Chapter Nine #2
Sophie shook her head and laid her hand on Felicity’s. “We believe you. We were just talking about what animal we each resemble. I’m the mouse and Georgie is the swift. We decided that you are a rabbit.”
“A rabbit?” Felicity cocked her head and wiggled her nose. “I like that. Will you be serving carrots, Sophie?”
Sophie laughed. “I’m afraid I did not request them, but I can if you like.”
Felicity shook her head. “I’m sure whatever you’re serving will be perfect. Now, I want to know all about your Season so far, Georgie. We have not seen you about.”
“That’s because I have to be careful not to reveal my secret,” Georgina grimaced. “I’m so glad you know, because that means I can talk freely with you.”
“And what of Lord Durham? Is he acceptable?”
Georgina nodded. “Very. I’ve been fortunate. I admit, I’m anxious to leave my family’s home and have one of my own. Just think, in less than a sennight, I’ll be able to play hostess to everyone. That is, if I can come back to London after the wedding.”
“Oh, but you must.” Felicity slapped her hand onto the arm of her chair.
Georgina was about to explain when the butler opened the door and Sophie rose to greet her next guests.
“Where is she? Where’s Georgie?”
At the sound of Rose’s voice, Georgina jumped up and ran to the entryway and straight into her friend’s arms.
Rose set her back. “You look none the worse for wear since last I saw you. Is everything still well, then?”
“It is.” Georgina smiled, too happy to keep it inside. “Lord Durham brought me here and is even now in the study visiting Lord Tamworth.”
Rose glanced down the corridor. “Excellent. Then let us hope they have much to discuss.”
“Don’t forget about me.”
At Lady Arabella’s voice, Georgina turned to find her friend being wheeled in by a footman.
Georgina extended her hands. “Arabella. I didn’t know you were in Town.”
“Rose has me staying with her. I do believe I’m as much her patient as her friend.”
“That is not true.”
Arabella laughed. “Very well, then, more patient than friend.”
Rose sighed. “I’m the one who needs patience with a friend like you disparaging my good name.” Despite the words, she grinned.
Georgina couldn’t stop smiling. It was only among these women that she could truly be herself.
Sophie waved them forward. “Come. Tea and hot chocolate will be served, and we have much catching up to do.”
As Rose took over wheeling Arabella into the parlor to greet Felicity, Georgina walked behind with Sophie. “Will Ellie be coming?”
“No, she had to cancel. Her husband was under the weather.”
“Then we’d best not tell Rose, or she’ll rush over there and insist on treating him.”
“You’re right. Ellie said that he’s getting better, so there is no need for us to worry.”
“And Dory?” Georgina truly enjoyed Dory’s wandering conversations.
“Alas, she had promised Lord Harewood she would help his mother choose books to add to her newly renovated library.”
“I do hope I my future mother-in-law and I can visit the aviary together, and maybe shop as well.”
Sophie held her arm out toward the parlor. “I’m sure you will.”
Georgina returned to her chair in the parlor while everyone took a seat and the footman brought in the hot drinks. Sophie poured as Arabella spoke.
“Rose, you must tell them about your latest victory over Lord Ashfield.” Arabella winked at Georgina.
“It was nothing.” Rose waved off the comment.
“Oh, do tell us, Rose.” Felicity moved to the edge of her chair, truly anxious to know.
“Very well. At a dinner party last week, I had the unfortunate experience of discovering Lord and Lady Ashfield were also coming. Since I was already at Lady Marsden’s home, I had little time to create an appropriate happenstance.
Fortunately, the lady was kind enough to mention where Lord Ashfield would be sitting.
She’s not fond of him at all for some reason, yet he was invited, so she sat him next to her husband.
Then it was little effort to ensure a bit of honey was dribbled on his chair. ”
Sophie stopped mid-pour. “A bit?”
Rose shrugged. “Maybe a large bit. I expected his trousers to be soaked, but it turned out even better than that.”
When Rose didn’t continue, Arabella took up the story. “It was far better. When the man tried to rise as the ladies were leaving, the chair stuck to the back of his pantaloons. He was quite mortified. He and his wife left immediately.”
Georgina expected to enjoy the prank, but instead she found herself feeling sorry for Lady Ashfield.
Felicity piped up. “Did no one connect it to you, Rose?”
“Not at all. I was at the other end of the table, so how could I possibly have anything to do with it?”
Sophie set a teacup in front of Rose. “I’m sure the staff will feel the brunt of Lady Marsden’s anger.”
“I don’t think so. She was trying very hard not to laugh.”
Not able to ignore her feelings, Georgina turned to Rose. “I don’t think you should play any more pranks on Lord Ashfield.”
“Whyever not? After what he did to you, he deserves a dunking in the Thames. Hopefully he can’t swim.”
Rose’s anger on behalf of her had Georgina feeling torn. “I agree. But in situations such as that, Lady Ashfield is also embarrassed, and she most likely doesn’t know what her husband has done.”
“Or continues to do.”
At Lady Arabella’s comment, they all looked at her.
“My brother, who is quite unattached, says that Lord Ashfield has not only kept his mistress but has continued to frequent his favorite brothel.”
Rose shook her head. “Unfortunately, that is the way of most men. At least Georgie was spared being heartbroken by such a cad.”
Georgina nodded, her heart hurting for Lady Ann, but also feeling relieved. Still, she could be entering into a similar marriage. The thought had happiness evaporating. Quickly, she stood, strode to the fireplace, and faced her friends. “What if my fate is no different?”
The silence was telling before Sophie answered. “Then we will simply put our heads together and figure out a way for it to change. Your betrothed isn’t nearly the rake Ashfield is. While I’m sure he has faults, as we all do, there is bound to be a way for you to be happy.”
“I agree.” Arabella smiled encouragingly.
“Thank you, all. I’m grateful for your help in finding me a husband so quickly. I don’t know what I would have done, and he is quite young and handsome. You are too good to me.”
“Now come back over here and tell us how the wedding planning is going.” Rose patted the chair next to her.
Georgina walked over and sat as requested. “Actually, I need some advice on that. I have a small concern.”
Felicity set her teacup on the table. “Of course. What advice do you need?”
“My parents refuse to leave Town for my wedding. I’m not sure if I should ask Lord Durham to bring me to Newnham or if I—”
“Your parents will not be at the wedding?” Rose’s angry tone had them all looking at her.
“No. Father said he can’t take those days away from his duties in Parliament and Mother is supposed to be going to a gathering at the dowager Dulac’s house regarding her hospital charity.” At the astonished look on her friends’ faces, she squeezed her skirts with her left hand.
Sophie, usually the quietest, spoke into the silence that followed. “I despise your parents.”
They all looked at her in astonishment. Sophie was the most kindhearted person they knew. Georgina wanted to say she despised them too, but felt that would be wrong, so she kept her lips pressed together to keep quiet.
Sophie continued. “Since my husband and I are your witnesses, we will be happy to have you travel with us. Silver Meadows isn’t so far away. We can all stay there and travel to the church the following morning. I’ll arrange it with the duchess.”
Rose immediately made an offer: “If that were not to be acceptable, you could always ride with Dory, my brother, Arabella, and me. We would be happy to have you.”
“Or you can come with me and my parents,” Felicity chimed in. “We would be honored to escort you.”
Georgina looked to each woman, her heart filling with thankfulness. “What would I do without all of you?”
Sophie took her hand, the one squeezing her dress fold, forcing Georgina to release the material. “You never need to wonder that. We are always here for each other.”
Rose took her other hand as well as Arabella’s, then Arabella took Felicity’s hand, and Felicity took Sophie’s.
Georgina looked at each classmate in turn. “And I will be here for all of you, should you need me.”
At that, they all smiled and returned to their warm drinks. As Georgina sipped her hot cocoa with cinnamon, she felt much calmer—at least until Rose spoke.
“If your parents aren’t attending, then who is hosting the wedding breakfast? You will celebrate your marriage, will you not?”
That hadn’t even occurred to her. “I don’t know. The wedding is at Newnham parish because it’s where my future home is.”
Felicity set down her cup of cocoa. “Then we will need to enlist the help of the soon-to-be dowager Countess of Durham. After all, that is the home where she raised her children, so it’s the perfect place for a wedding breakfast. But we must act quickly, as there aren’t many days before the wedding. ”
Georgina held up her left hand, her fingers spread out. “Only five.”
“There, you see? We must make plans now. My mother is friends with Lady Durham, so we will call on her tomorrow.”
At Felicity’s offer, Georgina laid her hand on her chest. “Thank you.”
“And what about flowers?” Arabella gestured to them all. “Not only do you need a special bouquet, but I think we all should have flowers. It will make the church smell, well, heavenly.”
As the ladies laughed, Georgina’s knee started to bob up and down quickly. She set her hand upon it to stop the movement. “I had not thought any further than which dress I’d wear.”
Sophie smiled kindly. “Nor need you. We will take care of everything.”
“Thank you.” Georgina didn’t know what else to say. How was she to run an estate home when she couldn’t even remember to prepare for her own wedding?