Five short minutes later, she was crossing her front hall in a froth of lacy peignoir, rendered barely respectable by a silk wrapper. Johnson, having anticipated her impetuous descent, stood ready to open the drawing-room door for her.
As the door shut, bringing her guest to her feet, Bellas bright blue eyes, very like her brothers, surveyed her unexpected visitor.
Unconsciously clutching her reticule, once again in a tell-tale grip, Georgiana beheld an enchanting vision, fashionably slender and no taller than she herself was. But there the resemblance ended. Lady Winsmere was dark-haired, her fine skin was alabaster-white. Her blue eyes Georgiana had seen before. And the elegance of her lacy gown made Georgiana feel awkward and abominably young.
For her part, Bella saw a girl on the threshold of womanhood. Her innocence shone beacon-clear. She was all honey and cream, from the top of her curls, tinged with the suns kiss, to her delicately tinted complexion. Her golden eyes contained a quality of unusual candour. And she had no more inches than Bella herself. Bellas face brightened. A little sigh escaped her. With a generous and genuine smile, she floated forward, both hands outstretched to capture Georgianas cold fingers in a warm clasp.
My dear! So you are Georgiana Hartley! Dominic has written me all about you. You poor dear! What a dreadful thing to happen, and you newly returned to England. You must let me help you.
At Georgianas murmured, My lady, Bella broke her stride. But when Georgiana attempted to curtsy, Bella held on tightly to her hands, preventing it.
No, no, my dear. Youre among friends here. You must call me Bella, and I hope you wont think me terribly forward if I call you Georgiana. She tilted her small head to one side, blue eyes twinkling.
Georgiana found her engaging manners difficult to resist. Why, of course not, myBella. But truly, I feel as if Im imposing dreadfully upon you.
Oh, pooh! Bella pulled a face. Im always bored; theres so little to do in London these days. Im positively thrilled Dominic thought to send you to me! Why she paused, struck by a wayward thought just think. If youd grown up at the Place, we would have been neighbours. Bella waved Georgiana to the chaise and sank to the white damask beside her. So, you see, theres no need for you to feel at all bothered about staying with me.
Georgianas head reeled. Oh! But I wouldnt dream of imposing
Not at all! Its the very thing. You have nowhere to go and we have plenty of room. Bella gazed intently at Georgiana. Truly, its no trouble at all.
But
Bella shook her head. No buts. Just consider it as doing me a favour. Well have such fun. Ill take you about and introduce you to all the right people.
Despite a sudden tug of impetuosity, urging acceptance of the exciting offer, Georgiana, grappling with the flow of Bellas burgeoning plans, felt constrained to protest. But my laBella. I dont think Lord Alton can have properly explained. I need to find a post as a companion.
Recalling the specific instructions contained in her brothers letter, Bella assured Georgiana that he had, indeed, explained fully. But my dear, in order to find the right post for you, particularly considering your age, you must first become established in society.
Bella watched the frown gathering in Georgianas fine eyes. Before her guest could raise any further objection, she raised one slim, restraining hand. Now before you start arguingand I do so hate people who must forever be sniping and finding faultI must tell you that you will be doing me the biggest favour imaginable in allowing me to help you. You can have no idea how boring it is to pass the Season with no real purpose. The Little Season is coming up in a few weeks. I implore you to relieve my frustrations and stay with me and allow me to present you. Surely thats not too much to ask? Bellas big blue eyes pleaded eloquently.
Bemused by the sudden twist the situation seemed to have taken, with Lady Winsmere now begging the favour of her company, and feeling too drained by the days events to fight a fate so apparently desirable, Georgiana found herself weakly acquiescing. If its really not too much troubleJust until I can find a position.
Splendid! Bella grinned in delight. Now the first thing we must do is get you settled in a bedchamber. A hot bath is just what you need. Always so soothing after travelling.
With a magic wave of one small bejewelled hand, Bella took charge. In short order, Georgiana, her luggage, Cruickshank, dinner on a tray and a large tub together with steaming hot water to fill it had been conveyed to the best guest chamber on the floor above.
An hour later, after she had closed the door of Georgianas room behind her, having seen her young guest settled in bed, Bella Winsmeres face took on a pensive frown. Slowly she descended the stairs, so deep in thought that she was halfway across the hall towards the front door before she recalled her intended destination. Swinging about, she turned her steps towards the library at the back of the house.
At the sound of the door opening, Lord Winsmere looked up from the pile of documents he was working on. His lean face lit with a smile of great warmth. He laid aside his pen to reach out a welcoming arm to his wife.
With a quick smile, Bella went to him, returning his embrace and dropping a quick kiss on his greying hair.
I thought you were bound for Drury Lane tonight? Lord Winsmere was more than twenty years older than his beautiful wife. His staid, sometimes regal demeanour contrasted sharply with her effervescent charm. Many had wondered why, from among her myraid suitors, Bella Ridgeley had chosen to bestow her dainty hand on a man almost old enough to be her father. But over the years society had been forced to accept the fact that the beautiful Bella was sincerely and most earnestly in love with her eminently respectable lord.
I was, but we have an unexpected guest.
Oh?
His lordship pushed his papers aside, consigning them to the morrow. If his Bella had sought him out, then she had some problem to discuss. He rose and, Bellas hand still in his, led her to the two armchairs stationed before the fireplace.
Bella sat, chewing the tip of one rosy finger, a habit when thinking profoundly.
Smiling, Lord Winsmere seated himself opposite her and waited for her to begin.
Its really most intriguing.
Inured to his spouses methods of explanation, Lord Winsmere made no response.
Eventually Bella gathered her wandering mind and embarked on her story. Dominics sent a girl to stay.
At that, Lord Winsmeres brows rose sharply. But the knowledge that, despite his apparent lack of moral concern, Dominic Ridgeley had never permitted the slightest breath of scandal to touch his sisters fair name held him silent.
Shes a would-have-been-neighbour. Her names Georgiana Hartley. Her father was a painter, one James Hartley. He died in Italy some months ago and Georgiana was left to her uncles care. Most unfortunately, her uncle, who lived at the Placeyou know, its that funny estate that was made by selling off a piece of Candlewickwell, he died too. Just before her father, only she didnt know that, being in Italy. The long and the short of it is, Georgiana travelled all the way from Italy, only to find her uncle dead and her cousin Charles in charge. It only needs to add that Charles is an out-and-out bounder and you have the picture. Bella spread her hands and glanced at her husband.
How did Dominic come to be involved?
It seems Georgiana was forced to flee the Place at dawn this morning. She doesnt know anyoneno one at all. She asked at the Three Bells, thinking to find a sympathetic lady in residence at a neighbouring estate. Of course, the Tadlows sent her to Candlewick. You know how all our people are about Dominic.
Lord Winsmere nodded sagely, a thin smile hovering about his lips at the thought of the godlike status his far from godly brother-in-law enjoyed on his own lands.
Well, she went to the Hall and met Duckett. And then Dominic came and persuaded her to tell him all. Bella suddenly broke off. Ohare you imagining she must be some encroaching mushroom? Her ladyship leant forward slightly and fixed her big eyes on her husband. Truly, Arthur, it is not so. Shes the most engaging little thing. So innocent and green and soso trusting.
Lord Winsmeres fine brows rose slightly.
Abruptly Bella dropped to her knees, draping her silkclad arms over her husbands knees. She smiled, impish and seductive all at once. Please, Arthur. Please say she may stay. You know how bored I am. Shes perfectly presentable, I give you my word. I could take her about and present her to the tonOhId have such fun! The balls and parties are so tame, if ones not part of the game. Please, my love. Say she may stay.
Lord Winsmere smiled down into his wifes upturned face while his mind canvassed the possibilities presented by her unknown guest. Their son and only child was ensconced in the country, happily growing out of short coats. Jonathons constitution was not sickly but did not cope well with the stale air of the capital. But his own work necessitated his presence in London. Bella, torn between the two men in her life, had chosen to remain by his side. As he doubted he could live without her, he would willingly make any sacrifice to alleviate the boredom he knew she found in the predictable rounds of tonnish entertainment. But an unknown girl? And, if he knew his Bella, she meant to fire the chit off with all flags flying. Not that the expense worried him. But was the girl truly as innocent as Bella, herself not much more experienced for all her matronliness, believed?
He reached out a finger to trace the graceful curve of his wifes brow. Impulsively, she caught his hand and kissed it, then continued to hold it in a warm clasp, her eyes on his face.
You neednt worry about the cost. Dominic said to charge everything to him.
Did he, indeed? How very magnanimous, to be sure. Lord Winsmeres mobile lips twitched. Dominic Ridgeley had inherited a fortune of sizeable proportions and could easily afford to underwrite the launching of an unknown damsel into the ton. The question that exercised Lord Winsmeres mind was why his hedonistic brother-in-law should wish to do such a peculiar thing.
I think perhaps I should meet this paragon before I allow you to take her under your wing.
Bellas eyes grew round. Are you thinking she is one of Dominics paramours? I must admit, I did, too, at first. Well, whoever would imagine him having any contact with an innocent young girl? But I assure you shes just what Dominic saysyoung and innocent andand hopelessly lost. I dare say shell have no idea how to go on, having lived in Italy all this time.
Lord Winsmeres face remained impassive. The possibility that his brother-in-law had sent Bella a lady needing help to cover some lapse of acceptable conduct had certainly occurred, only to be immediately dismissed. Few knew better than himself that, despite Viscount Altons reputation as a well heeled, insidiously charming and potentially dangerous rake, underneath, Dominic Ridgeley adhered most assiduously to a code of conduct that, if it were more widely recognised, would see him hailed as a pillar of society. But it was the veneer society sawa façade erected to hide the boredom of a man who had never had to exert himself to win any prize. Born with the proverbial silver spoon tightly clamped between his jaws, and with the compounding assets of a handsome face and an athletic frame, there was little Dominic Ridgeley needed in life. And what he did want came easily. Society adored him. His well born mistresses fell at his feet. With ready charm, Dominic moved through it all, and with the years his boredom grew.
What, exactly, did Dominic say?
Bella smiled and shifted to sit at his feet, her hand still holding his, her shining blue eyes turned lovingly on him. Well
Fifteen minutes later, Lord Winsmere felt he was in possession of all the salient facts. The only puzzle remaining was his brother-in-laws motives. A whimsical start? Dominic was hardly in his dotage. Nevertheless, young and girlish and innocent was assuredly not his style. The spectre of Elaine, Lady Changley drifted into Lord Winsmeres mind. Involuntarily, his face assumed an expression of distaste. Lady Changley was definitely not young and girlish, and not by the remotest stretch of the most pliable imagination could she be described as innocent.
Bella saw the disapprobation in her husbands face. Her own face fell. You dont like the idea?
Recalled, Lord Winsmere smiled and confessed, I was thinking of something else. At his wifes fond smile, he continued, If the girl is all you and Dominic seem to think, I have no objections to your taking her under your wing. Aside from anything else, shell have to be terribly innocent to swallow this yarn of yours about the way to securing a position being to make a splash in society.
Bella met his sceptical look with a bright grin. Oh, Ill manage ityoull see.
Five minutes later Lord Winsmere returned to his desk to tidy his papers away for the night. The memory of Bellas bright eyes remained with him. She was more animated than she had been in months. Perhaps Dominics damsel in distress was an angel in disguise. He smiled fondly. All in all, he was looking forward to meeting his wifes protégée.
THE SHARP CALL of the orange sellers woke Georgiana. Bemused, she stared about her, then remembered where she was and how she came to be there. Despite the evidence of her eyes, reality retained the aura of a dream. She was lying propped in her pillows, still wondering, when Cruickshank came bustling through the door with her early morning chocolate.
Georgiana waited silently for her maids comment. No one could size up an establishment faster or more accurately than Cruickshank.
No sniffs were forthcoming. Not even a snort.
As she accepted the tray across her knees, Georgiana was taken aback to hear the dour maid humming.
Catching sight of her mistresss startled look, Cruickshank smiled. A right proper place they keep here, Miss Georgie. No need to teach them anything. Mrs Biggins, the housekeeper, is a tight old bird, but fair, mark my words. Runs the place just as she should. And Johnsonhes the butlerand her ladyships dresser, Hills, are everything they ought to be. A relief, it is, after the Place.
So youre comfortable here?
At the wardrobe, Cruickshank nodded emphatically. She drew out a violet morning gown trimmed with fine lace and laid it ready across a chair, then went to search for the accessories.
Georgiana sipped her chocolate. As the sweet warmth slid down her throat and heat seeped through her body, she sighed. So wonderfulto have real chocolate again. She closed her eyes and was immediately back on the terrace at Ravello, her father opposite, across the breakfast-table. Abruptly she opened her eyes, blinking rapidly. Enough of that! She had shed all the tears she possessed long ago. Her father had wanted her to get on with her life. He had warned her not to grieve for him. He had had a good life, so he had said, and wanted his daughter to have the same. That was why she was to return to England and the bosom of her family. Some bosom Charles had turned out to be. At the thought, Georgiana wriggled her toes. The idea of Charles scouring the countryside for her, only to return, dusty and beaten, to the damp and musty Place, brought a glow of satisfaction to her honey-gold eyes. Serve him right.