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Georgiana had been too mortified to offer a reply other than a curtsy. Then she had blindly moved through the crush of bodies until she reached the terrace doors, which had been opened to let in the faint May breeze. Once outside she found a secluded corner and let out a heaving gasp of breath that wracked her entire body. She placed her palms against the stone balustrade that ringed the terrace and leaned forward, waiting for her blood to settle as the viscount’s coarse words echoed in her ears.
And she was supposed torejoicethat such a beastly man wished to court her?
Never.
Never.
Georgiana inhaled a few deep breaths until the anger slowly subsided. It was true that her family was neither as old nor as illustrious as the viscount’s, but she would not listen to such drivel. No man was worth that, no matter his wealth and social status. Even she had her limits. Tomorrow she would explain everything to Aunt Paloma and tell her how rude the viscount had been. Surely the woman would be just as offended as Georgiana. And then that would be the end of the man’s courtship.
Ithadto be.
“Glad to see I’m not the only one who hates crowds,” someone quipped.
Georgiana whipped her head to the side, where the darkened figure of a man stood in the corner. Her heart thundered in her chest. She hadn’t even noticed him.
“You are all right, aren’t you?” he asked. “Shall I get someone for you?”
Georgiana relaxed at the clear concern in his voice. He stepped into a sliver of light from the ballroom. His face was still mostly in shadow, but she could see that he was smartly dressed in a naval uniform.
She shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m fine.” It sounded silly, but she felt safe in this man’s presence. Safer than she had all evening.
“I’m Lieutenant Harris,” he said, extending a hand. “Henry Harris.”
Georgiana paused and stared at his gloved hand. It wasn’t the done thing, shaking hands, especially at a ball. Especially with a stranger. But she found it charming. He seemed to realize his faux pas and began to pull back just as she had reached out.
Lieutenant Harris huffed a laugh and bowed instead. “Sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I suppose I’ve spent too much time at sea.”
“Yes, I’d imagine that is quite different from a London ballroom.”
“You’ve no idea,” he murmured. None of the other men she had met in London would have allowed such a slip. Or even admit to having ever experienced such a feeling. They were far too proud.
“Is this your first time at one?”
He laughed again. “Is it that obvious?”
Georgiana shrugged. “Not necessarily. I’ve been to five now and here I am.”
“Only five,” he teased. “This is your first season, then?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m sure by the end you’ll be a master.”
Georgiana couldn’t help the sigh that escaped her.
“I take it you aren’t filled with excitement at the prospect?” Henry guessed.
She hesitated a moment. It should feel odd, discussing such things with a stranger, and yet she wanted to keep talking with him. “Not really,” she admitted. “I was when I first came to London, but now…”
“You’d rather it was all over with?”
“In a way.” But certainly not if it ended in an engagement to a man like the viscount. She let the cryptic comment hang in the air, as there were still some things she couldn’t speak aloud.
Lieutenant Harris seemed to sense her reticence and changed the subject. “You still haven’t told me your name. Or should we find your chaperone to introduce us? Isn’t that how these things are done?”
“They are, but no. That won’t be necessary.” She suspected Aunt Paloma would not approve of this untitled young man, no matter how solicitous he was. “I’m Miss Fox.”
“Miss Fox,” he repeated as a delicious shiver slid down her spine. “I suppose I’ll have to wait for a formal introduction to learn your first name?”
