Georgie shrugged. “I wish I knew.”
“I can tell you that he does want very much to marry you.” Georgie pulled a face. “Yet he is still haunted by his father.”
In an attempt to help, Littleton had told Adeline who in turn told Georgie about the mess the former Lord Turley had made of everything after his wife had died. “I understand why he thinks he should not love his wife, but I do not understand how one can stop oneself from falling in love.” And that was the essence of the matter. Georgie firmly believed that love was the thing that held two people together during difficult times. She began pacing the room again, changing directions so as not to wear a path in the rug. “Do I give him another chance? Or would I be wasting my time? If he is so certain he will not love his wife, I do not see what I can do to change his mind.”
Adeline’s forehead creased in thought. “Allowing him until the end of the month to convince you would still give you time to go back to Town before the Season ends, and it would answer your questions.”
“I suppose you are correct.” Georgie stopped pacing. Why was this so hard? She closed her eyes and reached deep into her heart. There was a chance that there might be another gentleman out there who was even more perfect for her than Lord Turley only because this unknown gentleman loved her. But until she knew for certain that Turley would never love her, she would give him an opportunity to prove himself. “I shall give him one more chance.”
“I need to tell you one more bit of information.” This time her friend had a wicked grin on her face. “Your grandmother and her friend the duchess arrive tomorrow. They are staying with Mama-in-law.”
“And Turley.” Georgie felt her eyes widen. “Oh my. That will be interesting. What I would not give to hear what they have to say to him.”
“That is exactly what I thought,” her friend agreed. “Frits has suggested that he be allowed to come here as often as he wishes in order to court you. Do you have any objections?”
Georgie began pacing again. For some reason, she could not remain still. Littlewood really was the perfect place for a courtship. Other than the house party entertainments, they could spend time out of the eyes of theton. It would give her—them—both the opportunity to attempt to resolve the differences in what they each wanted in a marriage. “No.” She wondered what role her grandmother and the duchess would play. “No. I have no objections.” Having a course of action would, at the very least, help her shake off the malaise she had been experiencing. “In fact, I believe I am looking forward to seeing how he intends to convince me I should enter into a loveless marriage.”
“That is a very interesting way to put it.” Adeline tapped a finger against her chin. “Somehow I do not think Lord Turley would describe what he wishes for in a marriage in exactly that fashion.”
Georgie studied her friend, and wondered what Turley had said that Adeline was not sharing. “What else would one call a marriage not based upon love?”
“And that is an extremely good question.” Adeline’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “One you should pose to him when the time is right.”
“And one he will have to answer if he wishes to make me his wife.” And his response was what Georgie would insist on hearing.
Adeline wiggled her fingers as she left the parlor, and Georgie went to the window seat. She had thought she’d known Turley, but did she truly? He had written to her—via her father, of course—over the summer asking for help with his tenants. And she had responded—via her father’s secretary—giving him the advice he needed. Those letters had led her to believe that she knew him. Yet, obviously, she did not. Georgie had not, for example, known what he wanted in a marriage. How deep did his fear that he would turn out like his father go? If he did find himself in love with her, would he turn that against her?
She blew out a puff of breath. There were too many questions and not enough answers. And the only way to find out what she wanted to know was to spend more time with him. But that took her right back where she began. The only thing to do was to be prepared for anything.
Chapter Nine
Gavin rode alongside Lady Littleton’s coach as they traveled the short distance to The Lilacs. From what she’d said, he’d got the impression that it was a small manor house and was surprised when they entered a drive lined with linden trees. At the end of the drive was a house built in the same Elizabethan manner as Littlewood, and not nearly as small as he’d thought it would be. Mullioned windows on all three floors reflected the sun, and in the middle of the circular drive was a flowerbed of seasonal blooms surrounded by boxwood edging.
He dismounted from his horse as a footman hurried out to help her ladyship out of the carriage. “This is a beautiful house.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Her eyes lit up as she looked up at the building. “I think I like it all the better because it belongs to me.”
Her remark took him by surprise. He’d never thought about the fact that ladies frequently did not own the property in which they resided. No matter the changes and improvements a female made to a house, it belonged to her husband. And in most cases, the lady had to depart the main house when he died or her son married.
“Come along. Cook might be able to provide some refreshment.”
“Give Lord Turley the large apartments in the front,” her ladyship said to Crothers as she strode through the door and handed him her gloves and bonnet.
“Yes, my lady. Where would you like tea served?”
“In the morning room. It is becoming a little chilly for the terrace.”
When the butler left, Gavin decided it was time to ask the one question that had been on his mind. “Why are Miss Featherton’s grandmother and friend visiting as well?”
“My dear boy, if you require assistance in bringing her up to scratch, you will have need of them. First, though, you will have to convince them you are serious about Georgie.” He followed as she entered the still bright morning room. But as he looked around it was clear that the brightness seemed to come more from the color of the walls, that resembled a newly ripened peach, than the windows. “I’ve never seen a color like this.”
Her ladyship gave a satisfied smile. “It was not easy to achieve. I had a painter mix the color I wanted. We had several misses before he got the desired result. Then he had to work with the house painter to create a paint suitable for the walls. I am glad you like it.”
Gavin took in the cream-colored trim on the windows and French doors, both of which had curtains decorated with a fruit and flower motif on a cream background. He wondered if Georgie would like something in the same vein at Rivercrest. “I do like it. Very much.”
Crothers brought in the tea tray and set it on the low table between two couches then left. “How am I supposed to persuade the ladies that my feelings for Georgie are honest?”
Her ladyship lifted a brow. “By being forthright. Neither of them are fools.”
