Lady Archer's Creed 02 - Georgina Read online

  “Dinah tells me you have been rather busy preparing for and attending societal events.” Father smiled. “She says you are making a splash and are sure to catch a worthy husband.”

  Of course her stepmother would tell such lies. She couldn’t very well let Father know she’d forbidden Georgie to see him, then made it impossible for her to go to him in order to ensure Georgie did not spend any time with him. All the same, Georgie could use the duchess’s duplicity to her advantage. “That is why I have come.” She smiled brightly. “I require more pin money. You see, the season’s demands are proving costlier than I had thought.”

  “Dinah has not said a thing to that effect.” Father studied her with warm eyes.

  Georgie looked away, pretending embarrassment. “She is unaware.” Georgie met Father’s gaze. “I would prefer she remain that way.”

  “What you ask is a bit much, Poppet. She is my wife and responsible for you making a good match.”

  “Please, Father? Just this once. An extra crown or two will do the trick, and she need never know.” Georgie pouted.

  Father gave a smile. “Just this once.” He stood, walked to his safe, and opened it. “I trust these additional funds will go to good use.”

  “You have my word.” They would fund Georgie’s entry and some new equipment for the Cheapside tournament. A very worthy cause in her opinion, though she’d not share that with Father.

  He handed her the coins and she dropped them into a pocket she’d sewn into her skirt. “Thank you, Father.”

  The rustle of skirts signaled her stepmother’s approach, and Georgie turned around to find the Duchess of Balfour striding across the office.

  “What are we thankful for, Georgina?” The Duchess came to stand next to Father, inserting herself between he and Georgie. Her swollen belly made the perfect barrier as she narrowed her eyes on Georgie.

  “Father merely gave me some words of encouragement about the season.”

  “Indeed.” Father dropped a kiss on his wife’s forehead. “Why are you not resting, darling?”

  “I missed you so terribly much. I simply had to come to you.” The duchess ran her hand across Father’s arm.

  “My heart longs to be near you as well, but in your condition, you simply must rest.”

  Georgie glanced at the woman’s belly. The baby was due to arrive any day now. She hoped with all she had that when it did, the duchess would turn all of her focus to the baby.

  “I am dreadfully bored all by myself.” She turned her gaze to Georgie. “I should like you to keep me company for the afternoon.”

  Another ply to separate her from Father. Georgie placed her thumb and forefinger on her forehead and massaged. “I have a sudden headache.”

  Georgina dashed to Mr. Alistair Price’s waiting Landau. A footman assisted her inside and she positioned herself on the blue velvet bench next to Lady Josephine. “Hurry, let us get under way,” Georgina said, ignoring the pounding of her heart as she smiled at Miss Adeline along with Theo and her husband, Alistair who sat on the opposite bench of the carriage.

  Mr. Price knocked on the carriage roof, signaling the coachman to proceed.

  As the carriage lurched into motion, Georgie released a pent-up breath and relaxed a measure. If her step mother caught her sneaking away, she’d pay dearly. The last time Georgie displeased her, the duchess had ordered her to her room for a sennight. Georgie hadn’t even been allowed to see her father. Still, she would willingly risk the duchess’ vexation in order to do as she must.

  Today, doing as she pleased meant accompanying her friends to present the funds they had raised for Miss Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality.

  “Is all as it should be?” Mr. Price asked.

  “Hum…yes, I was merely a bit distracted,” Georgie lied.

  Adeline slanted a knowing glace at her, and Georgie gave a weak smile. She and Adeline had been the first of their group to arrive at Miss Emmeline’s and had forged a strong bond before Josie and Theo arrived.

  Georgie adored all three ladies. They were her closest friends, but she and Adeline were like sisters. They held each other’s confidences and understood one another’s trials—they knew everything about the other and could read each other’s thoughts with a mere glance.

  The carriage turned out of the Balfour’s drive and Georgie stole a quick look out the window. Pray do not let me get caught. At this precise moment, she was to be abed with a headache. The duchess had requested her company, but Georgie could not be with her friends while she was attending the vengeful woman. She’d feigned the ailment to gain her freedom.

  She could have simply asked permission to go out, but the duchess would have most likely denied her wish and that was not a chance Georgie had been willing to take. They had been awaiting the opportunity to deliver the funds, and with Miss Emmeline here in London, the errand became much simpler. She would not miss the opportunity even if going meant she’d be disciplined—again.

  “Are you quite certain you are well?” Theo echoed her husband’s concern.

  Georgie forced a wide smile despite wanting to snap at the well-meaning couple. “What could possibly be amiss? I am with my dear friends on my way to see Miss Emmeline. The day could not be more perfect.”

  Theo raised an eyebrow. “You seem a bit distraught.”

  “Do stop badgering, her.” Adeline peered at Theo, then her brother, Alistair, a smug smile on her face. “We’ve more important things to do.”

  Josie flipped open her fan and began waving it in a sporadic flutter. “Do you think Miss Emmeline will be aghast at how we managed to raise the funds?”

  “Do not be a cake, Josie. Miss Emmeline encouraged our archery.” Adeline waved a dismissive hand.

  “And our individuality,” Georgie said. “She will be delighted to find out we won the Grand Archer’s Championship.”

  “Theo won.” Josephine waved her fan with a bit more force.

  Adeline rolled her eyes. “It matters not who fired the winning arrow.”

  Georgie relaxed a measure as her friends debated the facts. Their discourse lent her a strange sense of comfort—familiarity.

  The four of them had fallen into this pattern soon after Miss Emmeline assigned them to share a room at school. Each lady had her own personality, quirks, and strengths, and they all complimented each other. To their amazement, but Theo’s most of all, Alistair—oh bother, but Georgie still found it difficult to think of the man by his given name—fit right into their group. He bantered with them as if he always had, and loved Theo and Adeline enough to take all four of them under his protection.

  “Come now, Adeline. If it had been you who’d taken the winning shot, it would matter a great deal.” Alistair put his arm around Theo’s shoulders and she grinned at her husband.

  Adeline’s eyes blazed as she pinned her brother beneath her severe gaze. “That is—”

  Unable to resist, Georgie sat forward a fraction and said, “You know he speaks the truth.”

  “Stuff it, Georgie.” Adeline turned toward her elder brother, her pinned back blonde curls bouncing with the movement. “And as for you—”

  “Let us not grow cross.” Theo cut off Adeline’s coming tantrum. “I agree we are all responsible for the win.”

  “Indeed. If not for Adeline sneaking out of her bedchamber window and getting caught, you would not have competed.” Georgie laughed.

  Adeline’s lips twitched as though she were fighting a smile. Before long, everyone joined Georgie in her amusement.

  Everyone but Alistair who leveled a severe look on Adeline. “I fail to see the humor in your antics. You may well have broken your neck.”

  Adeline stiffened, mimicking her brother’s posture. “I see no humor in anything”, she said in a deep voice, then burst into a fresh round of laughter. “It would not harm you to loosen up a smidge, brother dear.”

  The Landau halted in front of the Clarendon Hotel. Alistair stepped
down before assisting first Theo, then the others ladies out of his Landau. Georgie smoothed her skirts. “You remembered the funds, Theo?”

  “Of course.” Theo patted her beaded reticule. “It’s all here.”

  Alistair proffered his arm to Theo and led the ladies into the hotel, past the check in counter and into the lounge.

  Georgie gave a heartfelt smile to Miss Emmeline as they sat down to tea. The headmistress had been far more than just a school administrator. She had encouraged and nurtured the girls—something Georgie had been sorely lacking when she’d arrived at Miss Emmeline’s school.

  For that, Miss Emmeline would always hold a special place in her heart. If stories are to be believed, she also tamed Adeline’s wild streak. However, Georgie remained unfamiliar with the girl her dearest friend had been before her arrival at their boarding school. By most accounts, a fact she should be grateful for.

  “How wonderful it is to see you ladies.” Miss Emmeline studied each girl in turn. “I was delighted to receive your missive requesting a visit.” She turned to Alistair. “Oh, and you’ve brought along Mr. Price. What a delightful surprise to meet Lady Theo’s husband.”

  “The pleasure is all mine.” Alistair patted Theo’s hand. “I have heard so much about you and your school that I feel I already know you.”

  Miss Emmeline grinned before indicating a cluster of plush upholstered chairs situated near a table. “I want to hear all about the Grand Archer’s Championship.”

  “How do you know about that?” Georgie asked, stunned. Granted, Miss Emmeline’s school was not all that far from London, but still, she found it quite the surprise that Miss Emmeline had heard tell of their involvement. Georgie studied her for a heartbeat but only observed mild curiosity. Perhaps she had not heard tell of their role in the tournament.

  “It is the largest archery competition in England. I read about the upcoming event in The Times and assumed my lady archers would know all that occurred.” Miss Emmeline’s eyes sparkled, something Georgie had never thought possible of her headmistress.

  “But of course we do.” Adeline sipped her tea.

  “The event was reported on in depth,” Josephine said as she plucked imaginary lint from the frock Georgie had secretly given her a fortnight ago. Though Josie had emerged from her shell while at Miss Emmeline’s, she still remained far more self-conscious than the other girls.

  “I fear I missed the articles after the initial announcement. Do fill me in.” Miss Emmeline leaned ever so slightly toward them.

  “Adeline and I were competing as lady archer one and two until Mr. Price caught us and refused to allow Adeline to continue. Theo fired the winning arrow.” Georgie added two lumps of sugar to her tea.

  Miss Emmeline leveled a reprimanding look on Mr. Price.

  “We all had a hand in her success.” Georgie sipped from her teacup.

  “What was it you girls used to say?” Miss Emmeline looked them over. “Friendship, loyalty, and…”

  “Honor above all.” Georgie, Adeline, Josie, and Theo said. They had lived by the creed ever since developing it during their first months at school. Georgie smiled at the memory.

  “Ah, yes. Wonderful words to live by.” Miss Emmeline grinned. “Now tell me everything. Do not leave out a single detail.”

  Georgie sipped her tea while Adeline and Theo told the tale. They recounted how Theo had beat Alistair at the Cheapside tournament to get the purse money needed to enter the Grand Archer’s Championship. About the fight that had erupted and how Alistair had saved Theo, not only from the fray but also from Mr. Gladstone.

  Adeline, not to be outshone, finished the tale by recounting Theo’s winning shot and her own role in it.

  “That is why we wished to meet with you,” Georgie said. “We competed to raise money for the school.”

  “For upkeep and repairs,” Adeline added.

  Theo pulled the pouch containing the winnings from her reticule and presented it to Miss Emmeline.

  The woman’s eyes went wide as saucers. “This is truly a blessing. You ladies are astonishing.” She beamed. “These funds will make a great deal of difference for our current students and staff. And I will ensure everyone knows who donated it.”

  “It was our pleasure.” Adeline smiled.

  Miss Emmeline tucked the pouch away. “Thank you hardly seems adequate, yet I have no other words.”

  “Thank you is more than enough,” Georgie said.

  The other ladies all nodded agreement.

  “Do you have future plans to compete?” Miss Emmeline sat her tea aside.

  “No. They have retired,” Alistair answered for them, his face set in a stern warning.

  Georgie sighed, grateful that she did not answer to Alistair.

  “Indeed.” Theo exchanged a glance with her husband. “I am now pursuing my passion for maps. In fact, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with a French map maker and am thoroughly enjoying the endeavor.”

  Georgie was exceedingly pleased for Theo. It was her wish that all four of them would eventually get the chance to live their lives on their own terms doing what they loved. For Theo, it happened to be topography and marital bliss. Neither would ever be the case for Georgie.

  Felton came to mind and she closed her eyes for a fleeting moment. He was the past, one of her girlhood dreams. She was a woman now, determined to control her own destiny.

  “How nice for you.” Adeline peered at her brother. “It is my wish to compete again, however, for now I must be content with merely practicing my skills.”

  “A fact I fear you will never stop bemoaning.” Alistair stood. “If you ladies will excuse me, I have something to attend to while you finish your tea.”

  Theo nodded her consent, and he took his leave.

  Georgie sighed. “I will never give up competing and no one can stop me.”

  “Someday you must.” Josie bit her lower lip.

  “Nonsense,” Georgie said. “I am going to be the finest female archer England has ever paid witness to. In fact, I intend to compete at the upcoming tourney in Cheapside.”

  “That is an all-male tournament. You couldn’t possibly.” Josephine’s cheeks tinted pink and she averted her gaze.

  Georgie and Adeline exchanged a smirk. Georgie experienced the same surprise and delight she read in Adeline’s gaze over Josie having kept current with upcoming tournaments. These days, it seemed Josie preferred her endeavors into medicine above archery. Perhaps they were all mistaken in that assumption.

  “What I would give to compete with you.” Adeline shifted in her chair.

  Miss Emmeline leaned forward, her eyes dancing mischievously. “How do you intend to pull off such a farce?”

  “Simple.” Georgie paused to sip her tea. “I am registering as Mr. George Seton and dressing like a man.”

  “I do not condone your actions. However, I am inclined to say that I believe you stand a chance at winning.” Theo nibbled at a biscuit.

  Josie nodded. “You are an amazing shot, always were, but since Theo has been tutoring us in her techniques, your aim is almost always true.”

  “As is yours. Which is why you should compete beside me,” Georgie said.

  Josie shook her head. “No. No, I couldn’t possibly.” The woman looked ready to expire on the spot at the mere mention of competing.

  Adeline sat her cup down with a clink. “But of course you can. Mr. Joseph Watkins. Do it for me.” She stared at Josie with longing. “Heaven knows I would, if I only could get away from Alistair long enough.”

  “I wish you could as well, Adeline, but there is no way your brother would allow such a thing, and if he knew I was privy to it and said nothing…” Theo glanced at the entrance. “Well, let us not go there. I beg you, do not get involved.”

  Adeline sighed. “You have my word.”

  Georgie turned her attention to Josie once more. “You will join me? Won’t you? I promise nothing will go amiss.”

  Josie str
aightened her shoulders. “I simply cannot.”

  Georgie wanted to offer her financial assistance. She’d wager a lack of funds was Josie’s main reason for rejecting her invitation. They all knew of Josie’s circumstances and helped as they could, still it was not something to be spoken about in public.

  “Won’t you reconsider? I will take care of everything. You need only come along.” Georgie gave her a look she hoped conveyed her meaning.

  The tint on Josie’s checks deepened to scarlet. “Very well.”

  “Perfect.” Georgie smiled. Having Josie by her side would lend her strength when she was faced with Felton. Furthermore, if anything went amiss, she would have a friend there to assist her.

  “Be sure to write me. I want to hear all about the tournament and my lady archers,” Miss Emmeline said.

  Adeline scowled, her gaze directed at the door.

  Georgie looked in the same direction. Alistair had reentered the room. She turned back to her friends. “Perhaps we should be going. The hour grows late.”

  “Indeed,” Adeline said.

  After a round of farewells and promises to stay in contact, Georgie, along with her friends, took their leave of the Clarendon and Miss Emmeline.

  The carriage ride back to her residence passed quickly—too quickly for Georgie. “There is no need to enter my drive. I find myself in want of a stroll. If you would be so kind as to let me out here, I will walk the remaining distance, Mr. Price.”

  “Without a chaperone?” He drew his brow together.

  “My home is but a short distance. I assure you, my father allows me to stroll this area unchaperoned on a regular basis.”

  Adeline tapped her fan on his arm. “It is true.”

  He turned to her. “And how exactly do you know this?”

  “The ducal estate actually started back at the large oak tree we just passed,” Theo said. “I too, can vouch for Georgie.”

  “Very well, then.” Alistair signaled his driver to stop and Georgie released a pent-up breath as the footman lowered the step for her.

  She tossed a smile over her shoulder as she left the Landau. A short walk across the massive lawn and then she could slip into a back door and it would be as if she’d never left.