“What are you doing here?” I directed the question at Reynolds.
The man had the audacity to look directly at Georgiana. Leaning, were it possible, even closer to her. “I’ve come to pay a call to Miss Wood, Your Grace. I am delighted to make her acquaintance through our mutual friend, Mrs. Johns.”
Georgiana leaned back and smiled up at him. Not hertruesmile, but a smile of encouragement all the same. She did not know of his reputation because if she did, the Georgiana I knew would not be sitting so closely.
“Join us.” Mother motioned toward a chair at her right.
I stood as stiff and still as a tree. Mrs. Johns. This was all her doing. This was Maggie’s and my mother’s doing. I had trusted them to find someone worthy, someone to distract the rest of theton, to help Georgiana’s reputation, andhewas their best option?
Devil take them all.
Georgiana’s smile faded. “Are you well, Your Grace?”
“Quite.” In truth, I felt as though I’d overeaten. I felt weak and worn.
Georgiana did not seem to believe me. She frowned, and I hated myself for being the cause of it. “Won’t you join us for tea? Her Grace has just sent for a tray.”
“I love those little sandwiches ... ham and cheese?” Reynolds practically leaned his head next to hers as he spoke. My jaw clenched so tight my back teeth ached. “My cook at home makes a berry tart unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. Sweet and sour all at once.”
“Mmm.” Georgiana smiled back, but her eyes found mine, questioning.
I hadn’t answered her. Did I want to stay for tea? What I wanted was to toss Reynolds out on his backside. Then, perhaps, take tea. “I—”
“You must have so much work to finish, dear.” Mother retook her seat. “But I daresay there will be plenty of time for conversation later.”
“What are you implying?” I heard the bite in my voice and felt the room tense.
“That you might wish to finish your work now and renew your friendship with Lord Reynolds tomorrow at Drury Lane.”
Tomorrow? Drury Lane? Had everyone gone completely mad? “I am unaware of anything happening at Drury Lane.”
“Hamlet!” Mother hid her bitter tone with sweetness. “Lord Reynolds has generously offered to escort Miss Wood. You will have gone to fetch Lady Diana. The four of you,along with Margaret and Gabriel, can reunite later in the evening.”
“A sound plan.” Reynolds nodded his approval.
I fisted a hand. There was no version of any evening of mine where Reynolds, who’d spent more time in brothels and gaming hells than at home with his ailing father, took Georgiana anywhere alone. “Absolutely not.”
“I beg your pardon?” He sat up straighter, mercifully moving further away from Georgiana.
“You are not permitted to join us.” As though we’d go anywhere at all. I hadn’t thought about Lady Diana since Mother had made me call upon her. I had no desire to take her to Drury Lane, or anywhere for that matter.
Georgiana frowned.
“Marlow, darling.” Mother laughed. “You’ve forgotten the plan.”
Theplanwas to show Society that Georgiana and I were merely friends. The problem was in the definition of the word. Perhaps because I had never had a friend quite like Georgiana. A close friend of the opposite sex. Was it normal to think this often of her? To imagine her in ways that made my chest feel like exploding?
None of it signified, for the plan never involved pawning her off on the worst possible creature in London. Georgiana’s chest rose and fell, gaze set upon mine with indignation. She did not understand. Perhaps she’d been charmed. But she was undermyprotection, and I would not allow her to be taken in by this scoundrel. Out of respect for her brother and as her friend, I would see her to Drury Lane myself. When she learned the truth about Reynolds’s character, she’d understand.
“Miss Wood, a word.”
“Your Grace, I have a guest.” Still, she sat straighter. She’d obey me. She, like everyone else, had to.
“Come.”
Begrudgingly, she stood. “Please excuse me,” she whispered. Without raising her gaze, she strode to me, and I turned from the room. Her pattering footsteps behind were a relief, and I led her down the foyer a few paces and around the grand staircase to a quiet corner.
I drew in an easy breath and exhaled. “Forgive me, Georgiana, but you—”
