Nothing had been resolved the previous evening mostly due to his rejecting every piece of advice Lady Littleton had given to him. But after a long, sleepless night, he now knew there was nothing to do but follow at least one of her suggestions. What did they say about pride going before a fall? He’d fallen lower than he’d ever been and could not even figure out how it had happened.
She rose when he was announced. “Gavin, I was not certain I would see you again.”
He took a breath. “I have been giving what you said last evening a great deal of thought. May I escort you to Littlewood?”
The corner of her lips twitched as if she was stifling a smile. “You may indeed. I shall leave within the hour.”
“I thought as much and had my staff ready my traveling carriage. It will follow behind yours if that suits you.”
“Yes. It will give us an opportunity to discuss more ideas as to how you should approach Miss Featherton.”
He knew exactly how he wanted to greet Georgie. Take her into his arms and kiss her senseless until she agreed to marry him. “I had planned to ride.”
“Of course you did.” Lady Littleton gave an exasperated sigh. “What young man does not?”
Gavin felt guilty but not guilty enough to ride in the coach. “I shall be back before an hour is up.”
Lady Littleton shook her head. “I shall see you then.”
Now that that was accomplished, Gavin only hoped Adeline Littleton did not refuse to allow him to stay at Littlewood.
* * *
Lucinda Featherton opened the note their butler Habersham handed to her. “We have been invited to join Cristabel at her home near Littlewood.”
Constance leaned forward the slightest bit. “Has she come up with a plan? God knows we have not been successful.”
“She has convinced Lord Turley to travel with her.” Lucinda was not sure how she felt about that. “She must be certain that he has feelings for Georgie beyond what he believes he does.”
“I think we ought to accept her offer,” Constance said slowly. “One must remember that she considers Turley to be a son, and one never knows when Georgie will require our assistance.”
“Of course we must go.” Lucinda could not get over the sensation that there was more to all of this than met the eye. “I shall write to her accepting her offer and give the order that we will depart in the morning.”
Her friend leaned over and patted her hand. “Do not worry. We have successively arranged Meg’s, and Kit’s and Mary’s marriages. We shall do the same for Georgie.”
“I know.” Lucinda placed her hand over her friend’s. “I just have that feeling in my neck. The one I used to get when Meg was in danger.”
“In that case, the sooner we arrive the better. Tell Cristabel we shall be there before noon.”
“I am so glad you understand.” Lucinda went to the writing table. “I shall feel much better when we are there.” She picked up her quill and pulled out a piece of paper. “Should we inform Georgie we will be close?”
“Yes, do write to her.”
Lucinda penned a short missive to Georgie.
My dearest Georgie,
The duchess and I have been invited to spend some time with the dowager Lady Littleton.
We will arrive tomorrow. I hope we will be able to spend some time together while we are all in the same area.
Your loving grandmother,
L
That afternoon, Georgie and Adeline had just finished the chair cushions when Frits entered the morning room. “Do you have time to take a carriage ride? I thought Georgie would like to see some of our follies.”
Her friend glanced at her, and she nodded. “After hearing so much about them, I would love to be able to see them.”
“And I can use the fresh air. It is too bad I cannot ride at the moment.” Adeline made a neat stack of the cushion covers. “But you may if you like.”
Georgie was torn. She would rather ride, but if Adeline had to go in a carriage . . . “If you are sure you do not mind.”
“Not at all. Frits will be with me.” She smiled at her husband.
“Indeed.” He grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows. “We’ll take the landau. It will give me a good reason to cuddle with my wife.”
A spear of something akin to envy pierced Georgie. They were so happy and so well matched. It was as if all the difficulties they’d had coming together had never occurred. Perhaps it would work out for her and Turley. Except that he was still not here, and he must have discovered where she was by now. He had probably decided to arrange a match with another lady. It was a good thing she had decided to look at other men.
“Georgie?” Adeline’s voice was sharper than usual.
“What is it?”
“You were woolgathering. Frits asked if you would like to dine at one of the follies.”
“Oh.” Georgie really need to pay better attention. “Yes. That would be lovely.”
Adeline linked her arm with Georgie’s. “In that case, Frits, my love, will you tell Cook and order the carriage and Georgie’s horse while we change?”
“It would be my pleasure.” He bowed to them and left the room.
“You truly like being married to him,” Georgie mused more to herself.
“I do.” Adeline led them out of the room. “Just as you will enjoy being married when you find the right gentleman.”
“I thought I had.” In fact, Georgie had been certain Turley was the one for her—until the proposal.
“Mary Turner wrote to me and related that there would be several eligible gentlemen at her house party. If Lord Turley does come here, he will find he has some competition for your hand. And there is nothing wrong with that.”
Georgie murmured her agreement. After all, she had been thinking much the same thing. They reached the door to her chamber. “I shall meet you outside.”
Less than an hour later, she was showing Adeline and Frits the tricks Lilly knew.
When the horse bowed to let Georgie on, Adeline began to clap. “I think that is very handy. It is much better than having to find a stump or log in order to mount.”
“But then you wouldn’t need me to lift you,” Frits objected in a rather heated tone.
A blush covered Adeline’s cheeks. “I do not need you for that now, but I do enjoy it.”
She and Frits gazed besottedly at each other, and Georgie was tempted to roll her eyes. Perhaps visiting happily married newlyweds was not the best idea for a lady suffering from a broken heart. The coachman stared ahead as if ignoring the couple.
Georgie gathered Lilly’s reins in her hands and glanced at the landau. “Where is the picnic basket?”
“It will be delivered to the cottage,” Frits said as he lifted Adeline into the carriage. “It is in the middle of the follies.”
On Georgie’s father’s main estate there were two, but she had been told there were many more here. “Exactly how many follies are there?”
“Seven. The oldest is the Norman tower.” Frits started using his fingers to tick them off. “We have a cottage built by my great-grandfather for his wife. A Dutch farmhouse that my grandfather built for my grandmother because she was homesick. A French farmhouse.”