If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 24

After Henry left, Georgiana dressed for the occasion, drawing on her limited knowledge of what was appropriate for a luncheon. She chose a modest outfit that wasn’t too elaborate, opting for minimal adornments. Her blonde hair was neatly pinned up, as it was still common among the nobility to consider loose hair unseemly.

When she had worked as a governess in various households, she had noticed that the married women always wore their hair up. On the rare occasions when she was unable to prepare in time and had to leave her hair down, the disapproving looks she received made it clear she had broken an unspoken rule.

Without a proper chaperone or maid to guide her, she had learned these subtle customs through observation and experience. She carefully tucked her dyed brown hair out of sight and applied a light layer of makeup. Though she hadn’t worn makeup since leaving her last governess position, the powder and lip tint added a bit of color to her otherwise pale face.

As soon as she finished, there was a knock on the door, almost as if they had been waiting for her.

“I’m ready,” she called out.

When she stepped out of the bedroom, Henry and Lockwood were waiting for her. Despite the early hour, Lockwood looked impeccable in his dark navy jacket and crisp white shirt. The blue cravat around his neck added an air of refinement, making him appear even more distinguished. His previously shadowed chin was now freshly shaven, and he looked as polished as ever.

They exchanged brief nods instead of words, both unsure of what to say in such an awkward situation. Georgiana suddenly regretted agreeing to dine with him, especially knowing they would be surrounded by others. She dreaded the thought of how uncomfortable the meal would be, and she silently prayed she wouldn’t lose her appetite entirely.

“Shall we?” he asked, extending his hand.

She placed her hand in his, trying to keep her fingers from trembling. Taking a deep breath, she mentally recited the details of her new identity: Juliana Limberton, twenty-two years old, daughter of a baron from the provinces.

She doubted she would have to speak much, but it was best to be prepared. With that, they made their way upstairs together.

It was her first time ascending the staircase to the upper levels, and as soon as they entered the banquet hall, Henry’s warning about the discomfort she might feel became all too real.

The moment they stepped inside, all eyes turned to them. The scrutiny was so intense that Georgiana fought the urge to turn and flee back to the safety of her cabin.

***

The banquet tables, each seating eight, filled up quickly. What had seemed like a spacious hall now felt crowded as more people arrived. To make matters worse, they were seated at a table near the center of the room, drawing even more attention.

Although it was unlikely intentional, she felt the weight of every gaze upon her as she adjusted her napkin in her lap. Ever since she had appeared alongside Lockwood, she had been the subject of unrelenting stares. If her face were made of paper, it would surely have been pierced by now.

She clicked her tongue in frustration, inwardly cursing her situation. Though she had worked as a governess for noble families, she was relieved not to see any familiar faces among the guests.

“I heard your wife is quite the beauty, and now I see it’s true. Is that why you kept her hidden in the cabin all this time?” one man joked.

“Not at all,” Lockwood replied smoothly. “Anna suffered from severe seasickness and needed to rest. It’s a long journey, over a month, and I didn’t want her to push herself too hard at the start.”

“She doesn’t look the type to get seasick. You must be a very devoted husband. If I were married to such a beautiful woman, I’d probably act the same. Where did you find such a lovely wife? Oh, have I introduced myself? I’m Anthony Tobias, Lockwood’s closest friend, two years his junior.”

Georgiana looked up at the man who hadn’t stopped talking since they entered the banquet hall. With his ash-gray hair and silver eyes, Anthony exuded an air of cheerfulness. He seemed to be the most outgoing person she had ever met, a stark contrast to Lockwood’s reserved demeanor. Yet somehow, the two complemented each other perfectly.

Noticing Anthony’s introduction, Georgiana glanced at Lockwood to see if he would introduce her or if she should do it herself. He gave her a slight nod, signaling her to go ahead.

“Juliana Limberton,” she introduced herself.

“So you’ve been in your cabin this whole time?”

“Yes, it was my first time on such a large ship, and I must have been nervous. I wasn’t feeling well from the first day, but after a few days of rest, I’m feeling much better now.”

She smiled demurely as she spoke, and Anthony’s ears turned red in response. Lockwood’s sharp gaze followed, monitoring the interaction.

“Then you probably haven’t had a chance to explore the ship yet. If you’re feeling up to it, how about a tour after lunch…?”

“We’ve already planned to take a walk around the ship together after the meal,” Lockwood interjected smoothly, cutting off Anthony’s suggestion.

Though they had made no such plans, Lockwood lied with ease, his face betraying nothing. His words made Georgiana actually want to see the ship. She had been cooped up in the cabin the entire time, and it seemed a shame to waste the opportunity.

Would he really take me on a tour after the meal? Or was he just saying it to get out of the current situation?

“If you’d like, Mr. Tobias, you can join us,” she offered, thinking it would be less awkward to have another person with them.

She noticed Lockwood’s eyebrow twitch in mild irritation, but she reasoned that it wouldn’t hurt to explore the ship with company, given that this was a once-in-a-lifetime voyage. Just then, a strong scent of roses filled the air.

“Would you mind if I joined you as well? It sounds like it could be fun with a larger group.”

A woman’s voice chimed in from behind them. She turned to see a red-haired woman, around her own age, dressed in a pristine white gown with a yellow jacket. The woman’s appearance exuded wealth, with jewels sewn into her dress that sparkled brighter than the chandelier overhead. Despite having just barged into their conversation, she carried herself with an air of authority, looking down at Georgiana with an unflinching gaze.

“Who is this?” the woman asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked Georgiana up and down.

It was a question Georgiana herself had wanted to ask. Curious about the newcomer, she looked at Anthony, who was already preparing to introduce her.

“Lady Juliana, this is Isabella Edmund. But there’s no need to get too close…”

Anthony’s introduction was cut short as he suddenly winced in pain, clutching his foot under the table. Isabella’s expression remained serene, betraying nothing, but Georgiana suspected she had been the cause.

Edmund… That name belonged to one of the most powerful families in the empire. As soon as Georgiana heard it, she knew exactly who this woman was.

Isabella Edmund, the youngest daughter of the Duke and a member of the Senate, was famous throughout the empire. Even the young girls Georgiana had taught as a governess often asked their maids to make them look like Isabella.

Now that she was face to face with Isabella, Georgiana understood what they had meant. Isabella’s half-pinned red hair, large eyes, and high nose were reminiscent of a carefully crafted doll, with rosy cheeks that made her look impossibly perfect. Her beauty was captivating, and it was easy to see why so many admired her.

Without thinking, Georgiana’s gaze shifted to Lockwood. Did he find women like Isabella attractive? It seemed inevitable that he would…

But to her surprise, Lockwood wasn’t looking at Isabella at all. Instead, his gaze was fixed on Georgiana before quickly darting away. Despite herself, Georgiana felt a flutter of excitement.

Meanwhile, Isabella’s face hardened as she watched the exchange between the two of them.

Sensing the tension, Anthony quickly stepped in to introduce them properly. “This is Lady Juliana Limberton, Lockwood’s wife. I mentioned before that he was married.”

Isabella’s expression grew even colder, her curious gaze turning frosty in a matter of seconds. “I see. I’d heard he was married, but I didn’t expect his wife to be so beautiful. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Juliana.”

Though her words were polite, Georgiana detected a sharp edge in her tone. The hostility in Isabella’s eyes seemed to be visible only to her.

“I look forward to getting to know you better. We should have tea together sometime. I have a feeling we’ll get along quite well.”

Her words felt more like a challenge than a friendly invitation. Georgiana’s skin prickled with unease, unsure of how to respond. Just as she was about to say something, Lockwood dabbed his mouth with a napkin and smoothly interjected.

“There’s no need for that. My wife is quite shy and doesn’t enjoy socializing. This is our first long journey together since our marriage, so we’re still adjusting to our new life.”

He then turned to Georgiana with a smile, one that she recognized as fake but others might not notice.

“Isn’t that right, darling?”