A Close Encounter with Georgiana Louis and friend

Today we are truly lucky.  One of my good friends, Georgiana Louis has brought a friend to visit.  I know you'll make welcome, Her Grace, Annabelle, The Duchess of Lincoln.

Her Grace enters the room and smiles kindly on me, staying my curtsey (phew, because these days it's a tad wobbly.) But I pull out a nice comfy chair for her and offer a beverage.  She accepts a cooling glass of water as she settles her voluminous skirts around her.

Georgiana winks conspiratorially at me. "She's lovely.  So I'll just leave you to it." The with a tinkling laugh she's out the door.

I blink owlishly.

"You Grace..."

However the lady in question is so gracious. "Pish Posh. Call me Annabelle.  All my friends do." And with a wickedly naughty grin she let's me know it's time to start.

I don't have a lot of time... something I'm now beginning to regret.


(IN)What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My husband and children by my side, healthy and happy.

(IN)What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Colin Lyre, the Duke of Lincoln. My husband.

(IN)What is your most marked characteristic?
My face, unfortunately few people bother to realize that it is only an external covering.

(INW)hen and where were you the happiest?
When my husband came to Scotland after I left him.

(IN)What is your greatest fear?
That my choice’s will negatively impact those I love.
(IN)Which living person do you most despise?
My husband’s sister in law. Hateful, vindictive woman.

My friend Georgiana creeps back into the room and I'm almost out of time.  I'd love to know more about this woman, but I have to be fast now.

(IN)What is your greatest regret?
Trusting Patrick Miller on the night he tried to rape me.

(IN)What is the quality you most like in a man?
Honesty.

(IN)What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Courage

(IN)What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Beauty, it is so fleeting.

Now she's standing and I know my quick interview with her is at an end. She smiles and leans in, softly touching my cheek before she leaves the room.

(GL) I wrote her story as she told me... Read on for an excerpt.

 

Excerpt:

Annabelle had not enjoyed her days off from the ton circuit. She had spent them eating pastries, and now wondered if she would fit into the expensive wardrobe her mother had paid for. She had also spent the week trying not to think about a certain Duke that invaded her thoughts even whilst she slept.

She dressed carefully for the opera. She had never been to the opera before and would most likely never get to again. Especially not in a Ducal box which she would be sharing with Victoria and her older brother John tonight.

 “Annabelle, the Duke’s carriage has arrived.” Her mother’s voice rang shrilly through the house. Her mother was more nervous than Annabelle was, if that was possible. She still could not believe that Annabelle had made a friend in a Duke’s daughter when she was more accustomed to talking to farmers and friends of the vicarage.

“I’ll be down in a moment,” Annabelle called out, smoothing her dress down her slim waist and noting the roundness of her full breasts that her opera dress did nothing to disguise.

“Good night mother,” Annabelle kissed her mother on the cheek, grabbed her cloak and headed off into the night with Victoria and her John.

“Good evening to you Miss Collins,” John nodded his head slightly as the carriage did not allow him to stand and make his bow.

“Good evening Mister Dunford. Hello Victoria.” Annabelle breathed, almost unable to get past the anxiety in her stomach she grabbed for her friends hands.

“Oh Victoria, what if I do something wrong? What am I meant to do at the opera? I have never been and I’m so nervous. Please tell me everything.”

Victoria and John both laughed loudly making Annabelle blush crimson.

“You do not do anything other than be yourself. Walk in, watch the opera and walk out.” Victoria smiled confidently and Annabelle felt her stomach drop nervously again.

“But will I have to talk to anyone? Will people be able to see me?” Annabelle stammered again.

This time only John laughed, but Victoria smiled.

“Of course people can see you. That is half the fun of the opera. Being able to see what everyone else is wearing and doing but not having to talk to them.”

Where to buy The Reluctant Duke - Red Rose Publishing

About Georgiana Louis

Georgiana Louis is a wife and mother of two little girls. She loves the world of fictional romance and has long given up reading anything else.
Escapism in its safest form, she enjoys reading all sorts of romance as well as writing it. Come, enjoy her world, where everything ends as it should, happily ever after.

You can visit Georgiana at her website