Page 8 of A Gentleman to Avoid (Sherton Sisters 3)

“Surely, you realize that was unusual.”

“You’re being terribly kind to me, George.” Vicky could hear how small her voice sounded and tried to swallow away the lump forming in her throat.

“No, I’m not, Vick. You’ve been my best friend forever. This is a treat for me. Don’t you see?”

Vicky sighed. “And for me. At least being here with you is, but I do wish I could skip the Marriage Mart part.” She laughed a little. “If only my parents had believed in arranged marriages.”

Georgia laughed, too. “Surely, that would be even worse than this.”

“So says the happily married countess,” Vicky complained with laughter.

“Come now, Vick, you know you’re having a great time here with me. Forget about the Marriage Mart and just enjoy the social events we attend.”

“But the Marriage Mart is the only reason we attend those events,” Vicky exclaimed. “Are you trying to tell me that you actually enjoy the balls and routs and such? I’ve been feeling like a burden as I thought I was the only reason you were attending.”

Georgia laughed. “I have grown quite accustomed to them, especially now that I am well received amongst theton. You certainly aren’t the only reason I’m attending.”

Vicky stared at her friend, trying to keep her mouth from hanging agape. “Truly?” She was well aware that she sounded completely incredulous, but she couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. “You felt quite differently when you came up for my first Season.”

Georgia shrugged, looking sheepish. “Being married changes things.”

“Ugh!” Vicky wailed as she threw herself back onto the bed. “You see? This is why I just want it to be over.”

“Well, then pick a nice gentleman and marry him.”

Vicky gave her best friend a withering glance. “Surely, as someone so hopelessly in love with her husband, you realize that is far easier said than done.”

Georgia merely answered her with a smug expression on her face, and Vicky growled again.

“All three of you seemed to have the easiest time of it. Bel and Hilaria didn’t even like their husbands when they first became acquainted, but within weeks they were on the way up the aisle. I’ve debuted multiple times now and still can’t find someone.”

“Vigilia, my lady,” she began, prompting a stare from Vicky. Georgia interrupted herself to giggle, but carried on a moment later. “You are forgetting several key facts. For one thing, I was the only one of the lot of you who didn’t actually have a debut. How many years was Rosabel out? And Hilaria, too? You have actually only had small portions of two Seasons. One of them was cluttered up with three weddings. And now this one started late due to all the rains, and it is ending far sooner than usual. You are far from a failure. And it certainly isn’t that you haven’t taken or whatever you have in your mind. Do keep in mind how very often the knocker is sounding on the front door. You are very popular. You just aren’t cultivating anyone’s interest. I am of a mind to think that you don’t actually wish to be courted.”

Vicky sat up and stared at her friend, searching her own heart to see if she agreed. With a frown, she had to admit that perhaps her friend was right. Finally, she shrugged.

Biting her lip with indecision, Vicky nodded at her friend. “Perhaps, it’s as you’re always saying, I’m too preoccupied with keeping everyone around happy. I don’t know how to choose who would be an ideal mate for me.” She looked around hopelessly before returning her attention to Georgia. “I even told Rosabel during my first Season that I wasn’t at all particular, but perhaps that was a mistake. Perhaps keeping my mind open to all the possibilities makes it too open. But how am I supposed to pick a gentleman to spend the rest of my life with? And then, what if I choose someone and then he doesn’t return my regard?”

“I can see why that might concern you, but what if he does?”

Vicky finally laughed. “Am I being completely ridiculous then, do you suppose?”

“Not completely,” Georgia answered with a grin. “But I do think you ought to consider what sort of gentleman you’d actually like to find yourself wed to in more detail than just that he not mistreat his animals or servants. I’m going to have to say that I agree with Rosabel that you ought to have a higher standard for yourself than that.”

Vicky sighed. “You didn’t.”

“I didn’t what?”

“Crossley came, encountered you, and you both fell in love. You never gave a single thought to marrying a gentleman. In fact, if I remember correctly, you were quite convinced you were going to wed a shopkeeper from the village.”

Georgia grinned. “That is true.”

“So, telling me to make a list of details I’m looking for is mean, if you ask me. None of you did. Or you did and completely ignored it. Rosabel didn’t want to marry a nobleman, now she’s a duchess. Hilaria wanted a duke, but she still wed a nobleman. And you with Crossley. Everyone had their plans and then their secret wishes. But I don’t have either.”

“So get them,” Georgia insisted with a smile. “While we’re talking about this, why don’t you tell me why you’re avoiding Mr. Northcott as though he has a case of plague.”

Vicky felt heat climbing her neck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, George. And let’s leave him out of this. I have a list to compile,” she concluded with a grin as she slipped off the bed and strode toward the small desk in the corner of her large room.

Georgia sighed and remained on the bed.

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