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“Who are they?” Georgina found she was intrigued in spite of herself.
“That very pleasant Mr. Stamford and a stranger…a Sir Edward and coo…is he ever a looker! Dashing he is.”
“Where are they?”
“In the library,” Dilly said and nodded with her chin. “And that happy, Miss Star will be for your company…so go on, then.”
Georgina made her way down the hallway giving herself a silent lecture regarding Jules Stamford. She must not, would not, think about him. It just wouldn’t do.
In her usual forthright manner she walked into the library and pulled up short when she saw him. As always whenever she saw Jules, he completely took her breath away.
“Georgie!” Star declared as she crossed the room in a rush and took her friend’s hands. “How wonderful…”
Georgie was pulled along and was thankful for Star’s low combustion personality as it allowed her to recoup after looking at Jules Stamford which had made her brain turn into gruel.
Star pulled at the strings of her friends’ hat and flipped the straw bonnet over to a chair as she said, “Look at you, all windblown and lovely.” She stood back, “Oh, I don’t ordinarily like brown, but you look beautiful in this shade.”
“I hope I am not intruding,” Georgina said glancing once more at Jules. What was wrong with her? Why did he make her feel like a silly school girl? She was not. She was a twenty year old woman with a mind of her own and he was not the sort she had imagined might take her fancy. He was fashionable, he was a pink of the ton and she thought probably not very bookish. She was not fashionable, though Star was forever telling her she knew how to put clothes together. She was certainly not one of the haute ton and had no wish to be and she was most certainly bookish!
Jules stepped toward her, obvious pleasure written on his face as he said, “Miss Madison. What an unexpected delight,” he turned to Sir Edward. “I should like to introduce my very good friend to you, Sir Edward Danton.”
She nodded at Sir Edward as Jules went through the introductions, but Star was yanking on her sleeve, “Where have you been these past few days?”
“Buried in a new author’s work. It was written anonymously, but I have heard that a young woman by the name of Jane Austin wrote it.”
“Yes, yes, Pride & Prejudice, or some such title. I wondered who it was who wrote it. She is very daring, isn’t she? It is quite a naughty and delightful book. Vern brought it home for me last week and I devoured it!” Star said as she tugged her friend along with her to the sofa, plopped down and pulled Georgina beside her.
Out of the corner of her eye Georgina noticed Sir Edward looking at Star with what appeared to be undisguised fascination. She didn’t look away in time and Sir Edward’s gaze found her own and he smiled.
“How is Vern?” Georgina asked and was rewarded with a warning look from Star, which set her mind busily trying to figure out what that could mean.
“Coming along,” Star said vaguely, again giving her friend a meaningful look that clearly said drop the subject.
Sir Edward turned to listen to Jules who was saying something about the family crest hanging just to the left of him.
Georgina glanced at Sir Edward and politely inquired, “What brings you to Rye, sir?” When Sir Edward had not answered, she repeated the question.
He turned to her, “What? Oh yes! Jules of course,” he managed glibly.
“Doing it rather too brown, ain’t you?” Jules bantered devilishly. He turned to the ladies and inclined his head. “The truth is… our Edward is here recovering from a broken heart.”
* * *
Star looked at Sir Edward, surprised and intrigued and saw the look that came over him as his eyes turned into glinting steel pointed in his friend’s direction. She nearly broke out giggling as she thought everyone was casting one another ‘meaningful looks’. Sir Edward looked as though he could easily strangle his very good friend and Star did in fact, release a short laugh.
“Oh, I am not joking,” Jules continued unaffected by glaring glances. “He really is suffering the woes of unrequited love.”
“I can’t imagine anything much sadder than that,” Georgina said sympathetically.
As no one said anything to this, Jules slapped his friend on the back and said, “Now don’t look at me like that. I am certain the ladies will award you their sympathy and I can’t think of anything better for a broken heart.”
Sir Edward was moved to refute this in fine form, but he controlled himself. “It isn’t their sympathy I seek, ‘ole friend,” he glared at Jules, “but their interest.” He inclined his head toward Georgina.
“Oh, well done,” Star said. “I for one cannot imagine you of all people suffering a ragged and torn heart. Even if it were true, tell me why would it heal any better in the wilds of Rye, than in London?”
Georgina coughed back a laugh, “An interesting point.”
Jules laughed and wagged a finger at Sir Edward, “Indeed, Miss Berkley already has your measure.”
