Page 14 of The Season for Loving
When Fergus followed her gaze, he saw the same young ladies who’d strolled by only a few minutes ago.
“Good Lord,” she said with an adorable little growl. “They’re back again. For the fourth time.”
“Who are they?”
“Miss Peterson and Miss Rogers, the biggest flirts in Tunbridge Wells. They’re awfully persistent.”
When Fergus gave the fashionably dressed young ladies a brief inspection, it seemed to set off a round of giggles and flutterings that struck him as ridiculous.
“Persistent about what?” he asked.
Georgie gave him an incredulous look. “You really don’t know?”
He lifted his brows in silent enquiry.
She laughed. “Then I have no intention of explaining it to you.”
Though Fergus normally couldn’t be bothered to analyze the mystifying social interactions of young ladies, Georgie’s mischievous smile filled him with curiosity. Unfortunately, before he could quiz her about it, Lady Reese heaved into view. The bloody woman simply refused to leave him alone. Sighing, he rose to his feet as she approached.
“Fergus, you’ve been monopolizing Miss Gage for long enough,” her ladyship said. “People are beginning to remark upon it.”
He mentally winced. The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass Georgie. She, however, seemed to perk up at the notion.
“Really?” Georgie said. “How very naughty of them. I suppose you wouldn’t care to share what they’re saying, would you?”
“I most certainly would not,” Lady Reese said. “Now, Fergus, you’re hiding again. You need to make an effort to meet new people. After all, that’s what this holiday is supposed to be about.”
By people, Lady Reese meant eligible young ladies.
Fergus mustered an innocent expression. “Perhaps I’m simply hiding away from you.”
Georgie made a choking sound that she quickly tried to turn into a cough.
Lady Reese peered at her with concern. “Miss Gage, are you sure you’re well? You’re looking quite flushed.”
Now that the shawl from hell had been disposed of, Georgie no longer looked like she’d been lounging in an oven. Her creamy skin now had a pink blush that matched her mouth, and her toffee-brown eyes sparkled with amusement. Fergus couldn’t help thinking that she looked like a toothsome French pastry that had spent exactly the right amount of time baking.
Though he was not a man given to poetic flourishes, or even similes of the culinary kind, spending time around Georgie Gage was having a rather marked effect on him. It was one that would make him cautious, if he had any sense.
He found himself hoping he’d left his common sense back in Scotland.
“I’m fine, ma’am. Thank you for your concern,” Georgie said. “It’s just rather hot in here, that’s all.”
“The heat in this dreadful room is simply scandalous,” Lady Reese said. “Tunbridge Wells is not what it used to be, I’m sorry to say. But I’m glad you took off that ridiculous shawl. You looked like you were roasting alive, as I made a point of telling Mrs. Clotworthy.”
Georgie’s answering smile was so sweetly grateful that it made something dislodge and bump around in Fergus’ chest. It was an alarming feeling, and he was tempted to poke around his ribcage to see if he could get whatever it was back in place.
Better be careful, old boy. It wouldn’t do to go falling in love with a girl like Georgie Gage.
Or any girl, for that matter.
“Thank you, Lady Reese,” Georgie said. “That was most kind of you.”
“May I give you a word of advice, my dear?” her ladyship asked.
Naturally, Lady Reese didn’t wait for an answer one way or another. She was the kind of woman who couldn’t imagine anyone not wanting her advice. “You must learn to assert yourself more with your relations. If you’re not careful, they will smother you into permanent spinsterhood.”
“Ah, perhaps I should excuse myself and let you ladies talk,” Fergus said.
