Page 64 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
“Oh.”
Simon didn’t know what that meant, and for the hundredth time wished he could see his brother. Leo’s face was always open to him. But he was finally beginning to learn that sound could carry much meaning. “So there’s Georgie to consider. I know she’s going to start attending parties, and I somehow have to minimize the effect of Louisa’s presence.”
“Surely you are overreacting,” Leo said.
“So I’m supposed to take the chance that Georgie’s reputation could suffer?”
“I see,” Leo answered softly. “But only a few men know, and surely no one was crass enough to tell the ladies.”
“But we don’t know that. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. I just want you to keep your mouth shut.”
“You always do like to take over and control things,” Leo said with amusement. “It’s good to have that Simon back.”
ChapterFourteen
Louisa bent her head over her embroidery and listened as Lady Wade and Georgie speculated about the motives for Mr. Wade’s visit, as if he regularly avoided them.
She wouldn’t put anything past Mr. Wade. She remembered him as a forward young man who used to try to maneuver her alone at parties. She had thought him charming and reckless, and had laughed off his advances. But he had been only her first experience at that sort of man. Later, at Lady Ralston’s, she had really understood how cruel some men could be, and how little they respected her.
She had never given Mr. Wade the opportunity to harm her, and she told herself that everything would be all right. He’d seemed surprised to see her, but he was civil and kind. Perhaps he regretted his behavior now that he was several years older. She would give him the benefit of the doubt—but she would never allow herself to be alone with him.
They heard the gentlemen long before they arrived.
“Well, look at you, Simon!” Mr. Wade said boisterously. “Walking all alone. Where’s Manvil? Is he sad he’s been demoted?”
“He’s satisfied to return to his real position,” Simon said, his voice echoing ahead of him.
“A valet has too much time alone in a bedroom. There’s only one reason to do that—”
Mr. Wade broke off as they rounded the corner and entered the room. He smiled, and Louisa couldn’t help smiling back, even as she shook her head. The Wade brothers oozed charm out of every pore. Mr. Wade was as blond as his brother, with hair even curlier. He wore mutton chop sideburns that drew attention to his legendary family dimples. He was taller and leaner than Simon, almost gangly in a boyishly endearing way. Louisa had been swept up in his presence as much as every other girl. When members of thetongraced a party hosted by a wealthy factory owner, eligible ladies took notice.
She looked between the two brothers, alike and yet so different. There was a maturity and responsibility and kindness about Simon that his brother couldn’t match.
Perhaps the fact that she was “smitten” impeded her judgment, but she didn’t think so. Most women would think that it was the title that made Simon more alluring. But they didn’t know him like she did.
Or was she foolish to imagine that she understood him?
For an hour, the family discussed the latest London gossip, and Louisa listened with interest, since she recognized so many of the names. She was glad Georgie showed an interest, although she thought it was mostly because she enjoyed bantering with her brothers.
Mr. Wade finally turned to Georgie and gave her a raised eyebrow. “So Simon tells me you’re being tutored.”
Georgie tilted her chin. “I’m enjoying working with Louisa.”
“I like the gown,” Mr. Wade said. “Miss Shelby, is that due to you?”
Louisa set her embroidery in her lap. “Lady Wade helped greatly.”
Lady Wade waved a hand. “I did not. I let the two girls have their heads and they took the London dressmakers by storm.”
“So what is Georgie wearing?” Simon asked.
“A lovely green gown,” Lady Wade said.
“Ah, matches her eyes,” Simon said, nodding.
Georgie giggled and rose to her feet, holding her arms out as she turned a circle.
“The waist is cinched a bit tight,” Mr. Wade said. “Can you breathe?”
