Chapter Nineteen
August was at war with himself. Deep inside, he knew he should not attend tonight's musicale. Yet his growing feelings for Lady Georgina prevented his rational side from claiming victory.
He was in love with her. He wanted to be around her night and day. He also knew nothing lasting would come of his feelings. They were still at odds on the type of marriage they wanted. She was of a mind to have a loving husband who doted on their children, while he—though feeling a bit more welcomed in recent social outings—still felt the stares of a strong minority in Polite Society. A marriage of convenience would suit his purpose, allowing him to keep his deathbed promise to Peter, and still retreat from the world of the ton.
He had actually enjoyed the company of some of the women he had met at the social events of the past month. True, none of them had the inner and outer beauty of Lady Georgina, but they had the good breeding he was looking for in a spouse. He should pursue one of them.
And yet he allowed his valet to dress him to attend Lady Nesbitt's musicale this evening, strictly for the sole purpose of seeing Lady Georgina Strong.
Venturing downstairs, Redding approached him, presenting him with a note.
"This came for you a few minutes ago, my lord. It is from His Grace, the Duke of Seaton."
Seaton was one of those men who had welcomed August into Polite Society, and he was growing fond of the duke. He was also finally renewing old friendships and acquaintances. Perhaps that was what gave him the sliver of hope that he might actually find his place within the ton.
Breaking the seal, he skimmed the contents, seeing that Seaton asked if he wished to ride in their carriage with them to Lady Nesbitt's musicale.
Folding the note, he returned it to his butler, saying, "I have no need of my carriage tonight, Redding. I will be accompanying Their Graces to the event."
The butler gave him a pleased smile. "Of course, my lord. I will notify the coachman of your plans."
He left his townhouse and cut through the gate which allowed him to allow the small garden in the center of the square. This place held treasured memories for him now because of the two times he had been here with Lady Georgina.
He found the gate leading him to the other side of the square, where the ducal carriage stood in front of Seaton's townhouse. August went to the door and knocked, being admitted by the butler.
"Glad you could make it, Edgethorne," the duke said, moving toward August to shake his hand. "We are simply waiting for the ladies to appear. They should be here any moment now."
Movement caught his eye, and he saw Seaton's wife descending the stairs. She glowed. He did not know if it was because she was increasing, or if it was the love she held for her husband shining from her eyes. Perhaps both.
The dowager duchess followed her, a very attractive woman. He believed if she truly wished to wed again, she would have her choice of husbands, based upon the flock of men he had seen gathered around her at ton events.
He greeted both duchesses and then that odd prickling sensation filled him again. The one which told him Lady Georgina was nearby.
Glancing toward the staircase, he saw her gracefully descending the stairs. Her dark hair was swept into a simple chignon, allowing her beauty to shine. Her gown was an iced blue shade, the faintest of colors, and he knew it would enhance her cornflower blue eyes. He had noted each of the Strong siblings he had met possessed the unusual eye color and wondered if their other siblings did, as well.
He couldn't help himself and stepped toward the staircase, holding out a hand for Lady Georgina to take as she reached the bottom. She wore a pleased expression.
"It is very good to see you, Lord Edgethorne."
"His Grace offered to share his carriage with me this evening so that we might all go together."
A hint of color splashed across her cheeks. "That is a lovely idea."
August led her to the others, and they left the foyer, going to the ducal carriage. He handed up Lady Georgina and then did the same for her mother and sister-in-law. Nodding to Seaton, he allowed the duke to enter the carriage before August himself finally did.
"Lady Nesbitt is known for her musicales," the dowager duchess informed them. "Why, at one of her events, I heard an Italian soprano who had the most angelic voice. I do not believe I have ever heard such a talent before or since."
"I do wish I could sing," Lady Georgina said. "At least I play well." She looked to August, who sat opposite her. "Lord Blankenship told me that you were quite the pianist in your youth, my lord."
"Yes, I enjoyed playing quite a bit. After having heard you play, my lady, I understood that I was technically very skilled. You, on the other hand, possess not only the talent and skill, but you also draw from deep within your soul as you interpret the music. It is what I admire most about your playing."
"Thank you," she said, smiling at his compliment.
"I received the invitation to the ball you are holding," August said conversationally, thinking he should draw the others present into their conversation.
The duchess chuckled. "His Grace and I may be hosting this ball, but it is Her Grace who has planned everything."
The dowager duchess shrugged. "I have always enjoyed social gatherings, including planning them. As the Duchess of Seaton, my husband expected us to hold regular events, both in town and at Shadowcrest. I am proud to say they were some of the most talked about within the ton. In a good way, of course," she added, smiling.
"I cannot imagine the effort it must take to organize a ball," he said. "Why, deciding what food to serve in itself would be a monumental task."
"It does take quite a bit of time and effort," the dowager duchess agreed. "Much thought goes into the dishes served, as well as the decorations and choice of musicians."
August smiled at her. "I would say you would compete handily with the great Wellington himself, Your Grace, regarding planning and implementing things. He might have planned and executed entire military campaigns, but I believe you might show him a thing or two about organization."
"I rather like that idea. Planning a ball being compared to planning a military campaign. I hope all will go well."
"It will, Mama," Lady Georgina told her mother. "And James and Sophie will reap the benefits of all your efforts, along with myself."
They arrived at Lady Nesbitt's residence and entered. Because of the nature of the event, no receiving line was in place. Guests were directed to the ballroom, where chairs had been arranged in a boxed shape. Within the square were seats for the musicians. A harp and pianoforte also stood within it.
Lord Blankenship joined them, greeting everyone in their party, and then saying, "Edgethorne, I have a few gentlemen I would like you to meet."
"Will you excuse me?" he said to the others, following his friend.
August wanted to sit with Lady Georgina this evening, and he hoped stepping away would not prevent him from doing so.
"I am delighted to see you with Seaton and his party," his friend said.
"His Grace was kind enough to invite me to join them in their carriage this evening."
Silas cocked an eyebrow at him. "Hmm."
He was introduced to the two gentlemen, one whom he recalled slightly from their Eton days, the other one new to him. He was grateful he received a better reception from most others these days. True, his sudden appearance at that first ball had stunned Polite Society, and the gossips had made quick work of him. As time marched on, however, he was finding more and more that others were accepting him.
If they accepted him, could they accept him with Lady Georgina as his wife?
He enjoyed a good quarter-hour of conversation with the three men, and then the musicians moved to the center of the square, causing the guests to begin to seat themselves.
His friend leaned close and quietly said, "Go to her. I know you want to."
"Thank you," he said gratefully, bidding the other two men a good evening.
August had kept Lady Georgina in sight the entire time he had been away from her, and he quickly made his way in her direction again.
Once he joined her, he asked, "Might I sit with you this evening, my lady?"
"Yes, my lord," she said demurely, a twinkle in her eyes.
He offered her his arm, and the Seatons followed them. He noted the dowager duchess already sitting beside a distinguished-looking fellow.
They moved into their row and took their places, watching as their hostess came to stand in the middle of the square.
Lady Nesbitt was known to August, having been a hostess everyone had appreciated for decades. The countess was probably approaching sixty, but she was still a handsome woman. She had been widowed about a decade earlier, but it had not stopped her from holding musicales at her townhouse.
"I am afraid I have a bit of bad news to share with you," she began. "We are to be entertained by a famed German opera singer this evening, Fraulein Maier. Unfortunately, Fraulein Maier has been delayed."
A murmur rippled across the crowd, and August assumed the musicians who were to have accompanied the singer would merely play in her absence until she arrived.
"I thought to have this string quartet play for you an hour before we adjourned for a brief, late supper. By then, our guest of honor should have arrived." The countess smiled. "But then again, am I not known for doing the unusual?"
A few in the crowd chuckled, and Lady Nesbitt bowed her head in acknowledgement.
"I believe we have enough talent within this room. That a few of the young ladies present might entertain us."
August was certain Lady Nesbitt would call upon Lady Georgina to play. If she didn't, he would boldly suggest she do so.
"If you do not mind, there are three of you I would like to hear play this evening. I have been fortunate to hear all of you perform in the past, and I know those gathered this evening would appreciate hearing your talent."
The countess named three women. Lady Georgina was the last of those names she mentioned.
Lady Nesbitt motioned to a woman. "Come, my dear. You may play anything you wish for us."
He watched the young woman rise and move to the pianoforte. He supposed they would be asked to play in the order the countess preferred, Lady Georgina most likely playing last.
Their first surprise performer turned out to be an accomplished musician, and August enjoyed her playing quite a bit. After a quarter-hour, she rose, the guests applauding her impromptu performance.
Next, a pretty woman in her late twenties went to sit at the harp. He had always been fascinated by those who played this instrument, having never done so himself. For a good twenty minutes, the harpist plucked the harp's strings, awarded with appreciative applause when she completed the musical number.
He turned to his companion. "You are better than the both of them," he said quietly. "You play with confidence. More than that, you play from your soul."
"I will play tonight—for you."
She rose and went to the pianoforte. August felt his heart hammering in anticipation. While he knew she played beautifully, he did not know if she would be comfortable doing so in front of such a large number of people.
But her parting words had touched him. Somehow, he knew Lady Georgina would block out all those present.
Because she played for him.
She placed her fingers on the keys and struck the first notes. Within seconds, he recognized her selection. He had never told her who his favorite composer might be, but she now played Mozart better than anyone he had ever heard.
Watching her, listening to her, a warmth rushed through August. He admitted to himself that the feeling was love. His heart soared and his blood sang because he was in love with Lady Georgina Strong.
More importantly, was he willing to change his mind—and give her the type of marriage she desired?