Page 25 of The Season for Loving
“He looked positively revolted,” she said, as she ended her tale with a recounting of their disastrous kiss. “I must be dreadful at it.”
Evie shook her head. “I highly doubt that. Even though he avoided you for the rest of the evening, he couldn’t keep his eyes off you. Whenever you danced with someone else, he looked ready to murder your unfortunate partner.”
“I thought he was going to pull one of the display swords down from the wall and start chasing after all the bachelors,” Eliza said. “When, that is, he wasn’t making sheep eyes at you.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Georgie said with a reluctant laugh.
“It’s not,” Evie said. “It’s quite clear that he’s madly in love with you.”
Eliza nodded. “I agree. Even Bertie has noticed.”
“I know,” Georgie said. “Bertie tried to talk to me about it, but I told him to mind his own business.”
“So I understand,” Eliza said, in a dry tone.
Georgie winced. “Is he very angry with me?”
“He’s never angry with you, dear. He just worries because he wants you to be happy.”
“I thought Fergus would make me happy,” Georgie said with a grimace.
“We agree,” said Evie. “Which is why we think you shouldn’t give up on him.”
“But he…he rejected me.”
“Nonsense,” Eliza said. “He just got cold feet.”
“I’m sure he was embarrassed,” Evie said. “You see, Fergus once caught my sister in the same sort of position with his cousin, when Alec was technically still engaged to Fergus’ sister.”
“How very awkward,” Georgie said.
“Then he challenged Alec to a duel,” Evie added.
Georgie gaped at her. It was hard to reconcile the image of the quiet man she’d come to know with one who would issue such a dramatic and dangerous challenge. Then again, he had looked very dashing and romantic in his kilt tonight, quite like the sort of man who would make a point of defending his sister’s honor.
“That sounds dreadful,” she said. “I hope neither was injured.”
Evie shook her head. “It all turned out just fine, but you can see that Fergus is very sensitive to issues regarding a woman’s honor. I’m sure he was mortified to find himself acting in so reckless a fashion.”
Georgie covered her face with her hands. “I practically threw myself on him. What must he think of me?”
Eliza gently pulled her hands down. “He thinks you’re wonderful.”
“And you’re sure it wasn’t because I don’t know how to kiss?”
“Oh, we’re quite sure it wasn’t,” Eliza said, exchanging a knowing grin with Evie.
“Then what’s holding him back?” Georgie asked, exasperated.
Evie suddenly looked uncomfortable.
Georgie sucked in a horrified gasp. “Is there something in his past? Something with…with another woman.”
Evie flashed her a reassuring smile. “Nothing like that. There are, as you say, issues from his past that are holding him back from making an offer. I will add that his family thinks he has overstated the importance of those issues. They would be thrilled if Fergus asked you to marry him, I’m sure.”
Georgie shook her head, frustrated by the vague explanation. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“He doesn’t think he’s worthy of you. That’s why he’s pushing you away. Because he doesn’t want to hurt you.”
