“That isdelightful,” she murmured.
When she opened her eyes again, Georgie was staring at her strangely. When their gazes met, a smile broke out on her cousin’s face.
“Come, let’s walk along that path down there. I’m in need ofproperfresh air, and it’s too noisy here.” Georgie said,pointing towards a narrow path which led into a dense section of undergrowth.
Ursula frowned. The path was dimly lit, with torches set at intervals, but trees and undergrowth pressed in tightly around it. It would be a very secluded walk. Aside from this, guests were not really meant to go wandering about in the gardens. The terrace doors had been opened out of necessity, and already several guests were cooling themselves outside, but nobody had ventured into the dark gardens beyond.
“Is it wise?” Ursula said at last. “It’s so dark down there. We could trip, perhaps twist an ankle… you might catch your gown on a branch and tear it.”
Generally, the threat of damaging one of her dresses was enough to put Georgie off any activity.
Not today, it seemed. She only smiled and took Ursula’s hand.
“You are so very silly, cousin. Well, if you don’t wish to come, I shall go alone.”
Ursula sighed. “Of course you can’t go alone. It wouldn’t be proper. I’ll come with you, then. Just a short walk, then we’ll return to the terrace.”
Georgie nodded happily, her face brightening.
They descended the stone steps onto a wide gravel walkway, and Georgie led the way down the narrower path.
Almost immediately the air cooled even further, the scent of roses and greenery hanging in the air. The path was too narrow to walk abreast, so Georgie walked in front and Ursula followed.
A prickling feeling crept over Ursula’s skin. She tried to tell herself it was because she had cooled down too quickly, but somehow that didn’t seem right. A twig cracked somewhere in the undergrowth, and she flinched, spinning around.
“Georgie, did you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
Ursula bit her lip. “Nothing, I’m just… just a little unsettled.”
Abruptly, Georgie stopped, stifling a gasp. “Good gracious! I am clearly not in possession of my senses! What a fool I am!”
She turned around, her eyes wide and anguished. “I have left my dance card inside.”
Ursula chuckled. “Do you intend to waltz out here, cousin?”
She shook her head. “No, of course not, but I’m afraid it’ll get lost and thrown away. I have several engagements that I don’t wish to forget. Wait here, Ursula, I shall go in and fetch it.”
“Well, I’ll come with you.”
“No, better stay here. If we both go in, we’ll get separated and never get out again,” Georgie grimaced. “Aunt Cynthia won’t be pleased that you left the ballroom so early.”
Ursula’s heart sank at that. Mama certainly wouldnotbe pleased to learn that her daughter had disappeared into the gardens when she could be doing something more useful, like spending time with Lord Ashford. Or cultivating her other marital options.
“Very well, then,” Ursula said at last.
“I’ll only be a moment!” Georgie called, darting back they had had come. Ursula watched her disappear towards the distant house, running across a candlelit lawn.
Folding her arms tight across her chest, Ursula swallowed down a sudden, ridiculous pang of nerves.
What on earth is wrong with me? Would I rather be in stuck in that over packed ballroom, fending off men like Lord Mullen in favour of men like Lord Ashford? Heavens, I am silly.
Georgie darted up the stone steps and vanished into the ballroom.
At that instant, the undergrowth began to rustle. Before Ursula could say or do anything, a tall figure stepped out of the trees and onto the path in front of her. He was now standing between her and the distant house.
Ursula felt as though her feet had frozen to the rough gravel path.
