“Oh please,â€? Georgiana said, using all of her will power to keep from laughing at this woman with the subtlety of a plow horse. “Do not feign politeness on my behalf. I shall remain here unescorted and will by no means attempt to listen to your conversation from across the garden.â€?

“That is most generous of you,â€? Augustine cooed, fluttering her eyelashes in a manner supposed to be alluring.

“Yes, social training will have that effect from time to time,â€? Georgiana replied seriously, feeling a stab of schadenfreude as Tomlin turn an alarming shade of puce.

“Come Tomlin, your charming date can spare you for just a moment,â€? August urged.

Georgiana caught his eye for a moment, seeing the indecision rage beneath the surface. While she was a patient woman, she did not suffer fools gladly. If only she knew something about this man that would explain why she wanted to know more!

“I shall wait,â€? Georgiana said, “on the main stair beneath the clock. When…if you are ready, find me there.â€?

Then she was gone.