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He actually chuckled at her terrible joke. “Please don’t.”
She had never shown her sense of humor to the viscount, as the man didn’t possess one. Now she bit the inside of her cheek to temper the spark of joy in her chest.
Remember, it means nothing.
They emerged from behind the pillar and joined the mingling crowd.
“There you are, Georgie!” Reggie cried out. “We sent the captain to find you.”
Of course. Duty-bound, as usual.
They joined a small circle that included Georgiana’s family along with a few friends.
“Did you,” she said, meeting Louisa’s eyes. “How fortunate I am to have such thoughtful relations.”
“You disappeared,” her sister insisted before her gaze fell to where Georgiana’s arm was entwined with Captain Harris’s. Georgiana resisted the urge to pull away. The man was only being gentlemanly. Surely she could endure it for a few more minutes.
Mrs. Dawson threw her head back with a throaty laugh. “I only wishmyfamily would arrange for such a handsome escort.” She then shot Captain Harris a saucy look that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. “Care to show me to the card room, Captain?”
Mrs. Dawson considered herself highly unconventional and made sure to participate in any activity that contributed to her reputation.
His arm stiffened beneath hers. “I’m afraid Lady Arlington needs a glass of lemonade.”
“Oh no, don’t let me keep you,” Georgiana demurred.
He looked down at her with his usual sternness. “That’s quite all right, my lady.”
She couldn’t hold back the shiver that ran through her as their gazes locked.
“Another time then, Captain. I insist on it,” Mrs. Dawson simpered, still trying her hardest to capture his attention.
Captain Harris still stared at Georgiana with that unreadable expression, before he finally turned his head to acknowledge the comment. “Yes,” he answered woodenly before directing Georgiana to the refreshment table.
“Well, now you’ve gone and done it,” she began. “Mrs. Dawson will spend the rest of the evening in a hideous pout.”
Captain Harris handed her a lemonade. “Does that bother you?”
“No,” Georgiana admitted as she accepted the glass.
He held her gaze once again. “Good.”
The single word shouldn’t have pleased her so much.
His behavior was perfectly polite, and yet it felt like she was standing on shards of glass.
“Why are you even here?” she continued, unable to hide the bite in her words. “You hate these types of things.”
He finally broke their gaze and took in the room. “I have my reasons.”
That was certainly cryptic. Then he turned back to her, hesitant. “And your brother asked me to come.”
“Oh,” she said, unaware of the tiny bud of hope that had begun to unfurl in her chest until it was crushed by the disappointment that rushed through her. It felt like someone releasing air from a great balloon.
“Are you all right, my lady?”
Damn him for noticing. And damn him for not having the decency to ignore it.
“Of course.” She stood a little straighter. “Why wouldn’t I be? So then, have you uncovered a bloodthirsty plot to ensure my demise yet, or is my brother still wasting his money?”
