Alarmed, she stiffened her spine. “Why do you speak with such certainty that I am unhappy?”
Her sister sighed. “You only live to take care of us, Georgie. I never hear you speak of wants and wishes for yourself. At times I simply find it…sad.”
“Do you not think contentment can be found in doing one’s duty?” she clipped, feeling a perplexing sense of hurt. “Do not be dismissive of how much I love you and our sisters, Lizzie!”
“I am not dismissive,” she cried. “I…I just want you to behappy. A husband…children…” A spasm of pain crossed Lizzie’s features, and she looked away.
A lump rose in Georgianna’s throat. “I am sorry. I do understand more than you know. You wish for a family…a husband to call your own, possible Mr. Hayle?”
She gasped, her hands rushing to her cheeks. “Am I so obvious in my tendre?”
“Only because I know you well, and you look at him with…hunger.”
A pretty flush rose in her cheeks, and she groaned. “In church?”
Georgianna smiled gently. “It was at Mr. Tonkin’s picnic last Saturday.”
Lizzie once again groaned in a rather dramatic fashion, her teeth sinking into her plump lower lip. “I do admire him so, Georgianna. But he does not notice me.”
“Mr. Hayle admires you. He is also simply aware that you have no dowry and little connections. He has rather bold ambitions and must think about such things.”
Her sister flinched. “Must you be so…sohonest?”
“I must, Lizzie, so you may understand my hope for you and all of us. Should I become sought after by the lord and ladies of thehautton, imagine the possibilities of how much I could charge to prepare my meals at their balls, garden parties, or scandalous gatherings on their boats and yachts. I could then provide a respectful dowry for you, Sarah, and Anna. And if any of my sisters chose not to marry, I can invest in whatever dreams rest in your hearts.”
Lizzie appeared contemplative for several moments. “Did our aunt mention what dowry she would provide should we go to Kent and then London with her?”
“No,” Georgianna said, a forlorn sigh slipping from her. “If there is any dowry to settle on us, it will be small. Aunt is hoping for matches for you and me based on the strength of her meagre connections.”
Lizzie dropped her face into her palm, a fine tension invading her body.
Georgianna reassuringly touched her shoulders. “I will work, and we will save as much money as we can and make the way for our own futures.”
“I—”
“The world is changing, Lizzie. Even in some parts of Europe, ladies are now able to own property, and may open bank accounts without needing their fathers’ or husbands’ permission. You will continue writing your children’s stories. I do believe one day you will be published and under your name, not a pseudonym. We shall be the renowned Heyford sisters because of our wit and skills, much like the Brontë sisters.”
Lizzie laughed wistfully, yet a determined gleam brightened her gaze. “Only you would believe it to be possible, Georgie.”
“I daresay one day, my name will be on the tongues of many, my food will live in their hearts and invade their dreams. I will build us a fortune through my cooking and even write a book of my own or several. I shall be more renowned than Charles Elmé Francatelli,” she said, waving her hand toward his book,The Modern Cook, that rested on the large, scarred oak table.
Lizzie’s eyes twinkled. “You wish to be more renowned than Mr. Francatelli? Isthatonly your ambition?” She narrowed her gaze. “I am more worried that should you become entangled with the earl, you will become famous like the actress who scandalizes London with rumors of anaffair de coeurwith the Prince of Wales and also an earl!”
“Given the dazzling allure of thehaut ton, one can understand how she had gotten caught up with a few powerful noblemen.”
The prince’s rumored mistress hadn’t bemoaned the smears on her reputation but had delighted in living life in a manner that made her happy. Georgianna thought she was a lady to be admired, not to be used as a cautionary tale.
Lizzie smiled, and Georgianna was happy to see some of the tension eased from her sister.
“Oh, please promise me you will be very careful. I worry terribly that in accepting the earl’s offer, you put yourself at awful risk, dancing so close to the allure of thehaut ton. Aunt Thomasina did warn us that there is a sort of mesmerizing quality of beauty to that world of extravagance and glamour which has led to many ruinations.”
“I will not be tempted by the likes of Lord Stannis, his wealth, or his rumored devastating charm. Now, I believe I can become a superb cook and improve our fortunes, Lizzie… Do you believe I can?”
Her sister turned to face her fully, her expression thoughtful. “I do. You are a wonderful chef and soincrediblycreative.”
Georgianna smiled, her heart squeezing with relief. “Thank you, Lizzie.”
Her sister wrinkled her nose. “There is a small part of me that wishes I could be with you aboard the earl’s yacht. I can imagine the sleek lines as it cuts and bobs across the surface of the water, hear the strains of the violins as the waltz is played by the deck, hear the laughter of the guests, and taste the champagne and the wonderful food you’ll prepare. Imagine it, a grand ball atop the water with the night sky your canopy. And the gowns the ladies will wear, oh, I am most certain they will be astonishing!”
