The day was warm, especially for October, but thiswasSurrey. Gavin and Lady Littleton had arrived to discover Frits, his wife, and Georgie were out looking at the follies. A tea tray appeared and Lady Littleton suggested they drink it on the terrace. They had been there for about twenty minutes when he heard the sounds of a carriage and a horse approaching the front of the house. “They have returned.”
“Are you ready?” her ladyship asked.
“Yes.” Or rather he thought he was. If he saw any indication that Georgie did not wish him to remain at Littlewood, Gavin would stay with her ladyship. That, however, would put him at a disadvantage as he would have to wait for an invitation to visit Littlewood or be forced to wait and accompany Lady Littleton when she visited. “I shall go out to meet them.”
Her ladyship gave him a doubtful look, but he did not want Georgie to walk out here and see him. She should have some warning. “Good luck.”
“I have a feeling I might need it.” Gavin had not simply shown up at Littlewood without sending word in a very long time. Even Littleton hadn’t known he’d come.
Gavin reached the front door in time to see Georgie’s reaction to his coach. Her finely arched brows had drawn together slightly, and her lovely lips were flattened. When Frits’s wife place a hand on Georgie’s arm, she did not react. She did not appear particularly happy. Then again, she did not look angry. In fact, she seemed a little stunned. The younger Lady Littleton said something to Georgie, and she answered before donning a polite smile. That wasn’t promising at all. He hadn’t expected her to show joy at his presence, but he’d hoped she might be a little happy.
Gavin pasted a smile on his own face and strolled out onto the stoop. “I hope the timing of my visit is not problematic.”
Littleton—the only one who did not appear surprised to see Gavin—exchanged what looked like meaningful glances with his wife before coming forward. “Not at all. Welcome. It’s always good to see friends. Let’s go to my study while the ladies change.”
Gavin inclined his head. There was nothing in his friend’s face to betray how he would really be received. He’d know soon what he was up against. He followed Littleton through the hall to his comfortable study and took a seat by the lit fireplace while Littleton poured two glasses of claret.
After handing a goblet to Gavin, Littleton lowered himself into the opposite chair. “Adeline and I discussed what should be done if you came.” He took a drink of wine. When he lowered it, his countenance reminded Gavin strongly of the old Lord Littleton just before he began a lecture. “Until such time as you and Georgie work out what you are going to do, you cannot stay at Littlewood.”
Gavin was tempted to drain the glass, but contented himself with twisting the goblet around. “Your mother offered to give me a room at her house.”
Littleton nodded. “You will be allowed free run. As long as you are not residing here, Georgie will be able to see you or not as she wishes.”
That might work. Gavin sipped his claret. “How much freedom will I have?”
“You may take your meals here, if you like.” His friend stared at him consideringly. “I suggest strongly that you begin anew with Georgie. I cannot agree with your stand that you will not fall in love. If you continue in that vein, you might never convince her to marry you. But Adeline and I agreed to allow you a second chance to make Georgie want to spend her life with you.” Frits finished his wine and set it on a sturdy walnut side table. “There are three rules you must follow. You may not under any circumstances compromise her.” Gavin nodded. He hoped he would not have considered that option. But when a man becomes desperate . . . “And you may not follow her around like a puppy. If she does not wish to see you, you are to take yourself off.”
He inclined his head in assent. He doubted his pride would allow him to behave in that manner, but one never knew. “You will address any written invitations or other correspondence you wish to send Miss Georgie to me.” Gavin had thought—had hoped—there might be a little relaxing of propriety, but apparently not. When he didn’t answer, Frits continued, “For the time she is here, Adeline and I are responsible for her. We intend to do our duty. Neither of us will be put in the position of having to explain to her parents any sort of misfortune she may experience.”
He had a point. If it was Gavin’s daughter, he would expect the same. Suddenly he had a vision of a little girl with dark chestnut curls and blue eyes. “I understand you. For the purposes of this courtship, I shall treat you as her guardian.”
“In that case, we will not have any problems.” Littleton’s tone was solemn. Still, Gavin was a bit surprised that the man’s ready smile was nowhere to be seen. He really was taking his responsibilities seriously. “Lady Turner and Mrs. Fitzwalter are hosting a house party. We will obtain invitations for you to the events which we are attending.”
“Thank you.” And thank the Lord for good friends.
“I wish you luck.” Littleton finally grinned. “I have a feeling you might need it.”
“I have a feeling you might be correct.” Georgie had acted as if Gavin was not present when he walked out to greet them. He finished his wine. “Time to beard the lioness.”
“I would make that plural,” Littleton said as he rose. “Adeline is very fierce when it comes to her friends. Much as she will be with our children.”
Thinking about his conversation with Miss Stern, Gavin grimaced. “They all are.”
Frits and Gavin made their way back to the hall and to the morning room on the other side of the house. They arrived to find the doors to the terrace open and light female laughter floating in from outside. He stood in the doorway and watched as Georgie laughed at something Lady Littleton—the dowager—said. The woman he hoped to make his wife was dressed in a light yellow muslin gown that appeared to float around her as she sat in a chair. She had never looked more beautiful or more desirable.
Frits walked past him. “I hope there is something more than fruit tarts and biscuits.”
“Of course, my love.” His wife smiled up at him. “We have sandwiches as well.” Adeline Littleton glanced at Gavin. “You may join us, my lord.”
He made himself put one foot in front of the other. Why was he so hesitant? This was what he wanted. “Thank you.” He bowed to Lady Littleton the younger. “Thank you.” He winced at the repetition. He must be more nervous than he’d thought. Then he turned to Georgie and bowed again. “Miss Featherton, I am glad to see you.”
Her smile tightened as she inclined her head. “Indeed?”
This was not going well. Perhaps it was a good thing he’d be at The Lilacs with Lady Littleton. That said, if he wanted to marry Georgie, he had to do something to set things on the right path again. He smiled down at her and saw uncertainty in her deep blue eyes. Gavin had not been the only one wounded by his bungled proposal. Was she dreading that he’d stay at Littlewood? If so, it was time to ease her mind. “Yes, I am. I shall be residing at The Lilacs for the nonce.”
She let out a shallow breath. If he had not been so focused on her, he wouldn’t have noticed it. “I am sure her ladyship will be happy for the company.”
“I must say that I am.” Lady Littleton smiled beatifically at all of them. “It will be quite like old times having Gavin around.” Then she spoke to him, “Gavin, stop looming over Miss Featherton and take a seat. You and Littleton still do not seem to realize how tall you have grown.” She indicated a platter of sandwiches. “You might as well eat. There will most likely be nothing at my house until dinner.”
