As he led her into position to dance, he had asked her, “So, you know of me? I would have remembered being introduced to you, Miss Montgomery, I am sure.”
She had raised her eyebrows as the dance began. “Oh? It seems you know of me also, though I am equally certain we have never been formally introduced before.”
“Perhaps we should make up for lost time, then.”
“You can step down now, Miss.” Georgiana was drawn out of the past, as the seamstress directed her to step off the small pedestal where she had been standing while her hemline was examined.
“Here, let me help you, dear,” Adelaide said, and offered a hand to Georgiana.
Holding Adelaide’s hand, Georgiana couldn’t help but notice a few more ladies enter the modiste’s. Even after her feet were on the ground, she kept her hand tightly gripping her aunt’s. Instead of going forward in greeting, Georgiana was acutely aware of the fact the women had instantly noticed her presence and began whispering amongst themselves. While not directly discourteous, the slight was keenly felt.
“Are you alright, dear?”
Georgiana sighed, resolutely turning her full attention to her aunt. “Yes. Perfectly.”
Her false smile did not deceive her aunt, however, who quickly perceived the problem. “Do not pay them any mind. Part of their whispering is no doubt simply because no one has been expecting you to attend the season, and they are surprised.”
“Surprised people can still overcome their surprise enough to greet one.”
“And shrinking back as you are is not helping matters,” Adelaide firmly told her, then seemed to sense how her words may have sounded. “I don’t mean to be harsh, dear, but you must try to put on an air of confidence, even if you don’t feel so. Confidence gives the impression there is nothing to gossip about. Fear implies there is something you are afraid others will find out.”
“And you recommend I do that?” Georgiana asked. She tried to stand taller and found herself wishing it were Ambrose by her side instead of her aunt. Though Adelaide was kind, she was also four inches shorter than Georgiana, which gave Georgiana nothing to hide behind.
“Think on anything but what you assume people are gossiping about. Preferably, something pleasant. You may find your love of horses proves useful at such times.” The last few words were spoken by Adelaide with a faint smile, which Georgiana found she was almost able to return.
“Very well, then. I will try to think more about horses,” she replied almost tartly, her tone vaguely implying she would do much more than her aunt had suggested.
Adelaide sighed in fond exasperation as they exited the modiste’s. “If you must … in order to keep that smile on your face, then I have no objections.”
The rest of the morning was every bit as busy. The newly completed dresses needed to be put away, calling cards had to be given out and received, and Aunt Adelaide was planning a garden tea party to rival all others and desired Georgiana’s opinions on the arrangements.
“Tell me, dear, do you think the tables should be arranged like this? Or, like this?”
“Honestly, Aunt, does it make a difference in this case?”
“Of course, it does! I am well-known for my garden parties, and I must prove mine are still among the best, so every detail matters.”
“Well, I am certain you will succeed in getting every detail perfect,” Georgiana told her. Then, seeing Adelaide was now too occupied to notice, she slipped away before she could be asked another question.
A few moments later, Georgiana sighed wearily, as she finally sat down to rest after the flurry of the long morning. Though exciting at moments, she had forgotten the rush before the season could be quite tiring at times.
She decided she needed some time to herself. So, glancing around, she stole into her room to retrieve the book she had placed there to read.
Peeking out of the door, she waited until a servant had passed before exiting her room and stealthily making her way to a quiet part of the house.
Glancing around one last time, Georgiana settled herself comfortably in the window seat. Opening her book, she soon became so lost in it, she nearly threw her book in the air when she realized her maid was suddenly standing before her, and the fading light from the window showed it was quite late in the evening.
“Miss Georgiana, your friend Mr. Rowley is here to see you,” Lucy announced.
“Oh, thank you, Lucy. Here, take my book and put it by my bedside for later,” Georgiana told her maid, quickly handing it to her. Rushing down the stairs with a smile on her face, Georgiana nearly ran into Ambrose the bottom of the stairs.
Ambrose caught her by the shoulders to steady her. “Easy, there.”
“Thank you! I am glad you are here. These last three days in London waiting for you to arrive have been … well, I suppose I can’t call them dull, but I assuredly cannot refer to them as enjoyable.”
“Tough days?”
“Today especially.”
Ambrose looked at her for a long moment, as though determining just how bad the last few days might have been for her. “Shall we…” he paused to think, “…Shall we take a stroll around the rose garden?”
“That sounds perfect,” she replied with an appreciative smile. “Though it is still early in the year, it should be warm enough.”
He held out his arm, allowing her to take it as they started outside at a leisurely pace. It was lovely in the gardens, with the sun close to the horizon and the early roses in full bloom. Finally, Ambrose broke the silence.
“I suppose it would be too much to hope you have changed your mind about attending the season?”
Georgiana almost grimaced, then she sighed. “No. I am determined. I am going to go through with it.”
“Then, tell me what has happened?”
“Earlier today, Aunt Adelaide and I were at the modiste’s, and, well…” She sighed. “The gossiping has already started.”
Ambrose had seemed to understand exactly what had occurred, despite her few words. While Georgiana knew he could use that to tell her she should take it as proof she should go back to the country. But Ambrose didn’t say any of that.
Instead, after a long silence, during which they continued to walk, he looked at her and said, “You do know you have nothing to worry about, don’t you?”
Georgiana tilted her head to the side. “You mean, as my aunt said, they may not actually be talking about me at all?”
Ambrose shook his head. “No, no. What I mean is that, even if some of them are talking about you, they will only be those who do not know you. While their words may sting, they can’t truly hurt you.”