by Dayna Quince
But she knew tonight she could look forward to dancing with him, and then after that… Well, she fully expected he’d come to her room. He had proven very adept at finding his way around the castle in the dead of night.
She wanted to talk to him about what would happen next. How soon would they marry, and so on. There was so much to think about and do now that her dream had become reality, and some of it was a bit frightening. She’d be leaving home, she was certain of that. But she didn’t know where and she was nervous about leaving the care of the animals to her father. But after all that had happened, it seemed impossible to think that she could just go home tomorrow as if nothing had changed, when everything had changed.
These thoughts plagued her most of the day, even when she’d tended to Opal and Franklin before it was time to dress for dinner. Opal was ready to be released but Franklin needed a bit more time. As for Kit, well, he was growing into a strapping young kit, but he still needed her for a while yet. Wherever she went, she would be taking him with her.
Gavin was not so enamored of him after Kit had bit him, but he’d grow to love him again, she was certain.
She was humming as she returned to the house and her room. A maid came to assist her with her toilet and help her into the dress she’d borrowed from Violet, altered to fit her slimmer frame. She’d never worn silk before and as the dress fell over her head with a delicate whisper, she tried to imagine herself wearing it all the time.
When she married Gavin, her circumstances would be drastically different. She would have new clothes, fashionable clothes. Stockings in colors other than white and more than two shifts. She couldn’t imagine having more than what fit in her two dresser drawers at home, but she would have to become accustomed to it because though she preferred to remain as she was. The fact was, she needed to compromise for him and be a suitable wife for a successful business man. That reminded her, she should know more about his businesses. He’d talked about Newcastle and a forge, and manufactories in London. But she didn’t know exactly what his business was.
She studied herself in the mirror after the maid had gone. The shimmery gray silk was the most elegant dress she’d ever warn, and she almost didn’t recognize herself.
Could she truly be this woman? She looked the part, but on the inside, she was till the same and she didn’t want to change that. She liked who she was, and Gavin loved her. Was that enough?
Would the people in his world judge her and accept her?
She hated to feel any doubt after last night, after the transformation they’d undergone, but part of her, a small annoying part still whispered of fears and doubts. She tried to ignore it, straightening her shoulders and leaving her room with all the confidence she’d learned over the years.
Gavin’s love was enough. She needed nothing else to prove she was worthy.
She entered the drawing room, eager to see what her sisters were wearing. One face she had counted on not seeing after the early termination of Lady Kirkland’s party was Lady Henrietta, and yet there she stood, gorgeous in yellow silk, shining from head to toe like a newly minted gold coin. Lady Elain was with her, and the Marquess of Kirkland and his wife. There was another older woman she didn’t know, but she looked vaguely familiar.
Jeanie came to her side, smiling and blushing in a beautiful coral silk dress, beaded with little silver flowers.
“You are lovely, Jeanie.”
“As are you, the gray suits your coloring perfectly,” Jeanie said.
Georgie inspected the dresses. “How on earth did Violet come by so many beautiful dresses to spare?”
Jeanie shrugged. “I don’t know. That may be something we won’t ever understand. But she said I can keep it, and I’m not going to ask questions.”
Georgie laughed. “If she says the same to me, then nor will I.” Georgie pulled Jeanie closer. “Why are guests from Kirkland here?”
Jeanie shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with the engagement announcement tonight.”
Georgie stilled. “Announcement? What announcement?” Did Gavin already speak to Weirick and her father? They hadn’t talked about anything yet. Shouldn’t they wait longer? Considering last night, waiting might not be a good idea. Especially if he came to her again tonight. She blushed, the room suddenly stifling.
“Bernie and Chester,” Jeanie said.
“Oh!” Georgie sighed with relief. “Yes, I’d forgotten.”
Jeanie frowned at her. “How the dev”—she coughed—“Excuse me, how could you have forgotten about that? I’m still trying to forget the sight of… Well, never mind. I don’t even want to discuss it.” She shivered and grimaced.
She must mean the body, Georgie guessed. Georgie was too distracted to dwell on it. She was in love and nothing could break the spell. Not even Lady Henrietta’s presence.
She looked for Gavin, but she couldn’t see him in the crowd. He must not have come in yet.
Gavin found Weirick in his study and closed the door. Weirick looked up, surprised to see him there.
“You returned?”
“I did, late last evening.”
“Crisis averted?”
“Yes, I need to hire new managers and sell my textile manufactory but all is well at the forge.”
Weirick raised a brow. “Interesting. I might have a buyer.”
Gavin stood before Weirick’s large desk. “We can discuss it another time. I have some rather important news to discuss.”
“Ah, Lady Henrietta and your mother. Violet told me. Quite unusual.”
Gavin paused. “I beg your pardon?”
Weirick shrugged. “Have a drink. You’re in for a grueling night avoiding those two. Mothers are hard to dissuade when it comes to marriage.”
Gavin shook his head. “What?”
Weirick stared at him. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Your mother is here with the Kirklands and Lady Henrietta.”
Gavin plopped down in the chair before the desk and sighed. “Bloody hell.”
“I take it you are not enamored of those two conspiring together. Marriage isn’t as terrifying as it seems. I quite enjoy it.”
Gavin scrubbed his hands over his face. “I don’t want to marry that damned woman. I’ve hardly said more than five words to her, and yet she runs about spreading rumors and planning our wedding with my mother. Christ, this is terrible timing.”
Weirick chuckled. “Would you like to escape out the back before they see you?”
“I can’t run away.”
“Why not?”
Gavin met his amused stare. “Because I want to announce my engagement to Georgie tonight.”
Weirick sat back in his chair, his face stern. “Say that again?”
“I’ve…we’ve—”
“No. She’s not my daughter. I don’t care about that. Anne and Roderick, and Bernie and Chester are being announced tonight. You want to add your name to the list too?”
“Well…I was hoping, after I speak to her father.”
Weirick scoffed. “Don’t bother talking to that sap skull. Ask for Anne, that should be sufficient.”
Gavin rested his chin in his hand. “What do I do?”
“I’d go to Scotland, if I were in your shoes.”
“I don’t want to add to the already brewing scandal.”
Weirick leaned back and folded his arms behind his head. “There’s been quite a lot going on around here. I don’t think things can get any worse”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say, when Violet set out to marry at least one Marsden off, Anne and Roderick in mind, we got a lot more than we bargained for.”
Gavin blinked. “Well, what do I do about Georgie and me.”
“Run. Run as fast as you can. Your mother will not trade an heiress for a Marsden. If you want to avoid anything unpleasant this evening, leave now. Take Georgie across the border and be done with it.”
The
last thing Georgie wanted to do was speak to Lady Henrietta again, but the woman sought her out.
“Miss Georgette, Miss Jeanie, have you had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Cage?”
Georgie blinked, staring at the woman Lady Henrietta was gesturing to.
“I have to introduce you, come.”
Georgie’s feet would not move. “His… I mean, that is…”
“No, we have yet to meet Mrs. Cage. Would this be Mr. Cage’s mother per chance?” Jeanie said.
Lady Henrietta nodded. “The very one. We owe her our thanks for bringing such a delightful specimen of a man into the world, don’t we?” Lady Henrietta covered her mouth as she giggled at her own words and waved Mrs. Cage over.
Jeanie looped her arm through Georgie’s. “Pull yourself together,” she whispered.
“I…I can’t.” But it was too late to escape.
“I present Miss Georgette and Miss Jeanette.”
“How do you do, Mrs. Cage. We’ve had the delight of your son’s company for a fortnight now,” Jeanie said.
And she’d said it so convincingly too. Perhaps she would enjoy a real season in London, Georgie thought. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Mrs. Cage. She had mostly gray hair, but her eyes and her brow were just like her son’s. Georgie could feel a blush clawing its way up her neck.
“My, two of the infamous Northumberland Nine, how interesting.” Mrs. Cage studied them like curiosities in a museum.
“I didn’t know they were infamous, whatever for?” Lady Henrietta said and then giggled again.
“Purely for all being girls, isn’t that right, Georgie?” Jeanie nudged her.
“Oh, um…yes,” Georgie replied lamely.
“Not after the events of this week,” Lady Henrietta said.
Jeanie’s features stiffened.
Georgie’s defensive instincts perked up. She pinned Lady Henrietta with a stare. “I would have thought you’d have gone home, my lady. After such terrible events.”
“What events?” Mrs. Cage asked.
Lady Henrietta balked. “I only just arrived. I couldn’t leave so soon. I want to congratulate the happy couple.”
“Oh, yes, I did hear about those events.”
Georgie fought the urge to glare. This was her future mother-in-law whether the woman knew it or not.
Not, quite obviously. And where the devil was he? This delightful specimen of a man? Her hackles rose. She’d be sure to give him Lady Henrietta’s praise.
“Where is Mr. Cage? I have not yet seen him this evening,” Georgie said.
“Working. He is quite dedicated to his work,” his mother said. “But he’ll change once he settles down.” She directed this to Lady Henrietta and Georgie bristled. She could not stand here and listen to this.
“If you will excuse me, I must go find my sister.”
Jeanie clamped down on her arm and smiled tightly at her. “I’ll come with you.”
They turned toward the hall just as the butler entered to direct them to the King’s Hall for the dinner, to be followed by the ball. Gavin appeared behind the butler, and Georgie nearly tripped over her feet. He was dressed in formal blacks, too beautiful for words—wait, no. Lady Henrietta had summed him up perfectly. A delightful specimen, indeed.
His gaze caught hers and held. He walked right to her, and for a brief second, she thought she was dreaming. This was a dream and everyone would soon disappear; that’s how caught she was in his gaze. He stopped in front of her, but before he could say a word, Lady Henrietta and his mother swooped in, nearly shoving her and Jeanie out of the way. She was cut off from him.
Rather than make a scene and add to her family’s infamy, she turned away, a knot in her throat, and searched for another exit.
Jeanie resisted. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to leave.”
“But…you can’t just let them think she can have him.”
“What would you like me to do?”
Jeanie squeezed her hand. “Don’t run away. Stay, hold your ground.”
Georgie tried to calm her breathing. “He… We…”
“I know.”
Georgie raised a brow. “You don’t know. I’ve been keeping my own secrets.”
Jeanie stepped close. “Not well enough. I know he was with you last night.”
Georgie blushed. “You…heard?”
“I didn’t listen if that is what you think.”
Georgie swallowed. “I love him,” she whispered.
Jeanie smiled, her eyes growing misty. “Then don’t let them take him away.”
Georgie smiled back. “They can’t. He loves me.”
They stood there, grinning at each other with emotion, sharing the kind of wordless communication only sisters can.
“It’s time they know it,” Jeanie said. “It’s time they know who you are.”
Georgie nodded, her throat tight. She turned back and straightened her spine. She caught Gavin’s gaze. He appeared agitated, cornered by his mother and Lady Henrietta. Georgie would rescue him; it was her nature, after all. She sidled around Lady Henrietta and came to his side, taking his hand.
He smiled down at her, his relief evident. “Mother, have you met Miss Georgette Marsden?”
“I have.” She eyed their linked hands.
“I didn’t know you were coming, but you should know now that we intend to announce our engagement tonight at the ball.
Her mouth dropped open.
Lady Henrietta stilled, and then she turned away without a word.
“But…how long have you known her?” his mother asked.
“Long enough to fall in love with her. Long enough to change my path.”
She cocked her head, and then her eyes began to water. “Oh, my…well.” Her gaze moved to Georgie. “’Tis truly a pleasure to meet you now. He’s been quite resistant to my hopes that he would marry. I’m glad to have you join our family, Miss Georgette. And I see you come from a very…fruitful family.”
Gavin muttered a curse. “Really, Mother?”
Georgie giggled. “Yes, Mrs. Cage, in fact, my mother is expecting again. We’re hoping for a brother this time.”
Mrs. Cage’s eyes lit up. “How lovely.”
More of Georgie’s sisters came to be introduced, and Gavin was able to pull her away.
“That went…much better than I expected.”
“Did it?” Georgie happened to agree. Mrs. Cage had a very grandmotherly gleam in her eye now. Whatever doubts she had before, about being good enough, evaporated. All she’d needed was the strength to be herself and nothing else mattered.
“She wanted an aristocratic connection, hence her attachment to Lady Henrietta.”
“Well, I think she’ll happily settle for grandchildren.”
He grinned. “Many of them.”
“Not nine of them. How about…” Georgie tapped her chin. “Three.”
He chuckled. “Three sounds perfect. Whatever we have will be perfect.” He leaned close. “I love you. I was ready to lift you over my shoulder and carry you to Scotland tonight.”
“Oh? Hmmm. I think I’d rather wait. If we’re going to marry, I want a true wedding, right here at home.”
He scowled. “If?”
Georgie shrugged a shoulder coyly. “You’ll have to come to my room tonight and ask me again.”
His eyes warmed as his gaze moved over her body. “It would be my pleasure.”
***
Are you tempted to read more? We’ve still got six sisters left!
Jeanette Marsden dreamed of a London season, but what no one knows, is that she’s already lost her heart to a rogue who stole her first dance and her first kiss.
Lucian Zachariah Edward, Viscount Luckfeld, returned to Selbourne Castle in hopes of a glimpse of the woman who reminded him his stone heart could still beat.
But Luc carries a secret that makes marrying for love an impossible dream.
Find out if Luc and Jeanie can overcome terrible
odds in Four Times The Temptation, releasing April 2019
Become a VIP Reader for exclusive chapter excerpts, free bonus scenes, and discounted book news. Click here to become a VIP Reader.
If you only want to hear about New Releases, click here.
Contact Dayna at daynaquince.com
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Also by Dayna Quince
The Fated for Love Series: Four Books
Mine, All Mine
Sweet Torture
Storm on the Horizon
To Love, Honor, and Obey
Desperate and Daring Series: Ten Books
Desperate for a Duke
Belle of the Ball
Just One Kiss
Anything But Innocent
An Unconventional Innocent
Mad About You
A Rogue Of Her Own
Hero Of Her Heart
An Undesirable Duke
Dare To Love A Scot
The Northumberland Nine Series: Nine books
One Wild Dawn
Two Wicked Nights
Three Times the Rake
Four Times The Temptation
About the Author
Dayna was only fourteen when she developed a serious addiction to romance novels. What began as an innocent desire to read became an all-out obsession with the romance genre. She gave book reports on romance novels, got in trouble for reading during lectures, and would rather spend her time reading than attending high school parties. After all, high school boys could not compete with the likes of Stephanie Laurens Devil Cynster. After getting her first job, her addiction only got worse. She now had her own money to spend and a car to get to Barnes and Noble as frequently as she wanted. She managed to maintain a somewhat normal life, marrying her high school boyfriend who was aware he was competing with fictional men for her attention. Dayna soon began writing her own romance novels, inspired by her love for all things romance. Dayna and her family live in Southern California with their two children and three fur babies. Dayna is happiest at home where she can be with her family and write to her hearts content.