James settled into his usual chair at the long oak table, his dark hair still damp and tousled from washing. Soon, the ladies were seated as well, though he noticed Georgiana seemed quieter than usual, stealing glances at him when she thought he wasn’t looking.
They were all about to dig in when Cecily set down her teacup, her hands trembling slightly. “Mrs. Honeycutt, Mrs. Ellsworth, I have something wonderful to share with you both.”
The two women looked up expectantly.
“Lord Ashford has made the most generous offer. He’s going to sponsor my Season. Everything—gowns, presentations, even a dowry. I’m to have my debut this spring.”
Mrs. Honeycutt’s mouth fell open. Mrs. Ellsworth pressed both hands to her heart.
“What? My lord, truly?”
James shifted uncomfortably in his seat, heat rising in his cheeks. “It’s nothing extraordinary. Miss Cecily deserves her chance.”
“Nothing extraordinary?” Mrs. Ellsworth’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, my dear boy, this is absolutely brilliant.”
Mrs. Honeycutt abandoned all pretense of propriety and rushed around the table to envelop James in a fierce hug. “Bless you. Bless your generous heart.”
“Mrs. Honeycutt, please.” James’s face burned. “It’s really not—”
“Don’t you dare diminish this.” She pulled back to look at him sternly.
“I agree,” Mrs. Ellsworth said. “This is the kind of thing your dear father would have done. He’d be so proud.”
James’s eyes pricked with tears. He glanced at Georgiana, who was watching him with such warmth that he had to look away.
Mrs. Ellsworth had moved to Cecily’s side and was stroking her hair like she would a daughter. “A Season, my dear girl. You’ll be the belle of every ball. Those London gentlemen won’t know what hit them.”
“And with a proper dowry, you’ll have your pick of suitors.” Mrs. Honeycutt returned to her seat but seemed unable to stop beaming. “Oh, the shopping you’ll need to do! Gowns and gloves and dancing slippers…”
James found himself smiling despite his embarrassment. The joy radiating from the women was infectious, and seeing Cecily’s face light up with hope made the tightness in his chest ease.
But as he watched the celebration unfold around him, his thoughts turned inward. Why had he really made the offer? Yes, seeing Georgiana’s devastation when her mother announced the debt had been unbearable. The way her face had crumpled, the way she’d gripped the settee as if the world were tilting beneath her—it had stirred something fierce and protective in him.
He couldn’t stand the thought of either sister suffering. Not Cecily, who deserved every chance at happiness, and certainly not Georgiana, who had already sacrificed so much for her family.
But if he was being honest with himself, there was more to it thansimple compassion.
The moment Lavinia had casually destroyed their future, James had felt something crystallize inside him. Not just anger at the woman’s selfishness, but a desperate need to fix it, to protect them, to keep them safe and close.
To keep Georgiana close.
Because somewhere between her first day at Ashford Manor and last night’s revelation about her marriage, he’d fallen hard. His heart belonged to Georgiana. In fact, a future without her seemed impossible. Yes, it was all true. He couldn’t imagine spending his life with anyone but her.
The realization should have terrified him. He’d spent years convinced he was too damaged for love, too broken by his childhood to offer anyone a whole heart. But watching Georgiana bring his home back to life, seeing her strength and grace and kindness, had changed something fundamental inside him.
He was in love with her laugh, with the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear when she was thinking, with her fierce protectiveness toward Cecily. He was in love with her courage and her vulnerability. With the way she made him want to be the man his father had raised him to be.
“Lord Ashford?” Mrs. Ellsworth’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “I asked if you’d like me to arrange for accommodations in London?”
“Yes, of course.” He was grateful for the distraction. “Whatever arrangements you think best. A rental for the Season somewhere appropriate.”
“And we’ll need to plan shopping expeditions and hire a dressmaker.” Mrs. Honeycutt’s excitement was palpable. “A proper wardrobe takes time to assemble.”
Georgiana finally spoke up, her voice soft. “I still can’t quite believe it’s real.”
Their eyes met across the table, and James felt that familiar jolt of awareness. He wanted to tell her it wasn’t just generosity driving him. He wanted to confess that the thought of her leaving once Cecily was settled made him feel hollow inside.
But he couldn’t. Not yet. She saw him as a benefactor, a kind friend. The last thing she needed was the complication of his feelings.
