With a swipe at her eyes, the viscountess let go of her sister. Lady Hampton looked ill.
The duke ran a hand through his curly, sleek hair. “Shall we call a truce for the sake of the family we both love, Lady Hampton? May we begin an alliance?”
“Between us, Your Grace? I doubt it would last.”
This back-and-forth was spinning out of control. It was my symphony. I had to conduct all the warring instruments and amplify the lead violin. I needed to act with courage, to take control. Grasping Georgina’s hand, I dropped to my knee. “Miss Georgina Wilcox, will you fake-betroth me?”
She blushed again. Her cheeks became very bronzed on her sunny brown face.
The duke’s hazel eyes squinted at me, at her. Then he winced aloud and said, “Good. That seems to have worked out.”
The viscountess leaned over him, then she turned to the window to stare again at the beautiful maze. “What’s wrong with you anyway? You were unsteady in the music room.”
“The doctor said an earache, I believe. You know Mr. Carew. He’s now my personal physician.”
Why did it seem as if Lady Hampton’s fingers on the windowsill were looking for the latch to open the glass and leap to freedom?
The goddess wasn’t the only runner in the Wilcox Family.
“If we’d known you were busy or ill, we’d not have come and these events wouldn’t have happened.”
“Again blaming me, ma’am. You’d think we were married.”
She gasped, and he sort of grinned. “Well, Lady Hampton, all in all, your concern might be the first kind thought you’ve shared with me.”
“It’s polite to ask.”
Torrance closed his eyes for a moment. “Good to know we’re not beyond politeness.”
“Excuse me,” I said, with my leg starting to cramp. “I hate to interrupt, but I’m still kneeling. Miss Wilcox, and maybe all of you need to accept my faux proposal.”
The goddess drew me up and kept my hands. “Yes, I accept. These two will have to do their best to get along.”
“Thank you, Miss Wilcox.” I wanted to lean in and kiss her but stopped. The duke still had his cane handy, though I wondered if he had the strength to wield it again. He looked to be seriously pained.
“I suggest Miss Wilcox move in as my ward.” The duke stretched his palm along the desk. “That will make this faux courtship easier.”
“No. No. No.” The older sister’s tone became pitchy. “No splitting up. And here with your friends and meetings, you’ll have her completely ruined.”
The duke’s hand on his cane tightened. “Lady Hampton, a guardian who fails her charges should be dismissed. It was your wrong claims that caused this.”
Lady Hampton opened her mouth, but nothing was uttered. She stepped away, far away, and sank onto the sofa.
The careful duke winced and lowered his chin. I didn’t think he intended to offer a barb so sharp that it not only shredded her anger but her pride too.
Torrance sat back, twiddling his thumbs. “I’ll have a few small dinner parties to introduce the couple. That’s a good way to begin.”
“I’m not ready for any party,” Georgiana said. “Can we be less public?”
“Less public? It has to be public. He has to show you off to the world. Sebastian,” he said, “how do you suggest getting her comfortable?”
“Torrance, what if for the next few weeks Miss Wilcox meets me here for music lessons? I can raise her confidence.”
The duke pouted a little. “How does that help?”
The goddess made large eyes at me—a feat of wonderment in jet and gold.
Though I felt myself becoming flustered, I rushed to spit out my idea. “With her as my pupil and ‘fiancée,’ people would assume that our acquaintance came naturally through our lessons. Held here, they would be respectable. And let’s say she’ll exhibit, not at any dinner but at your ball.”
