Viola’s knees grew weak, and she sank onto the sofa.
“Who would have thought?” Georgiana continued, pacing anew. “He used to be so above reproach. Always correct, exemplary of all Tories, and now this…”
“Wait, Cousin.” Viola held up a hand. “People are saying he is having an affair with Selina Sable?”
The look Georgiana gave her was full of pity. “It is irrefutably printed in black and white, for all the world to see.”
“Why do you think that character is Fane?”
“It’s the eyes, of course. His high-handed manner, even the way he speaks. She has put him in her book as he lives and breathes. He and that woman must have had an affair.” Georgiana lifted her chin. “If it is not Fane, I shall eat my gloves.”
“Oh, Georgiana.” Viola pressed her lips together, caught between laughter and the hysterical urge to confess everything.
Georgiana was affronted. “You seem entirely unaffected by the fact that your husband is conducting an affair right under your nose. But well. I suppose I must admire your composure, Cousin. For we women must certainly look the other way when they do so. Even if it is a most unfortunate inconvenience.” She looked tragically at the ceiling.
Viola drew a deep breath. “How about we go out for ices at Gunter’s?”
“Oh yes, let’s!” Lily clapped her hands. “It’s been so hot lately and an ice is just the thing.”
Georgiana sniffed, but eventually agreed. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt to show yourself in public and prove you areentirely unaffected by it all. Though I must say, I admire your forte. I really do.”
Just then, a carriage pulled up before the house, and who should emerge but the Lothario himself.
A thrill ran through Viola. “Well. There he is!” Her voice was pitched a touch too bright, and she walked forward to greet her husband. Sebastian gave her a quick smile when he saw her.
She lifted herself up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “We have just been talking about you, dear.” She gripped his arm. “Cousin Georgiana wanted to take us all for ices at Gunter’s. Why don’t you take us there, since the carriage is ready?”
“Right away?”
Viola nodded.
Sebastian greeted Georgiana and Lily, visibly taken aback by her cousin’s icy reception and the suspicious glare she levelled at him. He listened patiently to Lily’s chatter, replying gravely to her many silly questions, treating her with easy courtesy.
Viola felt such a squeeze in her heart. Such pride, and intense liking, and simply gladness that this wonderful man was hers. And now they were to have a child.
Then came the icy reminder: he was about to be ruined forever by her thoughtless publication. How could she prevent this from happening?
Did she imagine it, or did everyone succumb to sudden silence as soon as they entered Gunter’s tea house? Not Georgiana, who, despite her glacial demeanour, maintained a polite stream of conversation. But the other guests, who put their heads together, and the whispers began.
Sebastian, occupied with his sandwiches instead of ices, for he preferred savoury to sweet, did not seem to notice anything amiss.
Then one lady sidled up to their table. She was a graceful creature in a sky-blue walking dress and an elaborate turban with peacock feathers.
“Lady Jersey!” Lily gasped, and Viola’s piece of seed cake lodged in her throat. She coughed wildly into her napkin.
“Georgiana.” Lady Jersey nodded at her cousin. “Introduce me to your company.”
Georgiana made the introductions.
“Lady Viola?” She extended a gloved hand towards Viola, who wondered for a fleeting second whether she was supposed to kiss it. For Lady Jersey was one of the most powerful hostesses in theton. She threw the most coveted parties, presided over Almack’s, and had considerable say in who was in and who was out. Viola was not entirely sure where on the spectrum she herself fell. She gave the tips of her fingers a quick shake. Lady Jersey’s smile sharpened before she turned to Sebastian.
“Fane. One hearssuchthings.” She batted her eyelids at him and touched his arm. “Pray, one cannot help but wonder how much of it is true.”
Georgiana suppressed an audible gasp.
Sebastian stiffened, which was a feat given his habitual rigidity. “Lady Jersey. If you mean to refer to my speech in Parliament regarding Catholic Emancipation this morning, it is entirely true.”
She waved a hand. “Pooh. That is not what I meant.” She leaned forward, a naughty smile playing about her lips. “I meant something else altogether. Ah. Seeing your eyes, I see it is true in every respect. Who would have known?”
