Page 22 of The Cornish Lyon

For a woman only seven years his senior, she had about her the air of a much older woman, much as Georgiana had imagined she might look. Her hair, which had once been as dark as her brother’s, was now liberally streaked with silver and piled up on her head in an elaborate style that must have taken her maid a long time to create. Even seated, it was obvious she was almost as tall as Fitz but with a heaviness about her body that he lacked. Facially, however, it would have been hard to detect a family resemblance. Perhaps she took after a particular side of the family, maybe his mother, while he took after his Cornish father, who must have been an extraordinarily handsome man.

Georgiana swept her best curtsey as the giantess rose to her feet, confirming her estimation of her size. “Fitz,” she said, her voice deep and melodious. “How very unexpected to discover you are at last a married man.”

Was that a hint of sarcasm?

Her gaze travelled to Georgiana and ran up and down her a little as though she were inspecting a horse for soundness and conformation. Maybe she would want to look at her teeth to check her age. For a horrible moment Georgiana had the impression the woman could see her condition and hot color rose to her cheeks. Out of nowhere, Fitz’s hand caught hers, warm and reassuring. “May I introduce my wife, Georgiana, to you, Marianne. Georgiana, this is my sister, Marianne.”

Georgiana swallowed down her nerves and returned her best gracious smile to Marianne. “Good afternoon, Lady Fortescue.” She had considered saying she was enchanted, but as she was anything but this would surely come over as an obvious lie.

That lady seemed satisfied with what she saw, or at least she showed no signs of disapproval. But probably she’d spent a lifetime learning to hide her emotions so that was nothing to go on. “Please take a seat. Wilkins will bring tea, unless you require something stronger, brother?”

Georgiana glanced at Fitz, but he shook his head. “Tea will suit me well.”

His sister’s arched eyebrow betrayed that tea was not his habitual drink. There was a lot Georgiana had to learn about her husband.

They both sat on a pink upholstered chaise longue, and, to her relief, Fitz kept hold of her hand. Did he think she needed his support? For once, he was right. She’d been ostensibly alone now since Papa died, as one could not count Aunt Patience as either a friend, nor even a support, but rather a subversive enemy. But yes, the warmth of his hand on hers did indeed bestow something she felt she required. And it made them look more of a couple than they were. Marianne’s expression showed she had not missed the hand holding.

“Georgiana, what a pretty name,” Marianne said in the tone of one who thought the exact opposite. “What was your family name before your marriage? Merely so I can see if I’m acquainted with your parents, you understand, although your appearance is not at all familiar to me.”

Georgiana swallowed down her nerves. She had to be strong and just a little bit bold. Not too much or she would be thought excessively forward. “I was born Georgiana Frampton, and I doubt very much that you were acquainted with either of my parents as both of them are dead.” Oh dear, that came out as more of a challenge than she’d intended.

“Frampton? No, I don’t think I know the name. How unfortunate you are to have lost both parents so young.” The implication was that she’d been careless in doing so.

Thank goodness, though, that Marianne didn’t know Papa. With Fitz and his sister being the grandchildren of a duke, no doubt Marianne would look down her nose at the granddaughter of a man who’d clawed his way up from nowhere and made his fortune as an East Indies merchant. Marianne’s face assumed an expression of sympathy. “In whose house have you been living, might I enquire? That of a relation or a duenna?”

Oh dear, again. She was going to have to admit to Aunt Patience. Hopefully, with her aunt’s dislike of all things social, Marianne would not know her. “My mother died shortly after my birth and my father four years ago. Since then I have been a ward of my father’s sister, Miss Patience Frampton. She does not go out much into society, and I have not had my coming out. She was of the opinion that I was too young.”

Marianne’s elegant eyebrows arched. “Goodness me. How old are you, my dear?”

Georgiana, wishing she looked older than her years rather than younger, managed a confident smile. “You need have no fear that I’m truly too young. I came of age a month ago and my fortune is my own.”

Understanding dawned on Marianne’s features, and she looked back at her brother. “And how did you meet my dear feckless brother?” Definitely sarcasm now.

Perhaps she need not have worried about what Marianne would think of Fitz’s hasty marriage. At least, not about whether or not she would be liked. It seemed Fitz was the object of his sister’s sarcasm.

However, working out beforehand what they were going to answer to questions like this might have been a good idea. Georgiana hesitated, and Fitz leapt into the breach. Thank goodness.

“We met in the park, if you can believe that.”

No, she could not, but hopefully Marianne would.

“In the park?” She didn’t sound as though she did.

Fitz nodded. “Georgiana lost her parasol in a gust of wind and I retrieved it for her. Our attachment grew from that.”

A good story. He seemed to have a fertile imagination. But was that worrying? His adeptness at a quick lie might be a bad sign.

Marianne smiled, which softened her features and gave her a sudden look of her brother. “Very romantic.”

“Yes,” Fitz said, continuing the lie. “We knew we were destined to be together from the moment we met. However, due to her aunt’s disapproval of marriage before the age of five and twenty, we had to wait for Georgiana to come of age. Then we were free to do as we wished.”

This was so near to the truth Georgiana could not fault it. Probably best, if you were to tell a lie, to keep it as close to the truth as possible. She had, on occasion, had to resort to this herself with her aunt.

Fitz flashed a charming smile at his sister, making Georgiana’s heart do another little unruly skip. “But as we had to keep our attachment very much a secret from Miss Patience Frampton, we now find ourselves married but without any fanfare.” He put on what he no doubt thought was a winning smile which nearly made Georgiana giggle. “We would like to hold a ball, which in a way would be Georgiana’s missed coming out, but also a means to announce to society that we are wed.” He patted Georgiana’s hand. “However, due to her upbringing, and my own complete lack of interest, while growing up, in the workings of balls, neither of us are in any position to organize one.” He gave his sister a second charming smile and tightened his hold on Georgiana’s hand. “So we were wondering if you might be able to be of assistance to us?”

That smile. If she hadn’t vowed not to allow her emotions to rule her, she might just be tempted to fall for it. Well, she was falling for it. Only he seemed so good at plastering it on when required that surely it must lack sincerity. Not to mention the ease with which he told a lie. That this man, her husband, was a terrible rake was obvious. And a fortune hunter to boot. Otherwise why would he have agreed to this bargain? But oh, he was so handsome in a totally devilish manner, and hadn’t the girls she’d been at school with all declared that a devilishly handsome rake was the most attractive man possible? How right they’d been. But they’d also said, “once a rake, always a rake” and “never trust a rake.” They’d probably been right, although how they’d known, she had no idea. Older sisters’ advice, perhaps.

Marianne pursed her lips for a moment before a genuine smile broke through. “Yes, of course I can help you. I should be most happy to do so. It will be an occasion I can persuade your favorite and only niece to attend, as it’s a family celebration. You know how difficult Harriet can be and how little she enjoys the ton. I will invite all of society. It will be a grand affair.” She paused. “But where will we hold it? Where do you two intend to live?”