It was with supreme effort that Georgiana kept her mouth from falling open in utter shock. The nerve of this man “Tomlinâ€? was obviously unfathomable! How dare he run about, telling unsuspecting respectable women he loved them before running away to hide, only to introduce her as his date to other women?

Absolutely unthinkable! She turned to tell him what a cad he was when she caught sight of his face. There was a pleading vulnerability in his eyes that made Georgiana hold her tongue despite her better judgment. Quirking an eyebrow at him, she turned to face the harpy that was eying her like something that had been mucked from the stable. She might actually take pleasure from this silly ruse.

“I do not believe we’ve met,â€? August simpered with false politeness. “Tomlin, where do you find these women?â€?

Georgiana laughed, marveling at the cattiness of women. “I see you are clever and will not lie to you,” she whispered conspiratorially . “I could not resist Tomlin’s begging. What could a poor Countess do?”