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“Theresa is here,” her mother whispered, even though Georgiana’s best friend, Theresa, stood only a few feet behind her.
Relieved that someone had come to her rescue, Georgiana hurried to her room.
“I will fetch my shawl and be with you in a moment, Theresa,” she called as she quickly gathered up everything she needed.
“But I wanted to discuss the material for our dresses for the wedding,” her mother protested when Georgiana ran down the stairs and hustled her friend out of the front door.
“The wedding is weeks away,” Georgiana called dismissively, making no attempt to stop.
“Georgiana!” Cecily demanded.
“I am going for a walk,” Georgiana replied. “I am sure you can pick out the material for your dress by yourself. I will sort mine out another time. We will be back later,” Georgiana called over her mother’s spluttering protests.
Once outside, Theresa looked worriedly at her and then back at the door, half-expecting Cecily to storm after them and demand they return.
“Hurry up,” Georgiana murmured, tucking her hand in her friend’s arm and marching her down the driveway. “Don’t stop.”
“I say, Georgiana, are you in trouble?” Theresa asked as she stumbled alongside her friend.
“No. I just don’t want to get involved in the blasted wedding arrangements.”
“Georgiana!” Theresa gasped. “You swore.”
“Yes, I did, didn’t I?” Georgiana replied with an unrepentant grin.
“Is everything alright, dearest?” Theresa asked as she studied the bright, almost frantic spark in her friend’s eyes. “I have known you for a long time. There is something wrong.”
“Thank Heavens you came when you did,” Georgiana replied when they turned out of the driveway and slowed their pace to a steady walk.
“Where are we going?” Theresa asked after marching for half an hour in a seemingly random direction.
“I am not sure,” Georgiana murmured, feeling a little freer now that she was away from the house. With each step she took the morning’s anxiety seemed to dwindle to the point that she was at least able to savour the crisp morning air without wanting to burst into tears. “I need to stay out of the house for a while.”
“Is it that bad again?” Theresa asked with a frown.
Georgiana’s relationship with Cecily was tempestuous as best, not least because Cecily had a tendency to be snobbish and commanding. Georgiana, on the other hand, was considerably more likeable and easy-going, but also headstrong with a tendency to be wayward. The contrasting personalities of the two women meant they clashed–often.
Georgiana nodded but would start to cry if she tried to explain.
“Whatever is the matter?” Theresa demanded when she saw the devastation her friend couldn’t hide.
“I need to leave home.” Georgiana’s voice was laden with misery and increased her friend’s concern.
“What is it? What has happened? Have you had cross words with your father?”
Georgiana shook her head. “But he can’t help me,” she whispered.
“What’s wrong?” Theresa glanced around in search of somewhere they could talk.
Georgiana shook her head. “I just have to get away.”
“Why? Whatever for? What do you plan to do?” Theresa studied the frown on her friend’s porcelain features and suspected she wasn’t going to like Georgiana’s answer.
She didn’t.
Georgina sighed. “I want you to promise me that you won’t tell a soul what I am about to tell you.”
“Of course,” Theresa replied honestly. “I won’t betray your confidence, trust me.”
