Georgie sighed to herself. The only thing she could do was see how their ride went in the morning.
* * *
The first clear rays of the October sun had yet to reach the windows when Georgie awakened the next morning and pulled back the bed curtains. The only sign that it would make an appearance at all was a gentle lightening of the bedchamber. It seemed as if the sun was rising later each day, but Georgie’s mind refused to change the time it decided to awaken.
A maid quietly opened the door and started the fire.
Georgie leaned over. “Do you happen to know the time?”
The maid jumped, probably startled by being addressed at this hour. “Not quite six thirty, miss.” The maid picked up her bucket. “Do you wish me to call your dresser?”
Not late at all. She collapsed back against her pillows. “No, thank you.”
She tried to go back to sleep but Morpheus refused to cooperate. Flinging back the covers, she threw her legs over the side of the bed and tugged the bell-pull. If she could not sleep, she might as well get ready for the day. Padding over to the window, she opened it and stuck her head out. Birds sang and a soft breeze caressed her cheeks. Hmmm. Even this early the weather boded well for a relatively warm day. She hoped it would last.
She had finished her ablutions when Smith entered from the dressing room. “I thought you might want to dress in your riding habit instead of changing after breakfast.” She held up an emerald green nankeen riding habit—one a bit nicer than the one Georgie usually used—and a red velvet riding habit. “It seems like a nice day. I recommend the green.”
“I think that will be perfect for today.” Even though her thoughts warred between wanting Turley to fall in love with her and wanting not to care what he thought, she did wish to look her best. Georgie noticed a small tray with a pot of tea, a small pitcher of milk, sugar, and one piece of toast. “Thank you.”
Smith draped the green habit across a chair. “I thought you might be a bit peckish if you had to wait another hour to break your fast. Let me put this other one away, and we’ll get you dressed. You can eat while I’m putting your hair up.”
An hour later, Georgie met Adeline going to the stair. “Good morning.”
Adeline grimaced. “I should have stayed in bed longer.”
That did not sound good, or like her. Georgie saw her friend’s hand go to her stomach. “What is wrong?”
“Not wrong. It is only that the baby has recently begun to move. He feels like a small fish swimming around. Unfortunately, I kept waking up when he moved. It is so light, poor Frits cannot feel him.”
She felt sorry for her friend’s interrupted sleep. “Have something to eat and take a nap. That, I have been told, is one of the benefits of carrying a child.”
Adeline looked unconvinced. “I have a great deal to do, but I suppose an hour would not hurt.” She looped her arm through Georgie’s. “It is quite likely that Lord Turley will join us for breakfast.”
Georgie’s breath rushed out of her body leaving her a bit dizzy, and she was grateful she had already eaten something. “Oh . . . Well, I do not suppose it matters. I would have seen him soon in any event.”
They reached the hall and stepped off the bottom tread in unison. “Georgie, you do not have to see him if you do not wish. I am perfectly capable of telling Frits that he must go back to Town.”
That was tempting. Tempting but cowardly. “No. I want to know if we have a chance of a future together, and now is the time to do it. When we are not around dozens of other people.”
Adeline’s brows furrowed. “It will not be for long.” Then she grinned. “This evening is the ‘grand dinner.’”
“Oh my, yes.” Georgie chuckled. “I wonder just who exactly Mary and Amanda have invited. Neither of us thought to ask.”
“We should ask if Lord Turley knows.” They turned down the corridor to the breakfast room. “After all, he has just come from Town and must have all recent goings-on.”
As if they were not kept au courant by their friends. “I suppose what he hears will be different from what either Henrietta or Dorie write to us about.”
Adeline patted Georgie’s hand. “Here we are.”
She straightened her already straight shoulders and stepped into the room. As her friend had said, Turley was present and in the process of sitting when he saw them. “Good morning, my lady, Miss Featherton.” Frits pulled the chair out next to him for Adeline, then proceeded to make a plate for her. Turley held a chair out. “Please.” His expression was contrite and his tone—oh, “pleading” was not the word, but it was clear he wished her to sit next to him.
This was all a little awkward, but it could have been worse. “Thank you, I wish to get my breakfast first.”
“Yes, of course.” He stood back and waited while she picked up her plate and added coddled eggs and a slice of beef to it. As soon as she walked the three steps back to the table, he took her plate and set it on the table then waited to seat her.
“Thank you.” Before she could reach for the rack of toast, he placed it in front of her. “How did you know that was what I wanted?”
“It was the way you looked at it.” He grinned. “It was either tea or toast.”
“Indeed.” She found herself grinning in response. “If I did not get to the toast before my brothers, I would have to wait until the next rack was ready.” She cut her toast into three pieces as was her custom. “Would you like me to pour?”
“If you would please.” He slid his cup and saucer to her.
She was well aware that he liked his tea with no sugar and was surprised when she saw him add two lumps. Turley slid a shy glance to her. “I drink my morning tea sweet.”
Georgie fought down a blush. This was the first time they had taken breakfast together. Yet, it was something they had in common. “I do as well.”
“I must beg your pardon for showing up without an invitation but when I went down to the breakfast room at The Lilacs, I was informed breakfast would not be for at least another hour.”
Adeline waved one hand in front of her face and covered her mouth with the other as she yawned. “I had a feeling you might join us.”
“That is it, my love,” Frits said. “Directly after we eat, you are going back to bed. Our daughter needs to learn not to keep her mother up.”
Adeline raised her chin. “And how do you know it is not a son?”
Frits appeared offended on behalf of the entire male species. “If it is, I’ll be sure to teach him the proper way to treat his mother.”
Georgie brought her hand up to hide her laughter, and Turley caught her eyes, his pale blue ones dancing with mirth. “You do realize that this little one is not due to make an appearance until March?”
“It’s going to be a very long five months at this rate,” Turley added.
“I am sure he or she will calm down or you will learn to sleep through the movement,” Georgie said. “My sister did. She said the only reason it kept her awake at first was because the feeling was new and strange.”
“It is that.” Adeline took a sip of tea. “At first it felt as if fish were swimming around, now it feels more substantial.”