Page 5 of A Reckless Wager
He led them to a corner in the room, far from prying eyes and ears which he knew they had attracted. “Have I offended you? It was not my intent.”
Composure. “Not at all. As you recall, it was I who suggested the kiss. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She curtsied quickly. “I’m going to find my aunt. I’ll see you at Knightly Manor.” It took all her willpower and strength to walk away slowly and ladylike when she wanted to run, jump up and down, and squeal with delight. She would not lose. Or perhaps she wanted to? Oh dear, what a conundrum.
“Well hello, Lady Georgiana.” Lady Pandora Osborne and her cousin, Lady Octavia Sewell, approached her. “Was that Viscount Blackstone you were speaking with?”
Lady Osborne looked at her with perceptive eyes. Had she overheard the conversation about the scandalous kiss? No. Impossible. They’d been careful. She’d play along. “Why yes, it was.”
“He is handsome, is he not?”
Georgiana had to hide her shock. “Yes. As are many of the gentlemen present.”
Lady Osborne wrapped her arm through hers. “Come. Walk with me. We’ve never really chatted before.”
Georgiana looked back, feeling eyes upon her. “What about…”
“My cousin will be fine. She’s old enough to take care of herself.” Then she tittered, brought her ornate oracle to her eyes, and looked toward the door. “He’s exiting.”
“We all must exit at some point.” What a strange conversation. “I understand you and Lady Sewell will attend our house and hunting festivities.”
“Yes. Just us ladies. Our husbands have other commitments. But we’ll not participate in the hunt. Good Lord, that’s for men only. Except, once, I attended a hunting party at the Earl of Braymore’s with my husband, and several of the gentlemen had brought their paramours with them, and they rode alongside. Shocking. My dear Lord Osborne would never step out on me. If he did, I would bash his head in with a frying pan while he sleeps, and he knows it.”
How did one respond to that? Lady Osborne could be frightening. Georgiana would remember never to upset the lady. “I see. I’m sure he loves you very much.”
Lady Osbourne emitted a burst of short laughter. “I wouldn’t go that far. When my father was alive, he feared him. I think he still does even though he’s gone.”
No words came to Georgiana.
“Has your father, with your aunt’s help, come up with a list of eligible gentlemen for you to consider?”
A twinkle appeared in her faded blue eyes. Georgiana had heard the gossip about Lady Osborne and Sewell and how they had a bet surrounding a family tiara. And how Lady Osborne needed to make a match amongst the ton every month for a year. And not just any lady of the ton. A wallflower such as herself. Her heart froze. She knew she was a wallflower, but to know everyone else did troubled her.
Lady Osborne had hosted several balls recently, and that is what happened. Engagements. Several girls she’d spent time with during the dancing, all pining to dance themselves, had made suitable matches. Had Lady Osborne set her sights on her next? Georgiana honestly didn’t know how she felt about being part of a wager. A wedding wager of all things. And who was the gentleman she wanted to match her with? As if she didn’t already know the answer to both questions.
“It wasn’t a hard question, girl.”
“Pardon me.” Her overactive mind whirled. “I haven’t seen one if there is. No particular gentleman has been named. I believe Papa is hoping someone suitable will come calling, and that will settle things. As of yet, no such gentleman has called. At least I don’t believe so.”
“Viscount Blackstone appears interested, don’t you think?”
Stifling her gasp, Georgiana replied, “Perhaps. He has spoken to me more than any other gentleman this Season.”
“Perhaps you shall get to know one another during the week at Knightly Manor. Perhaps, he’ll even ask for a dance… A waltz, I predict.” She uncurled her arm from around hers. “There is Lady Sewell. I will see you very soon, my dear. Please think about what we discussed.”
Two unusual conversations, both revolving around a wager. A hunting wager and a wedding wager. Bath may prove even more interesting than she’d thought.
“There you are,” Aunt Clara, breathing heavily, said as she approached. “I’m ready to return home. All this water has me bloated.”
During the carriage ride, Georgiana pretended to listen as Aunt Clara nattered on about the games and luncheons planned for the sennight of their entertaining, which was only three days away. Three days. Three days to prepare for the viscount… and Lady Osborne.
Chapter Five
The morning the guests were to arrive for the house party, the Knightly Manor staff scurried around in every direction, precariously moving house plants and all manner of furniture from one room to another. Georgiana was afraid to leave the upstairs family drawing room lest she found her person picked up and moved to another corner of the house.
The housekeeper, along with Aunt Clara, barked out orders, and somehow within three hours, the house was put to the right again, and her papa arrived with an old friend, the Duke of Amberville.
“Papa!” She walked into his open arms and inhaled the smell of tobacco and his woodsy cologne. “I’ve missed you.”
The Earl of Southport stepped back and eyed his daughter. “Nonsense. According to Clara, you’ve gone from one social event to the next during your stay in London and Bath. You can’t possibly have missed me.” His calming laughter reached inside her, and her body relaxed. Her papa’s presence always had a soothing effect on Georgiana. Most likely due to him being her only parent. She worried about his health and well-being when she was away from him. “You remember the Duke of Amberville?”
