Read Maid to Be Mine: A Regency Cinderella Story for Free Online Page B

would call myself esteemed , but I am certainly happy to be here! I have spent such a long time in London, I had forgotten how peaceful it is in the countryside.”
    “ Georgiana is my heart's joy,” Jemima said, smiling as she sang her youngest daughter's praises. “I have not met another young woman who is quite as accomplished as she is.”
    “ Oh, Mama! That's too much!” Georgiana said, feigning modesty. She tucked a black ringlet behind her ear, hoping she looked coy.
    “ It is true, Georgiana!” Jemima continued. “Lord Charmington should hear you on the pianoforte. She has even composed a few of her own songs, the likes of which would rival the masters!”
    “ Then I will certainly have to hear you play!” Lord Charmington exclaimed. “I am looking forward to it, in fact.”
    “ Perhaps you can turn the pages for me?” As Georgiana made her request, she obnoxiously batted her eyelashes.
    “ It would be my pleasure, my lady.” Lord Charmington turned his attention to the woman beside Georgiana, who had yet to be introduced. She wasn't as pretty as her sister, and she was likely much older, but he thought it would be rude to ignore her. “And your other daughter, Lady Montforth?”
    “ Oh. This is Edith.”
    “ Lady Edith.” Lord Charmington smiled at her, but she did not bother to return the gesture, nor did she meet his gaze. She appeared to be lost in her thoughts. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
    “ Yes...” Edith quietly agreed. “And you as well.”
    “ Do you happen to be a master on the pianoforte as well?” he asked with a chuckle.
    “ No, my lord. Not remotely.”
    James did not detect any rudeness in the older daughter, so he assumed her curt answers were an indication of shyness. But it was genuine shyness, unlike the other sister, who seemed to be going out of her way to act coy. When he looked at Georgiana, she was twirling a lock of hair around her finger and flashing an affected smile. She was pretty, to be sure, but he had already decided she was the sort of young miss he preferred to avoid.
    Tess arrived with tea and biscuits, so Lord Charmington seated himself and indulged. For the next several minutes, the earls talked about politics and horses, which had Georgiana rolling her eyes. As she sipped her tea, she tried to think of a way to turn herself into the topic of conversation.
    Fortunately, her mama was sharing the same thought. Jemima suddenly said, “You know, my lord, Georgiana is also a skilled painter.”
    Lord Charmington's eyebrows were raised, as if he was impressed. “Really, Lady Georgiana? What do you paint?”
    Georgiana's smile stretched from ear to ear. “I enjoy painting flowers, mostly. We have a beautiful garden, my lord. Before you go, you should really see it!”
    “ Oh yes, that would be wonderful!” Jemima encouraged the idea. “You should take Lord Charmington on a stroll through the garden, dear.”
    “ I would love to!” Georgiana cheered, and he knew he would have no say in the matter. “Will I need a chaperone?”
    “ No, nooo!” Jemima waved her hands through the air, as if the idea was utterly preposterous. “I can see you from the window, darling. We have nothing to fear, as I am certain his lordship is the epitome of a gentleman!”
    “ I would like to think I am,” James agreed. In the corner of his eye, he observed Lord Montforth, who had his pinkie finger buried in his nose. He did not want to draw attention to it, so he added, “Your daughter will be in good hands with me, I assure you.”
    “ Wonderful!” Jemima exclaimed. She gave Georgiana a little shove, and her daughter immediately went to claim the earl's arm.
    “ And what about your sister?” Lord Charmington asked. “Would she like to join us as well?”
    Edith's eyes widened, for she didn't expect to be included in the conversation. She was quite content to fade into the background. “Oh, no, I--”
    “ I insist!” Charmington exclaimed, ignoring