First Comes Scandal (Rokesbys #4)(47)

“Who will know if it’s unseemly or not?” Lady Manston put in. “No one knows when he asked her, and it’s not as if anyone will think it’s not in some response to the scandal.”

“That’s true,” Lady Bridgerton mused. “It really is more of a we-must-make-the-best-of-it situation.”

“I’m delighted,” Lord Bridgerton said to no one in particular. “Just delighted.”

Lord Manston leaned over and said something in his ear. Georgie was no lip reader, but she was fairly certain it was: “This was my idea.”

Nicholas turned to Georgie. “Do you think anyone will notice if we leave?”

She shook her head. “Not even a little bit.”

“We must make plans,” Lady Bridgerton announced.

“No time for a grand wedding,” Lord Bridgerton reminded her.

“I’m not talking about the wedding,” she replied. “I’m talking about after. Where will they live?”

“Edinburgh, Mama,” Georgie said, even though the question, while about her, had not been directed toward her. “Nicholas must return to school.”

“Yes of course, but …” Lady Bridgerton let her words trail off, and she made a little motion with her hands that seemed to indicate that she expected everyone to understand what that meant.

“But nothing, Mama. I will go with him to Scotland.”

“Darling,” her mother said, “you don’t want to go to Edinburgh right away.”

Georgie kept her expression scrupulously even and matter-of-fact. “But I do.”

“Don’t be silly. Nothing will be ready.”

“I don’t mind.”

“That’s only because you don’t know.”

Georgie tried not to grit her teeth. “Then I’ll learn.”

Lady Bridgerton turned to Lady Manston as if to say, Help me here.

Lady Manston smiled brightly. “Lord Manston wishes to lease a house for you in New Town.”

“New Town?” Georgie echoed. She didn’t know much about Edinburgh, she realized. Nothing, really.

“It’s the new part of town,” Nicholas said.

“Oh, that’s helpful,” she muttered.

He shrugged. “It’s true.”

She scowled. “Really?”

“Some of Andrew’s friends are involved in the planning,” Lord Manston said. “It’s all very progressive, I’m told.”

Nicholas’s older brother Andrew was an architect by training, if not by degree. Georgie had always enjoyed talking with him about architecture and engineering, and if he said New Town was the place to lease a house, she was sure he was correct.

This did nothing to mitigate the fact, however, that if one more person tried to tell her what she wanted, she was going to scream.

“Georgiana,” Lady Manston said, “it will be very rough in Edinburgh.”

“Rough?” Georgie echoed. What the devil did that mean?

Nicholas leaned forward, frowning at his mother. “What are you talking about? It’s a perfectly civilized city.”

“No, no,” Lady Manston replied, “that’s not what I meant. I’m sure it will be a lovely place to live. Eventually.” She turned to Georgie. “You must understand—even once a suitable house is found, there will be much to do. Furniture to purchase, servants to hire.”

“I can do all that,” Georgie said.

“Georgie,” her mother said, “I’m not sure you understand—”

“I can do all that,” Georgie ground out.

“Only if you want to,” Nicholas said. He was trying to be helpful, she was sure, but what she really needed was for him to put an end to all of this interference and insist that they travel north as a couple.

“I am not going to remain in Kent after I marry,” Georgie said firmly.

“It would send an odd message,” her mother acquiesced.

“I don’t care about the message,” Georgie said. “I care about myself. And Nicholas,” she added hastily.

He nodded graciously.

“If I am marrying him, then I am marrying him. Boardinghouse and all.”

Nicholas cleared his throat. “Actually,” he said, “I’m not certain if ladies are permitted in Mrs. McGreevey’s establishment.”

“Even married ladies?” his mother asked.

“I honestly don’t know. I never had cause to ask. But the current tenants are all male.” He turned to Georgie. “I do want you to come with me to Edinburgh, but I’m not sure you will be comfortable in such an environment.”

“We won’t know unless we try,” she muttered.

“They can have Scotsby,” Lord Bridgerton suddenly said.

All eyes turned in his direction.

“Scotsby,” he said again. “I’m sure I’ve told you about it. It’s a small hunting lodge. Haven’t been there in ages, but it’s not too far from Edinburgh. I don’t see why they can’t stay there. Nicholas can travel in when he needs to.”

“That is most generous of you, sir,” Nicholas said, “but how far is it from Edinburgh, if I might ask?”

Lord Bridgerton frowned. “I don’t recall precisely, but it can’t be more than two hours.”