London.
Despite the late hour, I heard bustling voices, a mixture of laughter and shouting as we passed familiar sights on rickety cobblestone, and my heart raced, remembering how, not long ago, Peter had taught me these streets, and how I’d trailed him and Sir Ronald and their friends through Hyde Park, to the opera house, and through every ballroom. How desperate I’d been. How hopeful. I hadn’t a care in the world other than securing Sir Ronald’s affection. I’d thought our hearts were meant for each other. How horribly wrong I’d been.
I had created an illusion in my mind and heart, and I would not be tricked so easily again.
This Season, I would focus on renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. I wanted my life back, but I would not be greedy. To be among Society would be enough.
“I will write to His Grace this evening,” Peter said as the carriage slowed at the apartment. “Let him know we’ve arrived. I imagine he will call tomorrow afternoon.”
I nodded, nerves collecting in my stomach. The duke would be kinder in public. He’d agreed to it in writing. “You should go out tonight. With your friends.”
Peter smiled. “I am an old married man now, Georgiana.Youare ‘my friends.’”
I shook my head to encourage him. “You are about to become a father. You ought to take the opportunity while you can. Regardless, I’m to bed early. And, who knows, you might meet another duke’s cousin at the card tables and win me my own working farm.”
Peter threw his head back and laughed. “How can I argue with that logic?”
And so it was settled. Peter left me and Jane to settle in, then chased his friends to White’s.
I dined alone, forgoingUdolphofor the scandal sheets and a glass of wine—or two. The same names appeared, Lady Diana’s among them. She was here, in the middle of it all, and had been seen buying a bundle of flowers from a street cart, some of which she’d later worn in her hair to the opera. No doubt that same cart would be bustling with attention tomorrow. I had half a mind to visit myself.
Jane helped me into bed, and I reread the sheets once more.
I fell asleep with the page falling to my chest.
ChapterFive
Marlow
She was in London. Miss Wood.
Her brother’s letter had stated it simply enough—they’d arrived; here was their address; please come at my earliest convenience.
As though I might come like a dog whenever they beckoned me.
“You look murderous, Marlow,” Maggie said, teacup clinking against its saucer as she set it down. She and her husband had arrived in my absence for a short time away from home. Gabriel too. My mother was beside herself with happiness to have a full, boisterous house, and Maggie was happy to have some time away without her daughters.
I loved them all. But I’d like them a lot more when my affairs were situated.
“More tea?” Maggie prodded.
Since she’d married and become a mother, achieved all her life’s goals so to speak, Maggie had turned to Gabriel and me with a renewed interest. Gabriel called it purpose, I called it boredom, but whichever it was, whenever we gathered, her meddling grated on our nerves. Before having a family of her own, she’d played mother to both Gabriel and me, alwaysdespondent when one of us misbehaved. Many times, we ran away and hid from her, but she’d find us. She always did.
“No, thank you, cousin. I should respond to this.” I waved the letter in the air and stood.
“Always responding to important letters nowadays,” she teased. “What is it this time? Parliament collapsing in your absence? Another damsel in distress?”
Gabriel lowered his paper, half amused, half as interested and meddlesome as his sister.
I rolled my eyes at them both. They would find out about Miss Wood soon enough. “My friend has arrived from Hampshire. I should write and invite her to Lord and Lady Waymont’s party.”
Maggie sat back in her seat. “A woman?”
“Afriend,” I said pointedly.
“Gabriel, are you hearing this?” She turned around in her seat, a catlike grin on her face. “Lucas has a lady friend he’s inviting to the Waymonts’ party.”
“Do we know her?” Gabriel asked over his paper. “What’s the chit’s name?”
