Page 8 of Invitation to Pleasure
“Oh, no. Did you capture the rogue?”
His smugness was diminishing. She saw his green eyes begin to darken with anger. Why did she have to poke the tiger?
“Unfortunately not. But I am making inquiries and I am very close to a result.”
She nodded. “And what will you do to the villain when you catch him?”
Her father handed Daniel a brandy. “I hope you run the rogue through,” her father uttered. “Hitting a peer should be a hanging offence.”
She blanched and saw Daniel smile.
He took a seat directly across from her. “I don’t think that will be necessary, Lord Wentworth. I shall think up a fitting punishment, for him orher, once I catch them. I can assure you.”
Lady Rheda interrupted her brother. “You did not tell us you’d met Lady Georgiana before.” Daniel’s sister looked confused and suspicious.
Georgiana answered. “Oh, it was of no consequence.” She turned back towards Daniel. “We merely met and had a conversation about horses one day not long ago. I’m hurt he does not remember.”
“In Newmarket?” Lady Rheda persisted.
“I do apologize, Lady Georgiana, that I forgot our brief encounter but the steed we were discussing held my attention. You know how that is?”
She felt her face flush hot with color at the insult and Lady Rheda gasped. “I do. I must admit I usually prefer horses to men.”
Silence.
“Georgiana, you will apologize to Baron de Winter at once.” Her father’s anger meant nothing compared to the anger she was feeling inside. She wanted to blurt out that he had not seemed so immune to her when he was kissing her under the mistletoe that day.
“There is no need for that, Lord Wentworth. I too find horses more interesting. Your daughter and I have that in common at least.” He raised his glass in her direction.
The conversation turned to other mundane things like the yearling sales prices and the state of the racing industry. Lady Rheda was very quiet so Georgiana was quiet too. It gave her time to study her opponent.
Daniel kept looking in his sister’s direction and smiling at her. His face would crease with worry lines whenever Rheda looked away.
“Is your brother staying with you long?” Georgiana finally asked.
“At least through January I hope. I know he’s anxious to get back to his horses, but I’m hoping to convince him to move north and settle closer to us.” Her ladyship looked sad as she spoke the words. It made her want to reach out and squeeze her hand. Something was not right in the Hascombe home.
“Your family home was in Kent?” She inquired.
Rheda nodded. “Tumbury Manor has been in our family for many, many years and Daniel has worked hard to make it profitable after our father all but bankrupted us.”
Georgiana threw a glance in her father’s direction. “I have experience of that.”
“I had heard the rumors. I’m sorry if that is not very delicate, but I wanted to let you know I will help you and your mother as much as I can if the worst should happen. I was once in your position and it took friends to help me and Daniel.”
“Thank you.” She could not say more because it was the first time another woman had sympathized with her and her throat closed up. She took a long sip of sherry. “I may well need your help one day.”
Dinner was announced and her father held out his arm to her.
Lord Hascombe said, “Your wife is not joining us?”
For the first time in forever her father’s face mottled red. “My wife is unwell. She rarely leaves her rooms.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” the earl replied. “Your daughter must bring you great comfort.”
“Indeed,” was all her father said, while Daniel looked at her thoughtfully as she led him into the dining room.
The dinner progressedwith her father dominating the conversation trying very hard to interest both men in his horses. Georgiana bit her tongue on several occasions as her father sang lyrical about a horse she knew had been sold several months ago.
