refusal. “But won’t you give me a chance to change that? I know I still have to ask your uncle for permission to court you, but I would never do so without first getting your permission to approach him.”
Georgiana was not in any hurry to answer, though she knew it must be torture for Ambrose to wait. What do I have to lose? All he is asking for is a chance. I would never have to worry about him leaving me, as Walter did, and I know for a fact he would never believe some ridiculous rumor about me … I might not love him, but I could be content with him…
Slowly, she began to nod her head as she told him, “Yes, you may court me, Ambrose.”
The smile that came over his face was the brightest she had ever seen, bright enough to make her smile just by seeing it. “Thank you, Georgiana!” he exclaimed as he picked up her hands once more and pressed them to his lips. “I promise I will do everything in my power to ensure you never regret it.”
She had to laugh at his eagerness as he dropped her hands and headed for the door. “Wait, where are you going?”
“To ask your uncle’s permission to court you this very minute,” he instantly replied.
“Wait!” she exclaimed, causing him to stop and look at her. Part of her didn’t want Uncle Jonas to know so soon and, though she was certain it was solely because of the suddenness of it all, neither did she want to hurt Ambrose’s feelings.
So, she came up with a reasonable excuse. “We are about to leave for the ball. If you ask him now, it is bound to delay us. Why don’t you wait until afterwards or, better yet, until tomorrow morning? I am certain my uncle will want to ask me a question or two to make sure it is what I wish.”
Ambrose seemed to almost pout at the thought of having to wait, but he returned to her side without complaint, his eyes asking for confirmation she was not changing her mind.
She gave him a comforting smile and was about to assure him she would never go back on her word, when Lucy entered the room.
With a slight curtsy, she announced, “Miss Georgiana, Mr. Rowley, the carriage is ready. Lord and Lady Irvington will be joining you shortly.”
“Shall we?” Ambrose asked, holding out his arm for Georgiana to escort her to the carriage.
“Of course,” she replied as she took it.
“So, where do you want to go first?” he asked.
“Go?”
“Yes, go. Don’t people who are courting often go to places together?” he teased.
“Yes, of course they do. I must admit we already do act a little as though we are courting, in that sense,” she replied thoughtfully.
“It will be different now,” he told her confidently as he helped her inside the carriage. “Besides, there are some things we have never done. How about going rowing together? Or we could go to one of the other theaters to see what is being performed there?”
She felt he wanted to dive headlong into their courtship in his enthusiasm and was about to tell him there was no need for haste when her aunt and uncle arrived at the carriage.
For a moment, she was afraid he would continue talking on the same subject and Uncle Jonas would hear him and question them. But Ambrose seemed to be mindful of her wishes, merely greeting them and starting a conversation about their costumes instead.
If he had happened to take the seat next to her and sat a little closer to her than was strictly necessary, her aunt and uncle seemed to accept it as nothing more than his usual show of support for their niece. After all, they were heading towards Bartlett Manor—a place she had not been to since Walter had left for France.
Her preoccupied mind, no doubt, gave credence to that impression to everyone present. Seeing Bartlett Manor again might be somewhat difficult, but what was consuming her thoughts was the fact she had just agreed to be courted by Ambrose.
On the one hand, what girl wouldn’t love the idea of marrying their best friend, someone they knew they could depend on? And yet, she also felt terrible for giving him what she feared might be false hope.
Surely, if I could have fallen in love with Ambrose, that would have happened already. And what if I let him court me and find that my