“I received your note yesterday, Mother. Would you like me to ask Mr. Bradt more about his wife’s condition?”
The smallest bit of a smile crossed her mother’s lips. “I was trying to be helpful. Mr. Woodstock, perhaps? I saw him earlier with that awful Mary Barclay following him about. I should speak to Mary’s mother about her behavior.”
“Please don’t, Mother. I’m certain Mrs. Barclay wouldn’t welcome your opinion of her daughter’s behavior. And Mary isn’t awful. She’s quite lovely once you get to know her. She and Mr. Woodstock are very nearly engaged, as you well know.”
“Perhaps before he reacquainted himself with you, dear. Now I fear Miss Barclay’s future as Mrs. Woodstock might be in jeopardy.” Mother fluttered her fan about her eyes, likely searching for Bradt. Finding him, the pair locked eyes and a look passed between them before Bradt quickly turned away.
Georgina sucked in a breath.Bradt is in love with my mother and she with him.
She was sure she’d looked at Leo in much the same way. And didn’t Mother deserve happiness? Before she’d wed Masterson, the knowledge of her mother and Bradt would have angered her, but not now. She shouldn’t have been so unkind. “I’m sorry I was rude to Mr. Bradt. I’ll apologize.”
Her mother waved her hand. “Piers understands. Now back to Mr. Woodstock. He seeks only a word of encouragement from you, dear.” She turned back to Georgina. The Woodstocks are very well thought of. You could do worse.”
“I believe I already have. Please refrain from matchmaking. I’m quite happy as I am.”
Ben chuckled softly from her shoulder. “Well done, George,” he murmured quietly so only she could hear.
Georgina’s mother shot him a quelling look.
“Masterson was your father’s idea. Never mine. And eventually, Georgina, you will have to find an escort who is not your cousin. Unless there is something more to your relationship than there appears?”
Ben coughed, his cheeks pinking, mouth gaping open like a fish at her mother’s remark.
Mother nodded to him. “Cousins marry.”
“No, Mother.” Georgina’s jaw tightened. Just when she’d been feeling charitable. “And Ben is more brother to me than cousin, as you well know. The very idea is abhorrent.”
A tic appeared in Ben’s cheek, the only sign her mother’s barb had struck. He nodded to both her and her mother before whispering, “You’re on your own, George. I forgot my armor tonight. Didn’t think I’d need it for the opera. I’ll retrieve you later.”
Dammit.
Scaring Ben off was punishment for Georgina causing Piers to disappear. She should have known a sincere apology to her mother wouldn’t have been enough. Mother never behaved in such a mercenary manner toward Lilian. Shecooedover Georgina’s sister, never once launching a verbal assault.
“There are dozens of suitable gentlemen who would vie for your attention if you would only allow them to do so.” A thin, smug smile crossed Mother’s lips as she watched Ben flee into the crowd. “Don’t youwantto remarry?”
“Not really. I find I quite like being a widow.”
“Certainly, it isn’t because no gentleman can replace Lord Masterson.” The sarcasm in her mother’s voice grated against Georgina’s skin.
“Certainly not.” The very idea of having to return to a life like the one where she had been tied to her late husband made her stomach hurt.
“Then what is it? You have your pick of eligible gentlemen. Fletcher has expressed quite a bit of interest in you. You’d make a wonderful politician’s wife.”
Fletcher wasn’t Leo.Noneof them were. They were all deficient in some way. But Georgina could hardly explain that to her mother.
“Father already has his politician, or at least he will. Isn’t that the plan for William? Lilian will make a much better wife for a future senator than I.”
For Daniel’s sake, Georgina must remarry, but she wasn’t ready. Not yet.
Her mother made a sound in her throat.
“You’ve made yourself clear, Mother.” Remarriage had been a constant topic of conversation between them since Georgina had returned. “But not Warren Woodstock. His fingers are overlong.” Georgina gave a shudder. “Like the legs of a giant spider.”
“Georgina.” Mother shook her head, clearly exasperated, but a laugh escaped her lips. “You would be far happier if you were more like your sister.”
Lilian was the good daughter. Perfect. She’d found William, whom Father had instantly approved of, and fallen in love.
Georgina, on the other hand, delighted in imperfection. She’d been caught kissing Tommy Richards when she was fourteen. Flirting with one of the grooms who kept her father’s stables. George had been the groom’s name, a sure sign to fifteen-year-old Georgina that they were meant to be together. She dressed to draw attention because it made Georgina feel powerful. She hadn’t been thinking about the effects to her reputation. Then she’d been forced to wed Masterson.
