Read Miss George's Second Chance for Free Online Page B

in the air between them. He hastily dug for a handkerchief and apologized.
    Miss Pease touched his arm. “I do hope you’re not in poor health, Sir Peter.”
    “No. No. I’m sure it’s nothing.” Peter sneezed again, certain now that Miss Pease’s scent was the trigger for his reaction. A year of dodging traps and snares laid by wily debutants in London had prepared him for heightened local interest, but his response to the scent of lilac gave him the perfect excuse to move away. He bowed to her again and dabbed at his eyes. “Excuse me, there must be a scent in the air that disagrees with me.”
    Before Miss Pease could delay him, he slipped around her toward safer territory and an open doorway. Miss Julia Radley, a firm friend of his sister, stood in the path of the light breeze blowing in from the sea. She grinned from ear to ear and when he joined her, Miss Radley quickly curled her arm through his, leading him out into the night just a few steps. With fresh air in his overwhelmed senses, he quickly recovered his composure. He was grateful of the lifeline but then he grew aware of what he’d unwittingly done. He glanced back into the room anxiously. Luckily, they were in full view of all and in no danger of being considered alone. He did not wish to marry Miss Radley. No sane man would. The girl was exhausting.
    Miss Radley shook her head. “She’s not here. I doubt she’ll come if you’re looking for who I think you’re looking for.”
    He glanced down at the cheeky sprite on his arm in alarm. “Am I looking for someone?”
    “I think you were from the moment you joined us. It’s in the way you scanned the room and couldn’t wait to leave the others behind. I knew you wouldn’t turn your back on her as others have done.” She patted his arm. “The perfume Miss Pease doused herself in tonight merely gave you the perfect escape from her clutches. My brother had the very same reaction earlier. I overheard Miss Merton reassure Miss Pease that the scent was utterly delightful. Devious of her indeed. Be mindful or one of them will catch you.”
    Peter glanced inside again and his gaze settled on Miss Merton and Miss Pease while they engaged in whispered conversation. Miss Merton paused, turned her head toward him and her smile brightened as if she’d discovered a rare jewel. Peter shuddered. “Hmm, that is an unfortunate development. Miss Pease could do with a friend who would tell her the truth. I didn’t come home to find a bride.”
    Miss Radley peered at him. “Are you married then?”
    “Good God, no. Why ever would you think that?” He held up his hand. “No never mind answering. You’re too much like Abigail for me to not remember how you all think. A man must be married, yes?”
    For an answer, Miss Radley merely laughed. The girl was trouble.
    “Before I forget, would you by chance be at home tomorrow? I ask because my sister sent some additional parcels to Brighton with me. She said it’s rather urgent but the contents have to be kept private from everyone. I’ve no idea what that entails so I hope you understand. If nothing else, my calling on you first may thwart whatever plans and hopes are being hatched over there.”
    Miss Julia clutched his arm tightly. “Oh, I cannot wait until tomorrow. Abigail is so sweet to have remembered my request. I cannot wait until I can show Imogen or maybe I should not. She’s always fretting over the things that matter to me.”
    Miss Merton joined them. “Showing Miss George anything is an exercise in futility. Even when she could see she lacked that certain panache in her mode of dress to truly stand out from the crowd.” As Miss Merton delivered her put down, she fanned herself with the languid air of someone who was sure of her place and her right to say whatever she liked. She may be in her own home, but Peter’s blood boiled. How dare she say such a thing?
    However, she was his friend’s sister. He couldn’t say exactly what he pleased