by Sue Barr
Lizzy ducked her head and smiled and Georgiana wondered… what kind of adjustments was Madame Etienne making? She cast her mind back and recalled Lizzy had only dry toast and weak tea this morning, and she’d been sneaking in small naps in the afternoon…
“Have you been enjoying your time in Town, Miss Darcy?”
Georgiana gave a start when Max addressed her directly. She’d grown used to his aloofness, assured he had no time for her and her crippling shyness. She grew more flustered when he settled into the chair next to her.
“I am.” She clasped her hands together to stop their trembling “Although I still prefer the company of friends and family more than meeting new people.”
“I understand completely. If it weren’t for my presence being required in the House of Lords and Parliament, I might never venture into the city.”
Caught off guard by his admission, she said, “I thought you enjoyed Town with all its diversions and entertainments.”
“You are not the first person to think that, Miss Darcy. No, like you, my ideal of a perfect evening is exactly what we are doing right now. My fondest hope is to find someone who enjoys a quiet lifestyle as well.”
And how lucky that girl would be. It was time she began to prepare her heart and mind for when she’d see him courting a more eligible young lady to be his Duchess. Someone with inherent poise and confidence, unlike her.
“Your Grace,” Lizzy interjected. “Will you be attending the musicale the Smithson’s are hosting?”
“Yes, Mother managed to wrangle all her sons into attending.”
“I’ve been told the Italian sensation, Senora Angelica Catalini, will perform. Such a coup, as Mrs. Billington has retired and Senora Catalini will be in England for a short time.” Georgiana shared the news she’d heard only that morning from their Aunt Lucinda.
“I went to school with the Smithson’s son, Cedric.” Fitz mused out loud. “Do you remember him, Adborough?”
“I do, indeed. Very studious. Completely absorbed with the study of bugs, if I recall correctly.” Max gave a short laugh. “We were forever finding various species of insects in our quarters. He was quite inept at keeping them in their containers.”
“Oh dear, I do hope there won’t be any crawly things at the musicale.” Lizzy fake shuddered. “I’d hate if a beetle chose to climb Senora Catalini’s gown in the middle of a complicated aria.”
“We shall all be quite safe. I have it on good authority he’s been granted a fellowship with the Royal Society and keeps his specimens in a room dedicated solely for his use.” Max said and stood. “As much as I enjoy your company, I do have another engagement. Mrs. Darcy, Miss Darcy.” He gave them both a polite nod of his head and waited for Fitz to see him to the door.
Georgiana wanted to believe he held her gaze a little longer than the others, but then again, she grasped at any attention he bestowed upon her. If only she were more forthright, more at ease when talking, she might be able to give him a hint of the place he held in her heart.
“Until the musicale, Your Grace,” Lizzy said and watched the men leave. “What a charming man. I hope and pray when you find someone, dearest Georgiana, he will be much like the Duke of Adborough.”
“Mmmm….” Georgiana did not reply in full, and as she took a sip of her fragrant tea, she couldn’t help the one thought running through her mind.
I want that someone to be the Duke of Adborough.
Chapter Four
St. James’s Palace
“I am immensely proud of you, Georgiana,” Aunt Lucinda practically bubbled as she, Lord Matlock and Georgiana waited for their equipage outside the Royal Palace. The line of carriages was long and Elizabeth and Darcy’s had departed a few minutes prior. “You have no idea.”
“I was so nervous, Aunt. My greatest fear was tripping on my train as I backed out of the room.”
“If you were nervous, you didn’t show it, dearest.”
“Our ride is here,” Lord Matlock said as a large carriage bearing the Matlock crest rolled to a stop. Liveried footmen jumped down, opened the door and brought down the stair. Lord Matlock handed them up into the carriage before joining them. Georgiana settled into her seat, careful to arrange her voluminous skirts around her legs so as not to get caught up in the door.
Lady Matlock continued talking about the presentation and mentioned several times how proud she was of Elizabeth and Georgiana.
“At one time, I wasn’t sure about Fitzwilliam’s decision to marry Elizabeth. However, she has proven herself to be an able wife and partner and he is so happy with her. She has exceeded everything we could have wished for him.”
“So true,” Georgiana agreed. “She is my sister-by-love and I cannot imagine our life without her in it.”
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of Darcy House and Georgiana exited the vehicle.
“Get a few hours rest this afternoon, Georgiana,” Aunt Matlock called after her through the open door. “Be prepared for a long evening of dancing.”
“I will, Aunt,” she assured her.
“Did I tell you how proud I am of you?”
“My dear, she won’t get any sleep if you don’t let her enter the house,” Uncle Matlock teased.
“Of course, of course. I shall see you around eight-thirty. I want you and Elizabeth to come early so we can make sure your gowns have no tears or unseemly creases before the guests arrive.”
Georgiana hurried back to the carriage, leaned in and kissed her Aunt’s cheek.
“I love you, Aunt.” She gave her uncle a watery smile. “And you as well, Uncle.”
“Go on with you,” the normally staid Lord Matlock replied, his voice gruff. “You’ll never get any rest at this rate.”
By this time, Hutchins had opened the door, so she made her final goodbye and entered the house. Fitz and Lizzy had already retired to their chambers, so she made her way up to her room and allowed Anna to remove the feathers and pins from her hair before plaiting it.
She didn’t think she’d be able to fall asleep, but almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, Georgiana was gone into the land of Morpheus where she danced all night with a tall, handsome Duke.
~~~~~
“Where could he be?”
Lady Matlock glanced toward the entrance of the drawing room where family had gathered before guests began arriving. Georgiana and Elizabeth had passed inspection, with only one minor delay over a bit of trim on the hem of Lizzy’s dress. Satisfied everything was in order, they’d descended to the drawing room to have some drinks and a few finger sandwiches. As the hour progressed, her aunt’s state of nerves continued to spiral.
“He realizes how important this is, yes?” she asked for the third or fourth time.
“My dear, he would not miss this unless something vitally significant delayed him,” Uncle Matlock soothed.
“Vitally significant? More significant than this ball in honor of all our girls?”
Georgiana had to smile in spite of her nerves. She adored how her aunt included Catherine and Caroline as one of ‘her’ girls. In the weeks leading up to their presentation they’d spent a lot of time with the Duchess of Adborough and her daughters-in-law. As far as Lucinda Fitzwilliam was concerned, they all were part of the family and she’d defend each of them as one of her own.
Hutchins appeared in the doorway.
“Her Grace, The Duchess of Adborough, Lord and Lady George Kerr, and Lord and Lady Nathan Kerr.”
“Thank goodness for reinforcements,” Lizzy whispered to Georgiana.
“Indeed, although I am worried about where Richard is as well.”
“He’d be here if he could, you know that Georgie.”
“Margaret, you look stunning.” Aunt Lucinda surged forward and took the Duchess’s hands in hers, guiding her to a chair beside where she’d been sitting.
Georgiana looked beyond them, expecting Hutchins to announce Maxwell, but their staid butler closed the double doors and she was left to
wonder at the absence of not only Richard, but of Max.
All too soon guests began to arrive and for the next hour Georgiana dutifully stood beside her relatives and received them. When her cheeks ached from smiling and her feet throbbed from standing, the last guest passed by and she could finally follow her Aunt and Uncle to the grand ballroom.
She took it all in with one sweeping glance. From the light of hundreds of beeswax candles sparkling off the chandeliers, to the colorful gowns of Society’s finest, the scene was a myriad of swirling colors and smells and for the first time she felt a twinge of happiness edge out the nerves. That was until Aunt Matlock muttered, “Where is he?”
All four of them were in the spotlight of the first dance, a waltz at Fitz’s request, and with no partner she’d be forced to stand and watch. The orchestra, hidden from view in a second-floor balcony, began to play the opening bars. A polite reminder for dancers to make their way to the center of the floor.
She twisted her fingers together. If all else failed, Uncle Matlock might dance with her, but he absolutely detested the waltz and there were no guarantees he wouldn’t tread on her toes. And her other cousin, Viscount Ashton hadn’t descended from the family quarters, so she couldn’t petition him for a dance either.
Fitz and Elizabeth, George and Catherine alongside Nathan and Caroline gracefully promenaded onto the dance floor. She knew they were going as slow as possible without being too obvious, and she loved them for it.
She turned to catch Uncle’s eye. Trodden on toes were better than not dancing at all, especially if the ball was in your honor. Then she saw him and her breath caught in the back of her throat. Clad all in black, Max stood near the entrance where most of the guests had congregated. Her eyes widened as he confidently strode through the crowd toward her. The cut of his coat seemed to stretch across impossibly broad shoulders and the only spot of color on him was a periwinkle vest which, impossible to imagine, matched the hundreds of tiny embroidered blue flowers trailing down the sheer overskirt which skimmed the floor around her feet.
Max reached her side, took her gloved hand in his and bowed over it.
“Would you do me the honor of your first dance, Miss Darcy?”
Unable to speak, she nodded and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.
~~~~~
The following day Georgiana waited in the drawing room of Darcy House with her aunt and Elizabeth, awaiting the inevitable parade of callers. They had to be home for callers, Aunt Lucinda insisted. How else would Georgiana make an excellent match from highly eligible bachelors if she weren’t available?
“Last night was an unqualified success, if I may be so bold to say,” Aunt said over her second cup of tea, a sure sign of post ball nerves. She never had more than one cup in the morning and would only drink lemon water for the rest of the day. “Did you not enjoy yourself, Georgiana?”
“Yes, Aunt, I did,” she answered truthfully.
“I cannot begin to thank the Duke of Adborough enough for stepping in to partner you for the first dance. I realize he’s a close friend of the family, but what a coup Georgiana. You are set for the rest of the season. If you don’t marry an Earl or higher, I will eat my favorite hat.”
Georgiana canvassed her feelings about the ball, and although happy to have received the attentions of various gentlemen, there were none who stood out in her regard. None save Maxwell. She sighed. Would she forever measure all other gentlemen against him? She sighed again. Most likely.
At first, she’d had been terrified of looking like a fool. Thankfully Max arrived in time to partner her for the first dance and then claimed the previously arranged supper set. The rest of the night became a blur of colors and music. Something she’d never dreamed could happen to such a dull flower as she. Her mind tripped back to what she’d overheard between him and Fitz. She hadn’t been a dull flower last night. Far from it, if her tired toes could be believed along with all the steady delivery of bouquets this morning.
Stuffed vases filled every crevice of the vestibule and drawing room. The scent alone was overpowering and she’d directed the staff to make potpourri sachets later in the day, but the flowers which she adored and which took precedence over all others, stood alone on the small table by her chair. A simple posy of daisies. Nestled in the fresh cut flowers was a hand-written note which simply stated, ‘Congratulations on a successful debut. M.K.’
She was certain he’d pay a call today, if for no other reason than as a friend of the family and when Hutchins opened the door to the drawing room hope flared, only to crash at the announcement of: “Sir Reginald Slade.”
“Sir Reginald,” Aunt Lucinda greeted him as he approached and gave a very proper bow.
“Lady Matlock.” He turned and faced Georgiana and Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, Miss Darcy.”
He promptly moved to the chair closest to Georgiana, an engaging smile on his face.
“Miss Darcy, may I be so bold as to compliment you on your attire today? The yellow of your gown makes you shine brighter than the sun.”
“I… I… thank you.” Georgian searched for words. No one had ever been so forthcoming with praise about her clothing and she wasn’t quite sure how to handle such effusive compliments. She sent a silent appeal to Lizzy, who listened intently.
“Sir Reginald,” Lizzy solicited his attention. “I’m told you have a lovely estate in Northumberland. Does your family reside close by or do you only see them when in Town?”
“My mother resides with me in Northumberland. She did not attend Town this year for health reasons.”
“And you have other family?”
“I have two sisters and one younger brother. My sisters are not out yet, so they are with Mother in Northumberland.”
The door opened and Hutchins announced: “The Marquis of Trevayne.”
Georgiana caught the sly wink Aunt Matlock gave her and barely stopped herself from giggling. Her aunt was enjoying this far more than she. The butler stood to one side and the Marquis entered, a dashing figure in a finely cut jacket with fitted breeches tucked into high boots. Although quite handsome, he had a decidedly dangerous air about him and also, didn’t come up to scratch against Maxwell.
Internally, she chastised herself. She’d done it again. Comparing every man to the Duke of Adborough. Drumming up a quiet smile, she accepted the Marquis’ polite greeting, who stopped by her aunt’s chair.
“Lady Matlock, it is such a pleasure to see you again. The last time was at the Smithson’s musicale and I know you enjoyed that evening.”
“I did. Senora Catalini is a marvelous singer. My only regret is we have never seen her perform in a complete opera.”
“Then let us hope she returns soon.” He turned his attention to Georgiana and Lizzy, his glance sliding over Sir Reginald. “I see I must arrive earlier if I am to garner the best seat in the house.” With a cheerful grin, the Marquis settled in the chair across from her and Lizzy.
In the next half hour, three more titled gentleman callers arrived and were dispersed around the room, vying for Georgiana’s attention. Her neck began to tire with all the swiveling left and right, trying to hold several conversations. Finally, after a polite amount of time passed, the gentlemen began to filter out of the room leaving only Sir Reginald Slade who’d not given up his prime position next to her seat.
He was a pleasant enough sort of fellow but she sensed an air of desperation about him. In some ways he behaved in a similar manner to him. A little too obliging. A little too subservient. Just a little too much of everything saccharine.
She caught Aunt Lucinda glancing at the clock and wondered ‘how did one politely ask a guest to leave?’ Fortunately, her dilemma was solved when Hutchins announced, “His Grace, the Duke of Adborough.”
He’d come.
~~~~~
Earlier that morning, before his valet Clarkson had a chance to draw his curtains, Maxwell had lain awake in bed, mulling over last night’s activities. He deliberately arriv
ed late for the ball, wishing to lose himself in the crowd, however, before he had a chance to set foot beyond the front vestibule his mother had waylaid him.
“Thank goodness, you have arrived at last,” she declared.
Not given to histrionics, he wondered what had his mother in such an uproar.
“I told you I would attend after having dinner at the club. What has you so upset?”
“Now is not the time to dither, come with me.”
His mother spun on her heel and walked toward the staircase which led to the second floor and the ballroom.
“Mother, what has happened?”
She paused at the foot of the stairs.
“The Colonel is not here and he is Georgiana’s partner for the first dance, which is about to start at any moment. Viscount Ashton has yet to come down from the family area and Lucinda is not even sure if he is in the house. You know how unreliable he can be at times.”
Yes, he did know how unreliable Ash could be. He’d known for years.
“What do you want me to do? Ride out and chase down the Fitzwilliam brothers?”
“Don’t be daft, Maxwell,” Mother scolded. “I want you to partner with Georgiana for the first dance.”
And he had.
She’d looked so lovely, standing somewhat alone in her white dress, her gauzy overskirt showcasing a cascade of tiny blue flowers that spilled from her waist down to the floor. He wondered if she noticed his vest. The choice of that shade of blue had been purposeful. In his own, quiet way, he wished to stamp on Society’s mind that Miss Georgiana Darcy was his and his alone.
“Shall I draw you a bath, Your Grace,” Clarkson asked as he drew back the curtains and allowed the bright sun to lighten the room.
“No, a quick wash and a shave will do.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
Clarkson entered the dressing room and Max heard him setting up for his morning ablutions. His first instinct was to rush to Darcy House, which would be foolhardy as Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy’s visiting hours were from two in the afternoon until no later than four. He knew, as a family friend he could extend his visit past the stated hours and intended to use this to his best advantage.
