Chapter Four
“She will not attend.”
Nathaniel set the invitation upon his desk.
“That conclusion was swift.”
“It required no deliberation.”
Georgiana was summoned and received the decision with a composure more alarming than anger.
“You took my invitation,” she said to Selina.
“I brought it to your guardian.”
“You brought it to my brother.”
“In this instance, they are unfortunately the same man.”
“And neither of you thought I should be consulted before deciding where I may go?”
“You have made your intention clear,” Nathaniel said. “I still refuse it.”
“You refuse everything before I have finished asking.”
“Mrs Ottley’s house is unsuitable. Repetition will not improve it.”
Georgiana’s eyes moved between them. Anger rose into her face, then slowly withdrew behind an expression of careful composure.
“Very well. If I give you my word that I shall not attend, will that satisfy you?”
Nathaniel hesitated, plainly expecting another attack. “Yes.”
“Then you have it.” She looked at Selina. “Both of you.”
She inclined her head and left the study, closing the door quietly behind her.
Selina continued watching the door. “That was too easy.”
“I thought you wished me to trust her.”
“I do. It is the silence in which she gave you her word that I find hard to trust.”
***
The note lay upon the footman’s tray, folded twice into a small square. The man’s face wore the peculiar stiffness of a servant who had been made party to a private affair above their station.
“Miss Gray left it not a quarter of an hour ago, Your Grace.” He held the tray level and kept his gaze fixed upon its centre. “She took the town carriage and instructed me to give it to you the moment you returned, and to no one else.”
Nathaniel took the note without breaking stride and read it in the hall, his gloves still upon his hands.