She’d dashed his plans by making friends with his niece, which led to meeting his aunt, which led to her discovering his secret identity. And even though he’d kissed her hand rather than the air above her knuckles, she’d exchanged more words in conversation with his friend Mr. Westbrook than with Ravencroft. He was holding back from her.
He likely did not know she had been at rehearsal tonight. The only time he might have seen her she had been bent down, tying her garters. If he had seen her and knew she was the miss he’d rescued, he probably would not have used his distinctive voice so freely.
Which left her puzzled as to why he danced with her. Perhaps he hadnotrecognized her? Unlike his hair, her dark blonde locks were quite ordinary, as was the domino she’d been wearing. Had he danced with her because he finally felt like waltzing in public and decided she’d do as well as any other partner? Like the dozen or so anonymous men who had asked her to dance while everyone was masked?
A deflating thought.
And this whole line of thinking—she knew he was her rescuer but didn’t know if he knew she was the miss he’d rescued—was making her head spin.
No, she did not want to go down this path. If Ravencroft was interested in courting her, he would not be holding back. At the very least he would take advantage of opportunities to converse with her, not keep quiet.
“If he is seeking a wife—and I’ve seen no indication that he is—as an earl, he can look much higher for a bride than someone like me. Someone younger, with a larger dowry.”
Georgia’s immediate reply was a simple, “Hmm.” She plumped her pillow. “Let us change the subject, then. I said we’ll have no awkward conversation tonight, and I don’t wish to discomfit you. What do you think of Lord Leighton? I think the reports of his father bankrupting the estate have been exaggerated. His countenance is quite handsome.”
Ashley turned on her side to mirror Georgia’s position, and they proceeded to discuss the gentlemen bachelors of thetonwell into the night.
* * *
“You shouldn’t be the least bit surprised Georgia befriended her.” Liam chose a different song for them to play. “How many injured cats, orphaned puppies, and humans down on their luck has she taken under her wing? Even in her debut Season, of course she’d find a miss with a sad story and want to make her better.”
David carefully kept his voice only mildly curious. “What sad story?”
“Miss Hamlin’s parents died a month into her first Season. The cheeseparing cousin who inherited her father’s title not only refused to pay for another Season when their mourning ended, he spent her dowry on his pile of bricks in the country.”
David was thinking of a suitable comment about Liam and society gossip when his friend continued.
“My sisters discussed and dissected the poor girl’s situation at great length. Heaven help anyone who might deprive them oftheirSeason and a chance at making a good match. I think my father and brothers may have even changed their wills as a result.”
“Yet here she is, attending all the entertainments, behaving like any other young woman hunting matrimonial prey.”
Liam rearranged the music above the keyboard. “You remember the stir a few years ago when a plantation owner in Jamaica freed his slaves and then hired them as paid workers?”
“Vaguely.”
“That was Mr. Endicott. He did not lose his fortune, as many predicted. Quite the opposite. Came home to England for a visit this spring and is feeling annoyed with his wife’s pinchpenny nephew, and generous toward her niece, Miss Hamlin.”
“This news was also gleaned from your sisters?”
“Lord Sedgewick supports the abolitionist movement. Emily made certain Lady Sedgewick knew of Mr. Endicott’s unusual business model, ensuring the Endicotts and their niece received an invitation to the Sedgewicks’ ball, which opened more doors for them.”
David grunted. “Your sister Emily has almost as soft a heart as Georgia. Too bad Lady Sedgewick also invited Sir Rupert.”
“Thanks to you, though, he no longer poses a danger to any of the ladies of London.”
They both cocked their heads at an unexpected sound—a scratch on the outer door to the hall.
“Expecting late-night visitors?”
Liam grabbed a candle and went through the sitting room to the apartment door. David trailed after with another lit candle. In the pool of light, they saw a folded sheet of foolscap that had been slid under the door. They stood close together, holding their candles aloft, while Liam read the note.
“It seems one of my neighbors is fond of Mozart. He is requesting we play something from theMagic FluteorThe Marriage of Figaro.”
“Someone else with insomnia.”
Liam shrugged. They went back to the music room and he began searching through his collection of music. David idly strummed the mandolin until Liam looked at him with his eyes squinted, wincing in pain.
David put down the mandolin. He’d always been better with vertical strings than horizontal. “We established why I’m awake at an unusual hour. What is keepingyouawake?”
