“You love him?”
Isabel nodded and another round of sobs escaped her throat. When they subsided, she whispered. “I wish we had never come to London. I cannot bear such heartache.”
Georgette held her sister. “Dearest, don’t despair. We’ll think of something, but first let’s help you into your nightdress. I’ll ask Rachel to bring you a cup of tea. Would you like that?”
Isabel nodded. “Yes, please. That sounds good.”
Georgette stood and went to the bedchamber door. Rachel was waiting in the hallway. “Rachel, could you bring us some tea, please?”
“Of course, miss. Be right back.”
“Georgette, I’ve been so rude burdening you with my problems,” Isabel said. “I haven’t even asked about your evening. Did you have a good time at the dance?”
Georgette turned toward her sister with a smile on her face. “I did indeed. I spent most of the evening talking with Mr. Hunt.”
Isabel moved to the vanity and started pulling pins out of her hair. “He seemed a pleasant enough fellow. Do you like him?”
“Well, I’ve only met him so I don’t know yet, but I dare say he and I share a mutual love of books. We talked and talked for most of the evening, it seemed,” Georgette said as she helped pull the rest of the pins from Isabel’s hair.
“You did?”
“Yes, he was the one who lent me his carriage when I couldn’t find you or Mrs. Quinn. He was very gallant the way he took charge.”
“Oh, wait. I did see you chatting with him earlier.”
Georgette nodded. “Isabel, I’m so sorry I was not there when you needed me. I feel terribly bad about that.”
Isabel reached up and squeezed Georgette’s hand. “Do not worry yourself over it. I’m very happy that you’ve met someone you fancy. That’s so exciting.”
Georgette picked up the brush and began to comb out Isabel’s hair. “I’m glad you feel that way, because Mr. Hunt is due to call on me tomorrow afternoon. He’s asked me to take a stroll with him, but I couldn’t possibly accept unless you accompanied us. Do you feel up to that? I can send word and cancel if you’re not.”
“No, there’s no need to cancel. I’d be delighted to go with you and your Mr. Hunt.
Georgette chuckled. “He’s hardly my Mr. Hunt.”
“Give him time. Anyone who knows you can’t help but fall madly in love with you.”
Georgette leaned over and kissed Isabel’s cheek. “Thank you for saying such sweet things.”
Isabel nodded. “I only tell the truth.”
The bedchamber door opened and Rachel brought in a tray of tea. “Here you go, misses. A nice cup of tea to settle your nerves.”
“Thank you, Rachel,” Georgette said.
The maid nodded and went to Isabel and began unbuttoning her dress. She helped her into a nightdress before turning her attention to Georgette. “Ready to brush your hair, Miss Georgette?”
Georgette nodded and sat at the vanity. Rachel undid the pins before brushing and braiding her hair and helping her into a nightdress.
“Will there be anything else this evening?”
“No, thank you,” Georgette said. “We will be fine now. Good night, Rachel.”
Rachel gathered up both dresses. “Very good, miss. See you tomorrow,” she said as she left the room, closing the door behind her.
Both young women sipped their tea for long moments, each lost in their own thoughts.
Georgette was the first to put her teacup down. She went to the pitcher on the chest and poured water into the basin. She dipped a cloth into the cool water and squeezed out the excess. “Isabel, into bed with you now. Put this on your eyes to help with the swelling. Can’t have you going out tomorrow with puffy eyes, now can we?”
Isabel nodded and climbed into bed. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
Georgette laid the cloth across her sister’s eyes. “It’s my pleasure, you know that. You’re my sister. I would do anything for you.” She kissed her cheek before blowing out the candle before climbing into bed beside her. “Try to get some sleep now. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
“I’ll try. Good night, Georgette.”
***
The next day dawned bright and the sun streamed in through the lace curtains in their bedchamber. Georgette woke first and a smile ghosted her lips. The day promised to be a wonderful one and she was looking forward to seeing Dalton Hunt again. She had thought about him long into the night and found it difficult to fall asleep. Was Isabel right? Was he her Mr. Hunt? Could one fall in love in one night? Perhaps that was only true in fairy tales, but whatever the case, Georgette longed to be in Mr. Hunt’s company once again.
Isabel turned over and flung her arm over her sister’s waist. Georgette looked at her sister’s face and sighed. It pained her to know that Isabel was so unhappy, but she wasn’t willing to give up on Mr. Tisbury yet. She was sure there was a reasonable explanation for what Isabel had witnessed although she couldn’t imagine what it could be. Why would he kiss Miss Larkinson when he had professed his love for Isabel? He didn’t seem to be the type of man to trifle with a young lady’s heart, so perhaps there was something they were missing.
Isabel’s eyes fluttered open. “Morning.”
“Morning, sleepy head. I’d thought you’d sleep the day away.”
Isabel rolled over on her back and raised her arm over her eyes. “That sounds like a better idea. Would you mind?”
Georgette reached over and tickled her sides. “Oh no, you don’t. We’re going walking with Mr. Hunt, remember? You promised.”
“Stop tickling me,” Isabel said. “I was merely teasing you, that’s all.”
“That’s my girl. It looks to be a lovely day out and the fresh air will do you good.”
There was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in,” Georgette said.
The door opened and Rachel entered the room. “Good morning, misses. Are you ready to dress?”
Georgette slipped out of bed. “Yes. We’ll be going out later today.”
Rachel nodded and went to the armoire and began pulling out day dresses, petticoats, and stockings. She held up the dresses. “Are these to your liking?”
Georgette nodded. “Those are perfect. Isabel, do you have a preference? Cream or blue?”
“It doesn’t matter to me. I think you’ll look stunningly beautiful in the blue dress, though.”
“Thank you, dearest. That’s so kind of you to say.”
“I agree with Miss Isabel,” Rachel said. “Blue compliments you very well.”
“The blue dress it is, then,” Georgette said with a chuckle.
Once dressed, they went downstairs and found Mrs. Quinn in the dining room enjoying her breakfast.
“Good morning,” Iris said.
“Morning, Mrs. Quinn. I trust you slept well,” Georgette said.
“Very well, thank you.”
“Morning,” Isabel mumbled as she took her seat at the dining table.
“Isabel, are you feeling better today?” Iris asked.
Isabel nodded and sipped at her tea.
“Mrs. Quinn, I have some delightful news,” Georgette said.
“Oh?”
“Yes, Mr. Hunt will be calling later and he has invited us to go walking with him.”
“Dalton Hunt?”
“Yes, that’s him. Do you know him?”
Iris smiled. “I haven’t seen him in a number of years. Charlotte Hunt is a friend of mine. The Hunts are a highly regarded family, and you would be well taken care of if you two were to marry.”
Georgette reached for the toast and jam. “I’ve only met him last night, but he is a very pleasant fellow and I very much enjoyed talking with him.”
“That’s wonderful, and a good first step. I knew it wouldn’t be long before you attracted the eye of an eligible gentleman.” Iris turned her attention to Isabel. “And you, Isabel? Will Mr. Tisbury be coming to call today as w
ell?”
Isabel shot Mrs. Quinn a glance that spoke volumes. “No, he will not.”
“I see. Well, it will be pleasant walking with Mr. Hunt. The weather is quite pleasant.”
***
It was early afternoon when Dalton reached Mrs. Quinn’s home. He wiped his hands on his trousers, trying to wipe away the sweat before he knocked on the door. Georgette was the first young lady he’d ever courted, and he hoped his nerves would not ruin their walk together. Would they have anything to say to each other? They had talked and talked last night; what if that was everything they had to say to each other?
Within moments, the door opened. “Good day, sir. May I help you?” Mrs. Smithfield asked.
Dalton took off his hat and swiped his hand through his thick dark hair. “Good day. I’ve come to call on Miss Condiff.”
“Of course, sir. Please follow me.” She led him to the parlor where Iris, Georgette, and Isabel were seated.
“Good day Mrs. Quinn, Miss Condiff, Miss Knott,” Dalton said with a bow.
The ladies stood and curtsied to the young man.
Dalton shuffled from one foot to the other. He had practiced what he was going to say on the way to the Quinn residence, but now that Georgette stood in front of him, nerves made everything fly out of his mind. She was so beautiful. When she looked at him, his heart thumped within his chest. “The weather has warmed nicely,” he said to no one in particular.
“Yes, so it seems,” Georgette said.
Before Dalton embarrassed himself any further, Iris came to his rescue. “A beautiful day for a walk, wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Hunt?” she asked.
Dalton looked into her twinkling eyes. “Oh yes, it is indeed. Miss Condiff, Miss Knott, would you care to accompany me? And, of course, Mrs. Quinn if you’d care to join us as well.”
Iris shook her head. “Thank you for the kind invitation, but I’ll have to decline. I have some calls to make of my own. Perhaps you’d care to come another day and take tea with us.”
Dalton smiled. “I would be delighted, Mrs. Quinn. Thank you.”
Mrs. Smithfield swept into the room and handed Georgette and Isabel their bonnets and gloves before she went to the front door and held it open for them.
“Good-bye, Mrs. Quinn,” Georgette said.
“Good-bye, my dears. Enjoy your walk.”
“Good day, madam.” Dalton gave Iris a short bow before he led Georgette and Isabel out the door.
They’d been walking for a short while when Dalton noticed that Isabel was staying a discreet distance behind him and Georgette. He leaned toward Georgette. “May I say that I’m delighted you’ve come walking with me.”
Georgette gave him a pretty smile. “Thank you for asking me. I’m glad you came by today.”
“Does your cousin dislike me, by chance?”
Georgette wrinkled her brow. “No, of course not. Why would you think that?”
“She has fallen behind and I wondered if she does not find me an appropriate escort for her cousin.”
“She likes you fine. She is merely giving us a bit of privacy, that’s all.”
He reached for her hand and a thrill shot through him. “I see. Well then, let me take the opportunity to tell you how beautiful you look today.”
It was Georgette’s turn to blush. “Thank you. It is very kind of you to say.”
He didn’t want to be overly familiar and he let go of her hand. “Kindness has nothing to do with it. You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh, Mr. Hunt. You flatter me so.”
Dalton smiled at her. “It is my sincere pleasure and I do hope you’ll let me flatter you every day this week.”
Georgette stared into his gentle eyes. “I would like that very much indeed.”
***
Isabel slowed her pace to give Dalton and Georgette an opportunity to speak privately with each other. She was thrilled that Georgette had met someone, but her sister’s happiness only reminded her of her own sad turn of events. The ache in her heart threatened to consume her.
She should be out walking with Mr. Tisbury, not trailing behind her sister and her new beau. She wanted desperately to believe that there was a valid explanation for Colby’s actions as Georgette had suggested last night, but how could there be? A kiss is a kiss, and he’d given his away to Kathryn instead of to her.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips. With Georgette seemingly smitten with Mr. Hunt, there was no way Isabel could leave London now. She would never sacrifice her sister’s future happiness for her own selfish reasons. Why had she wandered to the balcony? If she hadn’t, she would have remained blissfully ignorant of his actions, but was that what she wanted? Would she be happy with a man who lied to her? She was so confused.
She had no answers for her own dilemma and decided that the best thing she could do at the moment was enjoy being out and about in London.
Chapter 12
The following Saturday evening, Georgette and Rachel were busy deciding which dress Georgette should wear to the evening’s dance.
“Which one do you prefer, Miss Georgette?” Rachel asked holding up the ice blue satin next to the pale pink dress.
“They are both so lovely, but I think I’ll go with the pale pink this evening.”
Rachel nodded and hung the blue dress back in the armoire.
Georgette turned as Isabel came into their bedchamber. “Oh, you’re just in time. Which dress will you be wearing?”
Isabel shook her head. “I’m not going with you tonight.”
Georgette walked to Isabel and grasped her hand. “Please come. It will be fun. I promise I won’t leave your side all evening. ”
“No, I can’t let you do that. How will you dance with Mr. Hunt? He’ll be anxiously waiting to see you again, especially after his efforts of seeing you every day this past week. He is quite smitten with you, and I dare say he would be sorely disappointed if he couldn’t dance with you.”
“He will understand, dearest,” Georgette said.
“He might, but it’s not necessary. I would prefer to stay home this evening. You do understand, don’t you?”
Georgette pulled Isabel into a hug. “I do, of course. I just hate the thought of you being alone this evening.”
“I will be fine. I told Mrs. Quinn that I have a headache and would prefer to rest this evening.”
“Are you positive you won’t change your mind?”
“Yes, I’m positive. Now which dress did you choose to wear?”
“The pink one.”
“You’ll look absolutely stunning in that one. Wait until Mr. Hunt sees you. He’ll definitely fall in love with you—that is, if he hasn’t already. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“Do you think so? I must confess every time I see him, I like him more and more.”
“Yes, I do. I think you’ll be engaged before the Season is over, perhaps even sooner.”
“Engaged? I don’t know.”
“I do. Now let Rachel assist you getting ready. You don’t want to be late this evening.”
***
Colby positioned himself alongside the wall inside the ballroom so he could keep an eye on the entrance. He wanted to go to Isabel the minute she arrived and explain what had happened at the last dance. He hoped that with a little bit of time, she would be more amenable to listening to his explanation. It was the only reason why he had not rushed over to Mrs. Quinn’s the next day after Isabel had seen him kissing Kathryn. Or, more like it, Kathryn kissing him.
He also had not written her a note this week because he was afraid that she wouldn’t read it and return it to him unopened. No, this conversation needed to happen in person. It would be easier to gauge Isabel’s reaction that way. It took every bit of reserve he had to give her time, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted to hear her laugh, see the mischief in her eyes, and hold her in his arms again as they danced around the floor.
He looked around and saw Dalton Hunt coming his way
. The young man had confided to him that he was positively smitten with Georgette Condiff. Colby was glad to see him so happy. From the interactions he’d had with Georgette, Colby thought she was a perfect match for the shy and normally reserved Dalton.
“Hello, Colby. Waiting for Miss Knott?” Dalton asked as he stood beside his friend.
“Yes. I’m looking forward to seeing her this evening.”
“I am, as well.”
Colby raised an eyebrow and looked at Dalton. “What?”
“Oh, sorry. I mean that I’m looking forward to seeing Miss Condiff, not Miss Knott. Umm…not that Miss Knott isn’t a fine young lady to see, as well. It’s just…”
Colby slapped Dalton on the back. “I knew what you meant. Couldn’t help myself, though.”
Dalton chuckled. “Our wait is over. Look there, I do believe they have arrived.”
Colby’s eyes traveled to the doorway. He saw Mrs. Quinn and Miss Condiff, but Isabel was nowhere in sight. Where was she? “Come on, let’s go and pay our respects to the ladies.”
Dalton nodded and followed Colby across the floor.
“Good evening Mrs. Quinn, Miss Condiff,” Colby said with a bow.
“Good evening, Mr. Tisbury,” Iris said. “A pleasure to see you this evening.”
“Mr. Tisbury, Mr. Hunt,” Georgette chimed in with a curtsy of her own.
Colby looked behind them. “And Miss Knott? I don’t see her this evening.”
“No, Miss Knott was not feeling well this evening. She is resting at home,” Iris said.
Colby was crestfallen, and felt like he had taken a punch to his midsection. He doubted Isabel was feeling ill. The more likely reason was that she was avoiding him. Why hadn’t he thought of that? She was more deeply hurt by Kathryn’s actions than he originally thought, and now he’d have to wait another day before he could explain everything to her. “Well, please do give her my best,” he said with a bow before walking away.
“Of course, Mr. Tisbury,” Iris said.
***
Dalton offered his arm to Georgette. “Miss Condiff, would you care for some punch?”
Georgette hesitated and looked at Mrs. Quinn.
Age of Innocence Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Page 26