Page 84 of Counting on Love

Chapter Twenty-Four

Georgiana was grateful that Crispin had finally joined them. He walked back with them too, allowing Olivia to return with his horse. Olivia had been speechless. Apparently, riding Mercury was an honor he granted to no one. After she sped off—skirts hitched up, straddling the horse, leaving Georgiana and Alice gaping—Crispin entertained them with a laughing description of the warrior’s welcome Jeremy received at his homecoming, so it was not too noticeable that Georgiana and Reginald scarcely spoke at all.

Lord Billings had already arrived by the time they returned. Georgiana and Alice scrambled to their chamber to wash their faces and change their clothes.

As Jeanette tied her ribbons, Alice asked, “Georgiana, did you and Reginald quarrel?”

“Quarrel?” she laughed stiffly. “Why would you think that?”

Alice shrugged. “You both seemed a bit peeved.”

“No. We did not quarrel. I suppose we simply ran out of conversation.”

“Maybe he’s just tired of being in company all the time. Olivia says he’s not very sociable.”

“Why were you discussing Reginald with Olivia?” She felt a twinge of irritation.

“Her brothers are her favorite topic of conversation.” Alice spoke teasingly, but not without a touch of wistfulness.

Georgiana didn’t want to discuss the Taverstons anymore. The coup de grâce would be Alice confiding an interest in Reginald.

“Voilà,” Jeanette said. “You are both presentable.”

“Very good, thank you,” Georgiana said, then tentatively shared a smile with Alice. “That walk made me hungry. I hope I don’t astonish Lord Billings with my appetite.”

Alice giggled. “I’m sure he’ll be too puzzled by what Crispin doesn’t eat to notice what you do.”

They went down. The men were waiting in the drawing room, all except Crispin, who would be joining the Earl and the Countess instead. Georgiana and Alice exchanged glances but were not so rude as to laugh.

Mama had arranged the seating, placing Georgiana between Jasper and Lord Billings. Georgiana liked Lord Billings even though he had a high opinion of himself and tended to dominate conversations. He talked over Jasper with the condescension of an old dog batting aside a pup. For the most part, Jasper took this in stride, but when Billings tried insisting he would pay just a short visit to the Earl after dinner, because “surely a visit would do the old fellow good,” Jasper answered with a firm no. “The Earl must not be disturbed.”

Lord Billings appeared put out, but only for a moment. Then he returned to telling them what they were missing in London. “And the first official match of the Season has been announced: Lord Dunstun and Miss Blakemore.” He paused, smiling with satisfaction at the sly way he had delivered the word “official.” Georgiana felt a blush rise on her neck. Was everyone in London awaiting an announcement from Chaumbers?

Mama responded, “How delightful. I’m sure they will be very happy. Lord Billings, have you seen the Duke recently? He had a cough when we left and although he assures me it is gone, he would, of course, say that.”

“I did see him at White’s. He wasn’t coughing. However, he was drinking some sort of toddy.” Lord Billings laughed. “But don’t worry. He looked very hearty.”

He rattled on. Georgiana relaxed and began to enjoy his various bits of unimportant news. As the dessert course was being served, Crispin entered the room. He sat down next to Olivia but waved aside the servant who offered him macaroons.

“Father is sleeping,” he said, tactfully assuring his brothers there had been no change. “Mother suggested I come down.”

Lord Billings paused for breath during the interruption but then turned to focus on Georgiana.

“And you, dear lady! I remember you with your hair down in ribbons. Now look at you. Good show! Though I daresay you left a trail of brokenhearted swains behind in London!”

Then he chucked her under the chin and, over her head, winked broadly at Jasper.

Georgiana reeled back, aghast, but knew of no appropriate response to something so vulgar. Jasper went rigid. She dared not look across the table to see Reginald’s reaction, but slanting her gaze to his left, she saw Crispin’s expression darken.

Mama rescued her once again. Her tone was sharp. “I believe Lord Taverston has an entertainment planned. Why don’t you all gather again outside?” She stood, which meant the men all had to rise at once, putting an abrupt end to the meal.

Lord Billings looked startled, then puzzled, then embarrassed, all in the space of a few seconds. But he recovered enough to offer Georgiana his arm. He led her from the dining room. Georgiana tossed a glance behind her to see Alice and Olivia following, but the lords of Iversley had clustered together to exchange a few words. Whatever they had to say to one another did not take long.

Jasper came quickly forward, giving instructions to various servants. The party waited inside until a footman returned and murmured something to him. Then Jasper herded them outdoors.

A shooting range had been established on the front lawn. There were several wafers, bold circles painted on paper, wrapped around metal frames that had been hammered into the ground. They stood three in a row, with the rows placed about thirty to fifty paces away. There was a breeze, enough to set the targets rippling. Chairs were lined up at the edge of the drive for the ladies who would spectate. Servants stood at the ready with pistol boxes.

“Will you shoot first, Lord Billings?” Jasper asked. “Would you like to use the Earl’s guns or your own?”