“To a point.This work is unusual.I suggested that ladies might be interested.One said ‘novels’ were the thing.‘Ladies read Byron, but that’s for his good looks and reputation, not his poems,’ one said.Damned insulting.”
“How many did you see?”
“Too many.One of them demanded to know the lady’s name.He said ‘scandal sells.’That about did it for me.”
“Pity.Lady Georgie worked hard on this for a long time.”
“You don’t know the half.”
“Still, it’s not like you to give up.”
“I’m not giving up.I found one more printer this morning that may do.I’ve an appointment tomorrow.”
He wanted to be done with the whole ordeal and go home, but pride drove him to continue.He wouldn’t let fear that the Haydens might block the printing force him to give up.He knew that the work deserved to be printed.He owed Georgiana that much.He owed himself that much.Tomorrow he would see Mr.Bailey, without question Andrew’s best hope.
“If you don’t want that fine sweet cake, I do.”Jamie grinned at him slyly and snatched the cake.“Told you, Andrew, months ago, what you needed was a woman.”
You have no idea how right you were.That thought made Andrew too morose to answer.He would see Bailey tomorrow, and his obligations as a partner would be done.His craving for her might never be done.
Jamie’s face took on a momentary look of sheer bliss when he devoured the cake, but something about Andrew must have caught his eye.His face tensed into touching anxiety.No matter how difficult his life, Jamie did care about his friends.
Andrew spoke before Jamie embarrassed them both with it.
“Dinner again would be good, but somewhere other than this place.In fact, I have been given access to a box at the theater.Let’s make use of it.”It was a lie but an easily maintained one.Jamie couldn’t even afford a floor seat; a night at the theater would do them both good.
* * *
Georgiana bentagain to start the fire, her hands hampered by gloves.When it sparked to life, she felt her mouth spread in a wide smile.Small victories filled her with pride.This particular skill had taken Mrs.Potter an hour to teach her.She returned to her chair and poured a cup of steaming tea for the old woman and another for herself.
“Are you quite certain, my dear?”Edwina Potter’s eyes darted with uncertainty.They were sitting in one of the upper rooms of Helsington, the only heated one.
“Quite.Even if I changed my mind, I don’t believe there is any going back.Quarterly allowances were due a week ago.His Grace withheld funds.He knew I couldn’t pay the staff.He sent them all their notices instead.He assumed I would return to Mountview with Chambers and the upper servants.They’ll be absorbed into the Hayden estates.”
“Eunice?”
“Is gone, praise God.”The memory of poor Eunice torn between relief to be gone from her household and fear for the future brought a smile to her lips.Ridding herself of her forced companion was her first order of business when she returned to Cambridge, the first act of her newly emancipated life.
“I found her a place with my great-aunt’s cousin in Wales.They will be good for each other, but I can’t imagine just how the world will absorb the mountain of needlework they will leave behind.”She sighed.“The rest progresses more slowly than I like.I’m just grateful that tradesmen here are willing to extend credit for fuel and food.”
“Well, of course, they are!The Duke of Sudbury’s daughter is a good credit risk if anyone is.”
“More fools, they.”A momentary anxiety so strong she feared her companion could see it wracked her body.“I’ll manage.I’m sure of it.In any case, it is too late to go back.The estate agent already has prospects for Helsington.He found a small house in town—a kitchen below and two rooms above.It is at the end of Sheep Street and has a tiny garden, room enough for a rose bush or two.If I get a good price for this property, I think it’ll do nicely.The estate agent will have the keys to show the house on Monday.”
Mrs.Potter made an unladylike sound.“Really, Georgiana.You have no idea.”
Georgiana forced a smile.“I’m beginning to.If the rest of the world manages, so will I, and I have you to turn to when my ignorance confounds me.”It wouldn’t do to show her fear.She needed Mrs.Potter’s encouragement to continue.
“I can’t say as I’m sorry you stood up to that family of yours.You’re intelligent and strong but alone, dear!I don’t wish to discourage you, but you must remember that I have a grandson to look in on me.”
“I have friends,” she said firmly.
“I won’t live forever.”
Georgiana patted her hand.“I’ll have you for a good long time.I have other friends.”The old woman looked at her skeptically.“There is Peabody.And Molly.”Mrs.Potter’s lips twitched.“I will make more friends.I can do it.I know I can, now that I’m out of my gilded cage.”
“Of course you can, dear.If any woman could do it, you can.”
“Will you come with me to see the house?”
