In fact, at this moment, she was sitting quietly on her corner of the blanket, smiling quite proudly to herself as she finished her second one.
Henshaw, ever the good sport, had admitted defeat graciously, and announced that he could best her in shooting once they had concluded their picnic.
Tony wasn’t going to underestimate Charlotte again, but he wouldn’t dare tell his friend so.
Luncheon had been delightful, if a bit much, and they all sat or laid about rather sleepily on the lawn at Linley, nobody feeling particularly inclined to engage in activity for a time.
Francis had his head in Janet’s lap while she played with his hair, Henshaw was laid out flat on the grass dozing, Miranda had gone up to the terrace to chat with her sister and Mr. Johnston, and Izzy and Georgie lounged nearby, still picking at the remaining strawberries.
Tony watched Georgie for a moment, wondering at the ease he saw in her now. She always tended to hold herself almost stiffly when they were in company, though an outing such as this would induce her to let her guard down a little. She was determined to always be the strong image of herself everybody saw her as, but he sensed that the pressure to continually be so weighed upon her.
She’d opened herself up to him, and he’d never quite been able to put his finger on the reason. Perhaps it was because he was an outsider who had no pre-conceived notions of her, perhaps it was desperation to confide in anybody who wouldn’t judge her, or perhaps she had seen something in him that prompted her to do so. Whatever her reason, he would always be grateful that she had.
He could not have imagined his time in London without her. Well, without any of the Spinsters, to be sure. He held them all in high esteem and had great affection for each one of them. Even before he’d grown close to Georgie, he’d felt that for her.
But now…
Everything was changed now. He knew her well, despite their relatively short acquaintance, and the prospect of coming to know her better filled his soul with anticipation and delight. He wanted to share so much with her, the details of his life, even the things that were inconsequential, and the memories he hadn’t shared with anyone. He wanted to take her to Mawbry and Engleford, where he had grown up, and show her all the best trees to climb, the secret way to the kitchens, and the tree house he and Ben had fashioned as boys.
He wanted to tell her about his time in the army, the good and the bad, and everything that filled the spaces between. He wanted to dance with her more than once at a ball. He wanted so much and yet he couldn’t bring himself to move.
Georgie had to be sure. She never did anything unless she was, and this could not be an exception.
Time would be his ally. Time and patience. If Georgie was the result, he had an eternity’s supply of both.
“Tony?”
He looked over at Janet, who seemed to be watching him in amusement. “Janet?”
She smiled at him. “Will you be a dear and round up the remaining pall mall equipment? I don’t believe everything was brought down. The servants will be setting up the shooting for Henshaw and Charlotte, and I’d hate to take them away from it.”
He nodded and sat up, brushing his hands off. “Of course. I could use the exercise, anyway, after such a splendid meal.”
Janet squinted up at him in the sunlight. “Cook will be delighted to hear that. She may send you home with a basket.”
“One can only hope,” Tony laughed, climbing to his feet.
“I’ll come with you,” Georgie offered with a groan as she rose. “I’m likely to fall asleep if I don’t do something with myself.”
Tony’s heart lifted in excitement.
Georgie didn’t look at him as she turned to look at Izzy. “Do you want to come, too?”
What? Why would she ask that? He liked Izzy as much as anyone else, probably more than most, but to invite her along when they had a chance to be alone? If he had the freedom to express himself as he wanted to, he would have glared at Georgie rather ferociously at this moment.
Izzy shook her head and tilted her face back more fully into the sun. “I’d rather enjoy a nap in the sunshine at present. I am perfectly content to remain just as I am here.”
Izzy was now his favorite person in the entire world, including his own family.
Georgie nodded and started towards Tony, who gestured in the direction of the pall mall course and scattered equipment.
They walked side by side in silence, enough space between them for another person besides. Every now and then, one of them would stoop to pick up a wicket and loop them over an arm. Tony picked up a ball, Georgie a mallet.
“Sorry about that,” she suddenly murmured as they picked up more wickets. “I thought it best to keep up appearances.”
Tony exhaled roughly, relief washing over him. “Was that what that was?”
Georgie cast a look at him. “I could hardly squeal in excitement at the prospect of five minutes alone with you in front of the rest, could I?”
He chuckled and allowed himself to grin without reserve. “I suppose not. Was that your inclination?”
She shrugged with a teasing smile. “It might have been.”
“I’ll take it.” He held out a hand for the ball she picked up, and she gave it to him, their fingers brushing.
Georgie suddenly blushed and ducked her chin.
Embarrassed, was she? He found that perfectly endearing and utterly charming. His strong and witty Georgie was bashful about her feelings for him.
That was a good sign.
He chose not to comment on it and continued forward, looking for the next wicket. “So, what do you think about Charlotte and Henshaw?”
Georgie laughed once. “Oh, they are a formidable pair, but she’s not for him, nor he for her.”
“No?” Tony asked, truly curious. “I thought they would make a rather good match.”
Georgie shook her head very firmly. “No. Henshaw is far too nice a man to be paired with Charlotte, even if he can provoke her so well. I rather think they will just be good friends.” She looked over at Tony with curiosity. “He’s a rather good friend for you, I think.”
Tony nodded, picking up another mallet and handing it to her. “He is, and one of the very best. A good heart, strong convictions, endless amounts of courage, and a devilish sense of humor; I cannot tell you how often he lightened the hearts of those in his company.”
“I believe it,” Georgie replied, sidestepping a puddle. “I like him immensely.”
“I hoped you would.” He smiled over at her with all the warmth he couldn’t express with words.
She caught it and surprised him by returning it in full measure. “I have had a thought,” she suddenly said, still smiling.
“Oh?” he inquired, picking up another wicket. “Should I be worried?”
Georgie hummed a little. “I don’t believe so. You know that my mother and father are abroad this Season.”
He nodded, deciding, probably for the best, to avoid criticizing parents who abandoned their daughter so easily.
“But Uncle Lambert is charged with my care and guardianship in their absence,” Georgie went on, suddenly finding the ground of particular interest.
“Yes, so you’ve said,” he replied a bit slowly, wondering at the point she was trying to make.
Georgie’s lips quirked, and her gaze shifted his way, although it never rose enough to meet his. “He thinks very well of me and is very good. I believe if someone with a particular interest in pursuing any sort of arrangement to keep company with me within the public eye…”
Tony stopped and stared at her in wonder.
“… might find himself rather welcome to avail himself of my uncle’s presence around three in the afternoon tomorrow, when he will be returned from his business, and during which time he is most accommodating. Should any requests wish to be made.” Georgie had stopped now as well and bit her lip, the corners of her mouth pulling as if she would smile.
“Georgie,” Tony began sl
owly, unable to keep from smiling, not daring to hope, “are you saying that… I may court you? Officially? For all the world to see?”
Georgie grinned and nodded eagerly. “If my uncle agrees, which Izzy assures me he will.”
“Izzy knows?”
“They all know.” Georgie shrugged with a laugh. “I had no idea, Tony, but they’ve known all along. And they approve.”
“They approve?” he echoed in disbelief.
She nodded again, now all-out giggling. “Tony, Izzy threatened to expose us if we don’t go public. They would start rumors about us just to get us to court properly.”
Tony shook his head, staring at this wonderful, beautiful, incomparable woman before him. “If we weren’t in full sight of the house right now, I would kiss you like there was no tomorrow.”
Georgie smiled at him tenderly. “I’d let you.” She held out her free hand, and he took it in his, holding as tightly as he dared.
“This will suffice,” he whispered with a wink.
Georgie nodded and stroked his hand with her thumb. “For now.”
And they continued to walk along the green, hands only parting when they must, and joining again the moment they could.
Chapter Seventeen
There is nothing to make a soul so fulfilled as finding purpose, and nothing to bring as much joy as searching outside of one’s self for it. Being consumed with one’s own affairs overly much is a sure way to invite misery and discontent. A good heart is a fine thing to possess indeed.
-The Spinster Chronicles, 20 February 1818
The evening had begun over half an hour ago, and still Lady Edith had not arrived.
Georgie barely avoided wringing her hands together as she paced the floor. She had delivered the invitation to Lady Edith personally, and had been assured she was coming.
The evening was specifically designed with her in mind, for pity’s sake!
“Georgie, do calm yourself,” Aunt Faith murmured with a hint of scolding. “It is not attractive to behave so. What would your mother say?”
“That an anxious woman never gained a thing,” Georgie uttered without thinking. “I know that one.”
Her aunt harrumphed and nudged her husband, whose almost bored expression hardly changed. “What, Faith?” he grumped. “I’m wondering where the lady is, too. All the other guests have arrived, including Georgie’s new beau.” There was a suggestive note in his voice, and Georgie turned to look at him with a raised brow.
Her uncle chuckled easily. “I’m only saying, Georgie, that it is hard to sustain a courtship from separate rooms.”
“Tony doesn’t mind, Papa,” Izzy broke in helpfully. “He’s a good sort, and he wants Lady Edith here as well.”
“Hush, Izzy,” Aunt Faith scolded quickly. “He is Georgie’s beau. When you have one, you may speak of him.”
Izzy rolled her eyes and shook her head at Georgie as she headed for the front of the house.
Georgie was not going to comment on that, for fear of lashing out at her aunt, and that would not help anyone, least of all Izzy.
But where was Lady Edith?
Had Georgie and Izzy intimidated her? Had they somehow misunderstood when they visited her? Did she not want their friendships? Had they gone too far?
So many questions, so many mixed emotions, and absolutely no answers.
The evening would not be a loss if she didn’t come, but the disappointment would be crushing.
At least her courtship with Tony had begun officially, and she could be seen going to him for comfort, though it would have to be more composed than she would have liked.
Flinging herself on him wouldn’t do if she wanted to keep above rumors and speculation. She wasn’t prone to dramatic displays as it was, so the odds of her doing that no matter the circumstances were low.
Still, it might have been an entertaining spectacle, and Tony would have no idea what to do, or that it was coming. His expression would have been rather hilarious and imagining it might have been enough to satisfy her.
“She’s here!” Izzy suddenly squealed as she dashed back to them.
“Oh, good,” Aunt Faith said under her breath. “Though it is rather deplorable manners to show up so tardy.”
“Don’t tell her that, Faith,” Uncle Lambert told her. “We are warm and welcoming, and grateful to have her here.”
Aunt Faith glared at him briefly. “Yes, of course, we are. But the fact remains…”
Georgie ignored them both and smiled as Lady Edith finally appeared, looking enchanting in a green muslin that enhanced her eyes so perfectly. She hurried down the corridor towards them, an apology no doubt on her lips.
“Lady Edith,” Izzy said quickly before any apology could come forth. She curtseyed and held out her hands. “We’re so delighted that you could join us.”
Izzy’s warmth could have thawed an entire winter, and Lady Edith looked both bewildered and delighted by it.
“Thank you, Miss Lambert,” she replied, smiling prettily. “It is a pleasure to be here. I pray you’ll excuse my tardiness…”
“No need, no need,” Uncle Lambert told her with a congenial smile. “My daughter is quite right, we are delighted to have you.” He bowed, and Georgie could have kissed him for his goodness.
Aunt Faith curtseyed and smiled as best she could, gesturing for her to proceed into the drawing room where the others had gathered.
Izzy took Lady Edith’s arm, and Georgie followed, smiling in her relief.
The night would be well now, no matter what transpired.
“Are you settling, Lady Edith?” Izzy asked, rubbing her arm. “We descended upon you so suddenly after your arrival.”
Lady Edith chuckled easily. “Oh, yes, we’re quite settled now. You’d hardly recognize the place if you saw it. And please, do call me Edith. I’ve never enjoyed formalities.”
“That’s fortunate,” Georgie replied. “We hate them ourselves.”
“What do you hate?” Charlotte queried as she approached them. “I adore hating things, do tell me.”
Edith looked intrigued by that but said nothing.
“Formality,” Georgie informed her.
Charlotte shuddered delicately. “I despise formality. I never use it if I can help it. No point to it at all.”
“Some would disagree with you,” Izzy broke in, shaking her head.
Charlotte shrugged. “No matter.” She looked at Edith with interest. “You must be Lady Edith Leveson.”
Edith inclined her head, smiling a little. “I am.”
“This is Charlotte Wright,” Georgie told her quickly, knowing that Charlotte despised protocol almost as much as formality. “She’s one of the Spinsters, too.”
“Charmed.” Edith bobbed a quick curtsey, then tilted her head in question, as if she could sense that Charlotte was not through.
And, of course, she wasn’t.
Charlotte nodded thoughtfully, her lips curving slightly. “I’ve heard that you were only married for about five minutes.”
“Charlotte!” Izzy gasped, pulling Edith closer to her. “Don’t!”
“It’s all right,” Edith said, patting Izzy’s hand. “I’ve heard it all in Derby. I was not married long at all, Miss Wright, but married I was, so the status remains.”
Georgie gnawed the inside of her lip, watching the exchange carefully. Charlotte could easily get out of hand, and she had no idea if Edith had enough mettle to endure such a thing. If she needed to act, it would be easiest to remove Charlotte, though how she would accomplish that, short of bodily means, was beyond her.
“And how was being married?” Charlotte inquired.
“Charlotte,” Georgie warned in a quiet voice.
Edith smiled just a little. “Quick.”
Charlotte grinned. “I like you, Lady Edith Leveson.” She tossed her head back and laughed a deep, throaty laugh. “I think I shall like you immensely. Play a hand of whist with me later, once you’ve made the rounds.”
Charlotte nodded and made her way around the room.
“Well done, Edith,” Izzy praised, laughing in disbelief. “You handled Charlotte marvelously.”
Edith exhaled softly, shaking her head. “Let’s hope not everyone will be so suspicious.”
“They won’t,” Izzy and Georgie said together.
Georgie waved a hand at Tony, who nodded and came to them with Henshaw in tow. “Edith, this is Captain Anthony Sterling, a very great friend, and Lieutenant… I’m so sorry, I don’t know your given name.”
Henshaw smiled at that. “Not to worry, Georgie, it’s Edward.” He returned his gaze to Edith and bowed. “Edward Henshaw, at your service, Lady Edith.”
“You must be the man Lachlan wrote me about,” Edith replied with a bright smile. “You sent over supplies to stock our kitchens.”
“I did, yes,” Henshaw confirmed, his eyes twinkling. “I hope you didn’t take offense.”
Edith reared back a little. “From a brace of pheasants and vegetables? Not at all, we were most grateful for them. It was very generous.”
“Well,” Henshaw blustered, looking embarrassed, “I did promise to look after you, Lady Edith, and I am a man of my word. I didn’t want to impose on you without a formal introduction, lest you think me presumptuous.”
“That didn’t stop Georgie and Izzy,” Tony brought up with a small wink.
Edith giggled while Henshaw scowled. “That is not the same thing and you know it, Sterling.”
“Georgie’s all imposition,” Izzy laughed with a meaningful look at Georgie. “We’ve never been able to fix that.”
“Yes,” Georgie admitted with a dramatic sigh, “it is all I ever hear about.”
Edith looked around the group with a sort of wonder, then looked back at Henshaw. “Well, it will be no imposition henceforth, Lieutenant.”
Henshaw smiled broadly. “I’m glad to hear it. Please, do send for me if you should have any need. I’ll give my information to your manservant and see that he knows it as well.”
The Merry Lives of Spinsters Page 24