Page 10 of Georgiana
“Yes, Georgiana. Unless you and Elizabeth have birthed a daughter without telling anyone,” Max teased Darcy, a grin creasing his face.
“Right. Of course, Georgiana.” Darcy placed his drink onto the side table and leaned forward. “What type of enquiries?”
“Of her dowry and value of any inheritance.”
“He must know she gets none of Pemberley, not with Elizabeth giving Darcy a healthy son.” the Colonel bit out. He stood and began to pace.
“This by itself is not earth shattering, Richard. Adborough must have good reason to bring it to our attention.”
“I do. Slade is in over his head. George laid it all out most succinctly when he told me, ‘his estate is mortgaged to the rafters and all his holdings are nothing but vowels in the hands of those he has wagered against and lost.’ You’d do well to direct your sister to avoid him at all costs.”
“Can we trust what George discovered?”
“George is not given to idle gossip, especially when it’s about friends and family. If he has concerns about Slade’s intentions, I would not brush them off lightly.”
“Is there nobody who can love Georgiana for who she is and not for money?” The Colonel flopped back into his chair. “How many fortune hunters need we fight off?”
Darcy cut a sharp glance at his cousin and Richard abruptly quit speaking, although Max was quite sure he still fumed silently. Max finished his drink and stood.
“I must be off, Darcy, Colonel. Mother has opened Kerr House to receive visitors and demanded I make an appearance and lend support to Caroline and Catherine against would be vipers.”
“Should I enlist your aid for Elizabeth and Georgiana?” Darcy asked as he rang for a footman.
“I defy anyone to slander your wife and sister. Your aunt would have them for breakfast and spit out the bones. You forget, I’ve seen Lady Matlock at work.”
“If required, the mater can be quite ferocious,” the Colonel drawled from his comfortable spot in the wingback chair. “This is why our mothers are such great friends.”
“I’ll see you out, Adborough.” Darcy stood and opened the door to the study and addressed the footman who waited. “Please get the Duke’s things and bring them to the front entryway.”
The footman nodded and hastened away.
“You don’t need to see me to the door, Darcy. I’ve been here enough times to know my way out.”
“Nonsense. I’m expecting Elizabeth and Georgiana back any moment and want to see if they’ve returned.”
“Love sick fool!” the Colonel teased.
“One day you will meet a lady who throws you for sixes, cousin, and I for one can’t wait to see you fall.”
“You’ll be a grandfather before that happens.”
“Mayhap she will be at the ball your mother is holding after the presentation at court.” Max teased. He knew Darcy’s cousin flirted with many a pretty girl but rarely singled out any for marked attention.
“Don’t remind me of the ball. I plan on hiding in the card room. By the by, Mother is thrilled you and the Duchess are attending,” Colonel Fitzwilliam called out as Max and Darcy left the room. “The only dance I shall dance with will be the first one with Georgiana, as promised and then Lizzy. None others…”
With a grin and a nod, Darcy indicated for Max to leave the study, the mutterings from his cousin fading with each step.
“I wish I hadn’t been the bearer of such news−” Max began.
“I am exceedingly glad you did apprise us of his debt. Without this knowledge, I might have thought Slade was a good candidate, being that he is knighted with a substantial estate on par with Rosings.” They walked side by side down the wide hall leading to the front of the house. “I can’t thank you enough, Adborough.”
“I think of Miss Darcy as a younger sister,” he lied smoothly. If Darcy knew where his thoughts strayed when no one was around, he’d ban him not only from their house in Mayfair, but Pemberley as well. “I wouldn’t want any harm to befall her.”
“She is a lucky girl to have so many look out for her best interests.”
They’d reached the front vestibule just as Hutchins opened the door, admitting Elizabeth and Georgiana. Max’s mouth went dry at the sight before him. Clad in a fur lined pelisse and matching bonnet, her cheeks rosy from being outside, Miss Darcy held his attention. She entered the house arm in arm with her sister-in-law, eyes bright with merriment. Everything in him wanted to scoop her up and kiss her soundly. He smiled at the thought. Wouldn’t that surprise them all?
~~~~~
