Grandmamma lifted one pale brow. “Are you certain?”
“Yes.” A sob burst forth, and Grandmamma gathered Georgie into arms that had always been much stronger than they looked. “I asked, and he could not answer.”
Grandmamma soothingly stroked Georgie’s back as if she was a child again. “That is very bad. But not, perhaps, irredeemable. Men can be complete fools about love. In fact, they seem to make a habit of it,” she seemed to muse that last part. “You must understand that it complicates their lives, and they want things in their lives to be easy. They are simple creatures and love confuses many of them. They much prefer passion to a declaration of the heart.”
Georgie had never thought of it in that way. Perhaps she should attempt to view it from a male perspective. “Truly?”
“Absolutely. I would never lie to you about something this important.” Her grandmother nodded decisively. “That is not to say that you should settle for anything less than love. In my time, even in your mother’s day, our matches were arranged, but many of us found love with our spouses. Although, there were those who did not. I believe there was a trick to making successful matches. Your grandfather told his father he was interested in me”—her grandmother blushed adorably—“and a match was arranged. Your father did the same with your mother. It is my belief that matches where there is no attraction are not as likely to succeed. Not all, mind you, but it was more of a risk.”
Georgie blew her nose again. “I love him.”
“Of course you do.” Grandmamma hugged Georgie harder. “That is the reason you are so unhappy.” Her grandmother took out her own handkerchief and wiped Georgie’s eyes. “Let us see what we can do about this problem. I have a feeling the young man is no more happy about this than are you.”
Her maid, Smith, entered the room and Grandmamma rose. “Allow your maid to bathe your face in some cool water, then join me in the morning room. I have assembled a council of war.”
Despite herself, Georgie smiled. “Is the duchess here?”
“Naturally.” Her grandmother grinned conspiratorially. “We cannot make plans without her.”
“And Mama?”
“Ah, well, you know how your mother feels about what she considers to be undue interference.” Grandmamma wiggled her fingers as she left the room.
So it was true. Georgie had heard Mama would not engage in the schemes her grandmother and the duchess formed for Meg, Georgie’s older sister, or for Kit, her older brother. Georgie did not understand the reason her mother found it distasteful. Both times her grandmother had become involved in matchmaking had resulted in successful marriages. She had never seen her brother and sister happier, and Meg was well on her way to being as canny as Grandmamma in arranging matches. Still, Georgie could think of nothing that the two older ladies could do to make Lord Turley love her. It wasn’t as if he could be tricked into it.
She lay back down and her maid covered her eyes with a cool cloth that smelled like cucumbers.
Or could he be fooled into loving her? If so, how on earth would that work? And was it the best way forward? Georgie did not like the idea of deceiving him. She frowned to herself. She actually did not have anything to deceive him about.
Several minutes later she entered the morning room. The cheery parlor was everyone’s favorite place in the house. The walls were covered with cream-colored silk paper, and large, bright floral patterns gave one the feeling of a garden in full bloom. Some of the flowers on the furniture and hangings were the same as those planted right outside the windows and in pots on the terrace. When the windows were open, the sweet scent of roses infused the room. The parlor even managed to cheer her a little.
Her grandmother poured a cup of tea and set it on the table next to the empty space on the small sofa. “I remember that you liked two sugars and milk.”
“Yes, thank you.” Georgie picked up the cup and sipped, letting the warmth of the tea sink into her. “It is perfect and just what I needed.” Her mother always said that tea inevitably helped one feel better.
Her grandmother and the duchess sipped their tea as well. Finally, Grandmamma put her cup down. “I believe you should leave Town for a short holiday.”
The duchess gave the same sort of decisive nod Grandmamma had done earlier.
Georgie almost dropped her cup. That was the last thing she had expected to hear. “But why? Where would I go? It is in the middle of the autumn Season. What excuse would I have?”
The duchess tilted her head to one side, her sharp dark blue eyes fixed on Georgie. “The alternative is flirting with other eligible gentlemen—”
“Or ineligible gentlemen.” Her grandmother grinned wickedly.
“But,” the duchess continued, “out of sight is not always out of mind.”
“Very true.” Grandmamma nodded sagely. “There are many times when it is wise to make a gentleman search you out.”
But would he? Would Lord Turley search for her in the middle of the Season? Then again, if he did not, she had her answer. He did not love her and never would. “How do you plan on accomplishing it so that I do not appear as if I am running away?”
“Good girl.” The duchess’s dark eyes sparkled over her cup.
“As it happens”—Grandmamma took another sip of tea—“Your father mentioned that he must leave Town because of a problem with one of their properties to which Kit cannot attend because of his and Mary’s new baby. I am certain that he will insist your mother accompany him.” In other words, Grandmamma would convince Papa that Mama should go with him. “And the duchess and I cannot chaperone you as we have a prior engagement in the country with friends.”
Georgie did not understand how that would help her. “Where shall I go?”
“Why I believe you have received an invitation to visit your friend Lady Littleton.” Grandmamma’s countenance showed nothing but the total innocence that made people believe she was nothing more than a sweet older lady.
The duchess gave a sly smile. No one would ever describe her as anything but shrewd. “And Lord Littleton is bound to mention that you are visiting his wife to certain of his friends.”
“After a little time, of course,” Grandmamma added.
Georgie glanced from her grandmother to the duchess. “You knew this was going to occur.”
“Well, one cannot always know certain things for a fact.” Grandmamma lifted one shoulder in a very Gallic fashion. “However, I have known the Turley family for a very long time. I will only say that there was a distinct possibility.”
That was as clear as mud. But, the ladies had helped others find their true loves. Georgie would have to trust them. “Very well. When do I leave?”
“You must first inform Lady Littleton that you are accepting her kind offer,” Grandmamma said.
“I will arrange to have it delivered by messenger,” the duchess added.
“I shall have to cancel any invitations Mama has accepted for me.” Georgie would consult her mother about those.
“Yes, indeed.” Grandmamma nodded. “All must appear to be unexpected, but not too very odd.”
Georgie turned to the duchess. “When do you think you will have a response from Lady Littleton?”