Lavinia waved a dismissive hand. “Of course, dear. I’m not a fool. These things must be handled delicately.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “But you must encourage his attentions. Be charming, be agreeable. A man like Lord Ashford doesn’t come along every day.”
“You mustn’t interfere,” Cecily said quietly from the bed. “If Lord Ashford has feelings for Georgie, then he’ll act on them in his own time and his own way. Any pushing from you will only drive him away.”
Lavinia’s expression tightened slightly. “I have managed to keep this family afloat for years, Cecily. I think I know a thing or two about securing advantageous connections.”
“Mother, it’s late.” Georgiana took hold of her mother’s arm and guided her toward the door. “We all need our rest before the journey tomorrow.”
“Yes, of course. We must all look our best.” Lavinia paused at the threshold, her eyes gleaming. “This could change everything for our family, Georgiana. Don’t let the opportunity slip away.”
Georgiana walked her mother back to her room, murmuring soothing words until Lavinia finally settled. When she returned to her own room, Cecily was standing by the window, arms wrapped around herself.
Georgiana let out a breath and dropped onto her bed, suddenly exhausted.
“She’s going to meddle, isn’t she?” Cecily murmured.
“Almost certainly,” Georgiana said with a grim smile. “And I expect she’ll only get worse once we arrive in London.”
“I’ll keep close watch on her,” Cecily said. “We can ask Mrs. Ellsworth to help too.”
Georgiana nodded, but her mind was still on James’s words.You make me want to try. To choose courage instead of fear.
She would need that courage now. All of it.
Chapter Seventeen
Georgiana
The carriage rockedgently as it pulled away from Ashford Manor at first light, wheels crunching against frost-hardened earth. A pale blush colored the horizon, bathing the countryside in ghostly gold. Inside the carriage, warmth clung to wool cloaks and lap rugs, though Georgiana still found herself rubbing her hands together, more from nerves than chill.
James sat beside her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body in the confined space. When the carriage swayed, his thigh pressed against hers through layers of fabric, and she found herself hyperaware of his solid presence, the way his shoulders filled his coat, the clean scent of sandalwood that clung to his skin.
Cecily sat opposite her, positively alight with excitement, her cheeks already pink despite the early hour. She leaned toward the window, her breath fogging the glass. “Do you think there will be violets in bloom in Hyde Park?” She twisted to face Georgiana before her sister could answer. “Do you suppose the modiste on Bond Street still displays gowns in the window? I remember seeing one with a bodice embroidered entirely in gold thread.”
Georgiana gave her a small smile, though her stomach clenched at the mention of Bond Street. Julian would know all her old haunts, all the places she might go. “You were young. It’s possible the gown grew more elaborate in your memory.”
“Perhaps,” Cecily said dreamily, “but I remember how it shimmered in the gaslight. I can still see it.” She looked out the window again, fingers drumming against her lap. “I can’t believe we’re really going. And that I’m going to have my debut. Lord Ashford, you’ve been too good to me.”
“Nonsense,” James said, his voice rumbling in the small space. “We will all enjoy ourselves immensely. Your sister and I will enjoy shopping for new pieces for the manor. You’ll attend parties and balls and shine like the star you are.”
Parties and balls. Georgiana’s breath caught. Julian would be at every one of them. Watching. Waiting. Her hands began to tremble in her lap, and she clasped them tightly together.
Georgiana’s eyes pricked with grateful tears, though fear twisted in her chest. It was true what Cecily said. He was too good to them. And she was about to lead them all into danger.
The carriage hit a particularly deep rut, and she was thrown against James’s shoulder. For a moment, she felt the solid strength of him, the way his arm instinctively came up to steady her. She wanted to stay there, to let him shield her from everything that waited in London.
“Sorry,” she murmured, pulling back, though her skin burned where they’d touched.
“Think nothing of it,” he said quietly, but she caught the way his eyes lingered on her face, as if he could sense her distress.
Across from them, their mother groaned into her gloved hand. “This seat is unbearably stiff.” Lavinia squirmed against the velvet cushions. “And the dust. I’ve never known country roads to be so treacherous. I shall certainly arrive with one side of my face more wrinkled than the other.”
“I asked you to wear a traveling hat with a veil,” Georgiana said.
Lavinia sniffed. “A veil would only make me look like I’m in mourning. Which I am not. And now I’m worried this green silk does not suit me.”
“You selected it yourself,” Cecily reminded her gently.
“I was rushed,” Lavinia huffed. “And now I do not look my best.”
