Georgie could not believe one of her best friends had just called her an idiot.
“Not you, him,” Henrietta said hurriedly, putting her arm around Georgie and leading her to the sofa.
“I am not at all surprised he made a mess of it,” Dorie said as she poured Georgie a cup of tea and handed it to her. “Nor am I shocked that he doesn’t know his own heart. But I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“I have as well.” Henrietta joined them. “We shall simply have to find a way to bring him around.”
“I hope to go to Adeline.” Georgie’s friends looked shocked. “My parents have to see to some problems on one of their estates, and I would rather visit her than go to Yorkshire.”
Henrietta’s eyes flew wide. “In the middle of the Season?”
“I could have chaperoned you.” Dorie sounded a bit disgruntled.
Georgie smiled at her friends. “I know, but I need some time to think.” And find out what her grandmother and the duchess had planned. She debated telling her friends about her conversation with her grandmother. They might be able to help as well. “Also, my grandmother and her friend are looking at ways to . . . help.”
“We”—Dorie glanced at Henrietta—“shall do what we can to assist you as well.”
“Indeed we will.” Henrietta narrowed her eyes. “When he comes looking for you we will torture him by not telling him where you are.”
“If he even notices I am gone.” Georgie sighed. “He might decide he would rather have an arranged match with a lady who has no interest in loving him.”
“I do not believe that for a second,” Dorie said. “He has focused on no one but you since last Season.” She tapped her chin with a finger. “I will wager that he’ll speak with Exeter. When he does, I shall be able to find out what Lord Turley is thinking.”
“Yes,” Henrietta agreed. “I would be surprised if he gave up so easily. He is not that type of gentleman.”
Georgie hoped her friends were right. “I do not want him to know where I am until I am ready to see him again.” Her friends nodded their agreement. “First I must decide what I’ll do if he does come to Littlewood.”
“When are you departing?” Dorie asked.
“If Adeline agrees, I shall leave tomorrow in the early afternoon.”
“That is an excellent idea.” Henrietta took a sip of her now-cold tea, then leaned over and tugged the bellpull. “It will take him a day or two to rally for the next attack.”
Georgie gave her head a shake. “This is not a battle.”
“No, my dear friend, it is a war.” Henrietta raised her chin. “One which you, with a bit of help from your friends and family, will win.”
Georgie had never thought of waging a war against Lord Turley, but the analogy was apt. There were times when one had to fight for what one wanted in life. And she did want his love and a chance to be his wife.
* * *
On the third day after he’d proposed, Gavin stared at the empty red door to Featherton House. The knocker was gone. That meant the family was gone.
That means Georgie is gone!
Where the devil had she and her family got to in the middle of a Season?
And when the devil had that happened, and why?
A footman came from the side of the house to the pavement, glanced at him, and said, “They left Town.”
Closing his eyes, he suppressed the curse that sprang to his lips. “Do you happen to know if they have returned to Lord Featherton’s estate?”
“Well”—the footman rubbed his chin and looked as if he’d like to chat—“Lord and Lady Featherton went to one of their properties in the north, but we all think they wanted to see their grandchild. Got a letter from Master Kit just before they left, they did. The dowager was supposed to be looking after Miss Georgie, but then she and the duchess had somethin’ they had to do, and they sent a message that they were leaving this morning.”
Gavin’s tempter was hanging by a thread. Where the hell was she? He bit his inner cheek and spoke as calmly as he could, “And Miss Featherton?”
The man grinned. “She’s off visiting friends in the country.” He frowned for a moment. “I think that’s what I heard.”
