Chapter Twenty

Georgie awoke, anticipation already filling her.

She was going to picnic with Lord Edgethorne today.

The musicale had gone even better than she had hoped it would last night. After she had played for the guests, Lady Nesbitt had encouraged everyone to go into supper. Lord Edgethorne had accompanied her, and they sat with Lord Blankenship and one of his friends, as well as two other ladies. Their table had been the most jovial in the supper room, and Georgie could see Lord Edgethorne relaxing, forgetting about his scarred appearance. He told a few witty stories, and people not only laughed at them—they responded to him. It was as if others were beginning to see what she had seen all along.

The man beneath the scars.

And if the marquess could see he was being accepted by more and more in Polite Society, he might wish to become a part of it instead of making a marriage of convenience and retreating to Scotland to become a recluse. She hoped beyond hope that would be the case.

Because she might have a chance to make a life with him.

She knew he had feelings for her. After the intimacies they had shared yesterday, how could he not? She lay in bed, closing her eyes, reliving those moments of pure bliss. His touch. His scent. The physical and emotional feelings he stirred within her.

Should she tell him that she loved him?

She wanted to desperately, hoping if she declared her love, he might, too. Yet at the same time, Georgie did not want to chase him away with such a bold declaration.

Oh, why did Pippa had to be gone now, of all times! She most certainly could use her twin's advice in these matters of the heart. Of course, if it were up to Pippa, her bold sister would most certainly tell Lord Edgethorne of her feelings toward him. Georgie was more reserved, the same as the marquess himself. She decided to let things continue as they had been, slowly building trust with him. If the Season ended and he had not declared for her, she just might play Pippa and offer for him. But that was still a long way off.

Georgie rang for Millie, and the maid helped her to dress. Millie chose a mint green gown, but Georgie told her to save it for afternoon, when suitors would be calling.

"I have in mind the daffodil yellow for now."

"Oh, I do like you in that gown, my lady," Millie declared. "It is so flattering, and it makes your Strong eyes even bluer."

Once dressed, Georgie ventured downstairs, seeing she was the last to arrive at breakfast. She took her seat and only asked for toast points, knowing the picnic was approaching. Fortunately, James and Sophie were busy discussing business matters, while Mama finished her breakfast, saying she had more work to be done on the upcoming ball.

"I am going to the conservatory to look at the plants and flowers," Mama told them. "The ball will be here before we know it, and I want to see what we might use."

Georgie finished her own breakfast and excused herself, going to the music room to practice for a bit. She was a bundle of nerves now and thought playing might relax her.

After playing two pieces, she went to the library and pulled a book from the shelf, heading downstairs with it tucked under her arm, saying to the footman at the door, "It is such a lovely day, I believe I will go read on the square."

He smiled at her. "Have a nice time, my lady. Enjoy the sunshine. It is a beautiful day."

As she left the house, she heard the clock chiming noon behind her. Crossing the street, Georgie entered the gate to the private garden and found Lord Edgethorne already present. He had spread out a quilt for them to sit upon the grass. On the edge was an opened hamper, and he was lifting out plates for them.

Seeing her, he sprang to his feet. "Good afternoon, Lady Georgina," he said, giving her one of his rare smiles as she set her book on the bench.

"Good afternoon, Lord Edgethorne. Might I help you?"

"No, you are my guest. I will handle everything."

Georgie went the quilt and dropped to her knees before sitting, tucking her feet to the side.

"Since it is a picnic, I believe I will remove my slippers," she declared.

"Let me assist you," he said in that low rumble of his, sending chills along her spine.

She pushed one leg straight in front of her, and he untied the ribbon with his damaged hand, using his thumb and index finger. He slid the loosened slipper off with his good one. She offered her other foot, and he repeated his actions, setting the pair on the edge of the quilt.

Placing her hands flat behind her, she lifted her face to the sun. "It is a glorious day for a picnic," she told him. "I am only sorry we are not at Shadowcrest for it. There is a lake separating our property from Lord Hopewell's. I think the only thing that can make a picnic better is to hold it by the water."

"Perhaps we should have another one along the Serpentine," he suggested.

His comment gave her hope because picnicking by the Serpentine meant being seen in public together. She had refrained from going to Hyde Park ever since Mirella's accident there, not even accepting any offers to drive in the park from five to six with a suitor, the fashionable hour to be seen.

"I would like that," she said, their gazes locking for a moment. Then he turned and finished removing what was left in the basket.

Handing her a plate, the marquess said, "I asked Cook for ham sandwiches. There are also some apples and nuts. Also, fruit tarts for our dessert."

They ate and talked as they did. He asked her questions about Shadowcrest, while telling her a little about Edgefield.

"I am still eager to see my mother's property in Scotland."

"Dalmara?" she asked. "Was that its name?"

"You have an excellent memory, Lady Georgina."

They finished their food, and she knew she couldn't stay much longer without being missed.

"Much as I am enjoying myself, my lord, I am going to need to return home. I will need to change my gown in order to receive callers, who will soon arrive."

"Has Her Grace had many suitors come to call?"

Georgie smiled. "Mama has had as many as I have had. More, some days."

"And has she made her choice as to who might become her next husband?"

"She has remained silent on that issue. Sophie has teased her about it, but Mama merely smiles mysteriously."

She longed for him to kiss her but didn't think he was going to. Leaning over, she claimed her slippers.

"Allow me," the marquess said, gallantly replacing both shoes and tying the ribbons for each.

He rose and extended his hands. Georgie took them, and he pulled her to her feet. He kept hold of her hands, squeezing them lightly, saying, "Thank you for coming to the picnic today, my lady. It has been the most enjoyable hour I have spent since I returned from war."

The marquess moved his head toward hers and softly pressed his lips against hers, holding them there a brief moment. Then he broke the kiss and released her hands.

"You better collect the book you brought," he reminded, smiling. "Else people will wonder what you have been up to."

She picked it up and said, "Will you be at tonight's ball, my lord?"

"I will." He paused and then asked, "Would you reserve the supper dance for me, my lady?"

Georgie beamed at him. "I would be happy to do so, Lord Edgethorne."

She returned to the townhouse, practically floating through the air.

*

August finished placingeverything in the hamper and then folded the quilt he had brought for them to sit upon. Returning to his townhouse, he handed things off to the footman who answered the door. He retreated to his study to think.

As he sat, he decided he would do something he had never done before. Not even in the days before he went to war.

He was going to pay a call on Lady Georgina Strong. As a suitor.

Going upstairs, he rang for his valet, shedding his clothes so he could wear something fresh for this call. Pole seemed delighted his employer was changing clothes in the middle of the day.

"Do you know where an arrangement of flowers might be purchased?" he asked.

Since he had never been serious about any lady, he had never bothered to learn where the bouquets suitors sent were purchased.

"There are florists' shops all about town, my lord. You may also find a lovely bouquet from one of the flower cart vendors."

"Where is the nearest florist?" he inquired, thinking he would head in that direction first and stop at any vendors who might catch his attention along the way.

Pole told him, and August set out. He passed two flower carts and then stopped at a third, asking the woman standing next to it, "Can you make up a bouquet for me from flowers I request?"

"Of course, my lord. What would you choose for your young lady?"

He asked for crocuses, primroses, and snowdrops.

"Would you like them wrapped in paper or placed in a vase?" she asked.

"In paper," he told her, thinking it might appeal to Lady Georgina to arrange the flowers in a fashion pleasing to her.

The vendor placed the flowers in tissue and wrapped it. August handed her a coin and told her to keep the change.

"You are most generous, my lord."

He returned to his square, heading straight for the Seaton townhouse, and knocking upon the door. The footman who opened it seemed a bit startled to find him there but greeted him by name.

"Good afternoon, Lord Edgethorne."

"I am here to call upon Lady Georgina," he announced.

"Yes, my lord."

Powell appeared and said, "Right this way, my lord."

August followed the butler up the stairs and to the drawing room, where he was announced.

The duke and duchess were present, along with the dowager duchess, who stood speaking with two gentlemen. Lady Georgina was also engaged in conversation with a pair of men. When she spotted him, though, she excused herself and came straight to him.

Glancing about the room and seeing the numerous bouquets, he handed his flowers to her, saying, "I thought you might enjoy getting to arrange these yourself."

She gave him a brilliant smile. "I will do so right now, my lord. Perhaps you would like to help me."

She asked the butler to bring a vase and shears as August told her, "I have never done so, my lady. I think I will merely enjoy watching you put a bouquet together."

Powell returned with the vase, half-filled with water, handing it to August. Lady Georgina led him to a table. He set down the vase, and Lady Georgina placed the flowers next to it.

By now, the dowager duchess had come to them and said, "What a clever idea, Lord Edgethorne. I enjoy arranging flowers myself and have taught my daughter how to do so."

"I though Lady Georgina might enjoy putting together a display of flowers in a manner she enjoys," he replied.

Lady Georgina began adding one flower at a time, occasionally removing one from the vase and placing it in another position, snipping stems and varying the heights of the flowers. Within minutes, she had completed her floral arrangement. The others present had gathered around, watching as she worked.

One gentleman declared, "This is the best bouquet I have ever seen put together, my lady. You are most talented."

"Thank you, my lord. It is all in the choice of flowers to start. Lord Edgethorne selected three of my personal favorites, so it was easy to arrange them in a delightful fashion."

She turned away, touching August's sleeve, and he followed her to the window. They both looked down on the street below.

She said, "I think we need to dance more than once this evening, my lord."

Even he knew what she was saying and asked, "Is that wise, my lady? You know if you dance with a partner more than once, the ton's tongues will wag."

Gazing up at him, she said, "Let them."

"All right," he agreed. "Then besides the supper dance, I will ask for the final one of the evening if that is acceptable to you."

Her smile caused his heart to flutter like a butterfly.

"It is more than acceptable, my lord. It is my preference on how to end the evening."

August took her hand, lifting it to his lips, brushing a tender kiss upon her fingers.

"Then I will see you tonight, Lady Georgina. I look forward to our time together."