“A foolish tradition, if you ask me,” Lord Ransdale said as he reached for his spoon.
Georgie bit her tongue, knowing her brother would not approve if she insulted their guest. Instead, she started to eat her soup, hoping they would converse with one another and leave her be. But she was not so lucky.
“Georgie is quite accomplished,” her brother announced. “My parents saw to that, sending her to Mrs. Perry’s Finishing School for her education.”
“That is a fine school.” Lord Ransdale waved his spoon in the air as he spoke. “My mother preferred that my sister remained at home with a governess.”
“That is a respectable choice,” Georgie said.
“Not in my eyes,” Lord Ransdale responded. “My sister is much too coddled. She needs to learn how to become a dutiful wife and run a household. The most efficient way for that to happen is for her to be sent away.”
“May I ask how old your sister is?” Georgie asked.
“She is thirteen.”
“She is young. There is still time,” Georgie remarked.
Lord Ransdale placed his spoon down and waved the footman over. “Inform the cook that I did not enjoy the pea soup. It was much too bland for my tastes.” He turned his attention towards Charles. “It is my fault, really. My French cook can rival any chef at the palace, ruining me for any cook that is subpar.”
Charles flicked his wrist at the footman. “I have had enough, as well,” he said. “I have been meaning to hire a new cook.”
Georgie let out a small gasp. “But Mrs. Peters has been with us since we were children!”
“Yes, and we have dealt with her poor cooking for far too long,” Charles remarked in a bored tone.
“But Charles—”
He spoke over her. “Save your breath, Georgie,” he stated, his tone brooking no argument. “I have made my decision.”
Georgie lowered her gaze as a footman came to collect her bowl. Her chest felt heavy. Mrs. Peters held a special place in her heart, and she couldn’t imagine not having her in her life. She spent a great deal of time conversing with the cook over the years, especially after her mother died.
She had to convince Charles to change his mind. But how would she accomplish such a feat?
ChapterTwo
Georgie was having the most delightful dream when she was awakened by the sound of her door closing. She reluctantly opened her eyes to the sight of her lady’s maid pacing the floor, looking distressed.
“Whatever is the matter?” Georgie asked.
“I just heard the most distressing news.”
Georgie moved to rest her back against the wall. “Which is?”
Alice stopped pacing and turned to face her. “You would want to know the truth, even if it was life altering. Wouldn’t you?”
“I would.”
With a frown on her lips, Alice sat near her on the bed. “I didn’t hear this firsthand, mind you, but I heard it from Wilson, who heard it from Brown.”
“What are you trying to tell me?”
Alice held her breath a moment before revealing, “Lord Wakefield has arranged a marriage for you.”
“With whom?” Georgie asked as her heart dropped to her stomach.
“Lord Ransdale.”
Georgie shot up straight in her bed. “Please say that is not so.”
