“Then what will you do? With your fortune and your independence and your new freedom from fortune hunters?”
“Apparently, attend a house party,” Georgiana grumbled. “Tell me, what does one do at this sort of thing?”
Sarah lifted her chin and cast Georgiana a sly glance that would not be out of place in a fox’s den. “There’s cake. I’m sure Josiah will bring you some. There’s always cake at your tea after he’s visited. A pretty, pastel pastry of some sort, mountains of it.” Said as if that proved something.
It did not. “And? I enjoy cake. Myfriendknows this of me.”
“Ah well. I guess cake means nothing.” When clearly, she thought it meant everything. Sarah flopped backward onto the mattress with a sigh. “Such a pity. Since the two of you seem so well suited.”
Georgiana grunted. “He’s a steward who stomps through mud and, oh, I don’t know, inspects cows and pigs or some such thing. I’m a lady of London. I prefer other amusements. Balls. Walks in manicured parks. Visits to the modiste.”
“He’s helping Xavier. And dancing can be had in the country. In fact, there will be dancing. At the Christmas Eve ball, which means fine gowns. And we’ll have mistletoe, and—” Sarah snapped her mouth shut and studied the ceiling with a frown. “Oh. Oh, yes. That’s an idea.”
Georgiana sank slowly into the chair at the writing desk, needing the curved arms for support and the cool wood for calm. “No, it’s not, Sarah. Whatever it is, it isnotan idea.”
Sarah lowered her gaze from the ceiling slowly. “I dare you—”
“No. I’m in middare right now. You cannot pile on another. It’s not sporting.” She curled her hands around the chair arms until she felt the skin stretch taut across her knuckles.
“I dare you—”
“Sarah—”
“To kiss Josiah.”
And there it was.
“No.” Georgiana rapped her knuckles on the table, welcoming the sharp knock against bone, to punctuate her refusal. “I’ll not fall for matchmaking schemes. Why didn’t I see it before? You are trying to bring Josiah and me into a web of… love.”
“You do not have to say it as if it’s a curse. Something on the bottom of one’s shoe that wrinkles the nose. Love is grand. Freeing—”
“It’s a chain. I’ll not sacrifice my independence to—”
“And you think I’ve given up mine? I help run a hospital! A hospital my husband funds solely so I can supervise it.”
“And you’ve married one of the few men who would allow you to do so.” She rolled her lips between her teeth and leaned away from Sarah. She’d spoken too loudly, too vehemently.
Sarah shook her head. “I disagree.” She stood and strode for the door. “And you’ve been dared, so you have a choice.”
Georgiana followed her out of the room. “You cannot force me to kiss anyone.”
Sarah shrugged. “I cannot. But I can dare you to. And if you don’t do it, no harm done to me, but to you… how much power does your pride have over you? You’ve never backed down from a dare before. Will you do so now?”
“Of course.” Maybe? She wasn’t so sure. She’d begun to feel a bit wiggly inside.
“What worries you, Georgie?” Sarah asked, stopping and looking over her shoulder. “That you’ll enjoy it? That you’ll desire more?”
“No! Of course not. Ridiculous notion. Very well. I accept your dare. But only to prove I’ll not enjoy it, and even if I do enjoy it…” He was a handsome man, after all, and likely knew what to do with those firm, chiseled lips of his. “I’ll not want more. You could have proffered a more difficult challenge, Sarah.” Surely this would prove no challenge at all. Kiss a man and win a dare. Nothing easier.
Right?
ChapterTwo
“Men enjoy making babies but not tending to them.” –from The Masculine Inconvenience: Memoirs of a Superior Lady
Josiah hid behind a potted plant, a red ribbon dangling in his face. He batted at it. Like a damn cat. Who had thought it wise to decorate the plants? The house had not been so jolly since before his mother’s death. Garlands of fragrant holly hung everywhere, and a roaring fire crackled cheerfully in the grate, fending off the unusually bitter cold of the winter evening. The crowd filling the room talked and laughed and bounced babies, and Edith, Josiah’s sister, plonked away at the piano with a Christmas tune. Sarah had brought joy here.
And he’d helped, making sure gifts would be delivered to the tenants and that those who wished had time to visit their families. Ensuring there was enough in the coffers to support a party like this and keep them warm and merry. Improving the grounds, the stable, the plumbing, even. He’d worked damn hard the last year to do what he’d told Xavier he could when he’d pleaded to manage Apple Grove. He’d achieved all he’d set out to. And more.
