Lord Alveston's sexual exploits were well known at the Dorchester, so three women demanding to see him was not outside the realm of possibilities. The receptionist rang Roger's suite, there was no answer. He was about to apologize to the ladies but Lola interrupted.
"Try our room, he may be there."
He did, he allowed the customary six rings and was about to hang up when he heard a voice.
Roger had managed to reach the phone without disturbing Georgina.
"Your Lordship there are three... Eh... ladies who are demanding to see you."
"Send them up to me, they are expected."
"Send them up, Your Lordship?"
Roger was amazed at how the words dripped with condescension. Had he not been so full of joy he would have dealt with the insolence.
"Yes up, room 207 where this phone call confirms I am."
The response was too slow for Roger.
"Immediately!" he snapped.
Georgina stirred, she pulled him closer and resettled.
There was a rattle at the door and the girls entered, Georgina's sleep did not survive that intervention.
"Ooh-la-la, afternoon delight!" Reggie said as she bounced on the bed and pulled Georgina from Roger's to her her own embrace.
"I hope you haven't left a wet patch?" Lola said.
"The smell of mingled juices nothing better to kick off a titillating night," Brielle said, her grin was mischievous.
Brielle ostentatiously placed a bottle of lube on the bedside table.
"We could have done with that earlier," Georgina said.
The girls hugged unperturbed by Roger's nakedness. He was excluded by a scrum of bodies and squealing multiple conversations. He decided to dress and meet his guests.
"Are you still here, Roger?" Reggie said with a grin.
Roger decided he was lucky his feelings for Georgina was all consuming because all these girls had won a space in his heart.
Wicklow had decided that a function with a Duke an Earl and a Lord was deserving of his special attention. The women had nothing to do with it but four beauties did nothing to dissuade him.
"Shall I ask Wicklow to call them?" Roger asked.
Octavian just laughed, his Lothario brother pining for the attention of a woman would have been fanciful just last month and now he was here for a wedding.
"Best not, Lad. They're not late yet," said Ralph.
"Uncle, they should have been here at 7.00, it's almost 7.30."
"Almost, Lad, Women seem to think half an hour late is on time."
"Not Georgina, she is as timely as a man."
Octavian scoffed, "Can I have your rose colored glasses when you've finished with them. I tire of life's realities."
Three visions of loveliness entered the room forestalling what was sure to be a brotherly fight. Roger being used to the girls was the only male whose eyes were not popping out of their heads.
As glorious as Lola, Reggie and Brielle looked Georgina made them look plain. She was glorious.
She was wearing a wool dress that didn't drape but caressed her figure, it wasn't tight but every fold or crease seemed to accentuate Georgina's femininity. From the square padded shoulders, thin waist and full skirt it oozed sexuality. It was light blue. Georgina had added a red and white neckerchief with a corsage of red and white roses. Finished with a pair of babydoll pumps also in red and white. She looked patriotic, refined and sensual.
Roger looked at his guests, their mouths were still open.
"Can I have my glasses back please?"
The snipe broke their attention, Octavian launched from his chair.
"Georgina you are a vision, you'll make those beautiful flowers die of shame."
The brotherly fight looked like it might be on but Octavian took her hand led her to Roger and placed it firmly in his brothers grip.
"You almost deserve her, Rags," he said, as he left to guide the other ladies to their chairs.
The men behaved like all men in the presence of beautiful women, they fought for attention. The women like all women egged them on. The dinner was a loud, fun, raucous affair.
Wicklow disappeared for the evening with the last of the dinner things, thanks to a bit of flirting from Lola, even he seemed to enjoy himself.
"Now we are on to the Port, Georgina I have a present for you."
Roger handed her an envelop. Georgina opened it with a big smile.
"What is it Roger?"
Roger just smiled, he knew she'd love it. She pulled out a slip of paper. Georgina's face fell.
"It's a special marriage license," she said, her voice shaking.
"Yes, and Uncle Ralph is a Justice of the Peace. Georgina will you marry me, NOW!"
Roger looked around the faces, proudly. They were divided along gender lines, the men beaming, the girls angry. He looked back to Georgina who was trying hard not to cry but her tears refused constraint they had already flooded her cheeks and were dripping off her chin. She stood and almost fell, Brielle was her savior.
"I cant, Roger," she managed before she escaped the room heading for the powder room.
Roger stood open mouthed, then he saw Reggie. Reggie was Georgina's handmaiden, Reggie was always there for Georgina, yet there she sat. Roger felt that was more ominous than Georgina's departure.
"She'll be back, Lad. You know how emotional these silly young things can get," said Ralph.
"I know Uncle," Roger said without thought.
The crack of Reggie's slap gained everyone's attention.
"You are obviously blind, I didn't think you were stupid too. She has been trying to share a secret for days. She not a silly young thing but a complex caring woman, who loves you too much to marry you. If you had listened instead of letting your pompous male ego intervene maybe you have saved both of you this embarrassment."
"I don't understand, Reggie."
"No you don't."
"Reggie, please help me."
"I'll help you, If you hurt her when she refuses you, I will kill you."
No one in the room doubted the accuracy of the statement.
"I will not refuse her, I'd sooner die."
Reggie looked at him hard, she saw his pain.
"Reggie please."
Roger had been kind to Reggie, the first man who was. Reggie loved him for that, she almost smiled.
"You will not want to marry her when you discover the truth," Reggie held up her hand, Roger left his thought unexpressed. Reggie pulled him into a hug and whispered.
"You know she can read you, if what she tells you is not a deal breaker. You'd better convince her because you'll get no second chance. Now go."
Roger went to escape but Reggie held him. "Best of luck," she said. Roger could feel her tears too.
Roger crashed into the female domain of the powder room although he was becoming quite acquainted with it.
"May I speak to my future wife?" Roger said.
Brielle and Lola left wordlessly, their frowns were so deep they almost tripped over them.
He took Georgina in his arms, she was still shaking.
"I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you-"
Georgina interrupted, "No I'm sorry Roger. I have been so selfish. When I tell you it will be the end, I just wanted you for as long as I could."
She put her head on his shoulder, he held her.
Lola and Brielle were joined by Reggie they guarded the Powder Room. An elegant lady swished into view.
"Excuse me, I'd like to go in," she said.
"Sorry, It's unavailable," Lola said.
"I don't believe that is your decision to make."
She ducked under Lola arm and entered the room.
Roger who was comforting Georgina heard the commotion, when the door opened he pulled out his revolver and without taking even an ounce of attention off Georgina. He pointed it at the door and cocked the trigger. The ominous click was more effective than Lola, the lady spun on her heel and exited.
"Ooh he's such a man. Who is he?"
Lola carelessly gave her a card.
Roger was surprised he heard Georgina laugh, "You wouldn't have killed her would you?"
"Her and anyone else who tries to get between us."
The laugh disappeared.
"Roger, you have to let me go, I am infertile. I can't give you the progeny that is so important to you."
Now Georgina was surprised, Roger said, "Thank Christ for that."
She studied his features, he was telling the truth. She held her breath in hope.
"Georgina I don't want to bring children into a world that we have fucked up. The Germans own Europe they are standing on the edge of the channel our survival is unlikely. You'd have to be criminally insane to condemn children to this madness."
Georgina didn't want to over-think it, she believed him.
"So you still want me?"
He picked her up and carried her back to their function room, he picked up a coterie of nubile bodies on the way. Octavian and Ralph cheered when they arrived. Roger put Georgina in a chair and knelt at her feet.
"Georgina, nothing will thwart us, we are both an irresistible force and an immovable object, we will defy the world to be together. Will you marry me?"
Georgina threw herself at him, her inertia toppled them both onto the floor. They kissed oblivious to everyone but themselves.
Octavian eventually said, "The longer you roll on the floor, the less time you'll have in your suite."
Georgina rose and pulled Roger up with her. Ralph blinked a suddenly moist eye, she pulled him up on his good side, no one would have know that he had lost his leg. His nephew had chosen wisely.
"Come here children," he said.
They all gathered around Ralph, he handed Roger a card.
Roger read, "I, Roger Athelred Godrick Stetson-Hoyden, take thee, Georgina Grace Winter-Smith, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, and forsaking all others be faithful only to her till death us do part and thereto I plight thee my troth."
Ralph handed a card to Georgina, Roger's confidence was a bit shaken he was delighted when Georgina started reading.