He nodded towards the other end of the ballroom. “Come, the Huttons’ gardens are lovely, and we could both do with a stroll.”
Lips stretching into a grin, Marian nodded, and the pair slipped through the crowd. George cast a searching look at the room as he led her through a side door, though such care was unnecessary, as the guests were far more interested in the entertainment than in the pair sneaking away.
Chapter 4
“Are you certain you know the way?” she asked as he led her through a series of halls and doors; the rooms beyond those the Huttons intended for the ball were dark with a few scant candles to aid their journey.
“Quite.” George took her by the hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
They turned a corner, and Marian spied moonlight flooding through a series of windows. With a quick turn of the door handle, George let in a gust of night air that swept across her flushed skin, and then he offered his arm to her; it wasn’t the first time he’d done so, but Marian had never quite acclimated to the feel of slipping her arm through his and the accompanying shiver of delight that surged through her as the movement drew them close together. Yes, it was naught but a kindness intended to assist her across unknown ground, but Marian reveled in it.
The moon hung high above them, casting the world in a silvery glow that danced across the leaves of the garden. The bright colors of the flowers were muted in the night, but their fragrance hung in the air, filling her nose with their blessed scent. George had not been exaggerating when he’d claimed the Huttons’ gardens were lovely; even without the added impact of the rainbow of blossoms, the garden was a veritable Eden. Though the house sat at their back, she could hardly see it beneath the explosion of ivy, trees, and shrubs. Windows peeked through the greenery, but otherwise, it felt as though they had stepped through a doorway into another world.
Turning her head, Marian met his eyes, and he smiled at her, his joy shining in his eyes. Casting doubts aside, she seized the moment and Lettie’s advice. Though she had little experience with giving gentlemen flirtatious looks, Marian twisted her lips into the pout so many affected, her gaze filling with the unspoken declarations of her heart.
“Is something the matter?” George stared at her as puzzlement pulled down his brows.
Marian gave a tight chuckle, her voice coming out far more strained than intended. “I think I was more overheated than I realized.”
George nodded, drawing her further into the garden as the breezes swept away the residual heat of the ballroom, though it did little to cool her blazing cheeks. Thank all the stars in the heavens that it was too dark for him to see just how pink they were.
They walked along in silence, the heels of their shoes clicking against the stone walkway. With each step, Marian shook off her embarrassment. Flirting was not her forte. It never had been. So it was little surprise that her attempt had failed so spectacularly.
Faint strains of music drifted on the breeze, carried along from the ballroom like a phantom orchestra. It was a slow, languid piece that wrapped around her and begged her feet to move. Marian pictured turning to George and sharing a private waltz, but for all her wild imaginings, she struggled to get her limbs to move in that fashion.
“An idea has taken hold of my thoughts and will not release it.” George’s voice rang out in the near-silence, and Marian glanced at him.
When he said nothing further, she prodded him. “Which is?”
But George frowned, his brows pulling low as his gaze fell to the toes of his boots. Then, turning in place, he stood before her, his eyes rising to meet hers; in the light it was impossible to see the various shades of brown that made up their color, but Marian swore they glittered in the moonlight.
“Your speech about the wallflowers,” he said with another pensive furrow of his brows. “Though you claimed to be speaking of Evelyn, your words were far too personal to be about anything but your own experience.”
Marian canted her head. “You truly didn’t notice I was overlooked and ignored? If not for your interference, I would still be standing at the side of the ballroom, hoping for someone to see me.”
The frown deepened, and George shook his head. “Did people truly return your overtures of friendship with scorn and derision?”
Sucking in a breath, Marian pulled away from him and folded her arms. “Simply because you have not received such treatment doesn’t mean it is impossible, Mr. Finch. I assure you those snubs were not imagined. Being told you are unwelcome is no misunderstanding. And watching others take their leave—however gentle or kind their excuses—only to regroup somewhere I am not can only be interpreted as a dismissal. Though heaven knows I have tried to find other explanations—”
He held up a staying hand. “I am not suggesting you are mistaken or stretching the truth. I am simply baffled that anyone would treat another in such a manner, let alone someone of your intellect and wit. There are few whose company I prize more than yours, Miss Marian, and I cannot comprehend that others do not see your value.”
Marian’s breath caught in her lungs, and she was quite certain she would never breathe again. George’s tone was so resolute and certain, as though the thought of someone disliking her company was truly inconceivable.
“That is the greatest compliment I have ever received,” she whispered.
“And I meant every word of it.”
Somewhere in his speech, George had drawn closer to her, and Marian longed to reach out and wrap herself in his embrace. He held her gaze firm in his, and she swore she saw a glimmer of recognition—of something more than the friendship he espoused. Now was no time for her courage to fail her. There was no more perfect moment for the truth to come forth. Since nearly the first moment of their meeting, Marian had longed to speak her heart, but never had it felt so right and proper as it did now.
Though she’d rather he discover it on his own, she realized Lettie was entirely correct. Marian had fought so hard to keep her feelings hidden in case they were not returned that George may not realize the depth of her feelings. All of those silent years gathered together, pressing down on her, begging her to speak.
Flirting had done no good. Words were all she had left.
“I care deeply for you.” Marian could hardly believe she had spoken, but there it was. No longer hidden away.
George gave her a warm smile. “I could say the same.”
Letting out a long breath, Marian closed her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead, kneading the knot that formed between her brows. Allowing herself only a moment to churn over that unfortunate turn of events, she gathered her strength close and dropped her arms to face him once more.
