Home > The Most Eligible Viscount in London(6)

The Most Eligible Viscount in London(6)
Author: Ella Quinn

Henrietta glanced expectedly at Georgie. “I was told that Lord Turley was at your house earlier.”

How Henrietta was able to discover information so quickly never ceased to amaze Georgie. “He was.” Even as the tears tried to gather in her eyes, she was determined not to let them fall. Unfortunately, she could not keep the hitch from her voice. “He proposed, but when I asked him if he loved me, he could not answer, so I refused him.”

“Idiot,” Henrietta growled.

Georgie could not believe one of her best friends had just called her an idiot.

“Not you, him,” Henrietta said hurriedly, putting her arm around Georgie and leading her to the sofa.

“I am not at all surprised he made a mess of it,” Dorie said as she poured Georgie a cup of tea and handed it to her. “Nor am I shocked that he doesn’t know his own heart. But I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“I have as well.” Henrietta joined them. “We shall simply have to find a way to bring him around.”

“I hope to go to Adeline.” Georgie’s friends looked shocked. “My parents have to see to some problems on one of their estates, and I would rather visit her than go to Yorkshire.”

Henrietta’s eyes flew wide. “In the middle of the Season?”

“I could have chaperoned you.” Dorie sounded a bit disgruntled.

Georgie smiled at her friends. “I know, but I need some time to think.” And find out what her grandmother and the duchess had planned. She debated telling her friends about her conversation with her grandmother. They might be able to help as well. “Also, my grandmother and her friend are looking at ways to . . . help.”

“We”—Dorie glanced at Henrietta—“shall do what we can to assist you as well.”

“Indeed we will.” Henrietta narrowed her eyes. “When he comes looking for you we will torture him by not telling him where you are.”

“If he even notices I am gone.” Georgie sighed. “He might decide he would rather have an arranged match with a lady who has no interest in loving him.”

“I do not believe that for a second,” Dorie said. “He has focused on no one but you since last Season.” She tapped her chin with a finger. “I will wager that he’ll speak with Exeter. When he does, I shall be able to find out what Lord Turley is thinking.”

“Yes,” Henrietta agreed. “I would be surprised if he gave up so easily. He is not that type of gentleman.”

Georgie hoped her friends were right. “I do not want him to know where I am until I am ready to see him again.” Her friends nodded their agreement. “First I must decide what I’ll do if he does come to Littlewood.”

“When are you departing?” Dorie asked.

“If Adeline agrees, I shall leave tomorrow in the early afternoon.”

“That is an excellent idea.” Henrietta took a sip of her now-cold tea, then leaned over and tugged the bellpull. “It will take him a day or two to rally for the next attack.”

Georgie gave her head a shake. “This is not a battle.”

“No, my dear friend, it is a war.” Henrietta raised her chin. “One which you, with a bit of help from your friends and family, will win.”

Georgie had never thought of waging a war against Lord Turley, but the analogy was apt. There were times when one had to fight for what one wanted in life. And she did want his love and a chance to be his wife.

* * *

On the third day after he’d proposed, Gavin stared at the empty red door to Featherton House. The knocker was gone. That meant the family was gone.

That means Georgie is gone!

Where the devil had she and her family got to in the middle of a Season?

And when the devil had that happened, and why?

A footman came from the side of the house to the pavement, glanced at him, and said, “They left Town.”

Closing his eyes, he suppressed the curse that sprang to his lips. “Do you happen to know if they have returned to Lord Featherton’s estate?”

“Well”—the footman rubbed his chin and looked as if he’d like to chat—“Lord and Lady Featherton went to one of their properties in the north, but we all think they wanted to see their grandchild. Got a letter from Master Kit just before they left, they did. The dowager was supposed to be looking after Miss Georgie, but then she and the duchess had somethin’ they had to do, and they sent a message that they were leaving this morning.”

Gavin’s tempter was hanging by a thread. Where the hell was she? He bit his inner cheek and spoke as calmly as he could, “And Miss Featherton?”

The man grinned. “She’s off visiting friends in the country.” He frowned for a moment. “I think that’s what I heard.”

Gavin’s hands curled into fists. He needed to hit something or someone. Why couldn’t people just give him all the information he wanted at once? “Do you happen to know where she went?”

“Na.” The footman shook his head. “Ain’t no one said.”

Gavin closed his eyes and breathed. Damn it all. She was gone. How could he have let this happen? Focusing on the servant once more, he asked, “Do you know how long they plan to be away?”

“Couldn’t say, my lord.” A voice sounded from the back of the house. “I have to go. Mr. Benson don’t believe in being idle.”

Gavin considered asking the butler where everyone had gone, but the man probably wouldn’t tell him. Butlers were not known for divulging information. “Thank you.”

The footman raced to the back of the house, leaving him to try to find out how to find Georgie.

For a while he walked aimlessly, not caring which direction he was going. When he finally glanced up, he was in front of Exeter House. Lady Exeter must know where Georgie had gone. If not, then surely Miss Stern, Georgie’s other friend who was in Town and lived on the same square, would know. But would they tell him? Gavin shrugged. There was only one way to find out. He knocked on the door.

“My lord.” The butler bowed. “His lordship is not in at the moment. Would you like to leave your card?”

“Actually, I have a question to ask her ladyship if she is receiving.”

“I am certain she would be if she were here. Would you like to leave your card for her?”

He drew out his card case, removed one of his gold-embossed cards, and handed it to the butler. “Please give it to whoever returns first.”

“I shall, my lord.” The man bowed before closing the door.

Well, so much for that. Turning, Gavin stared down the square and across at the portion of Merton House visible through the trees. As long as he was here he might as well ask if Miss Stern knew where Georgie was.

Several minutes later, he was escorted to the Merton House garden and announced. Miss Stern, sitting on a stool facing a semicircle of children, closed a book and rose. “You may run around and play until you are called to eat.” She stood where she was until the last child left before facing him. “My lord, to what do I owe this visit?”

From the corner of his eye, he saw a maid slip out of the house onto the terrace and take up a position next to the French windows. “I have come to ask if you know where Miss Featherton has gone.”

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