Page 11 of Georgiana
“Fitzwilliam, have you come to greet us at the door?” Lizzy cried out upon seeing her husband.
Georgiana came to a complete stop when she spied the Duke of Adborough standing to one side, a footman handing him his cape and hat. Her heart did a traitorous leap at the sight of him, flawlessly tailored in buckskins and high-gloss top boots. His jacket did nothing to mask his broad shoulders, but rather accentuated them. However, it was the rogue lock of hair which flopped down across his forehead that melted her insides. Something his valet would see in horror and immediately apply pomade to curb. Such a shame.
When he returned her gaze, she realized she’d been staring. Immediately, she fussed with her gloves to hide her embarrassment.
“Your Grace, surely you are not leaving as soon as we have arrived,” Lizzy addressed Max. “Unless you have dire, emergent business, I implore you to stay for a cup of tea.”
“It shall be my pleasure, Mrs. Darcy.” Max handed his cape and hat back to the footman with a wry smile. “Although Mother is expecting me at Kerr House to make an appearance for Caroline and Catherine.”
Within minutes of their arrival the front entryway was filled with lady’s maids divesting them of their coats, bonnets and gloves. Lizzy quietly asked her maid to advise cook to send up tea and cake to the drawing room and Georgiana couldn’t help but admire how she’d grown into the role as lady of the house.
“We shall not keep you long and I cannot guarantee you any of the cake or biscuits as we ladies are famished,” Lizzy teased as they made their way to the drawing room and their tea arrived a few short minutes after them.
“Are we destitute yet, wife?” her brother asked Lizzy before he sat beside her.
“Not quite my darling, but I am doing my very best to make a dent in that considerable allowance you insist on giving me.” Lizzy poured the teas and handed them around. “Fortunately, I still have that lovely dress from last year and it’s not too out-dated. Madame Etienne need only make a few minor adjustments to the gown.”
“Saved from the poor house by my economical wife!” Fitz exclaimed. “Find such as woman as this, Adborough. One who cares not one jot if you have land and money.”
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 tobethe Duke of Adborough.
Chapter Four
