Page 55 of The Mistletoe Dare

“I do want to be alone with him, Evie. That’s the trouble. I just don’t think I ought to. What if he really does wish to court me?”

“Would that be so bad?” Evie asked. “If you like him?”

Georgie chewed at her lip, thoroughly agitated; “But his reputation is so….”

“Daunting,” Evie agreed. “And there’s no smoke without fire, I know. But what if all the talk is unfair? Remember how our parents told us they disliked Montagu at first. He was vilified by everyone when all along it was his horrid uncle telling everyone lies about him and saying he was wicked.”

“Yes, of course. The duke is cross and difficult, though, and suspicious and cynical and distrustful. I’ve been on the receiving end often enough to know. It’s only that there’s another side to him, but what if the cross, difficult side, always overpowers it?”

“You can only get to know him better, Georgie. What’s the rush? If he wishes to court you, let him. You don’t have to marry tomorrow, do you?”

Georgie let out a sigh and smiled. “No. No, of course not. Thank you, Evie. You always give such good advice. I feel better now, only….”

“What?” Evie asked, sensing Georgie’s uncertainty.

“Do you like him too?”

Evie blinked at her. “Like, Rochford? No!” she exclaimed, laughing. “I mean, yes, I like him well enough. He was very nice to me at the ball, but I have no interest in marrying him. Good Lord, what an idea. I’d have to stand on a ladder to kiss him. Well, I would for most men, to be fair, but especially Rochford.”

Georgie snorted and let out a breath of relief.

“You weren’t really worried, were you?” Evie demanded.

“No. Well, yes, a little bit jealous, I’m afraid. When I saw him dancing with you.”

Evie went off into whoops of laughter. “Good heavens, you are in a bad way if you think I’m any competition.”

“Why wouldn’t you be? Evie, you were besieged last night if you didn’t notice.”

Evie waved this away. “Oh, yes, but only with gentlemen who enjoy my company. I am a lot of fun, after all,” she added with a mischievous smile. “But none of them look at me in a romantic light. They were all goggling at Rosamund for one. She is turning into a beauty, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is, but are you sure none of them look at you in a romantic light?” Georgie pressed, amused.

Evie shrugged, blushing a little. “Oh, well, perhaps Mr Hadley-Smythe. His attentions were rather particular,” she admitted.

Georgie shook her head, wondering if Evie was completely blind to her own appeal. It was true the prettiest, most glamorous young women took the gentlemen’s attention, at least to begin with, but once people got to know Evie, everything changed. She might not be a beauty, but she had warmth and charm in abundance. Being with her just made the day better, for everyone.

“And do you like Mr Hadley-Smythe?”

Evie gave a nonchalant shrug. “Perhaps,” she added, her eyes sparkling. “But never mind him now. Here’s Rochford.”

Chapter 15

Dearest Evie,

You were no sorrier than I was to miss the ball. The event of the season and I was stuck in bed with a red nose, looking like a three-day-old cadaver. And I had to endure Nani Maa scolding me for not wrapping up warmly enough and feeding me one of her disgusting concoctions. The devil of it is, I think it’s working. I’m not admitting that to her, though, not for a thousand pounds. She’s far too smug as it is.

Ash tells me it was a wonderful event, and that there was much talk about Rochford and Georgie. Tell me everything! And don’t you dare leave out the bit where you danced twice with the Comte de Villen. Georgie won’t be the only one setting the gossip mill alight if you don’t have a care.

―Excerpt of a letter to Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight) from Miss Vivien Ashton (daughter of Silas and Aashini Anson, The Viscount and Viscountess Cavendish).

15th December 1840, Beverwyck, London.

Nic rapped on door of his brother’s room and waited for his valet, Elton, to answer.

“Monsieur Demarteau,” the valet said, stepping back to let him in.

“Where is he?”