They accompanied the ladies to the door, and before Gavin could ask what her father was expected to stand the nonsense for, the duchess called out, “Turley, you will accompany us.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” Georgie muttered.
“Look at it this way, it saves Littleton and Adeline from having to chaperone us.”
Georgie sighed. “I suppose you are right.”
Even though their friends and family were all around them, he drew her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ll be back in the morning to accompany you.” A thought made him pull a face. “Unless, that is, they decide I should provide an escort for them.”
“I love you.” Her arms tightened around him.
“And I love you. Sleep well. I’d try to sneak out, but I doubt they’d let me.”
“We’ll be together soon.” Georgie stepped back. “Until tomorrow.”
The door closed behind him and Adeline yawned. “Thank the Lord. Now I can go to bed.”
“That was a masterful performance, my love.” Frits did not even get the sentence out before he began to laugh.
“I agree.” Georgie chuckled. “I do wonder how long they will try to keep Gavin and me apart.”
“Until you set a date,” Adeline threw over her shoulder as she strode toward the stairs. “Depend upon it. They will not care about an early baby. God knows there are enough of them. They will want to make sure he doesn’t die before the lines are signed.”
“Drat.” Georgie had thought of the obvious way he could be killed but not all the other dangers of life. “Well, it’s a bit late for that.”
Frits stopped and his eyes widened. “Despite what Turley said, I knew something had gone on.”
“I do not know why you are surprised,” Georgie retorted. “It will be your job to keep him safe until we are married.”
“Of course it will,” Frits grumbled as he followed his wife up the stairs. “Now that the horse is out of the barn, I don’t suppose I need to worry about you and him in Town.”
She was not quite sure she liked being compared to a horse, but she did agree with the sentiment. “Exactly.”
Georgie stayed awake as long as she could hoping that Gavin would come, but eventually Morpheus took her in his arms, and the next thing she knew the sun was shining in her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Not that late, miss.” Smith stepped out of the room and spoke to someone in the corridor. “Your tea will be here shortly. I would have had it ready, but you looked so tired last night I knew you’d sleep later this morning.”
Georgie wondered exactly how long she had remained awake last night. But it didn’t matter. Her grandmother and the duchess would have kept poor Gavin up until he dropped from exhaustion. “Do we have a more exact time of our departure?”
“Yes, miss. Shortly after breakfast. Your trunks are already packed, and have been sent down to the baggage coach.”
That was fast. “How late is it?”
Her maid answered the scratching at the door and brought tea and a piece of toast to her. “We knew last night we’d be leaving this morning after everyone was up and had broken their fast.”
She thought of all the shopping she had done at the fair. “Did everything fit?”
“Oh my, yes. You did not buy that much.” Smith waited until Georgie had finished her repast. “I left out your yellow carriage gown.”
“Thank you.” That was one of the few gowns she had that was brighter than pale. “I cannot wait to have richer colors.”
“That will be much easier.” Her maid took the tea and plate.
“Do you know if Lady Littleton is awake and about?”
“Like you, she slept later. You’ll be down in good time.”
The room was already warm for which Georgie was glad. She shoved her feet in her slippers and padded behind the screen to wash in the basin. A bath would come later today. In short order, her maid had her dressed and was packing the remaining items in a satchel when she made her way to the breakfast room.
Adeline had just taken a bit of toast when Georgie joined her. “Where is Frits?”
“Up and supervising the packing. I believe he has also sent a carriage to The Lilacs.”
She said a short prayer that Gavin would be allowed to accompany them to Town. “I hope that is successful.”
“For your sake, so do I.” Adeline grinned. “You’d better eat. Frits does not like going to Town, but when he does, he’s like a horse going to the barn. He wants to do it as soon as possible.”
Georgie selected baked eggs and ham. When she took her place she pulled over a rack of toast that had just been set on the table. “I shall be as quick as possible.”
She had almost finished eating when the sound of voices came from the direction of the hall, and her heart skipped a beat. But the only person entering the room was Frits. “Turley will not be accompanying us.”
“I cannot say that I am surprised.” Although she had prayed and hoped he would be with them. And her heart ached that she would not see him today.
“I wouldn’t worry too much. My mother and the ladies will depart before noon.” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “He’ll be with you as soon as he can manage it.”
“I know.” Still it ruined the rest of her breakfast.
Frits glanced at Adeline. “I have decided I was very wise to keep you here until we were married.”
“Yes, you were.” Adeline gave him an arch look. “But your mother wasn’t a week away.”
“You have me there.” He grabbed a piece of toast from the rack in front of her. “When will you be ready to leave?”
Adeline’s head swiveled to Georgie. “Less than a half hour.”
“There you are, my love. We will be with you soon.”
“I’ll see you outside.” Frits strode out of the room.
Georgie placed her serviette on the table. “If you will excuse me, I’ll see you in the hall or out in front.”
“I’ll come with you.” Adeline caught up and linked her arm with Georgie’s. “I know you are disappointed, but the news was not unexpected. Think about it like this, soon no one will be able to keep you apart.”
That did make her feel better. “I know you’re right. I just wanted to spend time with him today.” They reached Georgie’s rooms, and she thought about Gavin’s offer to redecorate his—their town house. “Gavin has given me the freedom to renovate Turley House. Would you object if I start while I am visiting you?”
“Not at all.” Adeline laughed. “Please tell me if I can be of help.”
“I will. He said that he would be happy to visit furniture houses and other places with me, but Parliament is still in session, and I would expect him to attend meetings and votes.”
“Well, if he was like Frits, he’d be with you. But I know how much he loves politics.”
And that was one of the many things Georgie loved about Gavin. “He does, indeed. I know you do not share my passion, but I am looking forward to holding political dinners and other entertainments.”
“I do not,” Adeline agreed. “Yet, both Frits and I are very happy that our friends enjoy those types of things.”