Georgiana leaned toward her. “It’s wonderful you decided to reenter Society.”
“Yes. It’s been eighteen months since Stephen’s death, and I finally felt ready.”
“And?”
Bett couldn’t help the smile that lifted her lips. “And I met a very fine gentleman. His name is Mr. Hughes. I truly believedmy heart had shriveled and died the day Stephen was taken from me, but the heart is a strange creature. I felt so alive when I was with him.”
Georgianna squeezed her hand. “Are you carrying a tendre for Mr. Hughes?”
“I am, although everything did not go as planned. Lady Armstrong and I had to leave the party suddenly, and I wasn’t able to say goodbye to him in person. I did leave him a note, however.”
“Oh? What happened to make you leave early?”
“It was most unpleasant. There was a young gentleman who was persistent in his pursuit of Lady Armstrong, even though she did not encourage him at all.”
“Oh my, that doesn’t sound pleasant at all.”
“That’s not all. One night, when Lady Armstrong was alone in the garden, he attacked her, thinking he could just take what he wanted.”
Georgianna inhaled sharply. “My goodness. That must have been a terrible ordeal for your friend.”
“Indeed it was, but luckily Lord Robertson stopped him before he could force himself on her. She was so upset that we agreed it would be better if we left at first light.”
“I’m glad to hear that you were there to support her. And what about Mr. Hughes? Did he respond to your note?”
Bett sighed. “No, not as of yesterday.”
“I see. What did the baron have to say about that?”
“I never told him or Lady Williams about Mr. Hughes. My brother-in-law wasn’t happy I was attending the party in the first place, and I didn’t want to hear any negative remarks about Mr. Hughes if nothing came of the flirtation.”
“Men can be strange creatures sometimes, and unlike women, sometimes they take an inordinate amount of time to realize their feelings. Perhaps that is the case with Mr. Hughes.”
“Perhaps. Do you think I’m being foolish about holding out hope he’ll call on me?”
Georgianna shook her head. “Not at all. You must follow your heart in these things. Give Mr. Hughes some time to realize his feelings as well.”
“Thank you. That relieves my mind greatly.”
“You mustn’t worry overmuch about such things. Sometimes it’s merely a matter of time before things work out as they were intended.”
“I do hope so. Will Persing be joining us?” she asked.
Georgiana shook her head. “No. He’s out checking on a tenant with a leaky roof. He insists on inspecting the repairs himself, but he’ll join us for dinner.”
“I look forward to seeing him again. I can see by the light in your eyes that he makes you very happy.”
“Oh, he does. I’m very lucky,” Georgianna said, rubbing her belly.
“I’m so very pleased for you,” Bett said.
The two women talked for another hour before Georgiana tugged on the bellpull.
“Do you require something, Lady Persing?” Mrs. Ketterly, the housekeeper, asked.
“Yes. Please show Lady Williams to her bedchamber.”
“Of course. Lady Williams, kindly follow me.”
