“Joe…!”
Then he was aware of nothing.
CHAPTER 2
10 YEARS LATER
Silverton Estate
“Oh, Georgie! Will it do, do you think? I was certain it would, but now that I am wearing it, I just do not know!”
Amelia Vexley, daughter of Viscount Silverton, stood before the full-length mirror in her dressing room. She had tried on the dress many times during its conception by a French modiste of high repute, but this was the day of the ball, and with it came doubts.
“Amelia, you are simply bedazzling. You will be the belle of the ball, I promise it. And what is more, you would still be if you arrived wearing an old coal sack.”
Georgia stood behind her, looking at her cousin in the mirror. Green Vexley eyes met her own blue Roseton eyes. They were family by virtue of Clarissa Vexley, sister to Georgia’s motherand wife to Amelia’s father. There was a hint of common ancestry in their looks, both with heart-shaped faces and button noses.
But it was there the similarities ended.
While Georgia was intrepid and adventurous, her cousin was timid and afraid of most things. Now she looked to Georgia for reassurance, biting her lip and reaching for Georgia's hand where it rested on her shoulder.
“What utter rot!” Clarissa exclaimed from the doorway, “whatever are you suggesting? Attend Almack's in a sack?”
She had her daughter's prettiness but spoiled by a thin, lipless mouth and a haughty expression. As usual, she had heard half a conversation and jumped to conclusions. Typically, those conclusions contained some negativity about Georgia.
“I was merely saying that Amelia would be pretty no matter what she wore,” Georgia added, patiently.
“Indeed. Well, there we are in agreement. And is that what you are wearing this evening?”
Clarissa looked Georgia up and down. Georgia colored, refusing to look at herself. She knew the gown she wore, knew it well. It was not new, far from it. The only reason it had lasted this long was that there were precious few opportunities for her to wear it.Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Clarissa did not ordinarily include her in their social events.
“I could not afford a new dress, Aunt...” Georgia stopped herself just in time, seeing the anger flare in Aunt Clarissa's eyes, “...Lady Silverton,” she finished.
“And that is a comment on the generous allowance we give you?” Aunt Clarissa asked in a brittle voice with chin raised.
“Not at all. I am most grateful for what I receive,” Georgia smiled, doing her best to appear meek.
She knew that her cheeks were flushed and hoped it came across as shame. Anger was the source of the heat, in reality. Anger at the injustice of the world and those who sought to exploit it. Her Aunt and Uncle fit squarely into that camp.
“Youshouldbe. Your feckless brother and my equally feckless sister left no provision for you, and you have been a burden to my household ever since your brother ran off and abandoned you.”
“Mother!” Amelia exclaimed, whirling around, eyes wide.
“Be silent!” Aunt Clarissa snapped, pointing a bony finger at her daughter.
Amelia's eyes became downcast, and she clasped her hands in anguished silence.
Once, Aunt Clarissa would never have spoken so cruelly in front of her daughter, least of all about Georgia. But as the years crept by, her bitterness toward Georgia and her mother was no longer so carefully hidden.
“I suppose your gown will do if you do not draw too much attention to yourself,” she pressed on at her niece. “Your betrothal to Lord Halstead is all arranged anyway. You, at least, do not need to worry about attracting a husband.”
She stared at Georgia and found her icy glare met by fiery determination from her niece.
I should very much like to tell her exactly what I think about this plan to marry me off to some obnoxious old man. But I am reliant upon their charity. What can I do? Too much defiance and I could end up at the poor house, living off the parish.
Georgia dropped her eyes, too, and heard a sniff of satisfaction from her Aunt.
“The dress is satisfactory, Amelia. What matters is the price—it is cost that impresses the ton, not your taste.”
