No Gentleman for Georgina by Jess Michaels Page B

had been fighting to impress for what would soon be four long Seasons, Paul never made her feel unworthy, or unwanted, or unpretty. When she talked to him, the time flew by. He was comfortable, he was wildly attractive, he was…he was… Paul . After she was with him, all she could think about were his soulful brown eyes, all she could wonder about was if his crisp, short brown hair was soft to the touch.
    But she couldn’t say that, for if her father knew the tender feelings the man inspired in her, he would likely forbid her not just from seeing him again, but from seeing Annabelle Rivers, Serafina Flynn, Gemma Flynn and Gemma’s sister Mary, too. The Flynn wives and daughters had become the best friends she’d ever had.
    “Mr. Abbot and I are friends, Papa,” she said softly, hoping the gentling of her tone would lead to something similar in his.
    Instead her father threw up his hands in something akin to disgust. “The man’s ‘friendship’ can do nothing for you. And perhaps if you were not so blasted distracted by this…this…bourgeois club manager, you would have earned your title last Season.”
    Georgina flinched. Her father hadn’t always been so harsh with her. But the longer she remained on the marriage mart, the more intrusive and angry he became. She felt his disappointment and sometimes his disdain grow with each passing unsuccessful ball and soiree.
    “I’m sorry I’ve let you down, Papa,” she said softly.
    He ignored her comment, or perhaps he had gotten so worked up, he didn’t even hear it. “I will not see you destroy this new Season in the same way. You will not have many more chances, Georgina, and I tell you, you won’t be wasting your time on unsuitable activities or men.”
    Georgina bit the inside of her mouth until she could taste blood. Oh, she talked a very brave game with Paul about doing what pleased her. And she had equally daring thoughts when it came to what she wanted. But she was too cowardly to actually follow through on any of that.
    She pursed her lips and took a deep, cleansing breath before she said, “I promise you, Papa, I am as driven to succeed this year as you are.”
    And she was. To have been out for almost four years with no results wasn’t only humiliating—it was exhausting. She had to be so perfect, so right, to follow so many rules. And the longer it went on, the more likely it became that she would be relegated to spinsterhood. A thought that gave her a shudder.
    “I hope so,” he said as he moved for the door. There he looked back at her. “I know I sound severe, but trust that I have your best interests at heart. I’ll allow you a moment to gather yourself before you return to the ballroom.”
    He left her, and she sagged. In truth, she did think her father wanted the best for her. He was severe about it—he was sometimes very cold about it—but in his mind, he was trying to ensure her future.
    Only the older she got, the longer she knew Paul and the more she saw her friends marrying men they truly loved, the more she had begun to question the future her father foresaw for her.
    But there were things no one could ever change. She was foolish to hope for more when it was very likely more would never come.
     

Chapter Two

     
    Georgina looked up from the paper and could hardly contain her excitement. “Papa, did you read the news?”
    Her mother and father had been talking, but now both shifted their attention to her. “What news?” her mother asked.
    “Madame Tussaud’s traveling wax exhibit is back in London after years touring the countryside,” she said, turning the paper so they could see the advertisement. “I hadn’t realized it returned a few months ago, but with everyone coming to Town for the Season, they’re doing a special showing with new figures.”
    Her mother’s eyes, dark blue like her own, suddenly filled with worry, and her father’s face drew down with a frown.
    Georgina rushed to avoid the refusals that were