49. Sarah
Sarah
As soon as Viola finished her performance, I rose from my chair. A hand pressed to my lower back. I sighed. I thought our plan had been working. Could Henry not take a hint? But when I turned, green eyes and sandy hair filled my vision.
George.
“Top form tonight, Goldie.” He guided me toward the parlor with gentle pressure. “That high part in the middle… floated, like it was the easiest thing in the world.”
I stared at him. Since when did he have any interest in music? Since never.
His gaze landed on me, and a tight string hummed between us. “But I know…”
His eyes left mine and swept around the room.
But what? George didn’t know anything. Not about me. Clearly, he did not know how to finish a sentence.
“Anyway. I just wanted to say that.”
“Say what, George?” Still, that ridiculous humming between us.
He turned toward Henry. “On with the plan.” His hand fell away from my back as he casually made his way over to Henry.
But I didn’t feel casual. Not where his hand had been.
George said something to Henry, and they both glanced back at Tessa.
George tapped his ear.
My turn.
I sidled up to Tessa. “I overheard Henry say he wants you to be his partner tonight for cards. Have fun. He’s a talented player.”
I slowed my pace and fell behind the other guests, but Tessa didn’t notice. She continued into the parlor right behind Henry.
George stood outside the parlor door speaking cheerfully to everyone who passed by, the consummate host.
He stopped me from entering with a warm hand around my arm, tethering me as he chatted with Mrs. Newman and his father.
Mrs. Newman smiled and glanced between George and me.
I gave my head a slight shake. Don’t pair me with George. I’ve given him up like a bad habit. No more fantasy romance. Too embarrassing.
Mr. VanMartin offered her his arm. “Come. Let’s show these youngsters how to play cards.”
She gave me a wink as she took his arm. “With pleasure, sir.”
George pointed to the empty hall behind me. “They’re still in the conservatory.”
“Who… oh.”
“Alone. Did you see the cow eyes they were making at each other all through dinner?”
“All day, really,” I said. “They are sweet together…”
George grabbed my hand and pulled me back toward the conservatory.
“George.” I dragged my feet, but he pulled me along.
I’d held men’s hands while dancing or at a carriage door, but this was different. Too playful. Not playful enough.
“Loosen up, Goldie. Let’s have some fun. My sworn brotherly duty.” He stopped just before the conservatory door and gave me an impish grin.
Brotherly. Yes. He was like a brother to me.
He stomped his feet, coughed, tittered, and harrumphed, and I couldn’t help but add my laugh to the cacophony. After a few seconds of sounding like deranged geese, we raced back—hand in hand—toward the parlor, slowing to enter at an appropriately sedate pace.
Henry and Tessa were already partnered at the other end of the room and paid us no heed. George led me toward an empty card table near an open window and pulled out a chair with his free hand. When he turned back to me, that impish grin was still on his face.
He lifted my hand slowly toward his lips. But at the last moment, he twisted his wrist and gave an extra tug, spinning me past him and onto my chair.
I barked out a laugh. “It’s not a ball, George.”
“M’lady.” He bowed slightly, plopped down opposite me, and pointed toward the door.
Viola and Jacob entered the parlor looking twice as flushed as I felt.
George waggled his eyebrows. What was with his dancing brows tonight? Did they think they were at a ball?
And why was it so much fun?