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It was most annoying for she wanted to hear what Sir Edward was saying to her friend. Faith. He was flirting with Georgie…outrageously flirting!
Miles and Jules began a light banter between them about who would be the first to dance with Star, and as they kept calling on her, there was nothing for it—she had to give them her attention.
However, as the banter of these two soon began to take on argumentative proportions, her eyebrows went up and she tried to bring them to task, “Gentlemen…do stop, honestly…”
It was at this juncture that Sir Edward suddenly was front and center between the two men. His hands were up and his expression was severe as he said, “This grows wearisome for me and for the ladies. I am persuaded for Vern here, who is beginning to look more than a little fatigued. Settle it that neither one of you shall have Miss Berkley’s hand for the first waltz.” He turned to her and smiled softly. “Bec
ause, the first waltz with Miss Berkley is promised to me.”
Jules and Miles took to blustering over this, while Star felt the blush rush to her head. Star gave up trying to stop Jules and Miles from arguing and heard Georgie say to Sir Edward, “Well done, sir.”
“I thought so, Miss Madison,” Sir Edward said glibly and grinned.
“Yes indeed, but do call me Georgie. If you are to be one of our escorts tonight, we can dispense with formalities.”
“Indeed,” Star agreed as she turned toward them. She suddenly realized, they were going to the ball tonight and grabbed her friend’s hands and exclaimed, “Georgie…we are going to the ball—we have so much to do.” She turned to her brother. “Are you sure it is acceptable…to have gentlemen escort us?”
“Well, Sir Edward thinks it is acceptable, so I bow to his knowledge of such matters. After all, as he says, one gentleman, certainly not. Two, he says…still questionable, but three, quite above board. After all, I certainly can ask my friends to stand in lieu of me. Very respectable,” Vern said. “Now, out with you, all of you, except Georgie.”
Star glanced at both her friend and her brother. It wasn’t the thing to allow Georgie to stay alone with him in his room.
Jules frowned over the matter and surprised Star by sticking in, “I say…I don’t think…no, I don’t at all think Miss Madison should remain here alone with you.”
Georgie put up her hand with a laugh and said, “Good afternoon, Vern. I do hope you feel better very soon.”
“Indeed,” Star added, “You are a naughty boy for it is most improper of you to try and keep Georgie here with you, besides Vern, you really do look fatigued. You must rest.”
Miles made one last attempt to get his way and said, “Vern, I am your oldest and dearest friend. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be perfectly respectable for me to escort your sister and her friend to the ball. We don’t need these two to tag along. After all, only the worst of the sticklers might object.”
“That is just it, I don’t want anyone to object. This makes it certain they can’t,” Vern offered wearily.
Miles sighed and grumbled, “Still think I don’t need Jules or Sir Edward here…” He glanced at Sir Edward and said, “No offense intended.”
“None taken, lad,” Sir Edward said swallowing a laugh.
Star giggled and felt her naughty streak rise up. “You know, he is right Vern. Miles is all the escort we need.”
Jules started to bluster again and Sir Edward glanced her way and a slow smile curved his sensuous lips as their gazes locked.
“Oh, but Star,” Georgie stuck in with her usual good sense. “Only think how it will add to our consequence to walk into Sefton’s tonight with three distinguished escorts—two of which are notable London beaus.” She made a dramatic show of sighing. “Why, it will drive Marigold mad with envy!”
Star laughed and clapped her hands. “So very, very true, you naughty girl.” She turned and with a flirtatious smile, dismissed their guests, “Till tonight, then.”
They waited until they were certain the three gentlemen had left the house before she and Georgie left Vern to his rest and glided over the distance to Star’s room. There they clasped one another and fell into whoops of laughter, landed on Star’s bed and sighed at length over their sudden good fortune. They exchanged glances and Star said, “Can you see her face? Marigold will be green, she will turn green! This will teach her to sneer at us!”
Georgie smiled and said, “La, but you are too sensitive, Star. Why do you allow her to annoy you? She is not a nice person and therefore, her opinion should not matter to us.”
“Right you are. Never mind, Marigold. Are you still going to wear that lovely russet gown?”
“That or the ivory, but Star, tell me…” Georgie hesitated.
Star had gotten up from her bed and was rummaging through her wardrobe. “Tell you, tell you what?”
“Star, look at me,” Georgie said.
Surprised by her friend’s tone, Star turned and gazed at her inquiringly. “Yes, right then, I am looking at you. What is it? What is wrong?” She went forward, sat on the bed again and took her friend’s hands.
“I want to know if you want him,” Georgie demanded.
