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Star laughed, “Yes, and what about Mr. Hoolihan’s son, Tommy…we used to go with Papa all the time to pick up supplies just to bat our lashes at him.”
“Ah, but you were the one who caught his eye and his kisses,” Georgie said and laughed.
“That is because you preferred his older brother as I recall. While Tommy was kissing me in the back of the store, you were busy doing I don’t know what, with his brother.”
“Ah Douglas! Yes, handsome older Douglas and I have never had a better kiss,” Georgie sighed.
“Tarts, that is what we are,” Star said and laughed.
“Ah, tarts do have so much more fun. I haven’t been kissed in an age…” Georgie said wistfully.
“You are right. I should like to be kissed by the dashing Sir Edward,” Star said suddenly.
“Indeed, I noticed, but Star, honestly, I must say he is most definitely a man who would leave you broken-hearted. You realize that, don’t you?”
Star nodded and beamed wistfully, “Yes, but it might be worth it!”
“You are wrong. I do know you, and that would never do for you.” Georgie declared and grimaced. “Well, here we are.” She pulled her horse up at the barn and swung her leg over and jumped lightly to earth. Smoothing the jacket and riding skirt of her dark blue riding ensemble, she patted her hair in place and adjusted her brown top hat in a jaunty manner.
“You look wonderful Georgie, but who are you preening for? Have you already changed your mind about my brother?”
Georgie snapped a look at her, “No, did you not notice that you have guests at Berkley? They must already be up at the house.” She indicated the two horses occupying the training paddock and Star’s brow went up and her heart began racing.
Chapter Eight
MILES AND VERN looked toward the open door of the bedroom and Vern’s countenance took on a genuinely pleased smile as he greeted the newcomers. “Jules…” he said and looked past him to the striking man at Jules’ side.
Dilly appeared to be about to bolt so his lordship called after her, “Dilly, hold there, just a moment if you would.”
“Indeed, no need for you to rush off child,” Miles said with a soft smile directed toward her.
“Shut up, Miles,” Vern admonished.
“What? What did I say?”
“Dilly, would you bring up a fresh pot of…” Vern started.
“No, no,” Jules interrupted. “No need for tea, not staying that long.”
Vern nodded and with a lift of his finger allowed Dilly to hurry off, but Miles stalled this by saying, “Hold on Dilly. Just to be certain we don’t need anything?”
Vern pulled a face at him but turned to call merrily to the two men hovering still at his open doorway, “Come in, come in. The doctor tells me I am not infectious.”
Jules went forward and glanced toward Miles, as Vern offered, “You know Miles don’t you?”
Jules smiled and nodded, “Miles, yes of course.”
Sir Edward saw the wary look that passed between the two and thought, aha! Rivals for the fair Star. It irked and amused him at the same time, though he wondered why it should annoy him. It was nothing to him how many suitors she had in the wings. He shrugged this off immediately.
Edward took a position quietly standing in the background as he surveyed the scene before him and noted that Star’s brother looked enough like her to be her twin. The same cornsilk colored hair, as Jules had dubbed it. He was a handsome young man, though his face looked white and drawn from his days no doubt, in bed. He thought immediately of the young boy—boy indeed, but someone who did in fact, look like Vern and the Lady Star. Was his suspicion fancy?
Vern regarded Jules with some amusement and said, “If you came to call on m’sister, you are out of luck, Jules. She is off visiting Georgina.”
Jules clasped his hands behind his back and said, “Ah, I am sorry that we have missed her, but we are not here to visit her. You see, we have a solution to the problem, so in a manner of speaking it is she that brings us here.”
“A solution to the problem? What problem?” Vern frowned.
“Indeed, your meaning, sir?” Miles asked as he stepped forward. He was not smiling.
