Rossemore while he was at it.
Seven
"Robert permitted me draw his portrait to-day. I was not at all happy with the result, but he said that it was a Reasonable Likeness, and that it shew'd promise. It was the nicest Compliment I have ever received."
— From the diary of Lady Georgiana Montford, aged 11
DAWN HAD NOT fully broken when Mrs. Pease brushed aside the curtains in Georgie's bedchamber the next morning. Georgie reluctantly opened her eyes, squinting against the gray-tinted light that filled the room.
"Good morning, your ladyship," the housekeeper said cheerfully, apparently thinking it actually was.
Georgie blinked, trying to clear her head. "What time is it?"
"Time to get up," the heavy-jowled woman replied. "I brought your usual cup of chocolate and gooseberry jam for your toast. I remember how you used to ask for it when you visited."
If it really were morning, not still night, Georgie would have been ecstatic. It was impossible to be angry, however. Despite being responsible for the entire household, the housekeeper still took the time to fuss over Georgie. "That sounds lovely, Mrs. Pease, but it's terribly early."
"That it is, but you need your breakfast." Picking up a tray, Mrs. Pease brought the food to Georgie's night table. Bemused, Georgie automatically sat up as the housekeeper adjusted her pillows with a tug and a whack. "His lordship explicitly said to make sure you were ready within the hour."
Oh, he did, did he? A wave of irritation washed over her as Mrs. Pease placed the tray in Georgie's lap, and not even the dark, delicious aroma of steamy chocolate improved her mood. "Did he say why?"
The housekeeper beamed. "Why, it is May Day! He has given the staff the day off, and they've gone a-maying, every last one of them. Silent as the grave, the house is. I assume he intends for you to take part in the merriment."
And naturally, he hadn't seen fit to tell her the night before. Granted, since they arrived at Kingsworth, she'd taken her meals in her room, but she had expected him to demand she join him in the dining room and was reluctantly disappointed when he didn't. Still, he could at least have sent her a note.
Why he had insisted on that ridiculous bargain was beyond her. She'd had no choice but to accept, not if she wanted more time to prepare for the inevitable confrontation with her parents.
It had taken her nearly an hour to write that letter. Lying to them was difficult enough; lying so well that they believed she had good reason for staying in Yorkshire, and yet wasn't seriously ill, had proven a considerable challenge.
Oh, how she loathed that keeping at least part of the truth hidden was one of the only weapons she possessed to ward off those who would run her life for her! She longed for the day when the price of honesty would not be too high. But until then, untruths and secrets were a form of self-defense she could not afford to give up.
Mrs. Pease bustled about the room, tidying up. Georgie considered how long she could delay, just to irritate Robert. As if she could read her mind, the housekeeper said, "Thy ladyship had better hurry. His lordship said he'd come fetch you himself if you dawdled."
That did it. Recalling his threat to dress her by force, Georgie lifted the cup of chocolate to her lips. Her mind rebelled at the idea of doing his bidding, but it would be beyond foolish to throw down the gauntlet while she was still fuzzyheaded from sleep and not properly dressed.
FIFTY MINUTES LATER, Georgie descended to find Robert conversing with his head groom, who was holding the reins of two saddled bays. The horses were gorgeous, sleek grace and pedigree showing in their proud bearing. She guessed the smaller one was the filly Robert had suggested she exercise.
Her heart jumped when his eyes fastened on her. He gave her a quick once-over, a shadow of intangible emotion passing across his face. "Good morning."
A shiver took her, and she gave herself a mental
Seven
"Robert permitted me draw his portrait to-day. I was not at all happy with the result, but he said that it was a Reasonable Likeness, and that it shew'd promise. It was the nicest Compliment I have ever received."
— From the diary of Lady Georgiana Montford, aged 11
DAWN HAD NOT fully broken when Mrs. Pease brushed aside the curtains in Georgie's bedchamber the next morning. Georgie reluctantly opened her eyes, squinting against the gray-tinted light that filled the room.
"Good morning, your ladyship," the housekeeper said cheerfully, apparently thinking it actually was.
Georgie blinked, trying to clear her head. "What time is it?"
"Time to get up," the heavy-jowled woman replied. "I brought your usual cup of chocolate and gooseberry jam for your toast. I remember how you used to ask for it when you visited."
If it really were morning, not still night, Georgie would have been ecstatic. It was impossible to be angry, however. Despite being responsible for the entire household, the housekeeper still took the time to fuss over Georgie. "That sounds lovely, Mrs. Pease, but it's terribly early."
"That it is, but you need your breakfast." Picking up a tray, Mrs. Pease brought the food to Georgie's night table. Bemused, Georgie automatically sat up as the housekeeper adjusted her pillows with a tug and a whack. "His lordship explicitly said to make sure you were ready within the hour."
Oh, he did, did he? A wave of irritation washed over her as Mrs. Pease placed the tray in Georgie's lap, and not even the dark, delicious aroma of steamy chocolate improved her mood. "Did he say why?"
The housekeeper beamed. "Why, it is May Day! He has given the staff the day off, and they've gone a-maying, every last one of them. Silent as the grave, the house is. I assume he intends for you to take part in the merriment."
And naturally, he hadn't seen fit to tell her the night before. Granted, since they arrived at Kingsworth, she'd taken her meals in her room, but she had expected him to demand she join him in the dining room and was reluctantly disappointed when he didn't. Still, he could at least have sent her a note.
Why he had insisted on that ridiculous bargain was beyond her. She'd had no choice but to accept, not if she wanted more time to prepare for the inevitable confrontation with her parents.
It had taken her nearly an hour to write that letter. Lying to them was difficult enough; lying so well that they believed she had good reason for staying in Yorkshire, and yet wasn't seriously ill, had proven a considerable challenge.
Oh, how she loathed that keeping at least part of the truth hidden was one of the only weapons she possessed to ward off those who would run her life for her! She longed for the day when the price of honesty would not be too high. But until then, untruths and secrets were a form of self-defense she could not afford to give up.
Mrs. Pease bustled about the room, tidying up. Georgie considered how long she could delay, just to irritate Robert. As if she could read her mind, the housekeeper said, "Thy ladyship had better hurry. His lordship said he'd come fetch you himself if you dawdled."
That did it. Recalling his threat to dress her by force, Georgie lifted the cup of chocolate to her lips. Her mind rebelled at the idea of doing his bidding, but it would be beyond foolish to throw down the gauntlet while she was still fuzzyheaded from sleep and not properly dressed.
FIFTY MINUTES LATER, Georgie descended to find Robert conversing with his head groom, who was holding the reins of two saddled bays. The horses were gorgeous, sleek grace and pedigree showing in their proud bearing. She guessed the smaller one was the filly Robert had suggested she exercise.
Her heart jumped when his eyes fastened on her. He gave her a quick once-over, a shadow of intangible emotion passing across his face. "Good morning."
A shiver took her, and she gave herself a mental
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