Chapter Twenty-Two #2
“I cannot praise you highly enough, m’dear.
That Marlow pup, on the other hand…did you see him spill his tea earlier?
All down his waistcoat, which was as ill-fitting a garment as I’ve ever seen.
Marlow’s tailor ought to be shot for such workmanship.
But perhaps it’s one of Sir George’s hand-me-downs.
Much as your sister, I imagine, wears your hand-me-downs. ”
“Well, Margaret is—”
“Too plump to wear a gown that would once have been yours?” Sir Iain laughed. “I daresay she prefers breeches, given how she was telling Countess Stiles of her propensity to climb trees.”
“Oh dear, I—”
“Precisely, m’dear. That little brat should have grown out of such habits by now. How old is she? Twelve?”
“Nearly thirteen.”
“All the more reason why she should act with more decorum so as not to disgrace you. Young ladies who engage in tomboyish pursuits are never deemed suitable matches, and any disgrace attached to them reflects on the rest of their family. I can’t think what your brother is about, letting her run wild. ”
“To be sure, he has somewhat liberal views toward her.”
“Has he ever given her the strap?”
“I-I think not.”
“He ought to. My father taught me that obedience and proper behavior can only be achieved through discipline.”
“Well…”
“If I were to be his brother, it would be my pleasure to instruct him. For the good of your family, of course. I care a great deal about your family, Georgiana, as I care a great deal about you. Though I’ve just had the most marvelous notion.”
“Which is?”
“Leonard Marlow is such a puppy that I’ve a mind to tell your housekeeper that he should sleep in the nursery tonight.”
Georgiana let out a giggle, and Cordelia opened the gate to see the two of them in an embrace.
“There you are!” she said brightly.
They turned and Georgiana frowned, her color rising. Sir Iain nodded to her and smiled.
“What do you want?” Georgiana said sharply.
“Tea is finished,” Cordelia said. “And, Sir Iain, I’m come to tell you that my husband has arranged for a wheelwright to take a look at your carriage.”
He tilted his head to one side, his pale-blue eyes focused on her.
“How very generous of him.” He released Georgiana’s hand. “Well, I’d better join my fellow guests. Thank you for your tour of the rose garden, Georgiana. I’ll see you at dinner. I trust you have placed me by your side so that I may protect you from the tedium of puppies.”
“You may depend on it, Sir Iain.”
Sir Iain bowed, then slipped out of the garden. Georgiana began to follow, and Cordelia caught her sleeve.
“Ought you spend so much time alone with Sir Iain?” she said.
Georgiana frowned. “It’s no business of yours.”
“I may know little about social convention, but I do know that an unchaperoned young woman is at risk of—”
“At risk of what?” Georgiana said, pulling herself free. “Do you think I can risk my reputation by taking a walk with a respectable man any more than my brother has risked it by marrying a doxy?”
“You should be careful not to show so much partiality toward a man, lest he—”
“Lest he what?” Georgiana said. “Offer his hand in marriage? I’m aware that you’ve no notion of how a respectable woman secures an offer of marriage from a gentleman.”
“Georgiana, I meant no offense.”
“Desist!” Georgiana said sharply. “You’ve said quite enough. I know more about how to preserve a woman’s reputation than you ever shall.” She folded her arms. “And to think, I felt pity for what you had… Urgh!”
She let out a huff and shook her head.
“You’ve deceived my brother as much as you’re deceiving me now.
My brother married you merely to further my prospects by securing a fortune.
I’ll not have you ruin things with your tales.
You may have convinced my brother, but I shall never be similarly duped.
Now, if you excuse me, I must attend to my guests. ”
Before Cordelia could reply, Georgiana turned and strode back toward the house.
Cordelia leaned against the gate, trembling. When she had composed herself, she smoothed back her hair and returned to the house. As she neared it, she saw her sister-in-law standing by the entrance, surrounded by their guests.
“Mes amis,” she said, “I fear the weather is turning cold, and I would not have any of you suffer a chill. The fires have been lit, we have madeira in the drawing room for the ladies, and for the gentlemen, brandy and the billiard room awaits. Lady Marlow, I wonder if you would oblige the ladies with a little music? We are very much looking forward to your entertaining us after dinner, with Mrs. Ffortescue singing, of course, but I confess that I’ve been yearning to hear that delightful Mozart sonata you regaled us with on your last visit, if you would be so kind. ”
A murmur of approval rippled through the party.
Cordelia sighed. How could Georgiana engage the whole party with a few phrases, and know exactly what to say?
The guests filed into the house. Cordelia’s husband approached her, his brow wrinkled with concern.
“Is all well?” he said. “Forgive me, it must be very overwhelming for you, but I assure you that the ladies are disposed to be friendly. Countess Stiles seems taken with you. She has complimented you several times already.”
“She’s quite charming,” Cordelia said, “but I’m concerned about Georgiana.”
James glanced toward the doors through which the party had entered the house. “Is she unwell?”
“No, but I saw her in the rose garden with Sir Iain. Alone.”
“There’s nothing untoward in that,” he said. “Sir Iain’s my guest and has my leave to spend time with her. He has yet to ask permission to court her, but he’s a respectable man, and a baronet. He read classics at Cambridge, you know. I can’t think of a better suitor for Georgiana.”
“Surely an education isn’t enough to recommend a man’s character, given that all men of your class attend either Oxford or Cambridge,” Cordelia said. “Georgiana was overly forward with him earlier. I saw her—”
“Cordelia, I appreciate your concerns, but my sister is well versed in propriety, given that she’s the daughter of a viscount and has been schooled all her life on decorum. Or do you have particular concerns as to her behavior?”
“N-no, but I wonder if she knows her own heart. An infatuation should not be mistaken for love.”
“I’m sure your interference is well intentioned,” he said, his voice firm, “but it is interference nonetheless. I think my sister can tell the difference between a mere fancy and genuine affection, even if you cannot.”
Cordelia caught her breath, and he winced.
“Forgive me,” he said, shaking his head. “I didn’t mean to say that.”