“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.”
“I suppose you have a point … but it doesn’t feel so. Mary will not be attending, and Lucy and Elizabeth are already married. In fact, most of the girls I knew two seasons ago are either married, or not attending.”
“Tomorrow you will see. You have nothing to worry about, and I will be at your side for the entire time. Should anyone avoid you based on hearsay, it is their loss.”
“Thank you, Ambrose,” she told him, giving his arm a squeeze, as she tried once more to brush aside her anxiety about attending the ball at Burford Manor. “I really do appreciate your support, more so since I know you despise these things.”
“Of course. It is my intention always to be here when you need me. But now, I believe you need your rest more than another turn about the garden with me.”
Georgiana pouted, but let herself be led back towards the house. “Do you truly think I shall sleep?”
“You should at least try. I know your aunt will agree with me.”