“You may sit next to me and tell me how it all came about.” Lady Featherton patted the seat next to hers on the sofa.
He debated how much to tell them, and decided that he could omit everything after her acceptance. When he finished he said, “I shall have a word with Lytton and inform him he must leave the country.”
Brows furrowed, the ladies exchanged glances.
“We shall attend the festivities this evening,” the duchess said cryptically. He knew from bits of conversation he’d overheard that they had visited the dowager Lady Turner, but the ladies had never attended one of the entertainments.
“An excellent idea,” Lady Featherton chimed in.
“Naturally, we must change. However, we shall see you there.” The clock struck six and the butler knocked on the open door. “Lord Littleton’s coach has arrived for you, my lord.”
Gavin tossed off his wine. “If you ladies will excuse me, I must away.”
“Of course. We all wish you happy.” Lady Littleton bussed his cheek.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
As Gavin climbed into the carriage, he wondered why the devil the ladies had decided to attend the ball when he could be spending more time alone with Georgie. Before he could work out a reasonable answer, he’d arrived at Littlewood. When he strolled into the drawing room Georgie turned from the window, and he caught his breath. God she was divine. The neckline of the snowy white ball gown was cut low enough to show the soft swells of her breasts. Yet now that he knew how they looked and tasted he wished she’d covered them up a bit more.
The bodice of the gown sparkled as she moved toward him, and he could see the pale-pink embroidery had small glass beads scattered throughout. “You take my breath away.” Upon reaching him, she began to curtsey, but he captured her hand and stopped her. “I love you.”
Her smile lit her eyes, and he wished he had sapphires instead of rubies. “I love you too.”
If only he could drag her to one of the follies. When Gavin drew Georgie to him he remembered he was holding the sack. “I brought something for you.”
She gazed into his eyes showing him how much she loved him. “I think I already have everything I want.”
A light chuckle came from the direction of the door, causing him to release her and hold out the pouch. “These are for you.”
Georgie’s brow puckered in confusion as she took the satchel. “Thank you.”
“Drat. I’m doing this all wrong.” He took the bag back, and drew out the ring. “This has not been worn for many years. I hope it fits you, if not, we’ll have it changed.” As he took her right hand, her lips formed a perfect “O.” “I hope you like it.”
“I love it. Put it on me.”
Gavin couldn’t believe his fingers were shaking as he slid the ring on her finger. It was a little tight going over her knuckle. “Do you wish to have it enlarged?”
“Not at all.” Georgie wrapped her hand around his. “It is not uncomfortable, and it will not fall off.” The ring had one large square-cut ruby in the center flanked by diamonds. “It is perfect.”
“There is something else.” She released his fingers. He stuck his hand into the pouch again and a delicate necklace of rubies and diamonds appeared. “Will you wear it this evening?”
“It is perfect. Yes, I will wear it.” She smiled and turned her back to him. “Unclasp my pearls first.”
“Here,” Adeline said. “I’ll take them.”
“Thank you.” In place of the pearls, cool metal touched her skin as the rubies were placed around her neck. As soon as he dropped his hands, she turned around. “How does it look?”
“I think they suit you.” Adeline pointed to a small gilded mirror hanging on the wall. “Look for yourself.”
“Oh, my, yes.” Georgie couldn’t believe the change the necklace made. She actually looked more mature. “I must buy some earrings to go with the set.”
Gavin came up behind her and kissed her cheek. “It’s part of a parure. I remembered the ring. My valet added the necklace. But neither of us thought about earrings.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She took his arm as they walked back to their friends. “I can wear the ones I have on. Thank you. I have never been given such a lovely present before.”
Frits gazed at her for a moment. “I’ve seen them before in a portrait at Rivercrest.” He glanced at her. “It’s one of the only paintings with a dark-haired lady in it.”
“I daresay, they have not been worn since that time,” Gavin added. “I had forgotten about all of her jewels but the ring. You may have them all if you wish. They are not entailed.”
Georgie was stunned. Naturally, she knew she would have use of the estate jewelry, but to receive a whole jewel box of gems was beyond generous. “I do not know what to say. How am I going to thank you?”
A slow smile dawned on his face. “We can talk about that later.”
Heat rose in her neck as she understood his meaning. “But that is not just for you.”
“Lord, I hope not.” The words came out as a low growl.
“Come along you two.” Adeline placed her fingers on her husband’s arm. “We must dine before we depart, and poor Creswell has been standing in the door trying not to interrupt.”
The butler bowed. “I and the staff wish you and his lordship happy.”
“Thank you, Creswell,” Gavin and Georgie said at the same time.
Then he looked at her and they both laughed. This was what she had wished for in a spouse. Someone to laugh with. To share laughter and a family.
He brought her fingers to his lips. “May we start telling everyone this evening?”
“We may.” She was more than ready to tell the whole world. “I wrote to my parents and had the letter sent off. It will surely arrive before any gossip can reach them.”
“I’ve written to my sister and my aunt as well.” He tucked her hand firmly in the crook of his arm.
As they made their way to the dining room, she thought about the one dark-haired lady. “By the way, who is the lady to whom the jewels belonged?”
“I am not exactly sure.” He glanced down at her. “It might take a bit of research to find her name. The only thing that is of aid to us is that the portraits are all in order from oldest to newest. That will give us some idea of when the marriage took place. On the newer paintings someone had the forethought to label them with their names and dates. I don’t know if she is one of those or not.”
“If she is not, we will find her and add her name to her portrait.” Georgie was determined to do what she could for her benefactress even if she had been dead for centuries.
Gavin’s mien took on a thoughtful expression. “Do you remember when Adeline and I were so sure that we were strictly descended from the Saxons?”
“I do.” Georgie smiled to herself knowing what was coming next.
“It might not be the case in my family.” He pulled out her chair at the dining table.
“We will not know until we discover who she is. Are all the portraits of Ladies Turley? Or are there ones of the wives of younger sons?”