But he didn’t move. And neither did she.
Because they both knew that people watched for moments just like this between a man and woman, opening her up to ruin.
Even if every fiber of her being ached to let him take her in his arms and kiss her senseless.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw several men walking onto the terrace. She stiffened. “I should go back inside. We cannot risk being alone like this.” The words scraped her throat raw.
He nodded, but his fingers tightened on hers for just a moment before releasing her. “I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
She stepped away on unsteady legs, shrugging out of his coat and holding it out to him. When he took it, their fingers brushed again, and she nearly lost her resolve entirely.
At the glass doors, she couldn’t help but glance back.
James stood alone at the railing, his white shirt gleaming in the moonlight, staring out at the garden as though trying to make sense of forces beyond his control.
Walking away from him felt like tearing something vital from her chest. And the terrifying truth was, she wasn’t sure how many more times she’d be strong enough to do it. She must remember her reason for everything. Cecily.
With that in mind, she walked back inside.
*
The supper roomshimmered with candlelight and gossip. Long tables gleamed beneath white linen and silver, laden with lobster patties nestled in pastry shells, champagne jellies quivering like her own unsteady nerves, and syllabub so frothy it seemed barely tethered to its dish. The cloying sweetness in the air made her stomach turn. Towers of sugared fruits gleamed beneath cloches of etched glass, while footmen moved like clockwork among the crowd, offering delicacies and replenishing wine.
Georgiana pressed her back against the cool marble column, a glass of chilled punch trembling slightly in her gloved hand. She was still catching her breath after the waltz, but the coolness of the drink did nothing for the heat pulsing in her cheeks or the hammering of her pulse against her too-tight corset.
The scent of jasmine and sherry announced her mother’s approach before Lavinia materialized at her side.
“Darling,” Lavinia said, settling beside her with a concerned frown. “You look flushed. Are you feeling quite well?”
“I needed some air earlier.” Georgiana’s voice came out steadier than she felt.
“Ah.” Lavinia nodded knowingly. “Lady Pemberton was just tellingme about poor Mrs. Hartwell. Do you remember her? The colonel’s widow? She’s forty-three now and living on her sister’s charity. Such a difficult position for a woman alone.”
Georgiana’s grip tightened on her glass. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Oh, nothing specific, dearest. Only that Lady Standish mentioned—in the kindest way, you understand—that you and Lord Ashford stepped outside together.” Lavinia selected a candied violet from a passing tray, her tone carefully casual. “I do hope you’re being careful about appearances.”
The marble column felt suddenly inadequate against Georgiana’s back. “We spoke for perhaps five minutes.”
“I’m sure it was perfectly innocent.” Lavinia’s voice carried just a hint of worry. “But people do talk, and your reputation is so important. Especially now that Cecily needs every advantage.”
The words stung because they were true. Georgiana forced herself to breathe. “I’m well aware of what’s at stake.”
“Of course you are. You’re such a thoughtful girl.” Lavinia paused, studying her daughter’s face with apparent maternal concern. “I must confess, I’m rather puzzled. After what I witnessed that night before we left Ashford Manor—the way he looked at you, touched your face—I rather expected he would have declared himself by now.”
Georgiana’s cheeks burned. She couldn’t very well explain the intimacy of their conversations, the way he’d restrained himself out of honor, the promises hanging unspoken between them.
“There’s nothing to tell. We are friends.”
Lavinia’s expression softened with what looked like genuine bewilderment. “Oh, my dear. The way that man looks at you. What on earth is he waiting for?” She shook her head gently. “I only worry that you might be waiting for something that may not come. You’re still young enough to attract a good man’s attention, but not indefinitely.”
Each word felt like a small weight settling on Georgiana’s chest.The glittering room suddenly felt suffocating.
“I need to return to Cecily,” she managed.
“Of course, darling.” Lavinia touched her arm lightly. “I only want what’s best for you. For both my girls. But perhaps… perhaps you might encourage him along? Men can be so slow to act without a little guidance.”
Before Georgiana could respond, Cecily came hurrying up to them, cheeks bright with excitement.
