her. “If he was after a good match, then why not me?” she whispered.
“My aunt and uncle have adopted me in every way, and will no doubt settle a larger sum on me when I get married than Clarissa’s parents can afford to settle on her. As my uncle is an earl, his rank is also higher than that of viscount. So, it cannot possibly be because she is a better match-”
“Alright, alright. Calm down,” he said, taking her hands in his own. “I don’t know what he can see in her or why they seem to be interested in each other if it is not that. It is my fault. I shouldn’t have mentioned him at all.”
Since that had seemed to help, he continued, “I think the best thing you can do now is to try to look forward instead of back. Think of it like … like a horse. Where the horse looks, the rest of it follows, right?”
Georgiana felt her lips twitch slightly and took a moment to dab her handkerchief at her eyes as her breathing grew steady again. “Did you just … did you just compare me to a horse?”
“Um…”
She took pity on how uncertain Ambrose looked and laid a hand on his arm. “About your earlier question … I would love to dance.”
That allowed him to relax, and he led her to the edge of the dance floor. Since the waltz had already started, they had to wait for an opening and remained at the edge of the dancers for a few moments.
Georgiana did her best to follow and keep the proper forms, but there were moments when she had found it hard to breathe. Her thoughts continually shifted to Walter.
He was dancing the waltz, as well. The scandalous waltz, which had him holding Miss Rutherford closely, had him… Georgiana felt herself growing more and more nauseated as the dance went on, until, finally, it was over.
“Can we go and sit down, please?”
“Yes, of course,” Ambrose quickly replied. “You look so pale. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I just need to sit down for a moment or two.”
A while after she was seated, her aunt and uncle made their way to her. “We can leave soon if you wish, my dear. Do you think you are up to staying just a little longer?” her aunt asked.
Georgiana, who was feeling better now she was sitting, gave Adelaide a weak smile as she nodded. “I can last a while longer. Besides, Ambrose is waiting on me and can take me home if I change my mind.”
They both smiled, her uncle patting her on the head for a moment, then they left to mingle with the crowd, leaving Georgiana wondering if she might have made a big mistake by agreeing to attend the season.
Chapter 7
A short while later, Ambrose helped Georgiana into her uncle’s carriage. Since her aunt and uncle were already inside, Ambrose closed the door behind her.
He was following behind them in his own carriage, with the intention of seeing them safely to Irvington Manor before departing to his own townhouse for the night.
Georgiana sighed as she took her seat beside her aunt and across from her uncle. Though she hadn’t danced anymore, and had spent most of the evening sitting, she still felt thoroughly exhausted.
Jonas must have noticed it, as he reached across and laid a hand on hers, asking with a look of concern, “Are you alright, darling?”
“You do look awfully pale,” Adelaide added, placing her hands on Georgiana’s face, and turning it toward her, so she could see it better.
“I am … I am fine. I am just a little tired,” she replied with a weary smile. The other two did not look convinced.
“Are you certain, dear?” her aunt asked, taking her hands away and instead putting one arm around Georgiana.
She was well aware she was going to have to give them more than that, but Georgiana did not want to mention her brief meeting with Walter. “I found it particularly tiresome, and I am sure I was far too tense. A good night’s sleep should be all I need. I will do better next time, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Jonas gave her hand one last pat, before releasing it. “Then, you must go straight to bed when we are home.”
“Actually, I think a glass of warm milk first would be best,” Adelaide interjected.
“I will not argue with that in the slightest,” Georgiana replied, grateful the conversation seemed to be over.