A Wedding In Springtime(50)

Genie shrugged. “I did not make a positive impression with the queen and that is apparently enough to become a social pariah.”

“So go back home. You’re in no need of anyone’s good opinion.”

“Go home after only a few weeks here? After the way Mama was forced to leave London? She was so hoping I could restore the family name by being accepted in society. How could I possibly face her?”

“Got a point there. Tell you what, I’ll think on it for you.”

Genie gave her younger brother another little hug. His presence was comforting, even if he could hardly do anything to repair the damage she had done.

“Shall we walk back to Bremerton house for tea?” asked Genie. “I should like to introduce you to our cousin Louisa whom you have never met.”

“No, no, and I’ll thank you not to let anyone know I am here. If Aunt Cora sees me, she’ll write Mother before the tea gets cold.”

“I suppose you are right,” conceded Genie. “But where are you going to stay? What are you going to do?”

“I came down with some friends from school. They know some places for amusement.”

“Please tell me you are not going to visit one of those filthy gaming”—Genie searched for a word that was not a synonym of Hades—“a gaming establishment.”

“Don’t worry about me. I know what I’m about.”

But Genie did worry. Particularly if her baby brother—he would always be that to her—was going into one of those gambling hells, known for preying on young men.

“I have heard horrible things that happen in those places,” said Genie.

“Yes, I’ve heard that too. Why else would I want to go?”

“George!”

George smiled, looking all the more endearing for being naughty. “I’ll be careful, but I must be allowed some fun. I’m going about as Mr. Smythe—isn’t it a famous scheme? No one will know I am here. I’ll get to have a lark and return to Oxford before anyone is the wiser.”

Genie sighed. “I miss the time when a rocking horse was all you needed for amusement.”

“Maybe if you made me a big one.” George smiled. “Maybe I can help you too.”

“How would you do that?”

“Don’t know. But I should think myself quite flat if I didn’t at least make an effort to help my favorite sister.”

“I am your only sister.”

“See? Your place in my heart is forever secure!”

Brother and sister talked for a while longer before George offered to hail Genie a hack to take her back home. When they left the library, the Comtesse de Marseille looked up from a particularly large volume with a particularly wicked smile.

***

“Must I be present?” asked the duke the next day over tea.

“Yes.” The dowager unlocked the tea caddy and carefully mixed a blend of teas to suit her.

“There is no option?”

“We have invited Lord and Lady Bremerton, Lady Louisa, and Miss Talbot. Of course you must be present.” The dowager poured hot water into the teapot to warm the vessel.

“And who else will be at the table?”

“A few gentlemen, no one for you to be concerned about.” As part of the plot to find Genie a husband, the dowager and Penelope had planned a dinner party of eligible men. The dowager had waited until teatime to let her grandson know his presence was required.

“Do I need to keep guessing or are you going to tell me what plot you are hatching?” Marchford glanced between the dowager and Penelope, but neither spoke. The dowager appeared consumed in her duties as hostess, sprinkling the tea into the teapot and pouring fresh hot water over the top.

“Grandmother…” ground out Marchford.

“Do not ‘Grandmother’ me with such a tone,” rebuked the Dowager Duchess of Marchford. “After all I am only trying to help the family of your betrothed. You know that Eugenia’s presentation was less than optimal.”

Marchford raised an eyebrow. “Less than optimal indeed.”

“You needn’t be cruel,” chastised the dowager. “We must do what we can to help the family. If she can form an attachment soon, her reputation can be salvaged.”

Marchford nodded his head in understanding. “How do you two pick these young men to the slaughter? I beg you would indulge my curiosity.”