“I knew it. I knew this was coming. I saw the way you two looked at one another when you were waltzing,” Georgie pronounced and laughed again.
“How did you get here, Georgie?” Star decided to change the subject. “Did the Seftons send you home in their coach?”
“Yes, with Miles and Jules in attendance,” Georgie answered.
“And?”
“And what?” Georgie evaded.
“I am not sure. There were moments this evening—the way Jules looked at you that made me think he might be besotted with you and doesn’t know it…but I am not yet certain.”
“Nonsense. He is besotted with you, not with me…” Georgie sighed.
“That is so completely false! Georgie, he doesn’t even really know me,” Star answered. “He and I would never suit and when he thinks about it, he will see it. The fact of the matter is that you two would suit beautifully.”
“Never mind, Jules. Tell me about you and Sir Edward and the kiss.”
“He is a contradiction of himself. One moment he is arrogant and goes about as though he is bored with everything, then the next moment, he is the kindest, gentlest…most wonderful man. He knows just what to do in a crisis. He knows just when to let matters be. He…”
“Ah, it is confirmed, you are in love with him,” Georgie said knowingly.
“Am I?” Star twinkled at her friend. “Why bother to ask me, if in fact, you think you know everything?”
“I do know quite a bit more than you realize and I will tell you this. I don’t think he is the sort you want to play games with. I think he is not one of the country swains falling at your feet, ready to bend to your will. I think you will have to be honest with him about what you feel.”
“I am not playing games with him. You mistake, if you think that. I was not coy, I did not tease,” Star said somewhat surprised. “And I certainly don’t want him to follow me about like a lap dog. I like him, just the way he is and he is a masterful man who knows his own mind.”
“Right then, he swept you off your feet when he kissed you.”
“He did.”
“Did he kiss you when you two went into the garden at the Sefton Ball as well?”
“He did… then continued to do so in the library,” Star recalled his kiss and closed her eyes.
“Oh, Star…this is quite wonderful and exciting.”
“Georgie, I was quite swept away. I think I would have…well, if he had tried to do…more, I think I would have without demur.”
“La, but Star…you should be more certain of him before that happens,” Georgie cautioned.
“Why? You are always saying women should enjoy the same pleasures as men.”
“Yes, but there are consequences to hearts like ours. We are the sort that whether we want to or not, we put our hearts into it and therefore, we could be broken. We could break, Star. I don’t want you to break!”
“Georgie, until tonight, Sir Edward only saw a child, a hoyden, a short-haired rough and tumble girl. Now when he looks at me, he will see a woman.”
“Yes, but is that enough?”
“You tell me, Georgie. You said you saw him looking at me. What did that signify to you?”
“He seemed more interested than just a connoisseur of women. He seemed more than a little taken with you, but even so, I should like to be certain you are not hurt in this.” She reached over and grabbed Star’s hands under the quilt and shook them, “Star, a man can kiss and walk away without a backward glance. Can you? No, do not try and tell me you can. Well, you could if your heart wasn’t in it, but I see perhaps, all this talk might be too late. Your heart is in it, isn’t it, Star? And what is worse, you mean to fall into bed with him, don’t you?”
“I don’t know, Georgie, perhaps.”
* * *
Jules knocked on Sir Edward’s bedroom door, “Ed…Edward, I say, ‘ole boy, are you awake?”