So, Walter obeyed, telling her everything he could think of in the carriage, and then going straight to his room when they reached the house. Part of him was still in shock at how much his mother had aged in two short years.
The small twinges of guilt he had sometimes felt in France now had him on the rack. While he still didn’t want to be in London, he resolved to stay for as long as she needed him. Perhaps, he might even be able to convince his mother to return to France with him?
Despite his musings, Walter was able to concentrate on the task at hand well enough to reach the dining hall with exactly one minute to spare. His mother glanced pointedly at the clock as he pulled out her chair for her.
“So, shall I resume telling you about the happenings on the ship?”
“No, thank you, dear ... I think we shall have plenty of time for that later,” Sylvia replied hesitantly.
“What is it, Mother?” he asked, picking up on the fact she wanted to say something important.
“I have considered not broaching this particular subject for a while. However, if you are to … it is, perhaps, best to discuss it now, in case … certain preparations need to be made.” Seeing Walter was looking at her and listening attentively, she continued. “Walter, dear, you mentioned earlier your plan to stay here for some time. So, may I take that to mean you intend to leave again at some point?”
Walter could tell his mother was choosing her words carefully, so he took a moment to do the same. “Yes, I do. For certain reasons, I don’t think I can ever truly feel at home here. At least, not yet.”
Sylvia sighed. “That was the one thing you have never explained to me, and I won’t press you to tell me why you left until you wish to. However, I must ask you to at least consider staying in London permanently. You may think of staying only long enough to get things sorted out on my behalf, but, once you leave, I fear matters will fall into disarray again.”
“I can hire someone to take care of those matters for us.”
“But these are more than just sources of income for our family. You know full well the music school meant a lot to your father and that he wanted to expand it. I must also remind you of a promise you made to your father. Tell me, have you met any French girls you are interested in marrying?”
Walter almost winced, feeling for all the world like a schoolboy being scolded again. “No. I haven’t forgotten promising Father that, as his only child, I would marry and have a son of my own to carry on the family name. And while I have not changed my mind, I am still uninterested in marrying a French girl—though I do adore my aunt Anne-Marie.”
Sylvia seemed content to let the silence settle as they began to eat. Finally, she asked, “And just when do you plan to carry out your promise to your father?”
Walter knew his mother had a point. He still had every intention of keeping his promise to his dear father, but the thought of getting close to someone again after— It was something he could barely stand to think about.
Still, he would let his mother arrange his marriage if he had to, to keep his promise. He knew she would have no difficulty in doing so. Since he doubted he would ever fall in love again, that was a serious consideration. There was no sense in postponing it. If he settled down with a wife, perhaps there would also be more to keep him in London, where his mother clearly needed him.
“What do you suggest, Mother?”
“I want you to attend the season this year. Hopefully, to both find a bride, and to consider building up your father’s businesses.”
“Very well,” he replied, trying to put on a smile. “I trust you will point me in the right direction?” With any luck, the person he left England to get away from wouldn’t be there.
His mother looked surprised at his agreeing so easily. “If you wish me to. Just make an effort to find a girl you like. I know you want to find someone to love, and I would like that, too, of course, but love requires a certain amount of hard work.”
“I will try, I promise,” he said, as he reached out and clasped one of his hands over hers, squeezing it for a moment before pulling his hand back. “So, when and where is the first event of the season I am to attend?”
“We will start off by attending the ball being hosted at Burford Manor. It is in a little over a week from now, so you will need to arrange to see your tailor to be properly attired for it before then. Shall I say we shall both attend, then?”
“Yes, Mother, I will let you accept whatever invitations you see fit on my behalf, so I may concentrate on looking over the business affairs.”
Chapter 3
Georgiana stood in front of the mirror for the final fitting of the last of the gowns she would need for the season. As expected, the French modistes was fairly overflowing with young ladies of the ton coming and going on the same errand.
“What do you think, Aunt Adelaide?”
“Oh, I think you look perfectly lovely. That pale pink suits you so well. It has been so long since I have seen you in a ball gown, I know, but you truly look splendid in this one. You must wear it at the ball at Burford Manor tomorrow night!”
Georgiana felt herself sadden at the compliment, though she did her best to put a smile on her face. Such praise only reminded her of when she had first met Walter…
She had been on her way to the dancefloor as the music started to play. She had yet to be asked by any gentlemen to dance but had been confident she would be, and she had not been mistaken. No sooner had she made it clear she intended to dance, three young gentlemen had approached her.
“May I have the next-”
“That color suits-”
Georgiana had smiled almost coyly but sincerely at them both, and at the third gentlemen, who seemed to realize he stood no chance of a dance with her at that time.
“Perhaps you should try again, one at a time?”
She had found it quite entertaining, seeing the two gentlemen exchange less than friendly glances. Finally, the man she recognized as Baron Bartlett, being higher in rank than the other, spoke first.
“I was attempting to tell you that pink is assuredly your color and suits your complexion exquisitely, Miss Montgomery. Of course, the best way to show it off to everyone present is on the dancefloor, where the lighting is even better.”
“And I came over here expressly to ask you to dance myself,” the other gentlemen had put in hastily.
Georgiana had pretended to consider their words, though, in her heart, her decision had already been made. “My apologies, good sir, but I am afraid Baron Bartlett has secured this dance, due to the pretty way he has asked for it. But you may have the next one.”
The other gentleman had bowed out as graciously as he could after writing his name on her card for the next dance. The next moment, Georgiana had taken the arm of the baron.