“You are the most beautiful lady in the ballroom, nay, in all Paris, tonight. Your eyes are shining like stars.”
Georgina had never waltzed before and had been afraid she would misstep, but John held her so securely and led her around the floor with such assurance that her fear quickly dissolved. “Thank you. You have restored my confidence.”
“I have a carriage waiting outside. Do you feel wickedly confident enough to steal away from the ball and take a ride with me along the Seine?v
Georgina drew in a swift breath, and the music filled her heart as she swayed in his arms. “I do, John.” I do, I do, I do!
He smiled down into her eyes. “I shall draw everyone’s attention by dancing with Josephine Bonaparte. It will give you a chance to get a dark cloak, and slip away unnoticed.”
Chapter 25
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” Georgina was breathless. “My friend Hortense diverted Mother’s attention so I could slip away without being seen.v
John helped her into the carriage and sat down facing her. He knew if he took the seat beside her, he could not trust himself to keep his hands from her. “You didn’t take long to make friends.”
“Hortense needed a sympathetic ear to listen to her troubles. Her stepfather has chosen to marry her to his brother, Louis Bonaparte, and she has been given no choice in the matter.b”
“Napoleon has decided Hortense must marry for position, and I believe he will make the same decision for his stepson Eugene.”
“You feel you must warn me, but you need not. I have no interest in Eugene Beauharnais, except as a friend.”
“He makes no secret of his feelings for you, Georgina.”
“Eugene is a boy who has mistaken infatuation for love.”
“Your mother is doing her best to promote a match between the two of you. I don’t want you to be hurt again.”
“I am aware of my mother’s matchmaking ambitions, John. I don’t intend to be hurt again. I will make my own decisions about my future.”
“Your future is what I would like to discuss.” He warned himself to go carefully. He had visions of her bolting from the carriage. “I am a good deal older than you, Georgina,” he began tentatively.
She caught her breath. He had stolen her heart long before he became widowed. Whenever they met, sparks had ignited, and there had always been an unspoken attraction between them. Was it possible his feelings had deepened into something more? “I find maturity a most attractive quality in a man.”
“Flattery, begod.”
She laughed softly, remembering she had once said those saucy words to him.
For God’s sake, don’t tell her you are in love with her. She’s still in love with Francis. He leaned forward. “Georgina, I don’t want to spend my life alone. I need a political hostess for Woburn, and I can think of no other lady who would fit my needs so perfectly. You enjoy politics as much as I do.”
You’re going to propose! Inside, she was bubbling with joy.
“My two older sons don’t really need a mother, but my youngest son does. Thankfully, Johnny already loves you.”
Ask me . . . Just ask me! She wanted to scream with excitement.
“I have recently lost my wife and my brother. People will whisper that I am a decadent devil, and the last thing I want is for you to be hurt by more gossip. But if you’ll have me, Georgy, I promise to do my utmost to make you happy.’”
Her heart melted with love. She reached out and touched his face tenderly. “I’ll have you, old man,” she whispered.
Relief washed over him. He captured her hand and kissed it. “You had to say yes after we danced the waltz in front of everyone. I deliberately compromised you.”
“You are a decadent devil!” No, John, you are a romantic at heart, but your secret is safe with me. “Stop the carriage! Let’s get out and walk.”
John glanced through the carriage window, and when he saw where they were, signaled the coachman to stop. He alighted, asked the driver to follow them, and then helped Georgina from the coach. They were on the wide boulevard that ran between the Tuileries gardens and the Seine. With a protective hand at the small of her back, John led her from the deep shadows of the Linden trees toward the river.
She took a deep, appreciative breath. “It’s such a beautiful night. The air is soft and warm . . . May is surely the loveliest month.” And Paris is the most romantic city in the world!
He hated to speak of practical matters, but it must be done. “I know all brides long for a grand wedding with hundreds of guests invited to celebrate the nuptials, but that would mean waiting a year until the mourning period is over.” He looked down into her eyes. “I don’t want to wait that long.” Georgina was such a tempting marriage prize. He feared she would be snatched away from him if he waited.
He loves me so much he cannot bear to wait. Her spirit soared with happiness. She had always vowed that she would never marry unless she loved the man with all her heart, and now her dream was about to come true. “You are right. A big wedding would cause a scandal, but if we have a private ceremony, surely we don’t have to wait a year?”
John was relieved that she was amenable to a discreet exchange of vows. “All your sisters had grand weddings—are you sure you won’t have regrets, Georgy?v
“Absolutely, positively sure.v
John was amazed that she seemed not only willing, but also eager to fall in with his plans. Marriage is the only way she can escape her mother. The wretched
woman dominates her life. He vowed to cherish her and give her all the freedom she craved. That is the surest way to win her heart. I will give her lots of time to get over Francis. Then I will woo her with a vengeance. “How about a month from today?vHe pressed for a firm committment. “Will that give you enough time?”
“June is traditional for a wedding. June twenty-third will be perfect.”
John took hold of her left hand and slipped a ring on her finger to seal their engagement. The large pear-shaped diamond took her breath away. He bent his head and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “I swear you won’t regret this, Georgy.”
She yearned for a real kiss, but knew he held back out of respect for her feelings for his brother. It was a charade she must keep up for the present, but once they were married, she would show John that she loved him to distraction.
“I’ll make a formal call on the Duchess of Gordon tomorrow.v
“Oh, John, can’t you wait for a few days so I can savor the secret?”
“I should return to London. There are so many pressing things I must see to before June. Apart from my Woburn obligations, I have to take my seat in the Lords, and I am obliged to get back before my sons’ school year ends.” He smiled down at her.“Now that I have everything I came for, there is no need to stay in Paris.” A sudden thought occurred to him, and his dark brows drew together. “You’re not afraid your mother will refuse me, are you?”
Refuse an offer to make her daughter the Duchess of Bedford? Not bloody likely! “It is not her decision to make, John. It is mine, and I have made it.”
Little girl, I love and adore you.
“The Duke of Bedford?” Jane Gordon was pleasantly surprised that John Russell was paying a formal call. “Show him into the sitting room and ask Lady Georgina to join us.” She checked her appearance in the mirror, liked what she saw, and went downstairs.
“Your Grace, I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness in coming all the way to Paris to fulfill your brother’s last wish.v
“My brother?” John was at a loss.
“The lock of hair you have brought for Georgina will give her so much comfort.v
“Last night I asked Lady Georgina to be my wife.”
The Duchess of Gordon’s jaw dropped. She rapidly recovered from her astonishment. “Ah, now I understand perfectly. The lock of hair was a symbol. It was your brother’s way of asking you to take care of Georgina. How very noble and selfless you are, Your Grace. I am quite overcome
by such gallantry”
Her explanation for his proposal made John feel anything but gallant. He was about to enlighten her when Georgina entered the room. The sight of her made him forget about Jane Gordon.
“Good morning, John.” It really happened . . . it wasn’t just a dream! She felt her cheeks grow warm.
“Georgina, the Duke of Bedford has come to ask my permission to propose marriage.”
“No, Mother. John has come to tell you that he proposed to me last night, and I accepted him. Our wedding will be June twenty-third.”
“But that’s less than a month away!v
“It will be a short engagement.” Georgina raised her hand to display her diamond ring. “John has to return to England.”
“Well ... well ... it seems the two of you have come to a mutual agreement. Congratulations, Your Grace. We are highly flattered at the honor you do us. May I say that nothing in the world could give me greater satisfaction.VJane held out her hand.
John bowed and kissed her fingers. “Thank you, Lady Gordon.V
“I’m sure you will both excuse me,VJane said smoothly.
When they were alone, John fought the desire to sweep Georgina into his arms. “Your mother sounded pleased.V
“Her words were completely sincere. We are highly flattered at the honor you do us,Vshe said breathlessly.
John placed a finger against her lips. “Hush, Georgy. The honor is mine. I’m leaving tomorrow, so I won’t see you again until you return to London. Let me know the moment you are home.VHis arms went about her to draw her close. “Au revoir, ma petite.’’
When he spoke French, her very bones melted.
“Georgina, I am speechless with admiration. After all our hopes of your becoming the Duchess of Bedford were cruelly dashed to smithereens, you have wrought a miracle! But, darling, how on earth am I to pack up everything, return to England, and plan a grand wedding in less than a month?V
“We are not having a grand wedding. We will exchange our vows in a private ceremony with just the family present.”
“But you are marrying the Duke of Bedford. All London should be there to celebrate the nuptials.”
“Mother, have you forgotten that John is in mourning? It would be in execrable taste to have a big wedding. There will be gossip enough that we are not waiting a year.V
“A year? Heaven forbid! You cannot risk losing another duke.”
“Has someone else died?” Johnny asked his father.
John had picked up his sons at Westminster School and brought them to Russell Square for dinner so he could tell them he was getting married. He saw the apprehension on his youngest son’s face and quickly reassured him. “No, Johnny. Everything is fine. I have some news to share.”
“Is it about Napoleon Bonaparte?” William asked eagerly.
John smiled. “No, it’s about me. I have decided to marry.”
Francis exchanged a look with William, and it told their father that the news did not sit well with either of them. “Why do you want another wife?”
The blunt question could be taken two ways. Either they didn’t want another woman taking their mother’s place, or they equated females with unhappiness. John feared it was the latter.
“Is it Lady Georgina?” Johnny asked hopefully.
“Yes, it is, Johnny. You are very perceptive. The wedding will be in three weeks, on June twenty-third, so we can all spend the summer together at Woburn.”
His two older sons seemed less antagonistic now that they had learned the lady’s identity. “That will make Lord Lennox our uncle. I rather like him,” William said.
“You’ll have lots of new aunts and uncles,” John added.
“That won’t make up for losing Uncle Francis,” his namesake declared.
“Of course it won’t. No one can take Francis’s place.”
“Charlie Lennox will be my cousin. We had great fun together,” Johnny said. “Although Lady Mary tries to rule the roost.”
“That’s the trouble with females. They are all bossy,” William told his younger brother. “You have to put them in their place.”
“Is that what they teach you at school? I hope you will act like gentlemen and treat Lady Georgina with respect.”
Late that night Johnny came into his father’s chamber and climbed on the bed. John lifted the covers so his son could slip in beside him. “Is something troubling you, Johnny?”
“No, Father. I want you to know how happy I am that you are going to marry Lady Georgina.” Then he blurted, “I’m glad she didn’t marry Uncle Francis. Is that wicked of me?”
“I’m glad too—it’s not wicked at all.” Are you sure, old man?
Two days before the wedding, John and Georgina had dinner with Charles and Charlotte at Fife House in Whitehall. The couple had accepted the Lennoxes’ offer to have the wedding in their home.
“It’s most generous of you to let us exchange our vows here at Fife House, Charlotte. I hope your mother isn’t offended.”
“Lud, Mother was the one who suggested it. She’s up to her eyebrows in plans for the grand entertainment she’s throwing at Pall Mall two days after the wedding.”
Georgina threw John an apologetic look. “She’s invited half of London. I couldn’t talk her out of it, John. She sees nothing wrong with having it both ways—a discreet marriage ceremony here at Fife House, and as soon as we leave London, she’ll hostess a reception at Pall Mall for the haut ton.”
“You can’t ask a leopard to change her spots,” Charlotte said.
“In truth, Georgina and I are flouting convention, so your mother has my blessing. After all, she made a great sacrifice returning to London, when she found Paris so rewarding.”
Huntly grimaced. “I was quite enjoying Mother being out of the country. Living here at Fife House gave me total freedom.”
Georgina winked at her brother. “Make the most of tonight. It will be your last chance to indulge in depravity.”
“We’re going to White’s, not La Maison Rouge,” he said dryly.
Georgina blushed. Not because her brother referred to a brothel, but because she had actually been there.
After dinner, Charles and George withdrew to the entrance hall to give the betrothed couple a chance to say good night. They were taking John to White’s Club, where they had arranged for Lord Holland to join them in a traditional gentleman’s night out for the bridegroom’s last taste of freedom, so to speak.
John took Georgina’s hands. “I won’t see you again before the wedding. Do you have everything you need?”
“I will have if Father arrives tomorrow.” Georgina gazed down at the powerful hands that held hers. She suddenly realized she no longer needed Alexander Gordon to make her feel secure. John Russell’s love would keep her safe forever.
When they arrived at White’s, Lord Holland was there before them. Henry was talking to the Prince of Wales and Lauderdale, and all three men came forward to greet John. “Congratulations, Bedford. I have only just heard your news. Lady Georgina is a favorite of ours.” Obviously thinking of his friend Francis, Prinny gave a heartfelt sigh. “Life must go on.”
Henry steered John away from the prince, who had a tendency to steep himself in bathos. A liveried attendant took the men’s order for drinks, and they moved into one of the gaming rooms.
“Devil take it, I haven’t seen so many Whigs in one room in years. I thought they preferred Devonshire House to White’s.”
“They do,” Charles Lennox declared. “But unfortunately, the duchess is suffering from bad health and is unable to entertain.”
At least a dozen members of parliament offered John their sincere congratulations, and he was glad that he had agreed to come tonight. One man who didn’t come forward was George Villiers, Earl of Jersey. John hadn’t seen the man since that unfortunate encounter at the masquerade ball. Francis overheard Jersey remark that I had a hand in my wife’s death and called him a liar before all the other guests. There is certainly no love
lost between us. John was secretly amused that when he and his companions sat down at the faro table, Jersey got up and left.
At first John was lucky, but gradually Georgina’s brother began to win, and there was no stopping him. After two hours, John told his future brothers-in-law that he was going to try his luck in the next room at the baccarat table, and his friend Henry decided to join him.
In the corridor, John came face-to-face with Prince Edward. Though he had been a great friend of his brother’s, John felt only contempt for the young royal who had said scandalous things about Georgina. He nodded coldly and was about to pass when the prince sneered, “I hear you are marrying your brother’s leavings.”
John was enraged. “You have maligned the lady one too many times.” He fought the urge to thrash him within an inch of his life then and there.
“The lady bet me she would become the Duchess of Bedford. It was the title she craved, not poor old Francis. Now she is about to achieve her goal. I bow to the Dupe of Bedford.”
The slap was so sharp, it left finger marks on Edward’s florid cheek. “I will meet you in Saint James’s Park in two hours. Lord Holland will act for me. Pistols or swords—the choice is yours.” John turned on his heel and strode away, his barely controlled fury smoldering.
While Lord Holland stayed behind to work out the details with Prince Edward’s second, Lennox and Huntly accompanied John back to Russell Square. He dismissed the servants, led them to the library, and lit the lamps himself.
Huntly felt extremely gratified that his sister Georgina was about to marry a man who cherished her and was willing to fight for her honor.
Lennox remarked, “You are the only man I know, other than myself, who is reckless enough to challenge a royal prince.”
“Well, Charles, if I acquit myself as well as you did, I will have satisfaction,” John declared. “If you will excuse me, I will go up and change my clothes.”
More than an hour had gone by before Henry arrived. He eyed John’s white shirt and silver-gray waistcoat. “You will make a perfect target. He chose pistols.”