Page 20 of Georgiana
Because Slade is a snake in the grass and I cannot stand the thought of him touching her.
He quietly acknowledged he was annoyed by several things, one of them being too many eligible men swanning about Miss Darcy. He tried to find fault with them, but none had any egregious bad marks against their character. Other than the fact they breathe, he silently groused.
The dance ended and instead of escorting her back to her family, the Marquis accompanied Georgiana to the refreshment table. Was that a blush on her cheeks? What poetic nonsense was Trevayne spouting? Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open and all color fled from her face. Had Trevayne just proposed as she held a glass of lemonade? She looked as though she might cast up her accounts any moment. Trevayne escorted a visibly shaken Georgiana through the terrace doors. Blast and damnation, he couldn’t see them through the panes of glass. Dare he intervene? Could he intervene if she had accepted an offer of marriage?
They’re not yet at the altar.
He still had hope.
An eternity later the couple came back inside and Max released his breath.
“What has you so entranced, Adborough?”
“What?” Max turned to see Ash standing beside him.
“I’ve called your name several times, but you were intent on something, or someone in the ball room.”
Max fumbled for a response. It wouldn’t do to blurt the truth to Miss Darcy’s cousin.I’m sorry I missed your approach. I was debating whether to run Trevayne through with a sword and then carry off your cousin, or to have a glass of wine. Quite the dilemma, don’t you agree?
No, he would error on the side of caution and lie through his teeth.
“Sorry about that. I was debating the merits of Lady Dalrymple’s watered-down wine against her equally insipid lemonade.”
“Really,” came the dry observation, accompanied by an arched eyebrow which told Max that Ash did not believe him for one minute.
“Why are you here, hiding in a darkened corner? I thought for sure you’d remain at the card tables until every young miss of marriageable age had given up hope and gone home.”
“I had to leave.” Ash gazed out over the ballroom, his lip twisting into a lopsided grin. “If I had to listen to the mindless chatter of Lord Ramsey and Lord Fosscroft about their bad knees and gout for one more minute, my right eyeball would pop out and roll onto the table. Could you imagine the gossip?”
Max couldn’t help it, he laughed out loud. A few matronly chaperones along the wall turned and peered intently into the darkened alcove, trying to see who lurked in the shadows. He and Ash simultaneously moved out of their line of sight into the hall.
“More to point, what would your fellow card sharks say?” Max asked.
“His eye popped out, right out onto the table. Made for a dreadful mess, we had to locate a new pack of cards.” Ash’s grin widened. “Fosscroft, poor sod, wouldn’t know what to do. Without his wife nattering in his ear, he’d forget to put one foot in front of the other while walking.”
“That’s a bit harsh, even from you.”
“Forgive me, Adborough. I’m feeling a tad testy. Mother is determined to see me and Richard marry. More to the point, see me marry and bring on the requisite heir.” Ash gave Max a considered glance. “How do you deal with your mother? Surely with two of her three boys settled she’s anxious for the Dukedom to be secure.”
“She’s hinted here and there, but for the most part keeps her counsel. I’ve not had to hide at balls or take my meals at White’s to avoid her, unlike a certain Viscount.”
“That will all change.” Ash pushed away from the wall he’d leaned against. “The Season has just begun and as the heat rises, so will all the mama’s expectations for their daughters. Mark my words, your mother will corner you, and soon.”
“I’m surprised there’s not a wager on that very thing at White’s.”
“I’ve already got ten pounds on you to marry before Michaelmas.”
If things go my way, you’ll win that ten pounds.
Max couldn’t help but quip, “I can’t believe my marital status is of any interest to anyone.”
“You have one of the richest Duchies in England. Everyone wants to know who you will marry.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes, you conceited puss. Everyone.” The Viscount gave him a small farewell salute. “I’ll see if I can’t start some salacious rumor.”
“Uncalled for, Ash,” Max grumbled as the Viscount wandered off.
