by Sue Barr
“Ah, I see. Mrs. Darcy appreciated what fine penmanship you have.”
“Not at all. It was your sister-in-law, then Caroline Bingley, who expressed her appreciation.” Darcy chuckled. “At that time in her life, I could have sneezed and Caroline would have gone into raptures. She is much altered since meeting your brother.”
“Yes, and Nathan is very appreciative that she no longer holds you in such high regard.”
“I’m almost done. All I need is the direction to your solicitors and we can have things set up before the week is complete.”
“Excellent.” Max took one of Darcy’s sheets of paper and scribbled down the address of his solicitors in Town. He straightened and smoothed out his coat. “Am I able to see your sister today?”
“Normally, I would say yes, but Georgiana has only begun leaving her quarters and as such is not dressed for company.” At Max’s quizzical look, he expanded. “The dressing comes off tomorrow and then she can wear a gown. I’m sure you understand.”
“I will come by in the afternoon, and if she feels up to it, pose my question and let her know she does have an option, regardless of what you may say.”
“Adborough, I’d love to give her leeway in this regard, but like it or not, Georgiana must marry and I don’t think I could ask for a better brother-in-law.”
“The sentiments are returned. I look forward to a long and felicitous marriage.”
“After you speak with Georgiana, I shall post the announcement and start the process of reading the banns. This gives you three weeks to make plans and give the appearance of a courtship. With luck, no gossip will seep out, but we must be prepared for anything.”
“Are you sure you weren’t the one trained in strategy, Darcy. Your cousin would be most proud to hear you talk like this.”
“Good or bad, Richard tends to rub off on people. Be careful when you invite him for dinner. He makes you laugh at off color jokes and you will find yourself sipping more brandy than thought possible.”
“I shall take that under advisement, although, in his day, my youngest brother raised a few eyebrows. He experienced harrowing times in France that changed him body and soul and I don’t believe your cousin could surprise me with any stories that don’t rival Nathan’s.”
“I forget how jaded Nathan was when he first returned. When I think of him, I see the man he became. Lizzy once observed that we are to think of the past as it gives us pleasure.”
“Sage advice. We should listen to your erudite wife more often.”
“It certainly makes for a happy marriage.”
“I can’t wait to discover this myself.” Max said to his soon-to-be brother and thought, with a smile, in three weeks, Georgiana will be my wife.
Chapter Nine
“His Grace, the Duke of Adborough.”
Although prepared for his visit, Georgiana couldn’t help the little breath that somehow caught at the back of her throat, and even without looking into a reflective glass, she knew her cheeks would be pinker that she’d like.
How could she not blush? Just the thought that he’d seen and touched her in her nightclothes was enough to make her heart race like a runaway horse. She clasped her hands a little tighter to keep herself from leaping to her feet and hide behind the draperies.
“Your Grace,” Lizzy said as soon as Max crossed into the room. “We are so delighted you joined us for tea.”
“Mrs. Darcy.” Max gave Lizzy a polite nod with his head. He then turned his full attention toward her. “Miss Darcy.”
The smile that graced his face was everything she remembered. Both she and Lizzy curtsied and she murmured, “Your Grace.”
“Enough of ‘Your Grace’, please call me Maxwell. We are all friends here, or at least I hope we are.”
“You are most definitely a friend of ours, Maxwell,” Lizzy replied. “I know you’ve asked for a private audience with my sister, but Anna will stay with you while I see cook about tonight’s dinner. I won’t be longer than fifteen minutes.”
She rose to her feet and went to the drawing room door and called Anna to come into the room. Before leaving she gave Georgiana a happy smile and a quick wink. Heat chased across her cheeks once more. What she’d been dreaming of for over three years was about to come true.
Without hesitation Max advanced and sat on the couch beside her. He reached for her hand but for some reason she couldn’t relax her fingers, clutched tight in her lap.
“Miss Darcy. Do you fear me?”
“Oh no! How could I?”
“Then will you trust your hand to mine?”
Surprised by the question, her fingers unraveled which allowed him to hold her hand in his. A sensation akin to pins and needles ran up her arm. She’d never had a man touch the bare skin of her hand before, other than family members, and they didn’t count. Was this why ladies always wore gloves? To protect them from such intense vibrations?
“Your hands are so cold. Do you wish me to start a fire?”
“No, I am perfectly comfortable, but thank you.”
She bit her lip, searching for words. For a way to thank him for saving her.
“I wanted to thank−”
“I came to ask−”
Both stopped mid-sentence. Max spoke first.
“Forgive me Miss Darcy, there is no need to speak of that situation. I thank God every night that I was there.”
“I also thank Him daily. I am afraid I’ve built you up into knight of the realm proportions.”
“Don’t place me too high on a pedestal. The fall, when it comes, would be quite painful.”
“Very well. I shall make sure the pedestal remains only two feet in height.”
Maxwell laughed out loud. “You have a delightful sense of humor.”
“Thank you. I blame Lizzy. She has taught me and my brother how to laugh again.”
“She brought joy back to Pemberley.” Max shifted on the couch and his knee bumped hers. “I requested this time because I have an important question and regardless of what you think you ‘should’ do, I wish for you to follow your heart.” The moment she’d dreaded, yet hoped for, had arrived. “First, I must tell you I have admired you for a number of years. You have grown in grace and beauty and even without these extenuating circumstances, you are someone I have considered as a wife.”
An awkward pause stretched before them as he looked at her with expectation. Aware he awaited some form of response, she finally said, “I’m a bit confused. Was there a question in there?”
“Dash it all. I knew I’d forget something.” He surprised her by raising her hands to his lips and pressing a soft kiss against her fingers. She absolutely forgot how to breathe. “Yes, there is a question. Would you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage? I would have preferred a longer courtship but given the events of this past week your brother wishes to post the banns immediately. Which make sense as the articles of marriage will be ready for signing within the week and the announcement appears in The Gazette tomorrow.”
“The announcement will post tomorrow, before the question was asked?” she cried out, withdrawing her hand from Max’s light grasp.
She longed to accept his proposal and throw herself into his arms, but no one, absolutely no one had conferred with her about how this would proceed. After everything she’d been through, shouldn’t she be given some modicum amount of control in her own fate?
“Miss Darcy, we are not trying to be high-handed in this. Circumstances dictate we move with some haste. Slade is bound for the colonies and cannot spread any vile rumors, but we have no control over the inn keeper or any of his staff and guests. If word, truth or untruth, spread about your harrowing experience, you would be branded a fallen woman and become an outcast.”
“I know that.” She stood and walked over to the window, wrapping her arms around her midsection. She’d longed for Max to propose, but not under these circumstances. Not because he was forced. Max joined her, standing close but not quite tou
ching. His soothing voice calmed her frustration.
“If you are agreeable to my proposal, we shall have a three-week courtship while the banns are read. More than enough time to allay any rumors which may, or may not arise.”
“You do not need to sacrifice your happiness to save my reputation,” she managed to breathe out.
“You obviously forgot the first part of my pretty speech. I have always considered you as a woman who could be my Duchess.”
“Always?” She lowered her arms and dared turn around and face him.
He cupped her chin and tilted her face to his. “Always, darling Georgiana.”
He leaned in and brushed her lips with his. The kiss, though all too brief, infused her body with heat. When she finally opened her eyes, she found him staring at her, a soft smile on his face.
“Will you marry me, Georgiana Rachel Darcy?”
“Yes. Oh, yes!”
Could the sun shine any brighter? Could her heart expand any further with love?
Max drew her into his arms and laid his forehead against hers. “I shall do my very best to make you happy, sweet girl,” he whispered. All too soon, he set her away from him, at arms length. “Now I must go and tell Mother the good news.”
“Will you come for dinner tonight?” she asked, marvelling at how calm her voice sounded when every nerve in her body sizzled and popped like a Yule log.
“Would that I could, love, but I shall be quite busy informing family of our good news.” He stepped toward her and, unmindful of Anna’s presence in the room, kissed her hard on the mouth. “Until tomorrow, Georgiana.”
It was only when the door to the room closed behind him that she realized she still stood with trembling fingers touching her lips. Such longing filled her body. A longing for what she did not know, but was assured in her heart that Maxwell completed her like no other person in the world. Her wedding could not come soon enough.
~~~~~
Amber liquid glinted in the light from the fireplace as Max slowly rotated the cut glass tumbler, deep in thought over his upcoming nuptials on the morrow. He raised the brandy to his lips and liquid fire trailed past his tongue and worked its way into his belly, leaving behind a warm glow.
“What?” An exclamation from the direction of the door to his study brought him out of his musings. “Drowning your sorrows already, brother?”
Max smiled as George entered the room, followed closely by Nathan.
“Not drowning. Enjoying a quiet moment before the busyness of tomorrow.”
He signaled Hutchins, who remained by the door, to pour each of his brothers a drink and then dismissed him.
“Aye,” Nathan said. “When you look back, you’ll find you remember only a few key things. The rest of the day is but a blur.”
George nodded in agreement. “All I remember is my Catherine walking toward me.”
“You both are such romantics,” Max teased.
“Laugh now, but I guarantee the minute Georgiana enters the room on her brother’s arm everyone in the sanctuary will fade away.”
“You may be right, George,” Max conceded. “I’ve waited a long time for this day.”
Understanding dawned on George’s face and he turned to Nathan. “Georgiana Darcy is the one Max mooned over all these years?”
Nathan nodded and smiled. “From what I’ve witnessed first hand, our eldest brother has quietly admired Miss Darcy for a long time. I’m happy to report she returns his affection.”
Satisfaction coursed through Maxwell’s body. Knowing Georgiana viewed him in a favorable light bode well for their future. Over the past few weeks, they’d enjoyed many conversations but not once did either of them bring up the tender subject of love.
Circumstances surrounding their hasty engagement and marriage made such conversations difficult. If Nathan’s assertations were accurate, their marriage would be felicitous and the intimacies of their union not as awkward as he feared.
A discreet knock at the door announced the arrival of Hutchins.
“Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, your Grace.”
Hutchins stepped to one side, allowing Darcy to enter the room, followed by his cousin.
“Darcy. Fitzwilliam. What brought you here?”
“Too many conversations revolving around lace, flowers, and fripperies,” Richard groused, helping himself to a tumbler of brandy after Max waved Hutchins off. “We desperately needed some conversation about dogs, horses, and hunting.”
Laughter filled the air and soon all five of them were comfortably ensconced in chairs dotted about the room.
“Are you and Georgiana leaving immediately after the wedding breakfast?” Darcy asked.
“We’ll see how the day goes. These past few weeks have been so hectic, Georgiana may wish to spend a few quiet evenings here, near family. As well, I cannot tarry too long with my new bride as I am required to be in the House of Lords. There are some important bills being put forward with all the unrest in the North, and I wish to be here for the vote.”
“I wouldn’t recommend the Continent. Even with Old Boney surrendering, the whole area is in a state of upheaval,” Richard said.
“I thought I may take her on a tour of Scotland.”
“My sister would enjoy that. She’s always wanted to view some castles and has often expressed an interest in sighting the fabled Loch Ness sea creature.”
“She has more chance at a sighting of the Fae,” Richard guffawed. “George, do you remember when Adborough declared he’d seen a wood nymph?”
“Yes! I’d forgotten about that.”
“I did not say I saw a wood nymph.” Max protested.
“Yes, you did,” three voices said in unison.
Nathan glanced at all of them, a puzzled expression on his face. “I don’t remember that.”
“You were still at Eton,” George said. “You always came home a week later than the rest of us. If memory serves me correct, which seems to elude my brother, we were at Pemberley, swimming in the lake near the front of the house.”
Max leaned back in his chair, enjoying the sense of comradery which permeated the room. He knew they’d have many years of family gatherings, filled with warmth and laughter. Already he pictured golden haired little girls like their mother and dark-haired boys bearing his features gathered around the fireplace Christmas morning. He wanted the timbers of Adborough Hall to shake from all their laughter and joy. And, when Nathan and George joined them with their families, the room would positively burst from happiness.
~~~~~
The wedding day dawned bright and clear. A good omen, Max thought as he paced in a small room nestled beside the main sanctuary. Nathan and George spoke in low tones with their mother. She excused herself and came toward him, hands outstretched. He clasped them in his, then leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“I am so happy for you, Maxwell. I’d begun to despair of you ever taking a wife.”
“I’m very much aware of that, Mother, but I did not want to choose someone I couldn’t love.”
“And you do love Georgiana, yes?” His mother reached up and brushed an unruly lock of hair from his forehead, a soft smile gracing her still beautiful features.
“Yes, mother. I do love her and hope she will come to love me.”
“Pish posh,” his mother teased and tapped his chest with an elegant finger. “How could she NOT love you?”
“My bride is very young and inexperienced. As you know, a long courtship was denied us. I don’t want her to live her life with regret.”
“Maxwell Kerr.” He grimaced slightly at her soft chastisement. “I have watched Miss Darcy grow into a lovely young woman and could not fail to notice how much she esteems you. If she doesn’t love you now, she will soon. Of that, I am sure.” Mother rose up on her toes and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. “I shall see you after the ceremony.”
With that, she turned and left the room on Nathan’s arm. George gave him a small salute and followed them out. Left
to his own devices, Max strolled to a window near the back of the room. Partially hidden by a tapestry covered screen, he listened for the arrival of the Archbishop, who would lead him into the sanctuary. His attention was caught by the sight of the Darcy carriage parked on the road. She was here!
~~~~~
“Are you ready?”
Georgiana looked up at Fitzwilliam’s voice and nodded, not trusting her voice.
“Then, take my arm and let’s not keep your groom waiting.”
He extended his elbow and she placed her gloved hand on his forearm. In her other hand she carried a small bouquet of blush pink roses delivered earlier that morning from Max. The fragrant blooms matched the ribbon on her gown which encircled the bodice before falling softly down her back. Her veil, intricately woven with seed pearls and diamonds, was held in place by the Kerr diadem tiara and she wore a single strand of pearls which had been her mother’s. Fitz and Lizzy had presented them after dinner last eve and it was one of the few times she’d seen her brother moved to tears.
Everything coalesced into this defining moment. About to marry a man she loved deeply and start a new life made her heart almost burst to overflowing, and it was with this thought she started the long walk down the aisle.
St. George’s parish of Hanover Square was filled to overflowing. The wedding may have been short notice but it wasn’t very often that a Duke married, so the pews were packed. Fortunately, the wedding breakfast itself was reserved for family members and close friends, the one exception being Aunt Catherine. Still in high dudgeon over Fitz’s marriage to Elizabeth, she had not apologized for her extreme rudeness from over two years ago and therefore was not back in the family’s good graces. Although Georgiana was pleased to see Anne seated next to Cousin Richard, smiling broadly at her and Fitz.
Her first glimpse of Maxwell was of him standing regal and proud next to George. The crowd rustled and murmured in anticipation as she walked by and when they reached the alter, Max turned to face her, his expression loving and warm, if not a bit anxious.
Like her, he must be experiencing wedding nerves and it didn’t help they were on display in front of London’s elite. Throughout the ceremony, her focus remained on Maxwell and she savored every word spoken, binding them together. How lucky she was, to have captured the interest of such a man. Someone who wanted her for herself and not her fortune.
