Page 28 of Ironvine

“How does Heaven await you, sir? I have yet to agree to anything.” Georgina smoothed her hair and adjusted her dress.

“I’ve taken care of that for you, dear girl,” replied Hugh.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Just over there is our dear friend, Matthew Penry. I had him follow us here to witness our little rendezvous.”

Her eyes widened at the sight of Matthew in the distance. “Witness?”

“You bastard.” Charles’s voice seethed.

“I needed insurance that you would agree to marry me as you are within hours of being spoken for, or you might change your mind, as you pretty young things are wont to do. I will be coming to call on you tomorrow, and I expect a positive answer from you and your family.”

“And if I do not agree?” Georgina lifted her chin. She met his gaze. “Then Mr. Penry would share what he’d seen between us, perhaps enriching the tale with his colourful imagination, and I would then be ruined?”

“She catches on quickly. I like that. Yes, my darling. What would your aforementioned would-be fiancé think of you then?”

Georgie pushed Hugh off her with a grunt. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you? My oh my. Who knew that the Earl of Ryvves would have to trap himself a wife?”

A scowl flashed over Hugh’s face. He obviously did not appreciate her remark. Had he expected tears and pleading?

Georgina’s dark gaze shot to Matthew, who stood not far from them against the garden wall, his arms crossed, gaping at her, his cold expression tinted with disgust.

The bastard. Since they were children, he’d always done Hugh’s bidding to gain his favour.Beneath his thin veneer of moral outrage, Charles was certain Matthew was jealous that Hugh had gotten his fangs into Georgina and not him.

Hurried footsteps thudded over the stone walkway. Thomas came to a halt before them, “Georgina? What have you—Montclare? Ryvves? What are you both doing with my sister? Are you taking advantage? Again? This is not to be borne!”

“Again? Hmm. Well, well, well, Charles.” On a dark chuckle, Hugh took Georgina’s hand in his and kissed it.

Thomas’s eyes blazed, his gaze shooting from one Montclare to the other, his sister in between them. “She is promised to another! Spoken for…” he sputtered.

“Now I have spoken, and she is mine.”

“You Montclares, libertines all of you. Always have been, always will be,” exploded Thomas.

“He’s insulting us, Charles. Insupportable—”

“For the love of God, Hugh!” Charles’s voice simmered.

“You little fool!” Thomas grabbed his sister’s arm, pulling her away from Hugh, and wincing, she gasped.

“Thomas!” Charles darted forward.

Thomas thrust a finger in his face, his voice seething. “Don’t you dare attempt to make excuses for your brother’s behaviour, Montclare. All night long, he knew exactly what he was doing. Now, everyone here tonight is talking about them both. By tomorrow noon, if there is no official engagement announced, my sister’s good name will be tainted forever.”

“I assure you, we shall settle this like gentlemen.”

Hugh crossed his arms, a derisive twist to his lips. “Quite right. Like gentlemen.”

“Ah yes, always gentlemen bargaining. Gentlemen deciding,” Georgina spit out.

They all turned to her, surprised, aghast as if they’d forgotten she was there. Forgotten she could speak, think, had a mind of her own. Everyone except Charles who let out a short laugh at her outburst.

Bravo, Georgie.

Georgina yanked her arm from her brother’s tight grip. “Then do so, Lord Ryvves. Decide. Bargain. Settle. Tomorrow we look forward to hearing your terms.”

ChapterEleven

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