feeling how well he knew her. Part of her felt he shouldn’t ask such things, but she reminded herself that it was something any friend would know. “Who is your new favorite author?”
“You told me about Daniel Defoe if you recall. I finally had the time to read two of his works.”
Georgiana could tell he wanted her to ask another question but he did not, and he seemed content merely to dance with her. She couldn’t decide if dancing with nothing to distract her was worse than talking to him, since it gave her nothing to think of but the feel of his hand on her waist.
One thing was certain it was clear he felt the spark between them, as well, and that he longed to rekindle what they once had. However, as their dance ended, she knew what she must do.
“Lord Bartlett,” she began, reminding herself they were not now close, that they couldn’t be close again.
“Yes?” he asked when she paused.
She hated the way his voice sounded hopeful, but forced herself to continue, “I … there is something I feel you should know.”
“You have my full attention,” he told her, seeming to sense something might be wrong.
She took a deep breath, refusing to dwell on why it was so hard to say. “Earlier today, Ambrose asked if he could court me. I said yes, so we are courting now,” she finally told him.
If she had questioned her decision before, she was aching to take it all back at that moment. Only the thought of Ambrose and all he had done for her, how he had stood by her side all this time, and how he would feel if she changed her mind, prevented her from deciding to call it off.
She could tell Walter froze at her words, and it made her feel horrible. Should I be feeling this way if Walter does not mean anything to me anymore?
And why do I feel as though this is perhaps even more painful than it would be to call off Ambrose’s courtship?
Chapter 25
As he heard Georgiana state she was courting Rowley, Walter felt as though all the wind had been knocked out of him. At the same time, he felt a mixture of anger, suspicion, and heartbreak.
The potent mixture of emotions left him speechless as he stared at her. Looking into her eyes, he was unable to see any signs she was not being truthful, nor could he think of any reason why she would say such a thing if it weren’t true. Still, he wanted it not to be true.
Just then, another gentleman in a mask approached them, instantly reaching for Georgiana’s hand, and drawing her away. As he looked into the man’s blue eyes, he knew who it was: Mr. Ambrose Rowley.
As Walter expected, the man glared at him, and he wanted to glare right back, but he was uncertain what Georgiana would think of him if he did.
“Thank you for the dance,” she told him, as she let Rowley lead her away.
“My pleasure,” he murmured, as she was taken out of the range of his voice. He doubted she had even heard him.
Walter felt he could do nothing but stand and watch as Georgiana was led into position for the next dance. Now jealousy was overriding every other emotion as he walked away from the pair.
He couldn’t bring himself to walk out of the ballroom, however, his eyes being unable to look away as he saw Georgianna dancing with Rowley. It was while he was still standing there that his mother approached him.
“Well, how did your discussion with the Earl of Ferndale go?” she asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.
“Hmm, it went very well. I will be meeting with him in the morning to discuss matters further,” he replied, forcing his eyes away from the dancers to see Sylvia was mildly amused.
“Oh? I am surprised you haven’t already decided on every last detail and signed a contract.”
His lips twitched up at the corners. “So, you knew?”
“I did say he was keen on doing business with you. If you did not take my words literally, then that was your own fault,” she retorted playfully, then her expression grew more serious. “What is the matter, Walter? I thought you wanted to host this ball, so why do you seem so morose?”
He sighed. “I … she…” He shook his head as he finally replied, “Perhaps I will tell you later. Just know I am still very grateful for you having