Inheriting Trouble: A Sweet Regency Romance (The Bequest Series Book 1)

by Wendy May Andrews

  But that was ridiculous. What could she possibly know about helping the earl make his life better? She was a provincial girl from a small village. Barely acceptable socially in the circles he ran with. Besides, what could she offer the earl? She was barely twenty years old and had a promised dowry of ten pounds. A small fortune to her, a life changing amount. But it would probably barely keep the earl supplied with snuff for a month. In addition, she had her young brothers and sisters to think about. If the earl couldn’t be trusted with one child, she couldn’t entrust him with four more. No, she thought, it was merely the joy of being with a child again that turned her head. And I must not have slept soundly last night. I am merely tired.

  She pulled herself back to her feet and gave serious thought to taking a nap, but then she heard what must be Vicky’s rapid approach to their room. Plastering on what she hoped was a carefree smile, Georgia braced herself for the upcoming conversation.

  “Vicky,” she greeted with mustered enthusiasm. “How was your outing with Cheltenham? Do the roses in your cheeks mean you had a good time?”

  “Yes, yes, it was delightful, or it would have been had I not been consumed with curiosity as to how your afternoon was proceeding.”

  “Oh no, I pray you, tell me you are jesting with me.” Georgia’s already overwrought emotions couldn’t handle guilt to be piled on top of the writhing heap.

  Her distress must have been written on her face as Vicky quickly reassured her. “Of course, I’m teasing you, silly. Cheltenham was a delight and the afternoon flew by, but you cannot think for a single moment that I forgot my questions about your afternoon. Now, you really must confess all. I shan’t give you a single moment of peace until I am sure you have divulged all that you have clearly been keeping from me.”

  Georgia had to giggle over Vicky’s words, thus setting them both at ease. “Very well, I had no intention of keeping anything from you. I just didn’t really know the facts myself. They still aren’t all that clear to me, I must admit, but I will tell you whatever I can. But do not let my capitulation make you think that you can avoid telling me about Cheltenham.”

  Both girls grinned at each other while Georgia continued. “The boy you saw is the earl’s heir. When I went for a ride with Crossley previously, we saw the child with his governess, that is how I was aware of his existence. When the earl insisted that he wanted to do something for me to make up for saying too much about me to Lord Layton, I told him he could make it up to me by introducing me to the child. I explained that I was missing my brothers and sisters so much that spending time with a youngster would make me feel better.”

  “And he fell for that yarn?”

  Georgia grinned. “Apparently so. It wasn’t completely untrue.”

  Vicky rolled her eyes. “It has only been a few days since you saw them. I am quite certain you could survive several more without going into a decline.”

  “Well never mind that, the earl agreed, and the boy really was a delight. His name is Christopher and he is five years old. He’s been well brought up despite the earl’s neglect but clearly thirsts for attention.”

  “You were meddling, weren’t you?” Vicky shrewdly observed. Georgia felt heat climbing into her cheeks and merely offered a shrug.

  “Someone had to do something. It was for both their good.”

  Vicky laughed. “Do you think it worked?”

  Georgia shrugged. “Only time will tell, I suppose. I do think Crossley was able to see that Christopher is an innocent child who deserves to be treated well. What he does with that information is really hard to tell. The man likes to consider himself an enigma. And I don’t know him nearly well enough to be able to read him.” She sighed.

  “That seemed heartfelt,” Vicky said.

  “What did?”

  “Your sigh. Do you wish you could read him better?” Now Vicky’s tone had turned sly.

  Georgia felt heat climbing into her cheeks once more. “I beg you, do not go reading anything into my interaction with the earl. He is not for me, even if I were in search of an aristocratic husband. Which I’m not. He is far too suspicious. And dark. I do not think I could live with someone who prefers looking at the negative side of things at all times.”

  “Perhaps you could show him the error of his ways.”

  Georgia laughed and threw a pillow at her friend. “Now enough about Crossley, I want to know more about your afternoon. Do tell me you were merely jesting earlier.”

  “I already told you that I was, you ninny. Now, I will tell you all about it while the maid is doing our hair. If we are going to continue to be the belles of the ball, we must put some effort into it, or everyone will consider we were merely lucky the last time.”

  Georgia rolled her eyes and threw another pillow at her but dutifully followed Vicky’s directions as a maid hurried into the room in response to Vicky’s vigorous tug on the bell.

  “We are both going to strain your skills today, Margaret, so thank you for coming quickly. We want the most intricate styles you can muster.”

  Far from daunting the maid, Georgia was surprised to see the girl looked pleased by Vicky’s declaration. She clapped her hands and grinned.

  “I’ll be right pleased to tie your hair right up, my lady. Which one of you wants to get started first?”

  Georgia grinned at her hostess. “This was your idea, my dear. You ought to be the first one to enjoy Margaret’s ministrations.”

  Vicky didn’t argue, quickly getting settled in front of the mirror.

  “Cheltenham is a pleasant enough fellow, not nearly as complicated as your afternoon’s companion. I now know that his stables contain at least ten horses. If I thought hard enough on the subject, I could probably even recite for you their names and maybe even their sizes.”

  “Good heavens, really? Is that all the gentleman spoke of?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Then why did you seem so delighted when you returned?”

  Vicky laughed. “Because, unlike you, I like simple. Your background makes you more open to complicated.”

  Georgia joined her friend’s laughter. “I suppose so. I’ve been managing a household for years and juggling the children and everything else. I’m used to it,” she concluded with a shrug.

  “Which is why Crossley might be the perfect match for you,” Vicky persisted.

  Georgia laughed again but shook her head at her friend. “I don’t actually think the earl is on the Marriage Mart, despite his attendance at balls and routs. He is still angry with his dead wife. It seems to have scarred him. And yes, his knowledge of our little situation with my inheritance makes him the only possible match in Town, but I still think I’ll be much better off returning to Sherton and getting the smithy or the baker to marry me.”

  Vicky looked sceptical. “You just want someone you can boss around, and you’re afraid an earl won’t let you.”

  Georgia grinned but firmly answered. “I can assure you, Vick, the earl isn’t pursuing me so this is a moot point. Now tell me some more about the event we’re attending tonight so I can be a little more prepared for who I shall meet.”

  Thus successfully diverting her friend, the conversation continued to flow and they chattered their way down to the foyer to await the rest of the family.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lady Sherton had insisted they could not be the first to arrive. Her edict was obeyed. The rooms were already quite full by the time their entourage arrived in the ballroom. Rosabel and Hilaria each had their own groups of friends that soon absorbed them into the crowd. Lady Sherton admonished the girls to behave before she too went her own way.

  Georgia and Vicky exchanged amused glances before directing their attention to the crowds. They were soon surrounded by acquaintances. Before long, Georgia found herself on the dance floor. She began to feel that thousands of eyes were following her progress. She tried to ignore the sensation, reasoning that she was merely unused to such crowds. But then her partner commented
on it.

  “I say, Miss Holton, I do hope I am not doing anything untoward. Does it not feel to you as though everyone were watching us?”

  Georgia laughed. “I thought I was imagining it, but you are right, it does feel as though everyone’s eyes are following us. I don’t think we’re doing anything particularly out of the ordinary.”

  The gentleman in whose arms she was circling the floor grinned at her. “I have never found myself to be the centre of attention before. I am certain we ought to do something to take advantage of the situation.”

  Georgia wasn’t sure if she liked the direction his thoughts were going, but she offered him a valiant smile in return. “What did you have in mind, my lord?”

  She must not have hidden her trepidation successfully as he returned her smile. “No need to fear, my lady, I shan’t shame you in any way. But I do think we ought to make it worth their effort of watching us.” With those words, he spun her in a sudden dramatic circle.

  Thankfully, she was quick on her feet and managed not to fall on her face. She had no idea the gentleman had such a dramatic flair, but she soon lost count of the number of spins and dips he performed with her in his arms. Georgia couldn’t decide if she was enjoying it or not. She wasn’t disappointed when the dance came to an end.

  Bowing over her hand, the gentleman offered her another grin. “That was delightful, Miss Holton, thank you for the dance. Shall I escort you to the refreshment room for a glass of punch?”

  She was just about to accept when she caught sight of Vicky trying to beckon her frantically but discretely. It was such a humorously contradictory display that she had to struggle not to burst into laughter. “Thank you, my lord, but I think I must rejoin my friends,” she managed to stammer out.

  She went across the room as quickly as propriety would allow. “What is going on?” she demanded when she reached Vicky, who was huddled together with her sister Hilaria. “You both look as though you are about to burst and I’m not sure if it is with anger or laughter.”

  “Did you notice that every eye in the room was following you just now?”

  “Yes, Hilaria, but I couldn’t control what his lordship was doing. Your mother was most explicit that the gentleman must always be the one to take the lead in the dance.”

  She could hear Vicky stifling laughter, but Georgia managed to keep a straight face and her eyes on Hilaria.

  “Now is not the time to make jokes. Everyone is talking about you. They are saying you are a renowned heiress and half the fortune hunters in the room are queuing up for you as we speak.”

  Georgia blinked and had to exert considerable effort not to crane around to see how literally she ought to take Hilaria’s words. She wondered why the other woman would care even if it were true. She wasn’t left to wonder for long.

  “If you cause a scandal, it will ruin all our chances,” she hissed. “How did you manage to make such a mull of things?”

  “I do not see how you have managed to come to the conclusion that this is all my fault.” Georgia went on the defensive.

  “You can be certain no one in our family said any such thing about you. In fact, I am most certain Mama has been at great pains to ensure it be known that your circumstances are less than ideal, if anyone went to the effort of asking. You were supposed to just be here to keep Vicky out of trouble. Instead you’ve stirred up a mess. We never should have allowed you to come.” Hilaria stamped her foot and flounced away, leaving Vicky and Georgia staring in her wake.

  “Do you have any idea what she was talking about?” Georgia asked, while still watching Hilaria’s dark head bobbing through the crowd.

  “It does seem as though you are generating more than the usual attention this evening. I think people are talking about you even more than they were before.”

  Georgia glanced around the room, her enjoyment of the evening drooping as she saw the number of fans held up in front of whispering mouths as eyes watched her avidly. The small orchestra was just starting up the next dance, and she determined to use the opportunity to slip from the room.

  “Could I have the pleasure of this dance, Miss Holton?”

  A shiver ran down her spine as she recognized the deep tones of the Earl of Crossley. She wished the floor would open and swallow her.

  “Now is not the best time, my lord. I was just about to…”

  He cut her off midsentence. “You are not going anywhere, my girl. Now is not the time for retreat. Hold your head high and ignore the gossip. Dance with me.”

  Georgia cast Vicky a bewildered glance before being whisked onto the dance floor. Just her luck, it was a waltz. She wasn’t as familiar with the steps as with the country dances. And she could not escape the earl for even a moment, as there would be no separating during this dance. She offered him a wan smile.

  “What do you know of the situation, my lord?”

  “I know I’m much to blame for your current predicament. And I know what it’s like to be the centre of unwanted attention. Can you imagine what it was like for me when my wife died under a cloud of suspicion?”

  “I can’t even imagine, my lord, but what has that to do with me?”

  “I had to stand alone and face the scandal. I cannot stand by and watch you do the same, not when I’m at fault.”

  “This really isn’t your business, my lord. And I would happily just leave Town and return home, but Lady Hilaria just informed me that this is somehow going to taint her and her sisters.” Georgia felt tears well in her eyes for a moment but was distracted from her distress when the earl tightened his grip on her and another thrill shivered up her spine.

  “You cannot run away from your troubles. That will never solve anything.”

  “But there is nothing that can be done to fix this. Perhaps if I am gone, it will slip from everyone’s minds just as quickly as it arrived. I am easily forgettable, I am sure.”

  “I doubt that,” Crossley murmured near her ear.

  Georgia shivered. She still hadn’t looked fully into the earl’s face; she was a little nervous of what she would see there. Steeling her nerves, she glanced up and nearly faltered in her steps. The earl was gazing at her with nothing like his usual coldness.

  “What are you trying to say, my lord?” She realized how tremulous her voice sounded but was powerless to change it.

  “I will stand by your side and face down the gossip with you.”

  Georgia forced a laugh. “Won’t that just cause more gossip?”

  “Only for a short time. Once you are my countess, they will turn their attention elsewhere.”

  Thankfully, without her noticing, the dance had ended, because Georgia planted her feet and wrenched out of his arms before turning on her heel and stomping away.

  Chapter Fifteen

  That wasn’t quite the reaction I had been hoping for, Crispin thought drily as he watched the young woman wind her way through the crowded ballroom. He felt the weight of the attention of half the gathered ton being divided between himself and Georgia. He realized that his impulsive speech had probably made her situation worse than it had been. He really was turning into a bumbling idiot, he realized with a shake of his head. With a swift glance around the crowded room, he realized he would have to act quickly to stem the flow of trouble he had started.

  ~~~

  Crispin strode down the street. His sense of purpose was faltering the closer he got to his destination. Georgia’s reaction to his words the previous evening had not been encouraging. But this was the only way to redeem himself. And he rather thought it would solve several of his problems, including the one where he found he quite liked the girl and couldn’t stare into his future without her by his side.

  That was the quandary that was making his mission all the more complicated. If he were merely trying to save the girl and her friends from the mess he had created, that carried an almost righteous air to it. But once one brought emotions and feelings into the matter, it was a whole lot bigger pile of horse droppings
in his mind. How can I possibly have feelings for her? he asked himself once again. He didn’t even trust her, since she was a woman. Or did he? He had allowed her to push him into contact with his heir, and that had turned out spectacularly well. And the chit was proving to be loyal to her friends. She was willing to leave Town at the height of the Season to spare them any awkwardness. And she was distressed over the dishonesty that had been spread about her. By him, no less!

  But none of that mattered, he reminded himself once more. He was here to save the chit from her circumstances. There was much he could provide her. And he was willing to do it. With a firm and renewed stride, he climbed the stairs and rapped soundly on the front door.

  A haughty butler opened the door and looked down his nose at him. Crispin had to stifle a grin. It would seem the household had prepared for his arrival.

  “Earl Crossley to see Miss Holton, if you please.”

  “I shall see if she is at home, my lord,” the man deigned to say before shutting the door and leaving him outside. Crispin was less amused now. Just as he was about to rap on the door once more, it was pulled open by none other than the object of his visit.

  Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were alight with laughter. “Do come in, my lord. I apologize for the confusion. Some people are quite demonstrative of their feelings.”

  That statement made Crispin realize the butler’s rudeness had been a display of loyalty toward Georgia, and his estimation of her grew even more. If she had managed to instill such feelings in the butler, it said much for her character. But the chit was continuing.

  “You should not have been left cooling your heels outside, but I don’t think there is much to be accomplished by your visit. I would wish you a good day, my lord.”

  She was about to dash away. Crispin could feel his jaw wanting to become unhinged. “You couldn’t bear for me to be humiliated by being left on the stoop, but you cannot deign to offer me a couple minutes to hear what I have to say?”

  She shrugged. “Unless you are here to say you were merely jesting last night, there isn’t much to talk about.”