George Wrotham Quotes

“No, he was not as handsome as poor Wrotham, whose dark, stormy beauty troubled her dreams a little. Wrotham was a romantic figure, particularly when his black locks were disheveled through his clutching them in despair.”
― Georgette Heyer, Friday's Child

“Hero might have enjoyed the evening spent at Almack's Assembly Rooms, but it had not been one of unmixed pleasure for her escort, while for one other person it had been an evening of almost unleavened annoyance. Miss Milborne, seeing the most ardent of her admirers enter the rooms with Hero on his arm, had suffered something in the nature of a shock. Never before had she seen George in attendance on any other lady than herself! When he came to Almack's it was to form one of her court; and when she did not dance with him he had a gratifying habit of leaning against the wall and watching her, instead of soliciting some other damsel to dance with him. Now, on the heels of the most obdurate quarrel they had had, here he was, looking perfectly cheerful, actually laughing at something Hero had said to him, his handsome head bent a little to catch her words. Hero, too, was in very good looks: in fact, Miss Milborne had not known that her little friend could appear to such advantage. She could never, of course, aspire to such beauty as belonged to the Incomparable, but Miss Milborne was no fool, and she was obliged to own that there was something particularly taking in the bride's smile and mischievous twinkle. Watching George, she came to the reluctant conclusion that he was fully sensible of his partner's charm. He had given his adored Isabella nothing more than a common bow upon catching sight of her, and it was plain that he meant to devote his evening to Hero. Miss Milborne could think of a dozen reasons to account for his gallanting Hero to the ball, but none of them satisfied her; nor could the distinguishing attention paid to her by her ducal admirer quite restore her spirits.”
― Georgette Heyer, Friday's Child

“Ferdy, who had been standing with his mouth open, staring, suddenly rose superbly to the occasion, and offered his arm to Hero with a graceful bow. 'Let me escort you back to the ballroom!' he said.
'Yes, but- Sherry, you must not mind George's kissing me!' said Hero, looking from one to the other in a little dismay. 'Indeed, there was not the least harm in it, was there, George?'
'Dear Kitten,' promptly replied George, bowing with even more grace than Ferdy, 'there was much pleasure!”
― Georgette Heyer, Friday's Child

“George, who had been standing gripping the back of a chair, demanded in a voice which boded ill for the absent Viscount. 'What has Sherry done to you?'
"He has not done anything yet. That is why I had to run away, to prevent him! I could not bear it, I "could" not!'
'By God!' George swore, his brilliant eyes beginning to smolder. 'Only tell me!'
Mr Ringwood emerged from his stupefaction at this point. He poured himself out some brandy, tossed it off, and set down the glass with the air of a man who was now competent to deal with any emergency. 'Hold your tongue, George!' he commanded tersely. 'So Sherry's home, is he, Kitten?'
She nodded, two large tears rolling down her cheeks.
'I take it it's this curst race of yours?'
'Yes. How could I have been so wicked and stupid as to- Oh, Ferdy, if I had but listened to you this morning!'
He shook his head sadly. 'Pity,' he agreed. 'Thought so at the time.'
'But even then it would have been too late, for Sherry says they are betting on me in the clubs, and my reputation is quite ruined! Everyone is talking of me, b-bandying my name about-'
'Let anyone bandy your name about in my presence!' said George, grinding his teeth. 'Only let them mention your name, that's all I ask! "I" shall know what to do if Sherry don't!”
― Georgette Heyer, Friday's Child

“Hero, who had not failed to notice Miss Milborne's roses, and George's haggard appearance, took the earliest opportunity that offered of following him to his retreat. Her tender heart ached for the pain she knew him to be suffering. It was a pain she was not quite a stranger to, and her own susceptibility made it seem the more imperative to offer such comfort as she could to George.
She found him sitting moodily on a small sofa, a glass of brandy in his hand. He looked up, with a challenging expression in his eyes, but when he saw who had come in his brow cleared, and he rose, setting down his glass, and managing to conjure of the travesty of a smile.
Hero clasped his hand between both hers, saying: 'Dear George, do not heed it! Indeed, she could not have carried violets with that gown!'
'She is wearing Severn's roses,' he replied.
'Oh no! You cannot know that!'
'Mrs. Milborne told Lady Cowper so within my hearing.”
― Georgette Heyer, Friday's Child