“Georgiana, darling! I was beginning to wonder where you were.”
Georgiana dropped into a curtsy as she took the woman’s hands.
“Your Grace. My apologies, I had to change outfits as one was unsuitable.”
“Don’t worry too much about that.” The Dowager Duchess of Richmond gave the young woman a warm smile. “And you don’t need to be so formal around me. You’ve known me for years.”
Georgiana had done. The dowager duchess was a friend of her mother’s and Georgiana had spent many summers over at Atwood House playing with Richmond, the dowager duchess’ son, and her husband’s ward, Viola. They were warm and kind towards her and Georgiana couldn’t forget all that. But she wasn’t about to forget her manners in the middle of a dance.
“We are in public, ma’am.”
“Fair enough.” The dowager duchess’s smile widened and brushed her fingers across Georgiana’s cheek. “You’re looking beautiful, sweetheart. I still can’t believe you’ve grown up so much.”
“Thank you.” Georgiana could feel herself blushing. Even with her confidence, she was unsure about compliments and they made her embarrassed. “You really know how to make me feel better.”
“Oh, you’ll be fine.” The older woman tittered. “Everyone here knows you and those who don’t will love you.” Her eyes twinkled. “My son is certainly going to be pleased to see you.”
“What?” Georgiana blinked. “Richmond’s here?”
As far as she was aware, Richmond was still in London on business. He wouldn’t be coming back at all for Midsummer, according to his mother. So, to hear he was home was a surprise. Georgiana could feel her heart jump into her mouth.
Richmond, the boy she had watched grow into a man, was only a few feet away, somewhere in the house.
“Yes, he arrived home about an hour ago. I’ve told him he’s coming to make an appearance.” The dowager duchess looked over her shoulder when they heard someone calling Georgiana’s name and sighed. “I think Viola’s looking for you.”
Georgiana looked around and saw a petite, redheaded girl her age dodging through the crowds, jumping and waving to Georgiana. She couldn’t believe that someone as small as Viola Morton could have so much vibrancy inside her. She could fill a whole room with her demeanour- even more now than usual.
Viola was beaming, the smile bigger than before and her eyes were shining. The ball hadn’t been going for long so something else had to have put her into this sort of euphoria.
“She looks happy.” Georgiana commented.
“She’s been happy since she found out my son’s home.” The dowager duchess wrinkled her nose. “I’ve never seen anyone so delighted to see their guardian.”
The previous Duke of Richmond, Richmond’s father, had taken Viola on as his ward when she was a little girl after her parents died. Georgiana’s parents had been good friends with the Morton family and the previous duke had been happy for Viola to keep up her friendship with Georgiana. Viola and the dowager duchess could sit in a room together but as Viola got older, Georgiana had noticed that the dowager duchess seemed to be a little strained around the younger woman.
Georgiana had never asked why, and she was sure the dowager duchess had her reasons. Viola was a lot for one person who wasn’t used to them and the older woman had to deal with it every day.
She barely got to think much more before Viola was upon her, linking arms as the dowager duchess slipped away, disappearing into the crowds.
“Georgiana!” Viola was practically squealing, a noise that made Georgiana wince. “I thought you were never coming down.”
“Had a problem with my wardrobe. I had to find a replacement.” Georgiana raised her eyebrows at her friend. “What’s wrong with you? You weren’t this gay earlier.”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Viola giggled. “I’ve got something to tell you and I’ve been waiting for you.”
A secret like they were little girls. Georgiana was confused but allowed Viola to drag her out of the French windows and onto the terrace. It was a very warm evening, and it was still light, so several groups were out in the vast gardens.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Georgiana asked as Viola half-walked, half-pulled her along the path towards a love seat against a tree. “I’ve been here a week already.”
“I’ve known for a long time, but I wasn’t completely sure about myself.” Viola reached the seat and sat down heavily, still beaming. “Not until I saw Richmond had arrived home.”
“You’ve got a secret about Richmond?” Georgiana sat beside her friend. “Is that why you’ve been so lively lately?”
Viola was always gay and full of energy but this time it was different. Georgiana had known her for years and could sense the change. This had to do with Richmond? The mere thought of the man had Georgiana feeling like she was coming out in a cold sweat.
“You could say that.” Viola sat back in the love seat and sighed. “I’m in love, Georgiana.”
Georgiana was about to congratulate her friend – they had always talked about their first love and who they might end up in love with – but then Viola’s behaviour and what she had just said sank in. She sat up.
“Wait a minute. Are you telling me that you’re in love with Richmond?”
“I am. I thought there was something there a while ago but I wasn’t completely sure. And then I saw him earlier, and I just knew.” Viola looked across the garden with a dreamy look on her face. “I’m in love with him.”
Georgiana felt like she had been punched in the stomach. Her friend was in love with the Duke of Richmond. It felt like Georgiana was in a bad dream. They had always talked about the men they could possibly fall in love with.
But she had never expected for them to be in love with the same man.
“But…he’s your guardian!” Georgiana heard herself protesting.
“We grew up together as kids. I’ve known him practically all my childhood.” Viola shrugged. “It certainly explains a lot of things.”
“Like what?”
Viola dithered on that. Georgiana was beginning to wonder if this was the real thing with Viola as she wasn’t known to be so focused on something. But when Viola was fixed on something, she had a strong resolve. This resolved strengthened as she waved away Georgiana’s question.
“A lot of things.” She sat up, a look of determination on her face. “I’m going to marry him, Georgiana.”
Now Georgiana felt nauseous. Her stomach felt like it was turning over. Placing her hand over her belly, Georgiana tried to keep herself calm.
“Don’t you think Richmond should have a say in it all?”
“He can have a say. He can propose to me and make me his duchess.”
Georgiana gulped.
“I think there’s a lot more to it than that, Viola.” She pointed out. “And what happens if Richmond doesn’t think that you’re duchess material? He might only see you as a little sister. You were raised as one for him.”
“He’s my guardian now, not a big brother. And we’re not related.” Viola looked pleased with herself. “I’m eighteen now and I’m in love with a gorgeous man. I’m going to become the Duchess of Richmond.”
Chapter 2
Coming Out of
the Shadows
G eorgiana was taking deep breaths to stop herself from hyperventilating, her breathing quiet so Viola wouldn’t notice. She didn’t want her friend questioning why she was starting to panic. Georgiana couldn’t believe she was soon going to compete with Viola for Richmond’s attention.
She swallowed hard and tried to remain composed. This was a secret Georgiana had held on to for some years now and she wasn’t about to tell Viola. Much as she loved her friend, Viola couldn’t keep a secret and Georgiana wasn’t about to have that bandied about. Certainly not when Viola’s affections were in the same direction.
“It’s not going to be as easy as that, Viola.” Georgiana warned.
“Oh, it will.” Viola lean
t over and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Just don’t tell the dowager duchess, all right? I’m fond of her but I don’t think she’ll be too impressed.”
Georgiana couldn’t argue with that. She certainly wouldn’t be happy about it. Much as she cared for Viola and loved her son, the dowager duchess wouldn’t be too keen about her son’s ward and her son becoming a couple.
But Georgiana knew if she said anything against it, Viola would be even more determined. She always tried to prove people wrong. And Georgiana didn’t want to see her friend and the man she had fallen in love with when they were children happily married.
That would certainly break her heart.
But Georgiana didn’t say any of that. She simply pushed her thoughts away and forced a smile at Viola.
“I won’t say a word.”
***
“Knock, knock.”
Ralph Mortimer, Duke of Richmond, looked up from his desk. His mother stood in the doorway to his study, shaking her head at the sight before her. He groaned.
“Mother, I said I’m coming.”
“You said that half an hour ago.” The dowager duchess entered the room, closing the door behind her. “Why are you still skulking in here? Come and enjoy the ball. It’s looking very successful.”
Richmond grimaced. He had spent several days in London dealing with people who wanted to drag him to places where the music was loud, the conversation was loud and even the dancing was loud. It had been a relief to come back to his home where it would be quiet apart from the occasional laughter from his ward as she got up to more mischief. The last thing he wanted to do was attend the annual Midsummer Ball his mother threw every year where it would make his head hurt from all the noise.
To give credit to his mother, she was a perfect hostess and knew how to make an evening enjoyable. She was one of the warmest, most sociable people he had ever met. But that wasn’t Richmond. Much like his departed father, he preferred to wile away in his study and with his books. His estate was thriving and everything was up to date. Richmond just didn’t want to go out and talk to people.
There were days when he wished he had an older brother or someone to pass the title on to. Being a duke felt like too much going out and talking to people for him.
He put his pen down and rubbed at his eyes.
“Mother, I’m not really in the mood to be accosted by several young women who want to become the next duchess.”
“I never…”
“I know you didn’t invite them here for that but that’s what’s been happening to me since I became the duke.”
Two years since his father had died. Two years in which Richmond had tried to fend off the women. Now the Duke of Richmond wasn’t a middle-aged married man but a young, unmarried and handsome one, women were coming out of the woodwork. Richmond had never been particularly bothered by women before due to the fact he preferred to stick his nose into a book and hang around the edges of a social gathering but that was before he had a title.
It was a wonder he hadn’t driven his mother mad by the fact he hated crowds.
The dowager duchess sighed and sat in her usual chair.
“Darling, you do need to find a wife soon…”
“I thought you weren’t going to push me to find a wife.”
“I’m not.” His mother spread her hands. “I’m merely saying that you do need to find a wife shortly but don’t worry about it now. Focus on you, seeing people and meeting old friends.”
Richmond growled and stared at the wall opposite.
“I hate balls.” He grumbled.
His mother laughed.
“You’re just like your father. You prefer your books to talking to people.
“Well, after talking so much in Parliament and being dragged about to meet all and sundry, I’m not interested in more conversation.”
Especially not with the fairer sex. Richmond could appreciate there were intelligent women around but the majority of them liked to talk about their fashion, their parents and gossip nastily about the person next to them. Richmond hated that.
“I get that, dear, and I understand you work very hard. But I think your guests will be happy to see you.” The duchess smiled. “Georgiana Seymour certainly will be.”
Richmond sat up. That had certainly got his attention.
“Georgiana Seymour? Viola’s little friend.”
“She’s hardly little now. She’s eighteen and has blossomed into a beautiful young woman.” The duchess winked. “I think you’d like the way she is now.”
Georgiana Seymour. She was a regular visitor to Atwood House. When Viola’s parents had died and Richmond’s father had taken her as his ward, Georgiana had come as part of the package. She was Viola’s closest friend and Richmond Senior had wanted to make sure things were as normal for his ward as possible. They were eight years younger than him, so Richmond hadn’t had much to do with them. But he remembered Georgiana, and he liked her. She had that quick wit about her and while being a social butterfly even as a child, she was more than happy to sit for hours with him to read. Viola was the one who couldn’t sit still but Georgiana could manage it.
He hadn’t seen her in nearly two years. Richmond was interested to see what his ward’s best friend was like now. Then he realized where his thoughts were going and saw his mother’s knowing look. Had he been that obvious?
“Are you trying to set me up?”
“I wouldn’t do such a thing.” The duchess’ innocent expression gave her away. “But I think you couldn’t go wrong with Georgiana.”
Richmond didn’t want to be paired off. What happened if Georgiana was already promised to someone else already? What if she didn’t like him?
His social anxiety was about to go through the roof. But he knew he should make an appearance. Richmond couldn’t be hide away in his own house. He sighed and stood.
“Fine. I’ll come and have a look around. Make sure people know what I look like.”
The dowager duchess grinned and stood.
“It’s just for an hour.” She promised. “That’s all I’m asking for. I can happily host the entire evening, but you can show your face for a while.”
Richmond couldn’t deny his mother anything. She and his father had been very devoted, and Richmond had seen how distraught she had been when his father died. Just coming out of mourning, the dowager duchess was a good woman and kept her head up. Richmond wouldn’t be able to turn her away even if he tried.
Linking arms with her son, the duchess led Richmond into the ballroom. The place was almost bursting at the seams. Richmond could feel his heart pounding in his chest but forced himself to be calm. If he could make himself stay the hour, he could be done for socialising for a while. And his mother would appreciate it.
The dowager duchess squeezed his arm and got his attention, nodding towards a couple standing near a column.
“See the blonde-haired woman in the red dress near the orchestra talking to the Duke of York?”
Richmond looked. And he looked again. His heart stumbled and started going again.
“That…That’s Georgiana?”
“Yes.” The duchess smiled knowingly. “Beautiful, isn’t she?”
Richmond wasn’t going to argue with that. Georgiana had been an attractive girl but now she had certainly blossomed. She was beautiful. And that smile made his chest squeeze. He coughed and nodded.
“Yes. Very.”
Chapter 3
Leaving a Sour Taste
T he duchess laughed. Then she cast her eye across the floor and her smile faded a little.
“Oh, dear.”
“What?”
“I think your ward is wanting your attention.”
Richmond turned and saw a redheaded young woman making her way towards them, her eyes focused on him with a beaming smile across her face. Viola. Richmond was fond of Viola in the way a big brother was fond of an annoying little sister, but she was sweet in her own way. There was some immaturity in
her, but Richmond could understand she was only just becoming a woman. When she had greeted him earlier, it was like a little girl greeting her long-lost friend.
Richmond wondered what he was in for. Viola was a very chatty girl. He glanced at his mother.
“Rescue me in ten minutes, will you?”
“All right?” The dowager duchess raised her eyebrows. “But I thought you liked her.”
“I do but she likes to talk my ear off.”
Richmond plastered on a smile and turned to his ward. He would happily endure her company for a while. Especially if it meant he could talk to Georgiana, who often wasn’t far behind.
***
Georgiana was in a bad mood. Last night had been awful. She had managed to talk to practically everyone and put on a good facade for everyone, but inside she was in turmoil. Her stomach hadn’t settled well, and she was uncomfortable as anything.
All because she had been told that Viola was in love with Richmond and was determined to make her his duchess. To the man Georgiana had loved for years.
Viola was vivacious, beautiful and could make people laugh around her, even with her flaws. She would be perfect for Richmond. Whereas Georgiana was not even on the social ladder anywhere near Richmond. Even the dowager duchess, who adored Georgiana, would frown upon that, Georgiana was sure of it.
She had to stand to the side and watch Viola and Richmond out the corner of her eye. Viola was practically fawning over the man, touching him on the arm and laughing a little too loudly. To his credit, Richmond was polite and didn’t even bat an eyelid. But Georgiana could see that he was uncomfortable. She knew he didn’t like social settings, and it made him nervous, which was why he disappeared after ten minutes.
Ten minutes that had been the longest ten minutes in her life.
Georgiana had struggled to sleep, unable to stop thinking about Viola and Richmond together. What happened if Viola was successful? She was very good at getting what she wanted. And Richmond would be bowled over by her, Georgiana knew it. She wouldn’t get a look-in.
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