Page 106 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
“And now to you?” Ellen said with obvious doubt in her voice.
Louisa stiffened at the insult, even though she already knew how poorly Ellen had treated Georgie.
“We are friends,” Georgie said simply, hands folded in her lap.
Louisa was proud of the calm way Georgie was responding to her mother.
Lady Wade leaned toward Georgie and patted her hand. “Your mother would want to know that you might be more than friends, my child.”
Georgie smiled at Ellen. “If we are, I promise I’ll let you know, Mother.”
“But you should take advantage of meeting eligible men this weekend,” Ellen said. “Probably nothing will come of it, but you never know.”
Louisa bit her lip to keep from defending Georgie, and then was thrilled when her student spoke up for herself.
“I’m finally learning to enjoy Society, Mother. We’ve been attending many parties. I’m dancing, conversing, and in general proving that I’ve grown up. I hope you will accept that.”
Ellen looked surprised, but before she could speak, Lady Wade said, “Georgie has been enjoying the companionship and assistance of Louisa. They’ve worked well together, and I think the combination has been a success. We’ve even gone to London to have a whole new wardrobe made for Georgie.”
But Ellen didn’t look at her daughter, or admire the lovely gown she was wearing. Once again, Louisa was the focus of Ellen’s icy green gaze. Louisa only continued to smile pleasantly.
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor outside the drawing room, and Simon entered, his cane held before him. Louisa knew she should look away, because she was certain she was blushing. He was clothed elegantly in dark green, but when she looked at him, she remembered him naked in her bed.
“I hear we have company,” he said.
Ellen rose to her feet and hurried to him. “It is your mother, dear boy.”
He leaned down for her kiss as if it were natural between them. Ellen had not kissed Georgie.
“Has your servant left you utterly alone?” Ellen asked, aghast. “Let me take your arm, Simon.”
“Good day, Mother,” Simon said. “Please, such attention is no longer necessary. Are you here for a visit?”
“Here for a house party, Simon,” Georgie told him. “This weekend at our own Enfield Manor.”
His eyebrows rose. “So Grandmama, you decided to surprise us?”
“Your sister and Louisa need to meet young men,” Lady Wade said.
Louisa stilled at the mention of her name. What did Simon think of her meeting other men? Did he even care?
But this time Ellen ignored the mention of Louisa’s name linked with her daughter’s. She had Simon’s arm, and was trying to lead him, but if he wouldn’t have had the cane, Ellen would have run him right into a low table.
Simon cocked his head. “Matchmaking, Grandmama?”
“Bringing together old friends,” Lady Wade said, her grin saying otherwise. “There will be eligible young ladies for you and Leo. And I invited your good friend Lord Thurlow.”
Louisa couldn’t withhold a thrilled gasp. “My sister is coming?”
“She accepted. As did your other sister, Mrs. O’Neill.”
Louisa could barely keep from clapping her hands together with glee, or enveloping the dear old lady in a hug. Instead she said, “Lady Wade, you are too generous. Thank you so much.”
“Your sister married an Irishman,” Ellen said.
Ellen looked at Simon as if this was only further proof, but of course he could only hear her.
“His brother was the Duke of Thanet,” Simon said. “And now he is guardian for his nephew—the duke.”
