Page 41 of A Scarred Wallflower for the Duke
Most of all, she could not bear to return to the ballroom in case she happened upon Vincent.
No, the best thing for everyone who was concerned would be for her to stay hidden away from the rest of theton, until this dreadful night was over.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Georgina opened her eyes at a knock on her bedchamber door.
“Georgie? Can I come in?”
Georgina rubbed her eyes at the sound of her sister’s voice. She had barely left her bed in the two days since Lord Greenford’s ball. She had feigned an illness—which her family had been all too willing to believe, after Lydia had eventually found her in the Greenfords’ garden, huddled under a tree and soaking wet.
She had no desire to speak to her sister—or anyone else, for that matter. But she knew Lydia was worried about her. “Yes, come in,” she croaked, sitting up and grabbing her shawl from the end of the bed.
Lydia entered, carefully balancing a teacup on its saucer and setting it on Georgina’s side table. “Here. I thought you might be thirsty.” She perched on the edge of her sister’s bed. “How are you feeling?”
Georgina shrugged despondently. The ache in her chest that had taken root at the ball had not even begun to ease. “I have been better.”
“Grandmother is worried. She is speaking of sending for the physician.”
“That is not necessary,” Georgina said quickly. “Really.” She knew she would have to give up this ruse soon. She had barely been ill a day in her life—little wonder her grandmother had begun to worry. But she could not face the thought of looking the Dowager Viscountess in the eye. The very thought of her made anger course through Georgina’s body.
The worst thing of all was that she knew she could not be surprised by the things she had heard her grandmother say about her. The Dowager Viscountess had always made her feelings on Georgina’s appearance abundantly clear. Had always made it apparent that she did not expect her eldest granddaughter to marry. But to discuss her with the Dowager Duchess in such a way? The thought made Georgina hot with shame. And how many others had her grandmother spoken to in such a manner?
Lydia eyed her, considering. “Are you ready to tell me what you were doing out in the rain at Lord Greenford’s ball?”
“I already told you,” Georgina said brusquely. “I just went out to the garden for some air. I did not expect the sky to open to suddenly.”
Lydia’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Georgina could tell she did not believe her. Not that she expected her to. As far as lies went, it was a fairly pathetic one.
But she could not bring herself to tell the story of what she had heard their grandmother and the Dowager Duchess say. She could not bear to hear those hurtful words again—even from her own lips. Nor did she want to admit how much the incident had rattled her. She was supposed to be the sister who could hold herself together. The sister who was always in control. She did not wish for Lydia to see this fragile side of her.
To her relief, Lydia did not press the issue. No doubt she had guessed that the incident involved Vincent somehow. Georgina noticed the folded page in Lydia’s hand. She nodded at it warily. “What is that?”
Lydia gave her wordless, apologetic eyes, and handed the paper over. Georgina unfolded it and skimmed the letter, her heart sinking as she did so.
“Another invitation to Levinton Manor?” She sighed heavily. “I thought I had done enough to never be welcome in the place again.”
Now that I know exactly what the Dowager Duchess thinks of me, I am surprised she is willing to let me through her door at all…
Lydia nodded sadly. “As did I.” She shook her head. “And a treasure hunt, of all things? I can hardly believe the Duke is suggesting something so frivolous after all he admitted to me at the ball. Surely things have gone too far for games.”
Indeed they have.Georgina tossed the letter on the side table. “I cannot go. I am sorry, Lydia.”
Her sister nodded. “I know. I could not expect you to accept this invitation, given His Grace’s infatuation with you. I don’t blame you for wishing to keep as far away from him as possible.”
Georgina nodded.Yes, as far away from him as possible. That is the only way forward. And it is what I ought to have done from the start.
“You go and spend the afternoon with His Grace,” she told her sister. “Be as dull and uninteresting as you possibly can. Hopefully, once he realizes he no longer has my attention, the Duke will grow tired of this whole sorry business and find himself another bride.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. Hoped Lydia did not hear the waver in her voice. “I will pass on my regrets,” she said. “And tell the Duke and Dowager Duchess I am unwell.”
* * *
Vincent paced back and forth across his study with the letter in his hand. Georgina and Lord Renshaw would not be attending the treasure hunt, but Lydia was happy to accept the invitation for an afternoon in his company.
He snorted. He knew Lydia Wyatt was looking forward to an afternoon in his company as much as she would look forward to an afternoon with the undertaker. He had no doubt this letter was all her grandmother’s doing.
He was aching to see Georgina. Leaving the ball without managing a single word to her had left him with a dull ache inside—as had the news of her impending engagement. He needed to see her desperately. Needed to hear the news from her own lips.Needed to hear her tell him that she loved Lord Renshaw, and wished to make a life with him. And he needed her to look him in the eyes as she spoke those words, so he could be convinced of their truth.
Then, and only then, might he give up on this foolish fixation on Georgina Wyatt. Foolish, because he knew well how unattainable it was for them to be together. But walking away felt like an impossibility.
