47. Sarah
Sarah
We’d just returned home after taking Jacob around Chicago and the day wasn’t even close to over.
George had pressed close beside me in the carriage.
Had we ever been so close? Yes. On the steps.
But only for an instant. All day, his whispered words had slipped across my skin.
When his teasing turned Viola or Jacob pink-cheeked, he cupped a hand before his mouth, leaned in, and murmured, “See… the flushing.”
When we arrived home, George caught my arm and towed me down a path in the park before Viola and Jacob had a chance to catch up.
I’d spent years trailing after him, surrendering to the unconscious pull of his gravity.
But today, he actively—purposefully—held on and drew me along. It pressed at the old ache in my chest.
We crunched along the gravel without speaking for a few minutes.
The third time he gave me a sidelong glance, I slowed my pace. “What?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve been thinking about your dog-brained oaf.”
I freed my arm from his grip. “Why?”
“I want to help you. But first…” His jaw tightened as he drew a breath. “First, I need to be sure you’re not actually interested in him.”
How strange to consider discussing my feelings with George. I hardly confided in Viola.
He slanted a look at me. “This is where you’re supposed to say”—he pitched his voice up two octaves—“No, George, I am not interested in that clown.”
“My voice doesn’t sound anything like that.” What was he up to?
The shadow of a scowl flickered across his handsome features.
“Well,” I said. “He is good-looking.”
George stopped, turning to face me. “And?”
“I’m making an observation.”
He pursed his lips.
“My mother likes him.”
“And?” He circled a hand. “Waiting for the clown part, Goldie.”
“He is the only clown interested in me.”
George groaned.
“But you’re correct. I’m mainly interested in avoiding him.”
“Excellent.” He bobbed his head. “Redirection is the name of the game. And we start tonight at Jacob’s dinner.”
He offered his arm, and we strolled together while he outlined his plan. We spent the better part of an hour figuring out the details. Then he walked me to my door, and I gazed after him as he skipped down my steps.
George saluted as he backed through the hedge. “See you tonight, partner.”
Partners. Pemberley, we were partners. Only a word, yet it shifted my world.
I ran upstairs to prepare for the dinner party, unusually bright with anticipation.
Gloria curled my hair and piled it atop my head.
The olive-green crepe gown I chose was understated and somewhat old-fashioned, but one of my favorites.
Its only flaw was the lack of pockets. My lucky pennies would have to stay home.
I checked my reflection one last time before throwing my curtains wide. George’s drapes were open, our agreed-upon sign that he had already gone down.
“I’m going next door,” I called, unable to keep the bounce from my step.
Time to set George’s plan—our plan—into motion.
George winked at me as I crossed into the VanMartins’ bustling parlor. He stood beside Jacob, serving as host and introducing him around the room. But he’d been watching the door.
For me.
Time to initiate Operation Oafless. George had insisted on the name. It was either that or Free Goldie. Viola would be delighted by our scheming. I’d tell her all about it later, when she wasn’t so distracted by Jacob.
I tilted my head toward Tessa, and George nodded. The brunette chatted with her parents and another couple. I linked arms with her and drew her aside.
“How have you been holding up in the heat?” I asked.
“It’s terrible. I often stroll along the shady paths in the park,” Tessa said. “The breeze off the lake gives some relief.”
“You should walk with Henry Higginbotham. He’s always looking for someone to stroll with him in the park.”
Tessa gave me a sideways glance. “I have walked with him on occasion.”
“Excellent. I keep turning him down. Don’t want to give him the wrong impression.”
Her questioning look was perfect.
I bent my head close. “I don’t wish to have him for a suitor. We’re not compatible.”
“I didn’t realize…”
“And I’m twenty, almost twenty-one. Too set in my ways to become what he wants. But he’d be a prime catch for the right woman.”
A commotion swirled at the door.
Henry walked in as if on cue, his arrival rippling through the room like juicy gossip at a ball.
I measured Tessa’s reaction. Interested. Good.
“He is certainly handsome,” I said.
“Yes, he is that.”
“Oh.” I let out a small, startled gasp—perhaps a touch dramatic—then lowered my voice. “He’s walking this way. Pretend we weren’t just talking about him.”
“Ladies,” Henry said with his usual restraint.
“What excellent luck to find you together, for I can immediately wish the two most beautiful women present a good evening. I am positively dazzled by your loveliness.” He bowed to each of us, then flipped his golden curls from one side of his forehead to the other.
Tessa stared up at him as if he’d descended from the clouds.
I said, “Tessa was just telling me how she had been enjoying the park, despite the heat.”
Henry turned his blinding smile toward Tessa, and she flushed. “Excellent to hear. I’ve certainly found it enjoyable when I’ve been fortunate to meet her for a walk in the park.” He pursed his lips. “Most enjoyable.”
Promising.
I met George’s gaze from across the room and touched my ear.
He put one finger to his nose and led Jacob over to where Viola sat with Mrs. Newman.
I asked, “Is there a park near your home in Milwaukee?”
“Many parks, all filled with the greenest grass and innumerable well-maintained flowerbeds. We also look out over Lake Michigan. It is quite vast, you know.”
Tessa nodded, hanging on his every word.
George waggled his brows as he approached. Silly man.
“Higs. Glad you could make it. It’s been far too long.” George clapped his hand on Henry’s shoulder and stepped between him and Tessa. “And might I say, Miss Milton, tonight you are as stunning as ever. Isn’t that right, Higs?”
Henry said, “I would go so far as to say even more stunning than usual. Unusually gorgeous, beautiful, lovely, and talented. Definitely.”
Tessa’s blush crept up her cheeks to her ears.
“Yes. Reminds me,” George said. “I need a word with Sarah.” He cupped my elbow and swept me out of the room.
We barreled arm in arm into the hall.
He called to his staff with cheerful exuberance, “Now, please. Time for dinner.”
Moments later, the meal was announced.
As I peeked inside, George pressed close behind me, and my cheeks heated. His words from earlier echoed through my mind. See… the flushing.
As one, we leaned to peer into the parlor. Operation Oafless was proceeding beautifully. Henry offered his arm to Tessa, and they walked through to the dining room.
George’s warm breath tickled my ear. “Like a horse to water.” He offered his arm, and we were last into the dining room. Together.