Page 60 of Scandal’s Daughter

She waited, realising she did want to know what this curious, rather awkward gentleman thought they could find together.

“But I would never embarrass you. I would be faithful, reliable and your happiness would always be my foremost concern. I ... I think you know that I am ... well, not so badly situated,” he said, obviously finding the subject of his finances distasteful. “So, you need never be concerned that your fortune held any lure to me and indeed I would let you keep whatever money is yours as your own and hold no claim to it.”

He paused and to her astonishment slid to one knee and took hold of her hand.

“Miss Bomford … Georgiana,” he amended, his rather thin face colouring a little, though there was sincerity in his eyes that made her throat tight. “I admire and respect you. You are the most courageous, charming and perfectly lovely woman I have ever known. I know my limitations only too well but ... if you marry me, I will show you the world. We’ll travel and explore and ... and I will give you anything in my power to make you happy, if you would do me the honour of becoming my wife.”

Georgiana swallowed hard. Somehow this funny, awkward fellow had made the most charming proposal and quite unsettled her.

She gave her circumstances and her choices a good hard look. The man she loved could clearly never countenance the idea of a marriage between them with anything other than abhorrence. Beau was seductive and charming and kind, and he’d be very easy to fall in love with if her broken heart ever recovered enough to make the attempt. But Beau would likely smash it to pieces all over again as he was the worst candidate for husband material that she could possibly consider.

He’d never be faithful to her and she’d have to accept she would never be his one and only love. Indeed, love had never been something he’d even offered her and nor would he. She knew that much. Thanks to him, too, the scandal sheets were full of their shocking disappearance into the trees yesterday. Far worse than that, though, were the bets that history would repeat itself, that the two powerful men who were previously the closest friends were now rivals, and the affair would end inevitably by one murdering the other.

“I-I truly don’t know what to say, my lord,” she replied, putting one hand to her cheek and finding her face hot. “I am more honoured than you can possibly imagine by your ... your quite wonderful proposal.” She smiled at him, a genuine warm smile that grew as she saw the way his face lit with pleasure at seeing it. “I think you underestimate yourself, by the way. You really are terribly romantic.”

He gave a startled little laugh, his eyes so full of hope, she felt very afraid. She didn’t want to hurt this man by getting his hopes up but ... but he might be far better for her than any other offer she could hope to get, and she did need to think about his proposal. At this point someone reliable and dependable, someone who wouldn’t hurt her ... that sounded a rather wonderful thing.

Georgiana looked at him again and knew she could never feel passion for him. She’d never feel the heated, desperate need to tear at his clothes and lose herself in his body, in his touch. But maybe that was all to the good. She’d experienced the destruction such furious emotions could wreak. Perhaps it was best avoided.

“Does that mean ...” he began, as if he hardly dared hope.

“I can’t answer you yet, my lord,” she said, her free hand clutching the tapestry cover of the sofa she was perched on.

“P-Percy,” he stammered, looking stunned beyond measure. “You may call me Percy.”

She smiled at him and nodded. “Percy. You have given me such a lot to think about. But I must tell you ... the truth is ... m-my heart is ...”

“I know,” he interrupted, squeezing her hand. “I know that your affections are otherwise engaged. That is ... I guessed as much. You needn’t tell me anymore. But ... can I hope you will consider my offer?”

Georgiana took a deep breath and nodded. “I promise you. I will consider your offer with every seriousness, and I am very aware of the great honour you’ve done me, Percy.”

He let out a breath, looking overwhelmed and then, rather daringly, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.

“Thank you, Georgiana,” he said, his voice very soft. “But the honour is entirely mine. I will wait until you are ready to give me your answer but ... may I call on you again?”

“Why of course, Percy,” she replied, smiling at him. “I should be very put out if you didn’t.”

Georgiana spent the rest of the morning going around and around in circles as she considered her options. If she looked at it dispassionately, then Lord Nibley was the perfect solution to her situation.

He had promised to take her travelling, something she had longed to do, and he’d said her happiness would always be his priority. She believed he meant it too. But her nature was a passionate one, something she had no doubt inherited with her red hair from the mother she had never known.

Would marrying Percy mean that she would never experience the passion she had felt with Sebastian again? That desperate need to join themselves together that had been so very overwhelming. She wanted to know how it felt, to lie with a man who loved you, or at the very least desired you as much as you did them.

“Oh God,” she muttered and put her head in her hands. She looked up as her abigail scratched at the door and popped her head around.

“There’s a gentleman here to see you,” she hissed, her eyes alight with excitement.

“Oh? Who is it, Sarah?” Georgiana replied, though from the blush on the girl’s cheeks she’d lay money that she could guess the answer.

“The Marquess of Beaumont,” she replied with a dreamy sigh that made Georgiana snort with amusement.

“Very well, I’ll come down.”

“Not like that!” Sarah exclaimed, suddenly all business. “You’re not seeing him afore you’ve changed! And you in your plainest dress. Goodness me, I should think not. Besides, he’s talking to Lord Falmouth.”

“He is?” Georgiana exclaimed in astonishment.

“Yes, he is,” Sarah said, wrestling her out of the modest dress that had been good enough for Lord Nibley, and turning to her wardrobe with a squeal of glee. “Two proposals in one day I reckon! Oh, what a conquest you’ve made.”