaged in conversation with another couple. No one would note her absence.

She headed for a line of chairs. Not the ones for matrons. The ones where the wallflowers sat. Already, a few of them stood nearby the seats, ready to take them when the music began.

"Hello," she said brightly, joining a group of three. "I hope you do not mind me stopping by."

One, a mousy brunette, gaped at her. "Why would you wish to talk with us?"

"Because I am trying to meet as many people as possible this Season," she said honestly. "I am trying to enjoy myself. I know it is not proper etiquette for me to approach you without an introduction, but we are already marching through the Season, and I have yet to meet you."

The second young lady sniffed. "I do not know why you would bother to meet us, Lady Georgina."

"Oh, you know who I am?" she asked.

The last of the trio snorted. "Who does not know of you, my lady? Every young buck has gone sniffing around you. You dance every dance. You are obviously having the time of your life, and why wouldn't you? With your looks and figure, you can charm anyone."

"I would still like to get to know you," she said quietly, knowing it might be one of these three women whom Lord Edgethorne could choose as his bride.

The last two women who had spoken to her looked as if she had gone mad. One excused herself, and the second one followed her, leaving Georgie with the first woman she had spoken with.

"Might you tell me your name, my lady?" she asked gently, seeing the woman look in desperation at the friends who had deserted her.

Turning to face Georgie again, she said, "Miss Bancroft. My father is a viscount whom I am certain you have never heard of, my lady. My mother passed away when I was only ten years of age. My aunt managed my come-out three years ago and still insists upon dragging me to ton affairs, despite the total lack of interest any gentleman displays toward me. My father hasn't said a dozen words to me in the decade since Mama has been gone. When the Season rolls around each year, I know it will be months of misery for me, being forced to attend all these events."

Miss Bancroft glared at her. "I am plain. My dowry is so small, I might as well not possess one. While I am clever, no gentleman spends any time with me in order for me to show I am more than my looks. So, off you go, Lady Georgina. You must go and enjoy yourself as a diamond of the first water should."

"I can hear the hurt in your voice, Miss Bancroft. Hurt from having been ignored for so long. Hurt because you are solely judged on your looks." Georgie paused. "I would like to be your friend, though."

"Why?" Miss Bancroft asked, baffled by the words.

"Because I do believe others have something to offer beyond their looks. I am constantly judged on my looks. Flattered by sycophants. No one wishes to get to know me."

She paused, deciding to set the stage. "Our neighbor, Lord Edgethorne, has been judged on his looks, as well."

Miss Bancroft frowned. "Isn't he the one with the terrible scars? And the eyepatch?"

"Yes, he is. But he is friendly with my family. He has been to tea. He is a lovely man. I believe it is wrong for others not to give him a chance. He should not be judged solely on his appearance. Neither should you, Miss Bancroft."

The other woman appeared stunned. "I actually think you believe what you are saying, my lady."

"I do believe it. Very much so. And I hope you will allow me to introduce you to Lord Edgethorne."

Miss Bancroft blushed. "But... he is a marquess. He would have no interest in someone such as me."

"You would be surprised," Georgie said. "It was lovely meeting you."

She returned to Mama's side, knowing it was almost time for the dancing to begin. Then she heard the ballroom quieten and knew why it did so.

For the first time since their spat, Lord Edgethorne had entered a social event.

Knowing if she thought about it, she would lose her courage, so Georgie did not think. She merely acted, moving toward the marquess.

He caught sight of her and started to turn, but she quickly hurried toward him, trying to prevent him from doing so.

Slipping her arm around his, she quietly said, "I know you and I are not going to be dancing with one another. But please come with me without making a scene."

Georgie tugged on his arm, and Lord Edgethorne actually moved along with her without protest.

As they walked, heads turning as they passed, she told him, "You have mentioned you would like to find a bride amongst the wallflowers. I have met a few, and I believe there is one you should meet, my lord. She came out a few years ago and is plain in appearance. However, I find her quite intelligent and think you might be interested in her."

He halted. "You are playing matchmaker for me, my lady?"

She grinned. "I suppose I am. And if you kiss her as you did me, she would most certainly accept a marriage offer from you. Come along, my lord."

They went to the far end of the ballroom, where Miss Bancroft's two friends had rejoined her. All three of their jaws dropped as she and the marquess approached.

Smiling, Georgie said, "Miss Bancroft, I would like to present to you the Marquess of Edgethorne, our neighbor and good friend. My lord, this is Miss Bancroft."

The two friends were speechless, gawking at the nobleman. Miss Bancroft's eyes cut to Georgie, and she nodded at the woman.

"Miss Bancroft," Lord Edgethorne said, bowing to her.

Somehow, Miss Bancroft managed to offer her hand to him, and the marquess kissed it briefly. A tinge of jealousy shot through Georgie, followed by acceptance.

"I believe Miss Bancroft has an open dance, my lord," she said, nudging him into action.

"May I request a dance with you this evening, Miss Bancroft?" he asked.

"Yes, my lord," she replied, her voice shaking, handing him her programme.

Georgie saw it was entirely blank.

"Do you have a preference, Miss Bancroft?"

"No, my lord," the wallflower replied, fidgeting.

"Why not the supper dance?" Georgie suggested. "That way, you will have more time to spend together, getting to know one another."

"A splendid idea, Lady Georgina," the marquess said. "Does that suit you, Miss Bancroft?" He signed the programme and returned it, saying, "Then I will see you later this evening."

Georgie slipped her arm through his again, leading him back the entire length of the ballroom, as whispers erupted.

"Why are you helping me?"

"Why not?" she asked.

What she couldn't say aloud was that she still pined for him, despite their quarrel. That if he could find a bride on the Marriage Mart and become betrothed, it would force Georgie to give up hope for the two of them ever being together. It would allow her to be free of her feelings for him.

It would let her be open to finding love with someone who could return her love.

The musicians began tuning their instruments. They reached Mama, and Georgie withdrew her hand.

"It was good to see you again, Lord Edgethorne," she said truthfully.

Her first dance partner arrived, looking warily at the marquess. "Are you ready for our dance, Lady Georgina?"

She smiled brilliantly at the man, having no idea of what his name might be. "Definitely, my lord. Lead the way."