Page 7 of Georgiana
“I hoped to find you in here.”
He felt a slight shiver of alarm, but shrugged it off. He and the beautiful debutante had enjoyed a few dances and conversations and he’d been most impressed by not only her beautiful looks, but charming demeanor. He given some serious thought about approaching her father in order to court her properly and was going to discuss this same matter withhisfather that evening. About to say he would escort her back to the drawing room, and her mother, Lady Celeste moved toward him.
She advanced until their bodies almost touched. “I know you are enamored with me, seeking only the proper incentive to make your feelings known.”
Shocked by her brazen attitude, cold fury settled into his heart. He’d been played the fool.
“I assure you, I haven’t.”
“Not even once?”
Her eyes went wide, disbelief evident. Trailing a finger down his chest, she leaned closer. Max, seeking to evade, took a step back and his legs hit the chair. With a squeal of delight, she launched herself into his arms, propelling them both into the overstuffed chair. It was at that exact moment the door flew open and her mother rushed into the room.
“What do you think you’re doing with my daughter,” Lady Townsend demanded.
“I believe she’s attempting to compromise my son, which you well knew as you were most likely bent at the door peeking through the keyhole.”
With a gasp, Lady Townsend’s gaze flew to the second floor where his father glared at them over the railing.
“I did not peek through any keyhole. I heard my daughter cry out.”
“I’m sure that was your pre-arranged signal to come into the room and find themdishabille.”
The Duke descended the staircase while Lady Celeste scrambled to her feet and Max moved to the far side of the room.
“What are you going to do about this?” Lady Townsend sputtered in anger as her daughter burst into tears.
“What amIgoing to do?”
“Yes.”
“I, Madam, am going to direct my butler to remove you and your family from the premises. The hour is late, you had better attend your packing.”
He turned his back to her and moved toward the fireplace.
“You cannot. They must marry!” Lady Townsend took a step toward him, her lips tight with anger or fear, Max couldn’t be sure.
“I can and they won’t.” His father turned around. “You and your daughter set to entrap my son and are no longer welcome in my home. Leave now before I make her shame public knowledge.”
“I call your bluff, your Grace,” Lady Townsend almost crowed with pleasure. “If you made this public, they wouldhaveto marry.”
“Madam. If this became public knowledge, your family would become social pariahs. I will hold back no facts in the re-telling of the whole story as I saw and heardeverything.”
Max recalled Lady Townsend angrily badgering her father after Lady Celeste ran from the room. All to no avail. His father gave her no quarter and the Townsend’s left that very night.
He’d often wondered why Celeste had attempted such a desperate venture until his father quietly advised him, some months later, she’d been seen in Scotland, heavily enceinte with child. That was when he realized how deep her treachery ran and how close she’d come to ruining his chance at happiness.
“I thought his membership was rescinded,” Nathan’s comment pulled Max out of his reverie.
“Who?” Max twisted in his seat to glance around the room.
With a nod in the direction of the entrance, Nathan murmured, “Sir Reginald Slade.”
Slade picked his way through the crowd and joined two other men, known for their outlandish bets and gaming.
“The Marquis of Dorchester brought his membership up to scratch – he said he felt sorry for his circumstances.” George murmured quietly. “If Slade would quit the gaming hells, his circumstances wouldn’t be so dire.”
“I’m surprised Dorchester would do that, considering the old boy had been sniffing around the skirts of his betrothed for the past six months.” Nathan settled back into his chair and sipped his drink.
