As did what felt like the entire room.
A hand laced into the crook of my arm. Voice softer than a rose, “Won’t you introduce me, Lucas?”
Georgiana looked up at me through her lashes, a sly smile on her face.
She wasperfect.
So perfect, I nearly stumbled on my words.
“F-forgive me.” I ducked my chin in reluctant repentance only for her, then turned back. “Georgiana, may I introduce my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winston? Winstons, a dear friend of my family, Miss Georgiana Wood.”
“How do you do, Miss Wood?” Miss Newbury—no,Mrs. Winston. That name would never feel right—curtseyed. Concern writ in her countenance. Perhaps, a little fear? What, did she think I’d forced Georgiana’s hand into marriage too? If only she knew, the shoe was quite firmly on the other foot.
“A pleasure.” Miss Wood looked down on them with the audacity of a queen. It was almost too much, and yet, I reveled in it. Having a partner was truly better than going it alone. Havingheras my partner was almost gleeful. She was brilliant. She did not miss a single measure. “I have heard much about the both of you. I trust you are enjoying your evening as much as we are?”
“Yes. London is busy and exciting this time of year.” Mrs. Winston looked over my shoulder and reached out her hand. “You remember our dear friend and neighbor, Miss Eliza Ollerton?”
How could I forget her? Mousy and plain with a little button nose. She rounded us with the same look of concern, stopping at her friend’s side. “Your Grace. Miss Wood.”
“Miss Ollerton.” Georgiana looked up to me, then leaned close. “We are acquainted from last Season. Miss Ollerton and I attended many of the same parties.”
My brows lifted. Strange to think she and I were associating with the same people less than a year ago, and yet I’d had no idea she existed. “If only I had been in London then.”
I wasn’t sure what I meant by saying it, but it had the intended effect. Miss Ollerton looked to her friend and took her arm.
“If only you had. Would have saved us both a lot of trouble.” Georgiana turned skillfully toward the Winstons. “How long are you in London this Season?”
“’Til week’s end.” Mrs. Winston glanced to her husband. “We prefer the country, but I—I have never visited London during the Season before.”
Ah. I’d almost forgotten. How desperately she’d wanted to go.
“Is that so?” Miss Wood stepped a mite closer, her full wine glass sloshing lazily in her hand. She was barely taller than Mrs. Winston, but something about her was ... intimidating.
I marveled at her.
And then she said, “What a lovely dress.”
Mrs. Winston smoothed her skirts. She sensed it too. They all did. “Thank you. We ought to be going, hadn’t we, Charlie?”
I looked to Mrs. Winston, saw her cowering. She would never have risen to the duty. She was too frivolous. Too fickle. I supposed I ought to thankhimfor saving me from a terrible mistake.
Nods were given, and Winston again pulled her to his side. He made to turn, but it was as though Miss Wood had been waiting for this precise moment, for she made the opposite turn.
The entire room collectively gasped as Georgiana’s wineglass—
“Ros!” Miss Ollerton cried. “Heavens, I’m so sorry. Do forgive me. Look at this mess.”
A heavy scent of wine permeated the space.
Georgiana’s lips had parted. Her hand dripped with red liquid. Wine, everywhere. Well ... everywhere but on Mrs. Winston.
The majority of the liquid had poured down poor Miss Ollerton’s dress. The foolish woman had saved her friend.
“Dear me. I stepped right into that,” she said, as though she’d done so on accident.
“Forgive me,” Georgiana said through her teeth as Winston and several other gentlemen thrust their handkerchiefs at Miss Ollerton. “I owe you a thousand apologies.”
“No mind, Miss Wood. I know it has been a hard past year for you.” Miss Ollerton curtseyed, and the Winstons quickly ushered her away.
