“A masquerade? How lovely!” Then, Georgiana registered that her aunt had spoken a little … cautiously. It caught her full attention and caused her to ask, “What is the matter?”
“Well, it is being held at Bartlett Manor.”
“Oh,” she replied and thought about it.
“In that case, I think it would be for the best if we don’t attend,” Ambrose said, as though that was the end of the conversation.
“I don’t know about that…” Georgiana replied.
Adelaide seemed pleased she was considering the invitation. “I think there cannot be any harm in going if you are certain. We don’t have to stay for the whole ball.”
Slowly, Georgiana began to nod. “Yes … I think I would like to go. It has been a while since I have been to a masquerade, and I love the designs of the masks and the dresses.”
She felt her aunt place a hand on her shoulder to get her full attention. “Only if you are certain, dear.”
She could read the concern in her aunt’s voice and knew it was because of Walter. So, with a reassuring smile, she replied, “I will gladly attend the ball. Unless I am indisposed, I may very well want to stay there all evening, so I don’t miss a single thing.”
This reply seemed more than satisfactory, as Adelaide smiled. “I am glad to hear it. Since it is being held quite soon, we should go into town for our costumes as soon as possible. The modiste is going to be very busy when all the ladies come to order their dresses for the event. The sooner we can get there, the better.”
“When do you want to leave?” Georgiana asked, starting to stand in case her aunt wanted to leave right away.
“Oh, you can sit back down and finish your picnic first. I will arrange for the carriage to leave in the next hour. That should still be soon enough, though there are sure to be other ladies already there.”
“That sounds perfect,” Georgiana replied and sat back down. “I will be ready to leave then.”
“Ambrose can come with us if he wishes to. Men don’t usually go to such lengths about their appearance as we ladies do, but he will still need a mask, at the very least.”
They both looked at him, and he quickly replied, “That suits me, if you don’t mind having me along.”
“Not at all,” Adelaide replied as she began to leave. “Jonas and I will meet you at the carriage in an hour.
When her aunt was out of sight, Georgiana noted a trace of sourness on Ambrose’s face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
He sighed. “Are you sure about attending a ball at Bartlett Manor? You do know the baron will certainly be there, don’t you? We could arrive late, I suppose, to make sure he and his mother will not be at the door to greet us, along with their other guests…”
“What? No, Ambrose. That won’t do at all,” she scolded. “I told him we might be friends, and friends don’t avoid each other. I do not intend to seek him out or anything like that. But, if we run into each other, I will make polite conversation with him.”
“I still think you have forgiven him far too easily,” he murmured.
“You know, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” she retorted, only half in playfulness. There were moments when she found his grudge against Walter quite tiresome.
His head jerked up to look at her. “Of course, I will be come, if you wish it.”
“I do want you to come with us, Ambrose. There is nothing to be afraid of; it is just a ball, you’ll see.”
Though he didn’t seem convinced, he did change the subject. Soon, they had finished eating and were heading towards the carriage. While one part of her mind was beginning to consider what kind of costume she might chose, another part was bothered by just how much Ambrose seemed to dislike Walter.
Certainly, he had behaved badly and had hurt her, but as she had already forgiven him, she hardly felt it was Ambrose’s place to continue to hold it against him.
He was no doubt simply being protective of her, as any older brother might be. He simply didn’t want her to risk getting hurt again by the same man.
However, this ball was the perfect way to show him, she was perfectly fine about it now. Surely, it would be all that was needed, and he wouldn’t be so