A Daring Liaison(33)

He watched his coach round a corner and slow as it pulled up to the broad steps and breathed a sigh of relief. He’d sent his driver to retrieve Mrs. Huffington rather than make her wait for his arrival and he’d been half afraid she’d refuse to come alone. Thank heavens she was a sensible woman.

Rather than wait for the footman, he stepped forward, flipped the step down, and opened the door.

“I was beginning to think I’d been kidnapped,” she said as she took the hand he offered to help her down from the coach. “Your driver was quite mysterious.”

She was especially lovely tonight in a deep blue frock with an embroidered hem and neckline in a darker hue. She was sure to draw attention, and he wanted to make certain the whisper of their engagement was circulating before anyone else could make a claim on her. “I apologize, Mrs. Huffington...Georgiana. I was called here early for a meeting and I did not want to leave you waiting at home.”

“Yes, but I wanted to talk to you before we made an appearance. You have not made the announcement to anyone, have you?”

“Second thoughts, my dear?”

“For your sake, sir. Not mine.”

“Come, now. I thought we’d decided I would make an admirable target. Would I not?”

“No! Yes. But you would be killed, would you not?”

“We’ve been over this, Georgiana. I am willing to take the risk.”

“I am not.”

He lowered his voice suggestively. “Have you grown fond of me, Georgie?”

He noted the tightness in her jaw and knew she was holding back a scathing retort. He supposed it was a good thing that one of them had some measure of self-control. He took her arm and led her up the stairs to the grand foyer, then handed her mantle to a footman before leading her up the wide staircase to the private rooms.

“My family is here tonight. Shall we start with them?”

“Start? Oh, you mean...” She heaved a sigh of resignation. “Can we not tell them the truth, Mr. Hunter?”

He shook his head. “I think it best if you and I are the only ones who know. Conversations can be overheard, Georgiana. Should Sarah and Lockwood comment privately in a corner, someone nearby could learn the truth. And you know how quickly scandal travels in the ton. Our game would be up before it began.”

“Your family will not like it.”

“Nonsense! Sarah will be delighted. She has made it her calling in life to see all her brothers married. She has begun to despair of me, so she will be relieved by our announcement.”

Georgiana looked up and gave him a sad smile. “Not if she loves you and wants to see you live to a ripe old age.”

He guffawed. “Well, if that is the case, she will keep it to herself.”

She murmured something under her breath that he could not make out. Disagreement, he gathered.

At the top of the stairs, Charles turned her down a corridor to the series of rooms reserved for Carlington’s ball. Rather than having a footman announce every new arrival, Lord Carlington, himself, headed a small reception line. Charles felt Georgiana stiffen at his side and wondered at her sudden hesitation. She was shy, but she was not ordinarily timid.

“Lord Carlington, may I present my...dear friend, Mrs. Georgiana Huffington?” He then turned to Georgiana and smiled reassurance. “Mrs. Huffington, please meet Owen Trent, Lord Carlington.”

Georgiana performed a flawless curtsy—deep enough to be deferential, but not so deep as to be falsely flattering. Lady Caroline had trained her well.

Their host performed an equally flawless bow. “Mrs. Huffington. I am pleased to meet you, at last. Your reputation precedes you.”

She blushed and Charles wondered if he should try to fill the suddenly awkward silence, but she recovered quickly. “And I have heard of you, Lord Carlington. I am delighted to put a face with the name at last.”

Carlington gave her an odd look, half bewildered, half admiring. “We must find time to discuss mutual friends, Mrs. Huffington. If not this evening, then in the near future?”

“I shall look forward to it, Lord Carlington.”

The press of the last arriving guests behind them forced them to move forward into a large ballroom lit with brilliant chandeliers and an orchestra at the far end. They paused at a table laden with filled wineglasses and canapés. He handed a glass to his companion.

“How do you know of Carlington, Georgiana?”

“I’ve only heard his name. I believe he knew Aunt Caroline when they were younger.”