Maggie took my arm, then my hand, and stepped up. Then Georgiana stopped at the foot.
Apples.
She smiled up at me, and time stopped. “Visiting hidden passages this morning without me, are you?” she whispered.You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.
I tried to smile. My muscles tightened as she took my hand for support. I felt a strange sick sensation in my stomach.
Undoubtedly, I was taking ill.
Overwarm. Sweaty. Heart drumming in my chest. I could almost swear something was lodged in my throat.
I said nothing as she settled on the far side of the carriage, between Maggie and the window. Nothing as we drove the short distance to Hyde Park. As I helped them all down. As Maggie took Georgiana’s arm and hurried ahead down the walking path.
Gabriel offered his arm to my mother, who seemed humored and pleased to walk with him, and I took a moment to compose myself.
It washer. Georgiana. She had done something to me. My mind was no longer my own. I couldn’t keep my eyes from following her, no matter how many times I commanded them.
It took precisely three minutes for someone along the walking path to stop us.
Mrs. Renworth and her eldest daughter, both with gaudy, overadorned hats atop their heads.
I smiled and nodded and clasped my hands together asthe women conversed with my mother, glancing every so often ahead to see if Georgiana had stopped.
She stayed ahead for the whole first hour. Try as I might to bridge the gap between us, every few steps it seemed someone needed my attention. But as soon as the conversation stalled, my attention wandered ...
Iwantedto watch Georgiana. She was, perhaps, the most interesting creature on the planet. Especially when she did not think anyone was looking.
I had to bite back my humor with every glance.
The way she stooped low to smell a flower, then scrunched her nose in distaste. When a bee got too close, she jolted forward, bursting into laughter with Maggie when the danger had passed. When two gentlemen had interrupted their laughter, she’d bolted ramrod straight as though nothing had happened at all. She spoke with her hands at her sides, but when she had something to say in earnest, they were used as half the story themselves.
I said “Pardon?” so often in my own conversations, that when Mother finally frowned at me, I made a concerted effort to be present.
The afternoon would never end—
The sun was too hot.
The company too loud.
Too slow.
Too boring.
My jaw ached, and I realized I’d been gritting my teeth.
“You aren’t yourself,” Gabriel whispered at my side. A warning as good as one of Maggie’s looks.
I grunted. “There is much to do at home.”
“Leave homeat home.” He nodded toward Lady Diana and her mother heading straight for us.
Blast and bother.
I glanced ahead at Georgiana, standing with a few young ladies, apart from Maggie and an older woman. She looked small among them.
I could’ve sworn she was frowning.
“What fortuitous timing!” Mother trilled. “Marlow, look who I’ve found!”
