“That is a long list indeed.” My brother exhaled.
“Can you imagine ifbothof Lord Winfield’s sons become engaged in one weekend?”
“The operative word beingif,” Henry said.
“You are missing the point entirely. The talk of dual engagements will overwhelm the society column. And Hannah will be at the center of it all.”
As much as the thought thrilled Georgiana, it terrified me. I had no desire to become engaged, and I did not want to watch Damon begin his new life.
“We must dress you in your finest gown this evening,” Georgiana continued. “That new red gown.”
I stiffened. “I do not think it would be appropriate.” For so many,manyreasons.
Henrytsked. “My wife is a force of nature, Hannah. Once she has set her mind to something, you might as well reconcile yourself to your fate.”
Georgiana frowned at her husband. “Your tongue is as loose as your cravat, my love. Here, let me help you.” She walked to Henry and set about fixing his knot. “But perhaps Hannah is right. She should wear the dressaftershe and Mr. Jennings are engaged. It will draw attention to their announcement.”
Henry opened his mouth as if to protest on my behalf, but Georgiana tugged his knot tighter, cutting him off.
“There,” she said. “Much better.”
“Quite.” He pulled at his collar.
***
Although we were dressed and ready well before dinnertime, Georgiana had insisted we wait nearly three-quarters of an hour before we went downstairs.Fashionably latehad worked well in securing us a nice room, Georgiana reasoned, so perhaps the same tactic would also earn us an advantageous seat at the table.
We were among the last to arrive in the drawing room. Ollie met us at the door, but he didn’t even have time to utter a greeting before the butler announced dinner, and the company began assembling into a tidy line by rank.
Ollie offered me his arm, and we fell into line.
As expected, Damon was seated near the head of the table with the other lords and Lady Margaret beside him. Damon glanced sideways at us as we walked by. My skin prickled with awareness, though I did not allow myself to dwell on it.
Once everyone was seated, Captain Bromley formally welcomed all his guests.
Ollie behaved a perfect gentleman, taking special care to serve me and then engage me in conversation.
I tried to focus on what he said, but my gaze kept wandering in Damon’s direction. I could not actuallyseehim from where I sat, but I imagined him serving Lady Margaret. Didsheenjoy frog legs?
No, I scolded myself, and I pressed my fingers to my temples in an effort to drive away the unwanted thought.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Ollie asked. “You have hardly touched your meal, and you have not said more than a few words.”
I looked down at my plate still full of food. “Forgive me. I am not used to large social gatherings, and I am a little overwhelmed.”
“Of course. Perhaps tomorrow’s schedule will be more to your enjoyment. Captain Bromley has planned for a ride to the ruins tomorrow.”
“Oh?”
Ollie nodded. “An old abbey on the northwest corner of his property. I have been told there is a hill nearby it with an old tower that I would like to explore with you. Will you join me?”
Georgiana pinched my elbow. How she heard Ollie’s invitation over the commotion in the dining hall, I could not say.
“I would like nothing more,” I told Ollie, and it was true. The freedom of riding called me to the hills like a siren called a sailor to the sea.
After dinner, Amelia sidled up beside me, and we walked with the other ladies toward the drawing room. As we passed through the corridor, Amelia told me about dinner. “Lord Jennings behaved a perfect gentleman toward Lady Margaret, but they didn’t exchange more than a handful of words.”
Perhaps that should have made me feel better—the fact that he was not enjoying himself with her—but the thought of him being miserable in his future marriage only made me feel worse.
