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That was her
biggest achievement of them all.
The following morning, Georgiana sighed and rolled over in bed. She was warm, relaxed, and had nothing to do with her day other than rest and decide what she wanted to do with her life. She stared at the ceiling she contemplated that.
She recalled her conversation with Henry yesterday. He had said that she had grown up, and he was right. She had. Had she grown up enough to buy a home of her own? Did she really want to?
“I am restless at Aunt Ruth’s house because it isn’t my home. I am always conscious that the contents belong to her. Maybe I should live alone? I will get used to the quiet and solitude, eventually. Maybe I should like to try gardening, or poetry, or a spot of painting?” They were all things Cecily deemed a lady should never do but Georgiana didn’t see why she shouldn’t at least try them.
She had no idea how one went about purchasing a house, or if it was even possible for someone of her age, but she wasn’t going to find out unless she made a few enquiries. With that firmly rooted in her mind, Georgiana threw the covers back and went to dress.
Several hours later she ambled down the main street of the town. A rather quaint yet curious tea shop lay ahead and drew her like a bee to a honey pot. Minutes later she placed her bag on the table at her elbow, ordered tea and cakes, then sat back to watch the pedestrians stroll past the window.
Her morning had turned out to be quite a success. The house selling agent had, after only a momentary pause, given her details for several properties in the area for sale, all of which were close to her aunt’s home. Georgiana removed them from her bag and began to read them while she waited for her tea. She was so engrossed in them that at first she didn’t realise the maid had arrived with refreshments until a heavy tray was slid in front of her.
“Thank you,” she murmured with a jolt as she looked up. Her start of surprise was quickly followed with a gasp of dismay when she saw a familiar looking man stalk arrogantly down the street.
Simeon? No, it can’t be. But it was.
The small hairs rose on the back of her neck only she had no idea why. She knew immediately that there was something unusual going on, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he hadn’t called upon her as he had said he would this morning. He couldn’t have been made aware that she wasn’t at her aunt’s already unless he had called at an indecently early time this morning. That worried her, especially because her aunt was at Mrs Merriweather’s house.
How could he know she was here? Had he changed his mind and decided not to see her again and come to town instead? Either way, Georgiana didn’t wish to see him and carefully turned her attention to her tea and cakes.
When it came time for her to leave, she was strangely reluctant to step outside. She studied her surroundings and remained uncomfortably watchful and alert as she made her way back to the hotel. What she intended to do if she crossed paths with him she had no idea but she certainly had no intention of taking tea, luncheon, or anything else with him. She would just have to tell him herself that she wasn’t interested and leave it at that.
The relief that swept through her as she entered the hotel lobby unhindered was staggering, and re-affirmed her decision that any association with Simeon had to end. Not only did the many facets of his personality unnerve her but she had no interest in him as a man and daren’t encourage his affections without tormenting her conscience.
“Ah, there you are, my dear,” Simeon declared suddenly from beside her as though he had been temporarily parted from her.
Georgiana nearly groaned aloud as she turned around and watched him lift her hand to press a lingering kiss on it. Her resultant shudder was barely concealed and had nothing to do with attraction. She snatched her hand back, and fought the urge to wipe it on her skirt as took several steps backward and lifted one elegant yet snooty brow at him.
“I didn’t realise you were here,” she murmured without warmth.
“I saw you in the high street just now,” he replied jovially.
“Well, it is nice to see you again,” she said carefully as she edged toward the reception desk. But the last thing she wanted to do was ask the desk clerk for the key to her room because she didn’t want Simeon to know which room was hers. Because of that she was forced to converse with him until he chose to leave, and that galled her.
She wanted to go to her room, and could see no reason why he should be in a position to stop her. Determined not to be cowed by his presence, she squared her shoulders and stepped around him. She leaned over the counter and murmured the room number to the clerk, aware of Simeon’s avid gaze watching as she accepted the heavy iron key with a nod of thanks. Careful to keep the room number covered, she forced herself to turn to face Simeon.
“Well, I will bid you good day,” she declared abruptly.
“I should be obliged if you would dine with me tonight,” Simeon interrupted as she turned to leave.
Georgiana sighed and eyed the ornate dining room beside them.
“No, thank you,” she replied. “I have plans. Good day to you.”
She didn’t give him the opportunity to reply and hurried up the stairs, her heart pounding in her ears. His eyes bored into her back all the way; to the point that it was a relief when she was able to reach her room.
“Damn the man,” she snapped aloud as she slammed the door behind her and bolted it for good measure. “I am really starting to dislike him.”
There was something almost sly about him, as though he had ulterior motives for everything he did, and she didn’t like it one bit.
“I can keep my distance from him, though.”
While she was happy to do that, she wasn’t so keen on missing out on a sumptuous meal in the beautiful dining room downstairs. She was still mulling that over later that evening when it was time for her to dress if she intended to eat in the company of the other diners.
“It is a voyage of adventure,” she whispered to herself as she eyed the new dress she wore. It was more lavish than anything Cecily had ever allowed her to wear. The decolletage, while still modest, was cut daringly low but Georgiana had been assured it was the height of fashion, and she was glad it was because she was strangely emboldened by this newfound feminine power.
