I knew it too. But I felt the opposite. I did not want anyone looking at me, thinking about me, or even speaking to me until I had my plans officially in order.
“Keep your eye on that one. She’ll ask to take your arm,but don’t let her lead.” Maggie gave me a pointed look, nodding her head to Miss Wood before hurrying after Gabriel.
“Is she always so angry?” Miss Wood watched her take the steps up to the veranda.
Per our contract, I stayed by her side. “I do not think she likes you.”
Miss Wood blew out a breath. “I want only your companionship tonight, not any more undue attention. So, no, I will not be taking your arm.”
Irksome woman. “I did not offer it,” I muttered back. And I wouldn’t. No matter how alluring she was. I straightened my coat as we started forward.
Miss Wood was a dangerous creature—beautiful and confident. Such a combination could only spell trouble, and trouble was the last thing I needed tonight.
ChapterEight
Georgiana
The Duke of Marlow certainly made an impression.
I followed a step behind him as we walked toward the house. I’d forgotten how tall and broad he was. A towering, shadowy figure in the evening. He wore a dark brown velvet jacket over an emerald-green waistcoat and tan trousers. His top hat matched the darker shade, contrasting with the light, sandy color of his hair. Everything about him was clean-cut and crisp like a fresh note from the bank. Young and handsome and titled. The man was undoubtedly the catch of the Season, if he wanted to be caught.
But just a man, I reminded myself as we passed through the open front door.
Eyes were upon us as soon as we entered the Waymonts’ grand foyer. Dozens of them.
Despite my intentions, how well I’d trained myself to behave, I felt entirely unprepared. I hadn’t entered a house so fine in ages, and certainly not with a duke at my side. I was decidedly out of practice. I needed arealfriend. An ally. Preferably an old acquaintance no longer set against me. I made a quick glance around the room, but I did not recognize anyone. Yet.
Painfully slowly, we made our way down the line to greet our hosts.
I am not alone, I reminded myself, despite how I felt standing next to the duke. I wouldn’t let my fears get the better of me. I steeled my resolve. I would encourage the ladies of thetonin friendship. Secure their friendship now and get invitations later. That was the plan. Once they saw me with the duke, they’d be interested. I made sure to stand apart from him, so no one would think ustoofriendly, but close enough to warrant a connection. Close enough to inhale notes of oranges and expensive leather from his side.
We thanked our hosts, who led us farther into the house, into a ballroom where a small orchestra played a slow melody. Familiar faces from last year mixed with newcomers, but I saw no one I had formed a particular acquaintance with previously. I had no idea if any of them recognized or remembered me, but I knew as soon as they heard my name, they’d remember from the papers. Everyone knew Sir Ronald. He was almost too well-connected. Too friendly and good-natured. The rumors had taken off like wildfire—
Did you hear what happened to Sir Ronald?
That woman ... Miss Georgiana Wood. I heard she kissed him! Right there, in the middle of the ballroom, and then he looked at her like she was some sort of crazed animal!
No man of any sense will go near her now.
If she’d act that way toward poor Sir Ronald, what else has she done? What elsecouldshe do?
I focused on my breathing, in and then out again, trying to push past the memories as the duke led me to the far wall of the room. There, to our left, stood Miss Fiona Ferndale with a glass of red wine in her hand. I’d once paired off withher in cards, and though we’d lost, we’d laughed all night. Now, she did not spare me a glance. Next to her was Miss Colette Quincy, newly engaged so I’d heard; she’d promised to invite me to her family’s estate. That invitation had obviously expired, judging by the way she frowned and looked away.
Perhaps, if I had spent more time strengthening those friendships instead of following Sir Ronald like a pet, I’d have a chance at regaining their trust.
I could only pray the duke felt social tonight. Without him at my side, I did not stand a chance at recovering these women’s good graces.
The cousin—Mr. Gabriel Brennan, a curly-headed blond who looked like a younger, wilder version of the duke—whispered something fiercely in his sister’s ear a few paces to our left, but whatever he was saying was lost on her. She gave him one last look, then scowled at me before stalking off.
She hated me on principle, but I would not let it bother me. Mrs. Maggie Drexel was not on my list of necessaries.
There were three people I hoped to see tonight; or rather, I hoped they sawme. Lady Diana, whose opinion mattered most to the young ladies of theton; Lady Jersey, who, if I played my cards right, might admit me into Almack’s; and last, but certainly not least, Mrs. Johns, an old widow with enough wealth and influence in matchmaking to convince worried mamas that I was no threat to their daughter’s prospects. The latter connection might be the most important of all.
I kept a careful facade as gentlemen approached the duke, hopeful for any sign of the three ladies, until a woman rounded his side, grasping his arm fiercely.
She looked about middle-aged, her eyes wide and severe,not unlike the duke’s. His lips parted as she took us both in, head to toe, like we were renderings that needed to be studied.
“Is this the woman?” she asked over her shoulder. Mrs. Drexel—Maggie—appeared behind her. She nodded once, smile tight.
