Miss George's Second Chance by Heather Boyd Read Free Book Online

without consequences. He forced a tight smile to his lips. “Unlike some, Miss Watson has no need for the expense of a London modiste to make herself presentable. I’ve always thought her natural beauty was without artifice or design.” He examined Miss Merton’s fussy gown and artfully arranged hair with as mocking a stare as he could manage. How many hours had she spent primping before her looking glass?
    Miss Merton pinked slightly and looked beyond his shoulder as if he hadn’t just insulted her. “Dinner should be announced soon. Excuse me while I tend to my brother’s guests. A hostess must see to everyone’s needs.”
    Peter did not miss her one last dig at Imogen’s sightless state. He cursed softly, but then caught Julia’s open-mouthed stare. He quickly apologized for his poor choice of words.
    “I am so pleased to see you haven’t become entirely top-lofty.” Miss Julia smiled as a blush climbed her cheeks. “Is it wrong that I don’t disagree with your sentiments?”
    He smiled at her honestly. “Not even a little in my opinion, but let’s keep that a secret between us.”
    Recovered sufficiently from his sneezing fit, Peter stepped back inside, accepted a glass of wine from a servant, downed it, and then wished for another. He might need reinforcement to make it through to the end of the meal.
    When they went into dinner, Peter was forced to sit at Miss Merton’s side and endured even more subtle jabs at Miss George’s expense. He couldn’t imagine why Walter George had failed to attend but he didn’t blame him one bit if this was the usual dinner conversation. From a disparaging remark he overheard, Walter George had changed his mind at the last minute.
    Despite the annoyance of Miss Merton’s company, he did glean more information from her conversation to cause him further alarm. The loss of a woman’s sight was a huge blow to her status and prospects for a fulfilling life she assured him. As an unmarried woman with hopes of one day making a match, her chances for future security would be greatly reduced. Miss Merton heartlessly confided that Imogen George would never marry, despite her fortune, and that ‘poor Mr. George’ would be saddled with an unwanted burden.
    Imogen could never be a burden. Some lucky man would fall in love with her easily if given half a chance. The idea of her married, and it was not the first time the thought had crossed his mind, didn’t appeal. It never had. Peter applied himself to the meal laid out before him and made small talk, but he lapped up every single mention of Imogen George—the woman who would never see him again.
     
     

 
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    Imogen stretched her senses as far as she was able but detected nothing except the quiet night of Brighton beyond the black of her vision. Walter had long since retired for the night oddly quiet of chatter and not in the least willing to consider her suggestion of moving to a less populated location. She should not have lost her temper with him. Her blindness wasn’t his fault nor was there anything he could do to improve her situation. She bit her lip. Her decision was the only sensible future she could imagine for both of them.
    She eased her way down another step, aware that her brother would splutter and bluster should he discover her outside and alone like this. But he was fast asleep in his bed, muttering to himself in his dreams. Until recently she’d no idea Walter had such interesting ones. The repeated mention of a particular lady of their acquaintance had been an eye opener, if such an expression could ever be used by a blind woman.
    She sighed heavily. Once, she would have meddled or at least discussed the depths of Walter’s feelings to ascertain what she might do to help. But without her vision to guide her questions, she didn’t dare involve herself. She might embarrass him or make him angry. Imogen couldn’t afford to lose his support. Until she had her own future settled, she was