George glanced at the lovely collection of roses. “Annoyingly persistent, isn’t he?”
“Considering I’ve turned him down every time he’s invited me to join him for a walk or a ride in the park, I’d say so.” She pressed her lips together, creating an expression George had come to identify as irritation. “Of course, whenever he does show, I have to sit down to tea with him, which has become quite a chore. Honestly, George, I’m not sure what I ever saw in him. The man has no thought of his own. He just sat on that sofa for one full hour and bobbed his head in response to everything I said.”
George frowned. “I wonder over his dogged determination when most men would have given up by now.”
“I think he needs the money my dowry will provide.”
“But you’re not the only woman with a dowry who’s available on the marriage mart. Why wouldn’t he move on to one of the others once he learned you lacked an interest?”
“Maybe because he’s too dense to comprehend my repeated attempts at dissuading him?”
“Hmm... No. There’s got to be something else. I’ll try to look into it so we can get him to leave you in peace once and for all.”
“Thank you.” She reached for his hand. “I’m grateful. It’s nice to have someone on whom to rely for support. During the time I’ve known you, you have become my dearest friend, my closest confidante, and the only man with whom I can see myself spending the rest of my life.”
His chest tightened. Her touch alone was enough to quicken his pulse, but her words had the power to slay him. “If only I could kiss you right now.”
Her lips quirked. “I do wonder how my maid would react if you did.”
He cast a glance in the maid’s direction and sighed. His moments alone with Margaret were few and far between, scarcely long enough for the swiftest of kisses whenever they did occur. “My parents have been asking me when we plan to announce our engagement.”
“Soon. In another couple of weeks.”
George nodded and forced a smile. Given how he felt and with her own words of affection for him still lingering in the air, he could not see the point in dragging their courtship on any longer. But a deal was a deal, so he’d stick with it.
“Will you be at the Everton ball on Saturday?” she asked in a bright tone he knew was meant to change the topic and mood of their conversation.
“I plan to. Yes.”
“Excellent. I’ll look forward to dancing with you then.”
“So will I.” He squeezed her hand and released it so he could take a sip of his tea. When he departed her home half an hour later, he went straight to his club. It was past time he figured out Shrewsberry’s motive for chasing after Margaret.
Chapter Five
THE EVERTON BALL WASa dazzling event. Dressed in a white muslin gown belted by a wide sash cut from aquamarine satin, Margaret admired the splendor of her surroundings. Chandeliers filled each room with a brilliant glow, beneath which diamonds set in necklaces, earrings, and hairpins alike, twinkled. Chatter buzzed through the air while soft notes played by violins wafted forth from the ballroom. It was quite a crush. Margaret had been jostled a few times already, almost spilling her champagne as a result the last time someone pushed their way past her. She’d also lost sight of her parents, who’d been right behind her until she’d turned and noticed they’d both disappeared in the crowd.
