Page 16 of Watching the Earl

Rose chimed in, “And you admired how well he skated.”

Georgina frowned. “But what about him pushing Lord Tamworth? That is hardly admirable.”

Ellie blew air out between her lips. “Well-made point. Let’s see. He felt very bad about that. Perhaps you tried to reassure him that it was an honest mistake born of excitement.”

That was actually something Georgina would do. “Yes, and then I comforted him when he made it up to Lord Tamworth by losing his townhouse to him in a bet.” She stilled. “Oh dear.”

Rose took her hand. “What is it?”

“If he doesn’t have a townhouse, will I be forced to stay in the country and miss the Season once we have married?”

Her friends looked at her and then at each other, their silence deafening.

Ellie finally spoke. “You have plenty of time to ask him about that. First, we must finish your story. The rest of that day, you two were not near each other, as many people would know that. The last day, the Curious Ladies had breakfast in my stargazing room, so we must think about what happened between then and now. Did he come to call?”

More than happy to be distracted, Georgina nodded. “Yes, he came to call often after I came home from school. And he always let me know when he’d be in the village so I could be sure to go on an outing that day. Our affection blossomed. He first asked me if I would wed him, and then spoke to my father. When he asked me, we were outside in the evening, though it was a bit chilly, and a nightingale sang in the tree nearby, which confirmed for me that he was meant to be my husband.”

Ellie grinned. “I think it’s a beautiful story. Now you must tell him, so you’re both quite familiar with it. You could talk about it on your ride home and discuss some small details that stand out, like that part about the bird at the proposal. Are you truly pleased with him in truth?”

Georgina didn’t need to think about the question for a moment. “I think could love him.” As Ellie opened her mouth, Georgina held up her hand. “I know what you would say. Don’t worry, I’m guarding my heart. But I have never had anyone be so interested in me…not even him.”

“Did you hear what happened at Langston’s opening ball?” Rose gave a sly smile, so like her when she was up to something.

Though Georgina didn’t think it right to wish ill upon a person, she admitted she was anxious to hear about any unfortunate incident that might befall him. “Oh, do tell. I’ve missed so much being forced to stay out of Society.”

Rose sat back and rearranged her dress skirts just so. “I witnessed the whole event. He bumped into the punch table so hard, it sent the bowl over and the punch splattered on the hostess.”

Georgina gasped. “The poor lady.”

“Yes. And to make matters worse, he tried to say he hadn’t done it.”

“No. How unflattering.” Ellie shook her head.

Georgina couldn’t help but notice Rose’s smug smile. “Rose, did you set that up?”

“Maybe.” Rose laughed.

Georgina couldn’t believe it, but she noticed Ellie nodding. “Ellie, you expected that? Why?”

Rose took Georgina’s hand. “When we all heard what happened to you, we decided on a plan.”

Ellie nodded. “Yes. All of us who are married set our husbands to the task of finding the man who would most likely make a good husband for you.”

Rose continued, “But I’m not married, and I wanted to help. And I was so mad at him that I wanted to tell everyone what he’d done, but of course that would have hurt you.”

“So we decided that Rose could play a few pranks just to make him appear awkward—nothing too harsh.”

“Yes, I’ve learned my lesson after Sophie went through the ice.” Rose looked truly sorry for that prank gone wrong.

Georgina’s heart filled with warmth. “I’m so lucky to have you all as friends. I hope I can do something for you in the future.”

“No need, Georgie. We will always be friends even when our own children are grown.” Ellie, who had always mothered them all, had gained two children when she married. “But I do need to confess something to the both of you.”

Honored that Ellie would take her into her confidence, Georgina laid her hand on her chest. “I know it will be difficult, but I will guard your confession.”

“It won’t be so hard. You see, I find it difficult to keep a secret too, especially if I cannot talk to anyone about it, so I told another Curious Lady about your predicament, and she is very good at keeping her own counsel. I told Lady Felicity so I could talk with someone. She and I were the first to arrive in Town, and it felt like forever before you all arrived.”

Georgina laughed. “I cannot lay any fault at your door for that. Besides, I do like Lady Felicity very much.”