“Are you, indeed?” One of Grandmother’s brows rose, and she speared him with her dark gaze for a few moments before saying, “You do not behave as if you are courting her.”
He glanced at his cousin, but there was no help there. She took a swallow of wine and said, “Have you made arrangements to take her riding, or walking?”
Geoff felt like squirming, but did not know why. “No. I have not.”
“And you are standing up with the lady only once at each ball, and dancing with other ladies as well?” Apollonia asked as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Naturally.” He wanted to tug on his cravat. It had not felt this tight all evening. “I am a gentleman. It would not do to ignore other ladies. I do not understand what the two of you are getting at.”
“You were right.” Grandmother glanced at Apollonia and shook her head. “He is not in love.”
“I am sorry to say that was clear when he did not remain by her side, ma’am.” His cousin’s lips formed a moue. “He wasn’t in love with the other one either.”
“I do believe you are correct. If he is going to marry, he clearly needs our help.”
Geoff’s jaw began to ache, and he was becoming more than a little tired of hearing them discuss him as if he was not present. Finally, he bit out, “Help. With. What?”
His cousin’s eyes widened. “Your courtship, of course. What else would we be discussing?” She slid a look to Grandmamma before continuing. “It’s become clear to us that you have no idea how to conduct a successful campaign for a wife.”
His grandmother nodded. “Indeed. You are making a complete shambles of it.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Excuse me?”
“Do you even like the girl?” Cousin Apollonia shot at him.
Geoff should have known even the tone he used to depress pretentions wouldn’t work on her. “Of course, I do.” He would never consider marrying a lady for whom he had no affection at all. He had even struck Miss whatshername from his list because he would not like to wed her. And he had been glad—relieved was more like it—when Lady Mary refused him. “One must have amiable relations with one’s wife.”
“But you do not love her.” His cousin’s tone was one of complete disgust.
“I fail to see what love has to do with marriage.” Geoff could name any number of couples who had wed for love and were miserable. He would choose not to be unhappy in his marriage.
“You would know what you were about if you were in love. Be that as it may”—his grandmother’s fingers fluttered—“you require help, and we have decided to assist you.”
“As long as”—his cousin’s eyes narrowed ominously—“you like the lady.”
“Well, I do.” He gave a decisive nod. “We are extremely compatible. She speaks all the required languages of a diplomat’s wife, she has an excellent seat”—that was according to her brother—“she is able to drive her own carriage, and she is well versed on English and European events. She also wishes to travel.”
“Oh, good Lord.” He’d swear Apollonia rolled her eyes. “But do youfeelanything for Miss Turley?”
Geoff thought about it for a moment. He must like her. After all, he enjoyed being in Miss Turley’s company even more than he liked being with Lady Charlotte. He even wanted to kiss her. Well, more than merely kiss her. He had a strong desire to see her naked in his bed with her long blond curls around her. He had never felt such an intense desire to have a lady before. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
His grandmother and cousin exchanged looks. Finally, Grandmamma said, “Give him the list.”
Rising, Cousin Apollonia went to a small cherry writing desk with a tooled brown leather and gilt inset, drew out a sheet of paper, and handed it to him. “You must follow these instructions unreservedly.”
“If you do not,” Grandmamma added in a portentous tone, “you will not succeed in gaining Miss Turley’s hand.”
Geoff read the paper his cousin had handed him. Both sides were filled with lists of things his relatives thought he must do. Surely, courting a lady was not this time consuming.
Remain by her side all evening even if she dances with others.
Or ridiculous.
Glare at other gentlemen so that they will know you have chosen her.
It took him several seconds before he could find a polite way of telling his grandmother what he thought about her suggestions. “In other words, you want me to make a complete cake out of myself?”
“No.” Grandmamma took a large drink of her sherry. “We want you to win your lady.”
