Chapter Eleven #2
Marianne’s elegant eyebrows arched. “Goodness me. How old are you, my dear?”
Georgiana, wishing she looked older than her years rather than younger, managed a confident smile. “You need have no fear that I’m truly too young. I came of age a month ago and my fortune is my own.”
Understanding dawned on Marianne’s features, and she looked back at her brother. “And how did you meet my dear feckless brother?” Definitely sarcasm now.
Perhaps she need not have worried about what Marianne would think of Fitz’s hasty marriage. At least, not about whether or not she would be liked. It seemed Fitz was the object of his sister’s sarcasm.
However, working out beforehand what they were going to answer to questions like this might have been a good idea. Georgiana hesitated, and Fitz leapt into the breach. Thank goodness.
“We met in the park, if you can believe that.”
No, she could not, but hopefully Marianne would.
“In the park?” She didn’t sound as though she did.
Fitz nodded. “Georgiana lost her parasol in a gust of wind and I retrieved it for her. Our attachment grew from that.”
A good story. He seemed to have a fertile imagination. But was that worrying? His adeptness at a quick lie might be a bad sign.
Marianne smiled, which softened her features and gave her a sudden look of her brother. “Very romantic.”
“Yes,” Fitz said, continuing the lie. “We knew we were destined to be together from the moment we met. However, due to her aunt’s disapproval of marriage before the age of five and twenty, we had to wait for Georgiana to come of age. Then we were free to do as we wished.”
This was so near to the truth Georgiana could not fault it. Probably best, if you were to tell a lie, to keep it as close to the truth as possible. She had, on occasion, had to resort to this herself with her aunt.
Fitz flashed a charming smile at his sister, making Georgiana’s heart do another little unruly skip.
“But as we had to keep our attachment very much a secret from Miss Patience Frampton, we now find ourselves married but without any fanfare.” He put on what he no doubt thought was a winning smile which nearly made Georgiana giggle.
“We would like to hold a ball, which in a way would be Georgiana’s missed coming out, but also a means to announce to society that we are wed.
” He patted Georgiana’s hand. “However, due to her upbringing, and my own complete lack of interest, while growing up, in the workings of balls, neither of us are in any position to organize one.” He gave his sister a second charming smile and tightened his hold on Georgiana’s hand.
“So we were wondering if you might be able to be of assistance to us?”
That smile. If she hadn’t vowed not to allow her emotions to rule her, she might just be tempted to fall for it.
Well, she was falling for it. Only he seemed so good at plastering it on when required that surely it must lack sincerity.
Not to mention the ease with which he told a lie.
That this man, her husband, was a terrible rake was obvious.
And a fortune hunter to boot. Otherwise why would he have agreed to this bargain?
But oh, he was so handsome in a totally devilish manner, and hadn’t the girls she’d been at school with all declared that a devilishly handsome rake was the most attractive man possible?
How right they’d been. But they’d also said, “once a rake, always a rake” and “never trust a rake.” They’d probably been right, although how they’d known, she had no idea. Older sisters’ advice, perhaps.
Marianne pursed her lips for a moment before a genuine smile broke through.
“Yes, of course I can help you. I should be most happy to do so. It will be an occasion I can persuade your favorite and only niece to attend, as it’s a family celebration.
You know how difficult Harriet can be and how little she enjoys the ton.
I will invite all of society. It will be a grand affair.
” She paused. “But where will we hold it? Where do you two intend to live?”
Georgiana seized the initiative. “At the house we own in Bedford Square. I inherited it from my papa. It’s quite large, and I suppose it would suit.”
Marianne’s eyebrows shot up. “Bedford Square? One of the new houses there?” She sounded surprised at the location.
“They are large and undoubtedly splendid, but not large enough, I fear, for the sort of gathering I intend to hold.” A glint shone in her eyes.
“I insist on holding the ball here for you both. That will be my wedding gift to you and it will be easier for me to organize if it’s to be held here.
We have a more than adequate ballroom and plenty of space for supper and retiring rooms and even a card room for the gentlemen.
” She held up an imperious hand. “Do not protest.” Not that Georgiana had been about to.
“I insist. I will enjoy doing so, and it will make life easier for you two newlyweds.”
Was that an appraising look in her sharp eyes? Did she suspect something?
“But I would very much like to learn how a ball is organized,” Georgiana finally managed to put in, pushing her spectacles back up her nose from where they had slid towards the tip.
“I have led a sadly sheltered life since my father passed away as my aunt didn’t believe in even going to social events, let alone holding one.
And before then, I was too young for anything like that.
” She didn’t add that when Papa had been alive she’d been more interested in her horses than in attending balls.
Marianne did not look the sort who would approve of that.
Marianne, carried away by her own obvious enthusiasm, nodded. “And so you shall, my dear, but you will have to come here every day to do so. Then you will know just how to do it yourself the next time.” A beatific smile covered her face. “I’m sure there will be many next times in the future.”
Clearly it had been a wise idea of Fitz’s to engage his sister to organize a ball for them. And it seemed to have deflected any curiosity Marianne might have had about Georgiana’s origins. For now.
Marianne clasped her plump white hands. “This will be quite splendid, Fitz. I shall present you and your pretty little wife to society. It will be my pleasure.”
Praise indeed. At the moment. Georgiana looked from Fitz to his sister and back again. Fitz was looking more than a little smug that his idea had worked, and his sister’s eyes glinted with enthusiasm. Possibly because holding a ball would force her own daughter to attend.
And that, it seemed, was that.