First Comes Scandal

“I can do all that,” Georgie said.

“Georgie,” her mother said, “I’m not sure you understand—”

“I can do all that,” Georgie ground out.

“Only if you want to,” Nicholas said. He was trying to be helpful, she was sure, but what she really needed was for him to put an end to all of this interference and insist that they travel north as a couple.

“I am not going to remain in Kent after I marry,” Georgie said firmly.

“It would send an odd message,” her mother acquiesced.

“I don’t care about the message,” Georgie said. “I care about myself. And Nicholas,” she added hastily.

He nodded graciously.

“If I am marrying him, then I am marrying him. Boardinghouse and all.”

Nicholas cleared his throat. “Actually,” he said, “I’m not certain if ladies are permitted in Mrs. McGreevey’s establishment.”

“Even married ladies?” his mother asked.

“I honestly don’t know. I never had cause to ask. But the current tenants are all male.” He turned to Georgie. “I do want you to come with me to Edinburgh, but I’m not sure you will be comfortable in such an environment.”

“We won’t know unless we try,” she muttered.

“They can have Scotsby,” Lord Bridgerton suddenly said.

All eyes turned in his direction.

“Scotsby,” he said again. “I’m sure I’ve told you about it. It’s a small hunting lodge. Haven’t been there in ages, but it’s not too far from Edinburgh. I don’t see why they can’t stay there. Nicholas can travel in when he needs to.”

“That is most generous of you, sir,” Nicholas said, “but how far is it from Edinburgh, if I might ask?”

Lord Bridgerton frowned. “I don’t recall precisely, but it can’t be more than two hours.”

“Two … hours?”

“By coach,” Lord Bridgerton clarified. “Half that on horseback, I would think.”

“Papa, that won’t work,” Georgie said, leaping in before Nicholas could protest. “Nicholas is very busy. He can’t possibly be expected to travel an hour each way just to get to school.”

“You have to go every day, then?” Lord Bridgerton asked.

“Most every day, sir,” Nicholas said politely.

“I beg your pardon,” Lord Bridgerton said. “I’d assumed it was mostly tutors and that sort of thing.” He looked up at the room at large. “That won’t work then.”

“But Georgiana can stay at Scotsby,” Lady Bridgerton said.

Georgie’s head snapped up. “By myself?”

“You won’t be by yourself,” her mother assured her. “We’re not going to let you go to Scotland without staff.”

“I meant without Nicholas,” she said.

“It’s only temporary, dear,” Lady Bridgerton said with a gentle smile. “Until Lord Manston can see to the house in New Town.”

“We can find our own lodgings,” Nicholas said firmly.

“When?” Lord Manston said. “You’re always telling me how busy you are.”

“Not too busy to find a place for my wife to live.”

“Nicholas, dear,” his mother said. “Please accept our help.”

“I am happy to accept your help,” he said. “Just not your control.”

Silence.

“What Nicholas means to say,” Georgiana jumped in, “is that we would prefer to make our own decisions.”

Silence.

“What Georgie means to say,” Nicholas began, but his tone was such that Georgie thought it best not to let him finish. She gave him a sharp elbow and fixed an accommodating smile on her face.

“Scotsby will make a fine temporary home until we figure out a more long-term solution,” she said. She turned to Nicholas. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

He looked unconvinced. “It depends on the definition of temporary.”

“Obviously,” she muttered.

“Regardless,” Lady Bridgerton said, after watching this exchange with interest, “you will need some help, at least at the outset. I insist that you take Mrs. Hibbert.”

Georgie looked at her mother. “Mrs. Who?”

“Mrs. Hibbert. She is Mrs. Brownley’s sister.”

“Mrs. Brownley?” Nicholas echoed.

“Our housekeeper,” Georgie explained. She turned back to her mother. “I was not aware she had a sister.”

“She is new to the area,” Lady Bridgerton said. “Recently widowed. But she has experience and is looking for a position.”

“Well, then,” Georgie said. She couldn’t not agree. Not if Mrs. Brownley’s sister needed work.

“And we shall provide a butler,” Lady Manston said.

Georgie blinked. “I’m not sure we need—”

“Of course you do,” Lady Manston said. “And besides, it’s Wheelock’s nephew. You can’t say no to Wheelock’s nephew.”

“Richard?” Nicholas asked.

“Yes. Wheelock has been training him for several months.”

“But what if he doesn’t want to move?” Georgie asked.

“Head butler positions don’t open every day,” Lady Manston said. “I’m sure he will want to snatch this up. And besides, Wheelock is originally from the north. But by all means, you can ask Richard yourself.”

“Marian will accompany you, of course,” Georgie’s mother put in, “but I don’t feel right sending only Marian. I believe Mrs. Hibbert has two daughters. They shall go, too.”

“You can’t separate a family,” Lady Manston said.

“Certainly not.”

Georgie cleared her throat. “This seems a rather large retinue for a student and his wife.”

“Which is why you’ll need a carriage,” Lady Manston said. She turned to her husband. “You can see to the carriage. Whatever is best for cold weather.”

“We’ll have to send them with two,” Lord Manston said. “They’ll never fit everything in one.”

“We don’t need two carriages,” Georgie protested.

“Of course not.” He looked at her as if she were very silly. “One will return to Kent.”

“Of course,” Georgie murmured, wondering why she felt so chastised.

“But you’ll need two drivers,” Lord Manston continued, “and at least one spare in case one of them takes ill.”

“And outriders,” Lord Bridgerton said. “The roads are dangerous these days. You cannot be too careful.”

“I’m afraid nothing can be done about a cook,” Lady Bridgerton said. “You’ll have to hire one in Scotland.”

“We’ll manage,” Georgie said weakly. “I’m sure.”

“The daughters of your housekeeper’s sister,” Nicholas’s mother said to Georgie’s mother. “Can any of them cook?”

Georgie turned to Nicholas. “Didn’t you say you took the mail coach down?”

“Most of the way, why?”