She could not refuse him now, after having already accepted, but part of her felt conflicted as to whether she had made the right decision.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Adelaide asked her, “Is there anything bothering you, dear? You seem so quiet this evening.”
Georgiana smiled as she turned to her aunt and replied, “I am just … daydreaming a little about the ball. Do you think there will be any other ladies dressed as Amphitrite?”
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem likely,” Adelaide replied. “It is far more likely there will be another Cleopatra present.”
“Well, if there is another Cleopatra, I am certain you will far outshine her,” she declared.
“I can agree with that wholeheartedly,” Jonas added as he lifted his wife’s hand and kissed the back of it.
Georgiana felt Ambrose look at her and had no doubt part of him wanted to do the same to her. She was relieved when he refrained, though he subtly took her hand as he remarked to Jonas that he made an equally excellent Julius Caesar.
Soon, they arrived at Bartlett Manor. After making sure their masks were firmly in place, they exited the carriage and went inside.
Instantly Georgiana felt her eyes drawn to the sea of colors and masks, as the butler escorted them to the drawing room. Though not late, they were far from the first guests to arrive.
As they went further into the room, she made the decision to simply enjoy the evening. She would think about the earlier events when she was alone, not here. However, that might be easier decided than done, since she worried that Ambrose, so anxious to please her, would not be inclined to leave her side for a moment.
Somehow, the thought was not a comforting one, though she felt it should be…
Chapter 24
Walter stood next to his mother at the masquerade ball, as they both looked over the various guests in their costumes. Though, in some cases it was obvious who some of them were, there were many who were not so easy to identify.
He had decided to go as Odysseus, after briefly considering being Zeus instead, but dismissed it as a costume likely to be the choice of several men, at least. His mother had used lots of feathers in her dress and on her mask, going as a dove instead of as any historical or mythological person.
“You have done a marvelous job planning all this, Mother,” he told her when they had a moment to themselves.
“Why, thank you, Walter. I quite enjoyed planning it,” she replied with a smile.
“I expected it to take you much longer to plan something this elaborate.”
“True, I may have rushed things along a little, but this was the first time you have ever asked me to throw a ball, or any event, come to that, so I found myself eager to do it,” she admitted.
“Well, I must say how much I appreciate it,” he told her. Now, he would be able to see Georgiana all the sooner … assuming, of course, he could determine which of the masked guests was her. He had little doubt he would be able to do so, however.
“Hmm … what was that I just heard? You admit to appreciating me?” Sylvia teased. “Well, I am glad to see you finally enjoying the season.”
A few more guests with masks entered the room, and his attention was instantly caught by the cerulean-blue dress that one of the newly arrived ladies was wearing. The height and her hair color were right for it to be…
“Oh, Walter, I nearly forgot, there is someone I would like you to meet,” Sylvia said just as he had taken a step in the young woman’s direction.
He inwardly sighed, as he debated for a moment either agreeing to meet whomever his mother wanted to introduce him to or find out if the young lady he had seen was, indeed, Georgiana. Finally, he decided he would have the chance to find out about the young lady later, since there was the possibility he was wrong about her identity.
“So, who is the person, and why do you want us to meet?” he asked, cautious of the possibility his mother might be trying to match him up with someone else. True, she had not even brought up the subject since he had told her he still loved Georgiana, but it was still something she was perfectly capable of doing.
“I recalled hearing you mention you want to invest in another ship, correct? Well, I heard the Earl of Ferndale might be able to help with that in some way. I talked to him briefly earlier, and he seems keen to do business with you.”
Since the woman Walter had been looking at was now out of sight, he turned towards his mother and said, “Lead the way.”
Sylvia went ahead of him, weaving through some of the other guests as he followed behind her. Soon, she approached a tall gentleman, who was wearing a mask identifying him as Osiris.
“Son, I would like you to meet the Earl of Ferndale. Lord Ferndale, this is my son, Baron Bartlett, about whom I was telling you earlier.”
Walter bowed slightly at the earl, as he said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ferndale.”
“If I am right, then the pleasure will soon be all mine,” was the reply as Sylvia left them to talk business.
“My mother mentioned you might be able to help me add another ship to my business,” he began.
“Yes, I own a dockyard which builds and repairs ships. I often buy a damaged ship from its owners and sell it after it has been repaired, so I am sure I can find whatever you need.”
“That sounds excellent,” he replied. “I was hoping I might find someone to partner with me in the buying of a ship, to share the risk and the cost of fitting one out.”
“I understand perfectly. I have no difficulty with that. In fact, I may be willing to sell you a share of one of the ships I already own, so I could be your partner, if you think it would suit you. Tell me, what size ship are you looking for?”
“I was thinking of something a little larger than the two clippers I have at present going between England and France, but I don’t want it to be too large. Something around 200 tons would suit me nicely.”
“That is an easy size to work with. Where do you plan to send her?”
“I want a ship that can go down to Italy and Greece and buy goods from there. I look forward to seeing what ships you think would be best for that sort of trade,” Walter said, eager to excuse himself, so he could look for Georgiana.
“Ah, that sounds splendid! Do you intend to sell good English commodities there, as well? You would have to open a shop there, but I know people and can put you in touch with them.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I do not intend opening up any shops in those countries, at least, not yet. However, I do intend to see about shipping goods to shops already there. My uncle knows a few people in Italy he can put me in touch with,” he replied, trying to be polite and yet firm.