“I know you, Amelia. And I know when you are lying. I am sorry to be blunt, but I must know what is going on,” Georgia implored.
“There isnothinggoing on!” Amelia snapped, exasperated, “I welcome your visit and would gladly take tea with you. Or we could have sandwiches, I will have them made up. But I will not be called a liar, Georgie.”
Georgia threw up her hands, not knowing what to do or say next. Keaton rose.
“Well, Miss Vexley. It seems that our journey has been a wasted one. We will not intrude on your time a moment longer. Georgia, shall we?”
Georgia stood her ground, folding her arms.
“I will not, but you are welcome to,” she muttered.
“There is no point arguing over me,” Amelia assured, “I am in rude health and positive mind. I do not need rescuing.”
“Georgia, we are leaving,” Keaton commanded.
“You may be, but I am not,” Georgia retorted.
“Please go, Georgie. I do not want to be the cause of an argument between you,” Amelia implored.
Georgia searched her face, reaching for her hands again, but her cousin stepped away, remaining out of reach. Georgia felt bereft, unable to think of any way to remain but unable to bear the thought of leaving her cousin alone and to who knew what fate. Keaton stood, impassive and unyielding. At that moment, she hated him for not supporting her, though she could not think of how he might do that.
Then he spoke.
“You say that you are alone here? That there is no master of the house who might miss you, were you found to not be here?” he asked.
“Yes,” Amelia said, sounding confused.
Keaton smiled broadly. “Well then. If you have no other social engagements for this evening, we would be honored if you would be our guest for supper.”
Georgia felt an almost overwhelming urge to kiss him. She berated herself for not thinking of the same solution. Amelia clearly did not want to admit that she was in danger or at the house against her will. So, the invitation to dinner gave her a way out. It might only be temporary, but it would do for now.
Georgia went to stand beside Keaton, threading her hands through the crook of his arm. She brushed a kiss against his cheek and then smiled at Amelia.
“You would be most welcome, of course,” she enthused, willing her cousin to go along with the subterfuge.
“I do not wish to impose,” Amelia said, hesitantly.
“Nonsense,” Keaton replied, “no imposition at all. My Uncle regularly dines with us, and at unexpected times, so the kitchens always prefer sufficient quantities for an additional guest. It would be a pleasure to make the acquaintance of another member of my wife's family.”
Georgia squeezed his arm, silently thanking him for supporting her. He patted her hand. She felt the intoxication of her attraction to him then. It filled her, making her want to be alone with him, her desire threatening to overwhelm her sense of propriety once more.
“…In that case, I should be glad to accept. There is no carriage at this house, I'm afraid. I am rather dependent on my father for transportation. And my own feet, of course,” Amelia chuckled awkwardly.
Georgia thought she could detect relief in her cousin's face.
She has matured since I last saw her, and it is neither a natural part of her growing up nor a desirable characteristic. She has been aged by her experience, whatever it is. I will get to the bottom of it, though.
“You can come back to Westvale in our carriage,” Georgia fixed a comforting smile.
“Well, that is settled, I suppose. I must say it has been somewhat lonely here,” Amelia said, then added hurriedly, “I quite understand Father’s reasoning, of course. It has been quite necessary.”
“And I’m sure the need to conceal your identity from the staff was simply to avoid the possibility of well-wishers like us arriving at the door. Or gossipers,” Keaton said drily, “we have first-hand experience of that kind of person, do we not, Georgia?”
“We do indeed. Yes, I quite understand,” Georgia affirmed.
“If you will excuse me for a moment, I will inform the staff that I will not be at home for dinner this evening.”
“And pack an overnight bag. In case it is too late to drive back, or the weather takes a turn for the worse,” Georgia hastily added.
