Page 19 of Georgiana
“No… I mean, yes… I don’t…”
“Take my arm.”
The Marquis held out his arm and led her towards the terrace. Once outside, he dropped his arm and she wrapped her arms around her midsection, not caring if she wrinkled her dress.
“I’m so…sorry for my discomposure,” she whispered and looked out toward the garden. Was her love for Max so obvious? How foolish everyone must think her, especially as he’d given her no cause to hope for a return of feelings.
“Miss Darcy.” The Marquis’ firm tone captured her attention and she turned her face to him. “I had no intention of ambushing you with this observation. In fact, I’m sure most of society has no idea you hold a certain Duke in such high regard. You are a lady in every sense of the word and have done nothing wrong.”
“Then why…? I mean, how…?” Her mind whirled like a child’s top and she couldn’t, for the life of her, find the words to so many questions she needed answers for.
“How did I see what others have missed?”
“Yes!”
“First, I will admit that when I first met you it did cross my mind that you would make a gracious Marchioness. My mother would find you lovely, my sisters would easily befriend you and my brothers would gnash their teeth in envy at my finding such a suitable woman.”
“Oh… Thank you.”
“However, because I paid more attention, I noticed you become more animated whenever a certain gentleman approached. Nothing ostentatious, mind you, but your eyes light up and the softest smile graces your beautiful face. When he is near, you are content.”
“You are very observant, my Lord.”
“It also has not escaped my notice that he is quietly exerting his influence as well.”
“In what way, if I may be so bold to ask.”
“I think you know. Lately the two of you have been… well-matched?”
She bit back a small gasp. Maybe her intuition that Max had paired his outfit to match hers was not as crazy as she thought. The Marquis offered her his elbow and they moved back into the ballroom, toward Fitz and Lizzy. A few feet from her brother and sister, the Marquis murmured, “There is another who watches you even more closely than I.”
“Who would that be?”
“Normally, I wouldn’t share the name of a would-be suitor, but I’ve heard disturbing things about this gentleman and I wish you to remain cautious of him.”
“Now I truly must know the gentleman’s name, unless it is the Prince Regent. I would never say no to dancing with him.”
“You are a delight, Miss Darcy. No, it is not Prinny who has you in his sights, thank the good Lord for that, but it is Sir Reginald Slade. Be on your guard.”
They had reached her family and with a gallant bow over her hand, the Marquis said farewell and melted into the crowd.
“Did you enjoy your dance with the Marquis, Georgiana?” Lizzy asked, her eyes bright with amusement. “The two of you were in deep conversation. I’m sure everyone saw how well he regards you.”
Georgiana faced Lizzy and smiled. “He is a kind and gentle man. Some lady will be very lucky to be his wife, but that woman will not be me.”
“Did he ask to court you, Georgiana?” Fitz asked, his voice deep with concern.
“No, brother, he did not, but that does not mean we did not have a meaningful conversation and I am very sure he and I will be good friends.”
“Miss Darcy, I believe this is our dance.”
She turned to face the Earl of Litchfield. “My Lord, I believe you are correct.”
Chapter Six
Max strode to the outer edges of the dance floor, trying hard not to look anyone in the eye. He had no desire to speak with a soul before he recovered his composure and paced to the end of the hall. He slipped into a small alcove which overlooked the entire ball room and watched as Georgiana took the floor with Trevayne. A sharp pain stabbed through his heart at the sight of her in the arms of a man who was not her family.
He did not regret his dance with Georgiana, even though his name was nowhere on her dance card. Why? Why did he not leave her alone?
