by Anna Macy
***
Robert paced the walkway in front of the immense Scott mansion, his fisted hands swinging along his sides. Georgiana should be there any moment, and he was filled with a sort of elated terror. Not because Georgiana herself, but because it suddenly felt so crucial that Georgiana be able to handle not just the influential female personalities in his family, but the curious and invasive eyes of the gentility that would be attending this evening.
He wanted her permanently in his life. And while Robert was more than happy to skip the balls, and the summer extravaganzas, it would be easier on Georgiana if she could handle the pressure of dinners like tonight. After all they, were an essential aspect of the Wains family business.
“Is she here yet?” Marian’s voice called out from the foot of the sweeping staircase up to the Scott mansion.
Robert didn’t answer, shaking his blonde head instead. He felt, rather than saw his sister’s warm smile as she spoke into the winter night, “She will be.”
Looking to the North, Robert’s heart practically leaped from his chest. Wain's secondary carriage, complete with matching chestnuts, came trotting down the street. Running his tongue nervously over his teeth, Robert moved to the edge of the cobbled street as they came to a halt before him.
Unable to wait, Robert went to open the door himself, the light fog of the panes obscuring the woman within. A silken white-glove gripped him tightly as Georgiana unfolded herself and stepped delicately down from the carriage.
His breath caught in his lungs. She was an angel, those haunting copper eyes shining from the light of the street lantern behind him. Her cheeks were flushed a soft pink and her lips curved in a lush smile; a thick green cloak flowed down her back. Underneath, a sliver of cream caught his eye. Nervously her eyes shifted up and down his form as well.
He should speak, comment on her dress, say anything, but words failed him. Instead, his mouth fell open as he watched her move to stand in front of him. Georgiana cocked her head to the side, and soft ringlets cascaded down her neck as she observed him.
“Shall we?” Georgiana offered softly, her voice like church bells. Shaking his head again, Robert offered his elbow to the vision standing in front of him. Smiling up at him, Georgiana slipped her hand around the crook of his elbow. His eyes stared into hers as they made their way up the walkway and the stairs.
The team of servants who met them at the door separated them briefly to take their heavy winter outer clothes. Robert still hadn’t spoken, words flew through his mind, but none seemed to encompass the way she looked tonight.
The girl who served him soup from her kitchen was lovely, her heart shining as beautifully as her face. But this woman, this beauty, he was unworthy to stand beside her.
Marian waltzed up easily, her face flitting quickly over her brother before settling on the other woman. A smile quirked her pale pink lips. “Miss Conning, would you like to join me for a drink? I believe my brother needs a moment to compose himself.”
Robert glared at his sister, but she didn’t seem to notice, her bright blue eyes trained on his guest's face. Georgiana sent him a teasing smile before letting Marian drag her from the room. Robert cleared his throat, straightening his lapels before he marched into the Scott’s library where a group of finely dressed men was crowded about, sipping from curved brandy glasses.
“Daniel,” Robert reached a hand to the master of the house, “Thank you for having us.”
Robert swept his eyes over the host of the evening. Daniel Scott was an average sort of man, his hair an unremarkable shade of dusty brown, his face appealing, yet not conventionally handsome. Even his height and weight seemed average. And yet, the man was a hugely influential figure in London; his bank’s support or indifference could dictate a company’s entire future.
Daniel gave a polite nod as he shook Robert’s hand. The man was a friend to Wains Shipbuilding but primarily worked with Robert’s father. This was the first time Robert had been representing the company without his father’s powerful shoulders beside him. It was more daunting than he imagined.
As the men absorbed him into their fold, talk of business, women, and children swirled around him. Robert smiled and nodded with the group, but his mind was elsewhere, wondering how Georgiana might be faring without him.
***
“You should’ve seen the expression on the Duke of Cullor’s face when she fell into the fountain chasing that little white dog she drags everywhere,” Marian whispered in her ear. Georgiana snorted, turning quickly and coughing politely to cover up the laughter. Marian’s face remained serene and innocent, but Georgiana could see the humor sparkling behind her blue eyes.
Georgiana sighed loudly, her eyes scanning the room. Shimmering satin and lace swirled around her as names and titles flew from rogued lips. At this rate, she’d never been able to remember everyone’s name, or at least which characteristics belonged to which women—the party guests ranging in age from fresh from their debut to grandmother many times over.
Luckily, Marian hadn’t left her side, a valiant confidant who whispered a brief description of that person as they approached. She reminded Georgiana so much of her brother. The gentle humor, the smiling eyes, and her evident desire to make everyone around her comfortable.
Both of their eyes quickly caught a motion from across the room. Catherine, Marian and Robert’s mother, gestured at Marian with a flick of her delicate wrist.
“Wait here, I’ll be right back,” Marian moved quickly, her rose-pink skirts billowing around her as she went to her mother’s side.
Georgiana took a deep breath, a smile on her lips as she replayed in her mind the bits and pieces of gossip and history that Marian had bestowed in hurried whispers upon her about the other guests. Perhaps she came from a common family, but she hadn’t done half of the insane things they had. Money and prominence did not guarantee good decisions, that was for sure.
“You’re the common girl that Robert brought, aren’t you?” The bored, nasally voice belonged to a rail-thin blonde who approached her eagerly; she looked to be a few years older than Georgiana.
“Excuse me?” Georgiana cocked her head in surprise, her hand pressing against her chest as she stared into the girl’s face.
“Someone said Robert brought Bert Conning’s daughter here tonight.” Her eyes, a dull shade of grey, scrutinized Georgiana.
Georgiana pasted on a smile, her teeth clenched, “And you would be?”
“I’m Lady Helen Asher. My father is the Viscount of Williamsburg.” Her haughty expression sent tendrils of unease down Georgiana’s spine. Nevertheless, she offered a curtsy to the woman, an action befitting the woman’s higher rank. While lowered, Georgiana snuck a glimpse across the room. Marian was in what looked to be an exciting debate with her mother.
She was alone in this fight, at least for the time being.
Rising slowly, Georgiana summoned her courage and met Lady Helen’s gaze with her own. “I’m Georgiana Conning, and it’s lovely to meet you.”
“Charmed,” Lady Helen muttered, her eyes still trailing over Georgiana’s form. Silence fell between them, and after her eyes darted about the room, Lady Helen moved closer. Georgiana stiffened, leaning away as the woman’s face twisted into an ugly snarl.
“You don’t belong here. I don’t care how you convinced Robert Wains to be seen with you, but you will never fit in here.”
Georgiana’s jaw went slack, her eyes widening at the harsh words. Stuttering, she tried to find the words to say, her throat tightening with emotion as Helen’s insult hit home.
“Why wouldn’t she fit in here?” A deep, alto voice spoke from behind her.
Lady Helen startled; her stormy eyes now filled with fear as she stared over Georgiana’s shoulder at the new voice. Preparing herself for whatever the debutante might throw at her next, Georgiana turned. In the doorway stood a tall, willowy woman.
Georgiana judged her to be in her early forties, with deep emerald eyes that surveyed L
ady Helen’s shifting feet before coming to rest on Georgiana. There was lurking power there, beneath the polished, polite surface, she could tell this Lady was not one to be trifled with.
Lady Helen curtseyed politely, her head bobbing as she murmured, “Mrs. Scott.”
Georgiana gasped lightly, realizing how rude she must seem, staring mouth agape at their hostess. Mrs. Scott’s lips twitched as Georgiana dropped into a hasty curtsy.
“Mrs. Scott, excuse me,” Georgiana said softly as she rose again.
“Lady Helen, you were just about to elaborate on why Miss Conning wouldn’t fit in here.” Mrs. Scott emphasized their surroundings with an elegant wave of her hands. The home was unlike anything Georgiana had been in before. Each room a towering statement to the Scott’s prominence and their comfort at the top of society.
Lady Helen swallowed loudly, her face growing pale. “I only meant to help Miss Conning as she is new to our circles. Giving her a short lesson.”
“Ah, I’m sure you were Lady Helen. That is especially interesting, seeing as you seem to have fallen out of favor in recent times. Perhaps it is your abundance of interest in giving lessons to some of the fine gentlemen of the ton.”
Lady Helen gasped, and Georgiana covered her wide-open mouth with a hand.
“Mrs. Scott, I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Good answer, Lady Helen. If I were you, I would make my way back to my fiancé quickly, before he has a chance to talk to too many other guests this evening. Our world, however glamorous, is small and quite talkative.”
Lady Helen curtsied quickly; her face flushed red as she prepared to flee.
“Oh, and one more thing, Lady Helen?” Mrs. Scott spoke louder this time, and the blonde woman cringed away as several other heads turned. “Next time you decide to speak down to one of my guests, whether they be common or royalty, you best consider exactly whose house you are standing in.”
Lady Helen fled, her lace-edged frock a blur as she frantically moved through the now interested crowd, leaving Mrs. Scott and Georgiana staring at each other.
“Mrs. Scott, thank you for standing up for me.” Georgiana's eyes nervously stared up at the woman, her hands twisting against her skirt. Mrs. Scott reached out a hand, smoothing her hands into quiet.
“Small-minded people will always be exactly that. We cannot expect them to understand the wonderful things that can come from an open mind.”
Georgiana stared up at those sparkling eyes, filled with a sharp intelligence that intrigued her deeply.
“It was nice to meet you, Miss Conning. Please enjoy dinner.” Mrs. Scott slowly dropped into a perfect curtsy, which Georgiana flew to the mirror. One last smile and the hostess moved away from Georgiana, leaving her feeling both lightheaded and a bit giggly. All this time, she’d been terrified of what the mighty Judith Scott would say to her, when in fact, she had come to Georgiana’s rescue.
Her words did leave Georgiana confused, though. Perhaps Marian would have the answer. As if summoned by her mind, Marian suddenly gripped her arm, bright eyes sparkling with a deep need to know what had just transpired. Lady Catherine followed behind her daughter, her piercing eyes taking in Georgiana’s shocked expression.
“What just happened?” Marian whispered loudly, her grip on Georgiana’s forearm growing painfully tight.
“I met Mrs. Scott,” Georgiana said coolly, loving the way Marian’s face smoldered at her lack of detail.
“And?” Both Wains women stared at her eagerly.
“And what?” Georgiana blushed slightly under their dueling stares.
“You’re doing this on purpose. Please, Georgiana, tell us what happened!” Marian wrung her hands, her smile finally breaking Georgiana’s resolve. She quickly reiterated the conversation between Lady Helen and Mrs. Scott. By the end, Marian’s face was awestruck as she stared at her mother.
“I cannot believe Lady Helen would go that far,” Catherine said softly, her words angry.
“I cannot believe that she dared ever point out anything regarding rank within a dozen miles of Mrs. Scott,” Marian whispered to her mother. Noticing Georgiana’s confusion, she leaned in, dropping her voice conspiratorially. “Mrs. Scott is the only daughter of an Earl. She gave up her title and inheritance when she married Mr. Scott. He was only a common bank worker when they met.”
Catherine was nodding. “Twenty years ago, it was the only thing people could talk about. The exquisite debutante who fell in love with a commoner. And one who preferred numbers over humans at that.”
“But you should see them together, Georgiana. It’s incredible the bond that they have.” Marian’s face lit up at the love story’s happy ending. Georgiana looked around the room and spied a plain-faced man standing along by the pianoforte.
His suit was the most delicate fabric and cut, but his demeanor was uncomfortable, almost as if he were trying to disappear entirely. Then his face split into a broad smile, and he seemed different. There was a softness there, a warm glow that seemed to radiate gently from him as Mrs. Scott approached. She pressed her body against his in a most improper way. But at the same time, anyone could see that there could not be one of them without the other.
“Mr. Scott,” Georgiana whispered to herself, a smile stealing across her lips. In this room filled with titles and peers, the two of them were different. As if drawn by her thoughts, Mr. Scott raised his eyes to hers. They were quiet, calming. For a moment, Georgiana realized why Mrs. Scott had been drawn to him. In the chaos of the room, of the world, he remained a stable, temperate form. Almost invariably, Mr. Scott inclined his head to her, a silent acknowledgment.
Georgiana smiled warmly in his direction. Then she was yielding to the gentle tugging of Marian’s hands. It was time to sit down for dinner. Following Marian and Catherine into the opulent dining room when a pungent dinner awaited them, Georgiana suddenly didn’t feel alone.
She looked from Marian to the Scotts, who had assembled at the head of the expansive dining table. The candles flickered between them, illuminating the faces of two people who had already faced Georgiana’s greatest fear and conquered it with grace. Mrs. Scott caught her eye, offering one quirked eyebrow as the party was asked to sit and begin to dine.
Georgiana sat gingerly, her heart full even as tears stung the backs of her eyes. Even without Robert, she had people here who understood her, maybe even those she could call friend someday.
NINE
Robert was disgruntled. When he’d stared dumbfounded at Georgiana in the foyer, he had no idea that he would spend the rest of the evening in pursuit of her again. First, he’d gotten in a debate about the new tax being proposed, and then he had been called into another conversation about an upcoming boxing match.
Now it had been hours since he’d been able to speak with her. He’d glimpsed her, an angel laughing and conversing across the table. From his perspective, every man in the room had had a chance to speak to her, to listen to her, except for him. Now he was stuck between two older gentlemen who were in a heated argument over the use of steel. But thankfully, the meal was almost complete. His boot tapped lightly against the floor as he let out a long sigh of frustration.
When the room finally broke up to adjourn for drinks and card games, Robert flew around the table to find himself beside Georgiana. When she raised those soft brown eyes to him, he finally felt the deep lull of peace surround his hammering heart.
“Are you alright?” Robert couldn’t help himself, reaching between them to raise her hand to his lips.
Georgiana’s lips curled, “I enjoyed myself greatly.” She was genuine; he realized with joy.
Robert’s heart leaped in his chest. “Truly?”
Georgiana nodded, letting her hand drop between them. “Although I’m sorry to say, I must be leaving soon.”
“I barely got to speak with you,” Robert said, disappointed.
Georgiana winked at him. “Perhaps that was my fault. I think I shocked you when
I arrived today.”
Robert flushed, remembering his inability to put words to his feelings earlier. “Then let me try again now.”
The room was clearing around them as Robert stepped closer until he could smell the soft rosewater that she must be wearing tonight. It invaded his mind, a balm on his earlier worries. “Georgiana Conning, you leave me speechless. Thank you for gracing me with your presence tonight.”
Georgiana brightened with the humor in his compliment. She tossed her head, curls bouncing as she stared up into his face. “See, that wasn’t so hard.”
Robert laughed softly, “I’ve had plenty of time to rehearse.”