Narcotic Mask

Chapter III

"But Gina, do we really have to go?"

Georgiana turned to look at her friend, her hands on her hips as she pursed her lips, "Maria, you love shopping just as much as anyone." She said impatiently, slipping suede gloves onto her delicate hands.

The other girl pouted with full lips, slumping her shoulders, "What if we see Anth – "

"Sir Anthony Cunningham, yes, I know." Georgiana rolled her eyes at the umpteenth mention of the young baronet. Maria had been going on and on about him for weeks now, ever since he'd smiled at her at the assembly rooms. Really, Georgiana didn't even see the appeal. He was comely enough, she supposed, but a baronet? One might as well just marry a sheep farmer. "Come along now, Maria, or we'll be late."

Maria reluctantly followed her friend outside to the carriage that was waiting. "The shops are open until dusk, Gina, it isn't as if they're going anywhere." She grumbled, clambering up into the Landau, sitting down and leaning back against the plush seats. Gina threw her a look for her unladylike fashion, but said nothing, choosing instead to look out of the small window. She tapped the roof, and the vehicle jolted forwards.

The small town wasn't all that far away, and they arrived within half an hour. Maria pushed past her friend to get out of the stuffy carriage first, fanning herself with her hand as she looked along the cobbled street of cheerfully lit shops. "What do you wish to purchase?" She asked tiredly.

Georgiana gracefully got down from the carriage, smoothing the skirts of her dress, a pretty smile on her lips, as she too looked at their surroundings. "That is the art of it, Maria, we are here to browse. To see the new fashions and the fine things that we could buy if we liked."

Maria looked confused, but knew better than to say anything.

"We shall visit the seamstress first." Gina announced. Secretly, Maria saw more appeal in a visit to the tea shop, but knew once again that her friend was not one to be argued with.

They set off together, arms linked, one with a passive face, the other with a face that suggested her preference of being at home. Their heels clicked lightly against the stones on the road, and their skirts rustled as they walked. Georgiana hummed softly under her breath, and Maria smiled ever so slightly. She did find Gina rather tiresome and irritating at times, but she was her friend.

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The pair had only gone a few yards, when Georgiana's boot heel got caught between the cobbles, breaking off from the shoe. She tripped forwards, losing her balance, seeing the ground coming up to meet her. Maria quickly reached out to assist, but only succeeded in getting in the way and finding herself also on the ground.

A deep chuckle from behind her alerted Georgiana to her senses again, and she looked over her shoulder, smiling apologetically as she took the hand that was offered. She got to her feet again with the help, and found herself looking into a pair of laughing blue eyes. A light blush crept to her cheeks, spreading its way across her fine cheekbones, and she averted her gaze. "Forgive me, sir, ladies shoes aren't exactly made to be practical." Gina said ruefully, giving the man's hand a gentle squeeze. "I must know the name of my saviour." She teased.

The man – a gentleman of good birth, she could see from his manner of dress – laughed again. It had a nice tone to it. His face was handsome, more so than most of the men she saw at balls and parties, and his physique leant itself to plenty of exercise, clearly. The tailored coat spanned across broad shoulders, and the unbuttoned waistcoat hinted at taut muscles beneath the white shirt he wore. Legs encased in black breeches were clearly defined even through the heavy material, tapering into a pair of polished ankle length Hessians. Realising that she was staring, her blush deepened, and she brought her gaze back up to his face. His face, also a sight for sore eyes. Those lips were full, but not so much as to seem feminine, and his eyebrows, dark but not so much as to seem angry, and those eyes... His hair fell into effortless, blond waves to the top of his collar, and his smile was cheering but charming at the same time.