Page 36 of Ironvine

“I followed them as you asked, and I saw them enter a fine house. I inquired from a delivery man I saw at the next house, and he said it was the Ryvves home. ’Twas their own house they went to.”

“Thank you, Landon. Please fetch me my cape.”

* * *

She had to do it.

Georgina took in a deep breath and knocked on the front door of William and Amanda’s home. She announced herself to the servant and said she wished to see the lady of the house.

The servant returned. “Mrs. Treharne regrets she is unable to welcome visitors at this time.”

“Tell your mistress I absolutely must see her, but briefly. I insist. We are old friends from the country, she and I. I will not leave until I’ve spoken with her. It is of grave importance and concerns Mr. Montclare and Lord Ryvves.”

A figure appeared behind the servant, her long blond hair loose and mussed about her. It was Amanda, eyes glassy, a bruise on her cheek, her lips swollen, and in her hand a glass of dark wine.“What are you doing here?” The servant bowed her head and disappeared down the hallway.

Georgina passed through. “Your message for Lord Ryvves arrived at my doorstep and he and Charles seemed upset, and so—”

“They were at your house? They sent you here instead of coming themselves?”

Amanda was waiting for them, but they hadn’t come here at all. They’d gone home. Georgina sucked in a tiny breath and exhaled the lie.“Yes.”

Amanda glared at her, her lips pursing. Turning away, she swooshed into her drawing room.

Georgina followed her. “I was concerned as Charles is my friend and—”

“Your friend?” her voice sneered through a sharp laugh that she drank down with her wine. “This is a private matter, not for elegant young ladies.”

“I shall be part of the family soon.”

Amanda wiped at the edge of her lips. “What are you talking about?”

“I am engaged to the Earl of Ryvves.”

She stilled, her face paler than before. “You …”

“Engaged to Ryvves. As of just an hour ago. Charles and Hugh were at my house settling terms with my brother-in-law.”

Amanda let out a long heavy breath as if a sudden weight had been heaved on her person. “Engaged to Hugh?” Her voice was a husky whisper.

“Yes.”

“You? You are his fiancée?”

“I am.” Georgina pressed her lips together. “You’re quite pale, Amanda. Shall I ring for tea?”

“Oh no, no. Your news calls for wine. We must celebrate your success, my dear. Come.” She pivoted and sailed to a sideboard where the liquor decanters stood. She poured a glass of wine and topped up her own, adding a dark tincture from a small bottle.

“Amanda, are you unwell? Did you fall? Is that a bruise on your—”

“William and I had an argument. A rather fierce one. He tried to intimidate me, but I was not intimidated only angry. It’s always good to turn the tables on men, Georgina. Indeed, now that you will be a wife, you must learn these things.” She handed the glass of wine to Georgina, who took it, glancing at the purplish red liquid. An elixir of the bedeviled, of the knowledge of a married woman. Was this her initiation?

Amanda sat on her settee and motioned for Georgina to join her, and she did. “For instance, your first night with your husband, let him have his way. Let him think you are his precious concubine and he the glorious conqueror. But you must look to finding your own pleasure in it, and then you shall use that knowledge to your greatest advantage with him in all things—if you dare.” Licking her lips, Amanda swirled the contents of her glass and raised it. “So much to celebrate. To your engagement. To William’s duel.”

“A duel? With whom? Why?”

“Why do men challenge each other, Georgina?”

“To defend their honour.” She held Amanda’s gleaming gaze and she understood.For you.

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