‘Or you could smell my breath, use that phone box to tell your parents that Edward Carlyle will have you home within fifteen minutes, and avoid catching pneumonia.’
She thought about his offer for a moment, then opened the car door.
She watched his gaze fall to the hem of her skirt, which was now dripping with wet paint, and she could tell from his expression that he wished he had not made his offer. On closer inspection, the car was an Aston Martin, no doubt very expensive.
‘I’m sorry. I’m melting,’ she wince
d.
He reached over to the glove compartment, removed a newspaper and spread it over the passenger seat.
‘Chivalry’s not dead, then,’ she said gratefully.
‘Interesting dress. Is it meant to self-destruct?’
‘It’s hand-painted.’
‘Watercolours,’ he smiled.
She told him her address, then sat stiffly praying that she wouldn’t get any paint on the black leather seats.
‘So what are you doing out here?’ she asked as he revved the engine.
‘I was on my way to a party in Richmond.’
‘So was I,’ she said, wondering if he was a friend of Harry’s, wondering if she should say anything about what had just happened.
‘But it’s that way . . . I saw you as I was coming over the bridge. I recognised you . . .’
‘And you thought I’d lost my mind.’
‘Something like that,’ he muttered. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’
‘I might have some explaining to do to my cousin. This is her dress.’
‘And where are your shoes?’
‘En route to the North Sea.’
She realised he must think she was a lunatic.
‘So are you enjoying it so far? The Season?’ he said, breaking the awkward silence.
She snorted.
‘I’m off to Paris as soon as the damn thing is over with.’
‘Ah, a Francophile, are we?’
‘I know it well,’ she sniffed. ‘I used to live there. I had a life out there, a boyfriend.’
‘Really?’ he said with interest.
‘He was a communist,’ said Georgia with some pride.
‘My goodness. I don’t suppose you told him about becoming a debutante, then.’
She frowned, realising that he had a point. Perhaps that was why Jacques had not yet replied to any of the letters she had sent him.