Page 71 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
“Hello, Simon,” said Georgie, putting her arm through his. “I’m so glad you’re attending with me. We’ll have fun together, I promise.”
Together? he thought. He was not going to allow Georgie to spend her evening taking care of him. He shouldn’t even be going—but Keane was sniffing around her.
He smiled at his sister. “I have plenty of people to be with, Georgie. You will dance and have fun and not worry about me, do you understand?”
“But Simon—”
“We’ll take turns,” Leo said. “There’s always a card game I could drag him to. Simon, I’ll position you on my opponent’s side of the table, and since he won’t know who you are, he’ll get nervous, thinking you’re reading his cards. I’ll win easily.”
“Leo!” their grandmother said, taking Simon’s other arm. “How terrible to use your brother like that.”
But Simon found himself laughing, and his tensions eased.
“And Simon will know everyone there,” Grandmama added. “It is a country ball, not a London crush.”
Simon’s smile faded. He wondered what Louisa was thinking. Did she look forward to this, or would she be too preoccupied about Georgie, as he was? And he worried for Louisa, too. If these men had heard the London rumors, she would be vulnerable, and he could do nothing to help her. He wouldn’t even be able to see what was going on. He wanted to tell his grandmother to keep an eye on Louisa, too, but he never got the chance.
How did he think he was going to protect either woman?
He was stuffed into the family carriage with everyone else, where he listened to Louisa’s last-minute instructions to Georgie, and Leo’s opposite advice.
After they arrived, and the footman had helped Simon down, Lady Wade said, “Simon, as my eldest handsome grandson, you must escort me inside. Louisa, you can remain with us, while Leo escorts Georgie.”
“Georgiana,” his sister hissed.
Simon smiled as Grandmama put her arm through his.
“There are only two steps up to the ground floor right here,” she said.
He felt them with his cane. He knew he’d been at Lady Perry’s home before, but he couldn’t remember the layout. He was used to his grandmother’s home, but now he was entering a giant blank, and he felt adrift.
“We’re in the entrance hall,” Grandmama continued, “and we’re going to follow stairs that circle here to the right, up to the second floor. Do you remember this two-story entrance hall? It is quite stunning.”
He didn’t remember, and he kept reminding himself not to squeeze her frail arm. He concentrated on every step, and to his relief, his cane found the top stair before his grandmother could even speak.
“Oh dear,” Grandmama said, “that silly Margot is having everyone introduced like this is London. Try not to think too poorly of her, Simon.”
A moment later, he understood her concern.
“The Dowager Viscountess Wade and Viscount Wade.”
The room fell to complete silence.
Simon didn’t have to wonder who was looking at him, because they all were. Mumbled voices rose like the buzzing of insects.
“So how many people are here?” he asked softly, keeping a pleasant expression on his face.
“Perhaps forty,” she answered. “I am so sorry.”
They waited while Georgie and Leo were introduced.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Grandmama,” Simon continued. “Just guide me to the receiving line.”
“Lady Wade, where would you like me to wait until you need me?”
He was startled by Louisa’s voice. He’d been so caught up in his own misery, he’d forgotten she was right behind him.
“I can stay with you, Grandmama,” Georgie said.
