“It’s an engagement ring! It goes on your left hand, Georgy. It is the official Russell colors of purple and white.”
“Mother, it is not an engagement ring. It’s a mere trifle. It is a little joke between Francis and myself.”
“A secret shared by two.” Jane could not hide her excitement.
Dear God, she’ll have the news spread from Land’s End to John o’ Groat’s, unless I can think of something to stop her.“Mother, you must not say a word, or you will ruin everything.”
“I know how to keep a secret.” “I gravely doubt that. If word gets out, the Duke of Bedford will end the friendship immediately.”
“My speech will be short and sweet.v John Russell held up his hands for silence. “My son and I could not have spent a happier Christmas anywhere in England than right here in Tavistock.v
The parish hall was crowded to the rafters with the constituents he represented in the House of Commons, from young babies in arms to elderly, weathered ancients bent over their walking sticks. Many had offered him their condolences on the death of his wife, though they had never met her. They accepted death as a natural event and did not overly dwell on it. John’s people loved and revered him because each and every year he had made their lives easier with the bountiful gifts he bestowed.
“You make my work worthwhile. When I see you happy, healthy, and prospering I’m rewarded a thousand times over. It’s a great honor to wish each of you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.v
John had a lump in his throat as he watched his son run about in a paper hat, laughing and playing with the other children. His older sons would not have mingled well with these sweet, innocent village boys and girls, for already William and Francis had an air of sophistication bred into them at the elite Westminster School. But Johnny, hungry for laughter and companionship, was having the time of his life.
An image of a laughing Georgina Gordon came full blown into his mind. She has a vivacity and joi de vivre that few noble ladies possess. “Tis no wonder my brother is attracted to her. His mind conjured her as he had last seen her . . . green eyes, half closed with desire glittering through the slits of her mask. He could still feel her silken breast in his palm, still taste the wild honey sweetness of her mouth. If Francis proposes, she will become my brother’s wife. John refused to think about such an eventuality. He vowed not to conjure Georgina Gordon again.
That night when he slept, however, he had little control over his conscious will. John experienced his recurring dream again, and again his female companion’s identity was no longer hidden. When he kissed Georgina, her mouth tasted of delicious laughter and sensual anticipation.
Chapter 19
“I believe you’ve gone queer in the head, Georgina. Why on earth would you not wish to go to Woburn for New Year’s?” Jane did not give her daughter time to answer. “The Duke of Bedford made a point of asking me personally, and was generous enough to include all members of our family for the New Year’s Eve celebrations tomorrow night, and to stay over for breakfast on New Year’s Day.”
“I don’t feel well.” Her excuse was feeble and she knew it.
“You were well enough to lead the children on a ghost hunt last night . . . all of you dressed in white sheets and shrieking your heads off. You were well enough to climb over all the furniture this morning, playing a game of mountaineers and yodeling at the top of your lungs.”
“Perhaps that’s why I don’t feel well.”
“Not another word. This is my chance to thoroughly acquaint myself with Woburn Abbey. Playing hard to get is becoming tiresome. You must move on to the next phase of the campaign.”
I thought becoming engaged to Bedford would be a lark. But suddenly it’s not so funny when he expects me to marry him. “What is the next phase of the campaign, pray tell?”
“Why, he lays siege to your castle’s defenses, of course.”
“Ah, this is where I pour boiling oil on him.”
Her mother fixed her with agate eyes. “This is where you surrender, Mistress Impertinence.”
In a pig’s eye! “I will go on condition that Charlotte and Charles’s brood and Susan and William’s children are included, and are allowed to stay up to watch the fireworks to welcome in the New Year.” There is safety in numbers.
“His Grace assured me that all the Gordons were invited. You’ll have to ask Charlotte and Susan if their offspring have permission to stay up until midnight.”
Georgina was off in a flash. I’ve always been able to talk my sisters into anything, and today will be no exception.
When they arrived at Woburn Abbey in the early evening of the next day, Georgina was delighted that they were not the only ones invited to the celebration.
“Henry, Beth, I had no idea you would be here,” Georgina cried.
Lord Holland kissed her cheek. “Your radiance will outshine the fireworks.” He looked at the children who spilled from three coaches. “The Gordon ladies are certainly prolific breeders.”
“Isn’t Charlotte due any day?” Beth asked. “The fireworks might bring on labor, and she’ll give birth at Woburn Abbey.”
“Not a chance! Who else is invited?” Georgina asked.
“Prinny and Lauderdale. We were making a race out of it, and when our carriage passed theirs, George shook his stick at me.”
“Good God,” Georgina exclaimed. “I hope he keeps his stick away from me, especially if it’s the one with the big knob.”
“You are so wicked,” Beth said, laughing.
Mary slipped her hand into Georgina’s and her aunt introduced her to Lady Holland. “This is Mary, Mary, most contrary. I’m presently giving her lessons in how to be wicked.”
“You have the perfect teacher, my dear,” Beth declared. “Since the weather turned so mild, we are dining al fresco tonight. The buffet tables are set out on the terrace overlooking the west lawn. It’s so pretty; all the trees are lit with Chinese lanterns.”
“Let’s go and have a look,” Mary urged.
When the pair reached the west lawn, they encountered young Francis and William Russell, who were helping Mr. Burke light the candles inside the lanterns.
Damnation, I forgot that John and his family might be here.
“I remember you,” Mary said. “You are the old man’s sons.V
“Old man?” William puzzled.
“That’s what my aunt Georgy calls your father.”
“Ah, yes I remember.” He looked at Georgina and laughed. “That day at the river, you shouted, ’Go to the devil, Old Man.’ ”
While Georgina tried not to look embarrassed, Mary asked eagerly, “Is your brother Johnny here?”
“Not yet. He’s been to Tavistock with Father, but we expect him to return tonight. It’ll be a shame if he misses the fireworks.”
Georgina went still. Dear God, John will be here tonight. That’s two Russells I must try to avoid. She looked up and saw her mother approaching, holding the arm of the duke.
“Welcome to Woburn, my dear Lady Georgina. I am delighted that you accepted my invitation.” He glanced down at her hands, saw that she was wearing his ring on her right hand, and took it to his lips. “I see my gift was acceptable.”
“Mmm, very pretty,” she said lightly. “You must excuse me, Your Grace, while I take Mary back to her mother.”
“I will do that, Georgina.” The duchess took a firm hold of her granddaughter’s hand and led her away. Over her shoulder she said, “I shall leave you in the capable hands of your host.”
Mr. Burke and John’s sons had moved off to light the rest of the lanterns, and Bedford slipped his arm around Georgina. “Happy New Year, vixen.”
She touched one of the paper lanterns. “I had no idea it was Chinese New Year. What is it? The year of the pig?” She removed his arm. "“Or perhaps they call it the year of the boar?”
“You are a wicked tease. Is that to pay me back for calling you vixen?”
“No, Your Grace. I haven’t gotten
around to that yet. But when I do, you won’t be left in any doubt.” She saw the Prince of Wales and Lauderdale approaching. “Here comes your fat friend,” she murmured outrageously.
“Never let him hear you,” Francis warned. “Even I wouldn’t dare refer to his girth.”
“I am relieved to know there is something you wouldn’t dare.”
“Your Highness, thank you for coming. The celebration wouldn’t be the same without you,” the duke said with deep sincerity.
By engaging Prinny and Lauderdale in amusing conversation, Georgina ensured that she and Francis were not alone for the next two hours. When the fireworks began, Georgina excused herself. “I promised to watch the display with my niece and nephew. I cannot break my word to them.”
She found Mary and Charles and they sat down on the terrace steps to watch the illuminations. It wasn’t long before Johnny Russell joined them.
“Lady Georgina, I’m so happy to find you at Woburn.”
Her breathing became uneven. I wonder if your father is watching us? “Thank you, Johnny. Did you enjoy your trip to Tavistock?”
“Oh, yes. I had the best Christmas ever.”
Johnny and Charles renewed their friendship and, refusing to be ignored, Mary joined in. While they were occupied, Georgina cast surreptitious glances about the crowd of guests gathered on the wide terrace. Suddenly, she drew in a swift breath. The tall, dark figure standing alone, his back leaning against the wall, was John Russell. She felt as if a skyrocket had exploded and showered her with stars.
Suddenly, she found the Duke of Bedford at her side and she stood up so he wouldn’t sit down beside her. He carried a fox fur wrap and, moving behind her, draped it about her shoulders.
“My duty as host is to keep you warm,” he murmured in her ear.
“You are too kind.” And much too close. Brilliant blue, red, and green balls shot into the air, followed by a loud explosion. Georgina gasped, pretending to be startled, and stepped back onto the duke’s foot with the high heel of her boot. She turned around to apologize. “Forgive me, Francis.” Her spirits sank as she saw that John Russell was no longer there.
At the finale, the sky lit up with a brilliant display and everyone began to shout and cheer. Francis swept Georgina into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Happy New Year, my love!”
Suddenly, John Russell was beside her. Their eyes met for a brief moment. “Come on, Johnny. You’ve seen the dawn of the New Year—it’s time for bed.”
“Happy New Year, Father.” He looked at Georgina and his uncle Francis with a frown between his eyes, and then moved toward the house with his father. “Are they going to get married?”
“I don’t know,” John said quietly. “I don’t want to know.V
Georgina’s mother and sisters gathered around her, wishing everyone a happy new year, and at the same time the Prince of Wales and Lord Lauderdale clapped Francis on the back and proposed that they drink a toast to the year that had just dawned.
When everyone held a glass of champagne, Francis proposed something dear to Prinny’s heart. “I declare this a good year for a Regency.”
Prinny preened, and Lauderdale said, “I’ll drink to that.”
“You’ll drink to anything,” Georgina teased.
Lauderdale winked at her and, in his thickest Scots’ brogue, led the guests in singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
When their glasses were drained, she excused herself on the pretext of helping put her sisters’ children to bed.
“They have nursemaids for that,” Francis protested.
“Yes, but I want to make sure Charlotte gets to bed too.”
Mary, who had been avidly listening to their conversation, said, “Mother is going to have another baby—I hope it’s a girl.”
Francis glanced down. “I’m sure she hopes for a son.”
“You’re the old man’s brother—what do you know about it?V
Georgina hid her amusement. “You’ll have to forgive her, Your Grace. I have been giving her wicked lessons.”
He squeezed Georgina’s hand. “Go and put the chit to bed, then come back and give me wicked lessons.”
When Georgina returned she stayed close to either her brother, or her friends Henry and Beth. It was four in the morning before the party broke up and everyone retired.
Francis, who had impatiently bided his time, took her elbow. “As your host I claim the privilege of escorting you to your chamber.” He took her the long way around, and the moment they were alone, he stopped walking and took her hands.
“So elusive, but I fully intend to have you for my duchess. Georgina, you know I’m in love with you.”
vFrancis, I don’t want to hurt you, but my answer is still no.”
“Why the devil is it no?” he demanded.
“Because I’m not in love with you.” She pulled her hands from his, removed the ring he had given her, and gave it back to him. “Good night, Your Grace.”
Breakfast was served at eleven the next morning, and afterward the Duke of Bedford asked the Duchess of Gordon if he could have a private word with her.
Jane’s heart began to hammer with anticipation. “Your Grace, it would please me above all things. I have enjoyed my stay at Woburn, brief though it has been. We must do this more often.”
“Lady Gordon . . . Jane . . . my feelings for your daughter run deep. I would like to recruit you as an advocate, if you are willing.”
“Your Grace . . . Francis . . . you could not possibly find a greater advocate than myself. Our interests are one and the same.”
“When we return to London, your daughter and I will meet at myriad social events where I will openly court her. But what I need is time, some private time, where I am free to woo Lady Georgina and we can get to know each other more intimately. I cannot invite her to Woburn without her family, so I ask your help in arranging a rendezvous in a romantic setting where we can find a little solitude and further our relationship without the world looking on.V
“I will give it my full attention, Francis, and I shall be in touch with you when all the arrangements are in place.V
“Lady Georgina is lucky indeed to have a mother who has her best interests at heart. Your daughter is rather elusive, which is an admirable quality in a maiden. I’d prefer it if you didn’t mention our plans to her. I would like it to be a surprise.V
“My dear Francis, you are a romantic at heart,” she said coyly. “You may leave it all to me.V
Jane could taste victory. She was convinced that if she arranged a private rendezvous for the couple, Francis Russell would propose marriage. There was no doubt in her mind that the duke had chosen Georgina to become the Duchess of Bedford.
The moment she returned to London, she told her closest friends, in the strictest of confidence of course, that Francis Russell had given her daughter a ring. She told them that the duke was such a private man that he wished to keep the engagement a secret until they made a formal announcement in the press.
Within hours, the Duchess of Devonshire heard the devastating news and rushed to her friend Lady Melbourne. Both women were outraged. The duchess had lost to her greatest rival the prospect of a ducal son-in-law. It was also a bitter pill for Lizzie Melbourne to swallow, that the man who had been her lover had succumbed to the charms of a young virgin who was thirty years her junior.
By the middle of January, Georgina had attended four balls where she had had no dance partners other than Francis Russell, Prince Edward, and Lord Holland. She thought that George Howard, heir to the Earldom of Carlisle, was about to ask her to dance, but he walked past her and partnered her friend Dorothy Cavendish instead. This was the umpteenth ball where she felt like a wallflower, and when she mentioned it to her friend Henry he explained it to her.
“The Duke of Bedford has made it plain to the young nobles that if they partner you, they’re encroaching on his private preserve.”
Georgina was furious. “His arrogance is beyond the pale! It is barefaced
audacity. He has no claim on me whatsoever! How you can be a close friend to such a man is beyond my understanding.V
“Well, actually, it is John who is my close friend. Francis and I are friendly acquaintances who move in the same circles. Georgy, if he hasn’t asked you to marry him, I’m sure he will.”
“But I don’t want to marry him.”
“Are you sure, my dear? There has not been a young Duchess of Bedford for three decades. You could not achieve a greater match in all of England or Scotland.”
“I am aware that Bedford is England’s premier duke, and Woburn Abbey is the most magnificent holding in the country, but titles and wealth do not guarantee happiness.”
“Perhaps you are too young to realize it, but nothing guarantees happiness, Georgy,” he said gently.
“Yes, I am young, and I don’t see why I have to rush into marriage in my first Season.” Your wife, Beth, did that and then she fell in love with you and ended up in a messy divorce.
“My best advice is to trust your own instincts.”
“Thank you, Henry. You are very kind to listen to me.V
She agreed to take supper with Francis, then to spite him, granted Prince Edward’s request to escort her. The two friends bristled and made cutting remarks to each other. This is a cockfight, and I caused it. She vowed not to do it again.
On the carriage ride home in the early hours of the morning, she told her mother, “I’m weary of balls. In London you meet the same people over and over until you want to scream or die of boredom. I understand why Father spends his time in Scotland.”
“You need a little change. It’s Susan’s birthday on February 2. Why don’t you visit Kimbolton Castle? There was such a crush of people there over Christmas, you never got to visit with your sister.”
It would be a wonderful chance to escape from London . “Yes, Mother, I would enjoy that. We are going to have an early spring; the snowdrops and crocuses should be in bloom by then.”
“I don’t think I’ll come. I don’t find London society boring. I find it stimulating. Dear Henry Dundas has invited me to the theater on Friday. But you sound like you need a change.”