Love by Deception (Age of Innocence) (10 page)

He
didn’t want to be overly familiar and he let go of her hand. “Kindness has
nothing to do with it. You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh,
Mr. Hunt. You flatter me so.”

Dalton
smiled at her. “It is my sincere pleasure and I do hope you’ll let me flatter
you every day this week.”

Georgette
stared into his gentle eyes. “I would like that very much indeed.”

***

Isabel
slowed her pace to give Dalton and Georgette an opportunity to speak privately
with each other. She was thrilled that Georgette had met someone, but her
sister’s happiness only reminded her of her own turn of events. The ache in her
heart threatened to consume her.

She
should be out walking with Mr. Tisbury, not trailing behind her sister and her
new beau. She wanted desperately to believe that there was a valid explanation
for Colby’s actions as Georgette had suggested last night, but how could there
be? A kiss is a kiss, and he’d given his away to Kathryn instead of to her.

A
heavy sigh escaped her lips. With Georgette seemingly smitten with Mr. Hunt,
there was no way Isabel could leave London now. She would never sacrifice her
sister’s future happiness for her own selfish reasons. Why had she been so
bold? If she hadn’t followed Colby out to the balcony, she would have remained blissfully
ignorant of his actions, but was that what she wanted? Would she be happy with
a man who lied to her? She was so confused.

She
had no answers for her own dilemma and decided that the best thing she could do
at the moment was enjoy being out and about in London.

The
following Saturday evening, Georgette and Rachel were busy deciding which dress
Georgette should wear to the evening’s dance.

“Which
one do you prefer, Miss Georgette?” Rachel asked holding up the ice blue satin
next to the pale pink dress.

“They
are both so lovely, but I think I’ll go with the pale pink this evening.”

Rachel
nodded and hung the blue dress back in the armoire.

Georgette
turned as Isabel came into their bedchamber. “Oh, you’re just in time. Which
dress will you be wearing?”

Isabel
shook her head. “I’m not going with you tonight.”

Georgette
walked to Isabel and grasped her hand. “Please come. It will be fun. I promise
I won’t leave your side all evening. ”

“No,
I can’t let you do that. How will you dance with Mr. Hunt? He is sure to be
there
anxiously waiting to see you again, especially after
his efforts of seeing you every day this past week. He is quite smitten with
you, and I dare say he would be sorely disappointed if he couldn’t dance with
you.”

“He
will understand, I’m sure,” Georgette said.

“I’m
sure he would, but it’s not necessary. I would prefer to stay home this
evening. You do understand, don’t you?”

Georgette
pulled Isabel into a hug. “I do, of course. I just hate the thought of you
being alone this evening.”

“I
will be fine. I told Mrs. Quinn that I have a headache and would prefer to rest
this evening.”

“Are
you sure you won’t change your mind?”

“Yes,
I’m sure. Now which dress did you choose to wear?”

“The
pink one.”

“You’ll
look absolutely stunning in that one. Wait until Mr. Hunt sees you. He’ll
definitely fall in love with you -- that is, if he hasn’t already. I’ve seen
the way he looks at you.”

“Do
you think so? I must confess every time I see him, I like him more and more.”

“Yes,
I do. I think you’ll be engaged before the Season is over, perhaps even
sooner.”

“Engaged…I
don’t know.”

“I
do. Now let Rachel get you ready. You don’t want to be late this evening.”

***

Colby
positioned himself alongside the wall inside the ballroom so he could keep an
eye on the entrance. He wanted to go to Isabel the minute she arrived and
explain what had happened at the last ball. He hoped that with a little bit of
time, she would be more amenable to listening to him. It was the only reason
why he had not rushed over to Mrs. Quinn’s the next day after Isabel had seen
him kissing Kathryn. Or, more like it, Kathryn kissing him.

He
also had not written her a note because he was afraid that she wouldn’t read it
and return it unopened. No, this conversation needed to happen in person. It
would be easier to gauge Isabel’s reaction that way. It took every bit of
reserve he had to give her space, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted to
hear her laugh, see the mischief in her eyes, and hold her in his arms again as
they danced around the floor.

He
looked around and saw Dalton Hunt coming his way. The young man had confided to
him that he was positively smitten with Georgette Condiff. Colby was glad to
see him so happy. From the interactions he’d had with Georgette, he thought she
was a perfect match for the shy and normally reserved Dalton.

“Hello,
Colby. Waiting for Miss Knott?” Dalton asked as he stood beside his friend.

“Yes.
I’m looking forward to seeing her this evening.”

“I
am, as well.”

Colby
raised an eyebrow and looked at Dalton. “What?”

“Oh,
sorry. I mean that I’m looking forward to seeing Miss Condiff, not Miss Knott.
Umm…not that Miss Knott isn’t a fine young lady to see, as well.
It’s just…”

Colby
slapped Dalton on the back. “I knew what you meant. Couldn’t help myself,
though.”

Dalton
chuckled. “Our wait is over. Look there, I do believe they have arrived.”

Colby’s
eyes traveled to the doorway. He saw Mrs. Quinn and Miss Condiff, but Isabel
was nowhere in sight. Where was she? “Come on, let’s go and pay our respects to
the ladies.”

Dalton
nodded and followed Colby across the floor.

“Good
evening Mrs. Quinn, Miss Condiff,” Colby said with a bow.

“Good
evening, Mr. Tisbury,” Iris said. “A pleasure to see you this evening.”

“Mr.
Tisbury, Mr. Hunt,” Georgette chimed in with a curtsy of her own.

Colby
looked behind them. “And Miss Knott? I don’t see her this evening.”

“No,
Miss Knott was not feeling well this evening. She is resting at home,” Iris
said.

Colby
was crestfallen, and felt like he had been punched in the gut. He doubted
Isabel was feeling ill. The more likely reason was that she was avoiding him.
Why hadn’t he thought of that? She was more deeply hurt by Kathryn’s actions
than he originally thought, and now he’d have to wait another day before he could
explain everything to her. “Well, please do give her my best,” he said with a
bow before walking away.

“Of
course, Mr. Tisbury,” Iris said.

***

Dalton
offered his arm to Georgette. “Miss Condiff, would you care for some punch?”

Georgette
hesitated and looked at Mrs. Quinn.

Iris
patted her hand. “Go ahead, my dear. Enjoy yourself. I will find you again
later. Good evening, Mr. Hunt.”

“Good
evening, Mrs. Quinn,” Dalton said with a bow.

Georgette
placed her hand on Dalton’s arm. “Thank you, Mr. Hunt. I’d love some punch.”

Dalton
led them around the perimeter of the dance floor. “I do hope your cousin is not
gravely ill.”

“No,
she’s not, but she did have a headache this evening. She thought it best to
rest.”

“I’m
ever so glad that you were not afflicted. I would have sorely missed seeing you
this evening.”

Georgette
looked into Dalton’s soulful brown eyes. “You would?”

Dalton
raised her hand to his lips and laid a gentle kiss upon it. “Indeed I would
have, my dear sweet Miss Condiff.”

“What
a lovely thing to say, Mr. Hunt.”

At
the refreshment table, Dalton poured two glasses of punch. “Would you care to
find a quiet corner so that we may speak in private?”

Georgette
nodded and they continued to the far end of the room away from the dance floor.

“Will
this do?” Dalton asked as he put the punch down on a small table. He pulled out
the chair for Georgette.

“Yes,
this is fine. Thank you.”

Dalton
took the seat opposite her. “Miss Condiff, I know that we’ve only just met, but
the more time we spend together, the more I want to see you. I find that I can
hardly bear it when we part.”

Georgette
flipped
open
her fan, momentarily hesitating before
speaking. “Mr. Hunt, I don’t know what to say?”

Dalton
reached for her hand. “I do hope you don’t think me too bold. The last thing I
want is to make you uncomfortable. I was thinking that…perhaps…what I meant to
say…”

“Do
not be flustered, Mr. Hunt. What is it you’d like to say?”

“Is
there any chance you share my feelings?”

“When
I came to London with my cousin, it was more so that Isabel could experience
the Season. I never thought I would meet someone who would steal my heart.”

Dalton
inhaled sharply. “Is it true? Have I stolen your heart? Do you mean that? ”

Georgette
nodded. “I do, Mr. Hunt.”

“I
cannot tell you how happy that makes me.” Dalton stood and offered his arm.
“Come, then. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Georgette
stood and placed her hand on his arm. “Really, who?”

“My
parents, of course. I can’t wait for them to know you.”

“Oh,
do you think they’ll approve of me?”

“I
have no doubt they will most heartedly approve.” Dalton led Georgette around
the dance floor to his parents, who were chatting with the evening’s hosts. His
mother turned and smiled when she spotted him coming her way.

***

“Margaret,
please excuse me. I need to speak to my son,” Charlotte Hunt said to the
hostess. She linked her arm with her husband’s. “Gilbert, come. Dalton has a
young woman on his arm,” she whispered as she walked toward her son.

“Mother,
Father, there is someone I’d like you to meet,” Dalton said. “This is Miss
Georgette Condiff.”

Charlotte
paled when she heard the young lady’s name. It was a name she had never thought
to hear again. When George had left London all those years ago, he had vowed
never to return.

Condiff.

This
had to be George’s daughter. She studied the young lady’s face and saw the
resemblance to her father.

“Mother,
are you feeling ill?” Dalton asked.

“Oh
no, dear. I’m fine. I’m very pleased to meet you, Miss Condiff.”

“Condiff?
George Condiff’s daughter?” Gilbert asked.

“Yes,
I am his daughter, Lord Hunt,” Georgette said with a curtsy. “I’m very pleased
to meet you both.”

“How
is your father faring these days? I’ve not seen since he left London years
ago.”

Georgette
hesitated before answering. “I’m afraid I lost him to illness, Lord Hunt.”

For
the second time in less than five minutes, Charlotte got a terrible shock.
“George is dead?”

“Yes,
Lady Hunt. He caught a cold this past winter and never recovered.”

“I’m
so very sorry. That must have been so difficult for you,” Charlotte said.

“Mother,
did you know Mr. Condiff?” Dalton asked.

Charlotte
tore her eyes from Georgette and glanced at her son. “Not well. He retired to
the country years ago and we didn’t see him again.”

She
hated to lie to Dalton, but she had no choice. Gilbert had never discovered her
secret affair with George, and no good would come of exposing it now. The
scandal would ruin her and tarnish the family name. That was the last thing she
wanted. She would not put Dalton in jeopardy, but she longed to ask Georgette
about the baby she’d left in her father’s care eighteen years earlier. Had the
child survived? What had become of her daughter?

“I
see,” Gilbert said. “Tragic, but you’re an orphan now?”

“Father,
I fail to see why that is important,” Dalton said. “You said yourself that you
knew Mr. Condiff.”

“It’s
important if you’re serious about this young woman. I will not agree for my son
to marry a poor orphan girl from the country.”

Before
Georgette could stop herself, the words tumbled out. “Lord Hunt, I am a
gentleman’s daughter who has been left with a sizable dowry. I’m no poor girl
from the country.”

Charlotte
shot her husband a glare. “Gilbert, was that necessary?”

“It
was. She has no connections, but at least she’s not poor,” Gilbert said before
he walked away.

Charlotte
squeezed Georgette’s hand. “Please forgive my husband’s rudeness. It was in
poor taste.”

“Thank
you, Lady Hunt,” Georgette said. “I do apologize for my outburst, but please be
assured that I do not love your son because of his wealth.”

Dalton
turned toward Georgette. “You truly love me?”

Georgette
smiled. “Yes, I suppose I do.”

“Mother,
I do believe you’ve just met the woman I’m going to marry,” Dalton said as he
glanced between his mother and Georgette.

 
Charlotte smiled. “It’s a pleasure to
meet you, Georgette. As long as you make my son happy, I’ll be happy. It will
be wonderful to have you as my daughter-in-law. Perhaps, you’d like to take tea
with me next week.”

“Thank
you, Lady Hunt. I would like that very much.”

“Good.
Now if you two would excuse me, I see some other friends I must speak with
tonight. We will talk again soon, I promise,” Charlotte said.

***

Georgette
watched Lady Hunt walk away before she turned her gaze to Dalton. “Mr. Hunt,
did you mean what you said to your mother? You wish to marry me?”

Dalton
reached for her hand. “More than ever, Georgette. Would you do me the honor of
becoming my wife?”

Tears
welled in Georgette’s eyes. She was beyond happy. She had never really believed
that she would meet the man of her dreams in her first Season in London. It was
a dream come true, and she could hardly wait to share the good news with
Isabel.

“I
will. Oh yes, I will.”

The
rest of the evening flew by in a blur. Dalton wanted to share their good news
with everyone they talked with, but she asked if he would wait until she had a
chance to tell Isabel and Mrs. Quinn.