“Wonderful,” Dinah said. “Shall we adjourn to the dining room?”
“Splendid idea, my love,” Hawthorne replied as he offered his arm.
As they walked out of the room, William knew he had no choice but to accompany Miss Lloyd into the dining room for propriety’s sake. He approached her and put his gloved hand out. “May I escort you to the dining room?”
Miss Lloyd glanced down at his hand, indecision on her features. “That isn’t truly necessary, my lord.”
“But it is my privilege,” he forced out.
She tentatively slipped her hand into his and he tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Thank you,” she murmured.
William led her out of the drawing room, and he couldn’t help but notice her rigid posture. “Are you all right, Miss Lloyd?”
“I am.”
He could tell that she was lying, but decided to let the matter drop. He had more important things to deal with than trying to convince an obstinate woman to confide in him.
Georgie sat in the dining room as she listened to everyone converse, but she was reeling from the fact that she had felt something when she touched Lord Grenton. An undeniable spark—which was preposterous! That boorish man had shown her no favor, nor did she want him to. So why had she reacted in such a fashion?
It would be in her best interest to stay far away from Lord Grenton. She was sure of that. If he knew the truth, she had no doubt that he would dismiss her without a second thought.
Lady Hawthorne’s voice broke through her musings. “Do you agree, Miss Lloyd?”
Georgie brought her gaze up and was forced to give an apologetic smile. “I apologize, but I’m afraid I was woolgathering.”
“That is what I supposed.” Lady Hawthorne returned her smile. “I was just discussing with Lord Grenton about our vision for the orphanage.”
Lord Grenton wiped the sides of his mouth with his napkin. “I do worry that your vision is much too progressive for these girls.”
“I disagree,” Lady Hawthorne said. “These girls need to be educated, giving them ample opportunities.”
Lord Grenton huffed. “I only agreed to hire tutors to help the girls learn how to read. I have no intention of educating them.”
“But you must!” Lady Hawthorne pressed. “It wouldn’t cost much more to educate them.”
“It is an orphanage, not a boarding school,” Lord Grenton pressed.
“It could be both.”
Shifting his attention towards Lord Hawthorne, Lord Grenton asked, “What are your thoughts on this matter?”
Lord Hawthorne reached for his wife’s hand. “I am a smart enough man to side with my wife on this issue.”
Lord Grenton frowned. “What if the girls hope to rise above their stations?” he asked. “Are we not doing a disservice to them?”
Georgie spoke up. “Educating one’s mind is never a mistake, since it inspires them to hope for a better future.”
“A future that may never come to pass,” Lord Grenton said.
“At least we tried,” Georgie countered.
Lord Grenton sighed. “This endeavor sounds like it will cost me a great deal of money.”
“It won’t,” Lady Hawthorne said. “We will help fund the girls’ education, and I will personally oversee it.”
Lord Grenton shifted in his seat to face her. “Will that be an issue, Miss Lloyd?”
“Not at all,” Georgie replied. “I welcome Lady Hawthorne’s assistance.”
