The Unthinkable Read Free

urgency.
    Edmund dared the unthinkable: a misalliance—an inferior marriage in the eyes of the ton. After all that he’d done for her, she owed it to him to try to not make it a costly decision.
    “Nothing would make me happier than to announce our betrothal,” she said truthfully. “But it’s better this way. We’ve already agreed. I’ll win them over first then we’ll announce our engagement in a few weeks.”
    Then she could relax.
    If her past didn’t find her first.
     
     
    Three hours later, Genie could breathe more easily. The night was progressing well. At supper she’d found herself inexplicably seated between Edmund and the charming old Earl of Clarendon—much too high on the table for a mere soldier’s widow. Edmund’s doing she suspected. She’d been introduced to the highest peers in the realm and had acquitted herself well. She’d even, at his request, been presented to the Prince Regent.
    But her real achievement came earlier in the evening. Lady Hawkesbury had presented her to five of the seven grandes dames of society, the famed Patronesses of Almack’s, and Genie had secured a “stranger’s ticket” as Lady Hawkesbury’s guest for next Wednesday’s ball from the friendly Lady Cowper. A mixture of joy and relief surged through her. If she could win over the dragons of Almack’s, her success was virtually guaranteed.
    They’d finished the lengthy meal and had moved into the gardens where a temporary courtyard had been set up to accommodate the two thousand guests. The evening’s entertainment of dancing and gaming would begin shortly. The band of Guards played under the portico while the guests enjoyed the temporary promenades that had been erected for the occasion.
    Edmund leaned over to whisper in her ear.
    The countess playfully rapped Edmund’s knuckles with her fan. “Stop that whispering immediately. You’ve drawn enough wagging tongues already.” Motioning to Genie she said, “Come along, my dear, move away from your vicious guard dog’s side.” She turned to frown at her son. “And you, my boy, should know better. It’s not the thing at all, monopolizing her like this. Why you’ve barely let any other man near her. I thought for one horrible moment that you might refuse to present her to the prince.”
    A decidedly petulant scowl descended across Edmund’s handsome features. Genie hid her smile behind her hand. He looked at any moment like he might thrust out his lower lip and pout like a naughty schoolboy.
    “That lecherous old cur! Did you see him? I thought he might drool down the front of her dress—”
    “Shush,” the countess scolded, rapping him harder this time, but still smiling. “Do you want someone to hear?” She turned her cheerful smile back to Genie. “And can you blame him? It’s a remarkable bosom.” Genie blushed, but the countess didn’t seem to notice. “You’ve created quite a stir, my dear. Why that harpy Lady Jersey is just positively twittering with curiosity.” The countess preened. “You’ll be the talk of the ball tonight, I can feel it. You look exquisite.” She studied Genie over the top of her fan. “Simply exquisite.”
    “I feel like a princess. This dress is beautiful. You’ve been so generous, I can’t thank you—”
    “Oh, posh,” the countess said cutting her off. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s great fun giving the ton something to talk about. And I know you must think it difficult to believe, but I caused a minor sensation in my day.”
    “I don’t find that difficult to believe at all,” Genie said honestly, giving her a fond peck on the cheek. With her dancing eyes and vivacious smile, Lady Hawkesbury was still a beautiful woman.
    Lady Hawkesbury was another reason for Genie to feel fortunate. The countess cared not that her son was to marry an inconsequential widow of no standing and without five pounds to her name. Edmund loved Genie and that was enough for his mother. Lady