Page 12 of Georgiana
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.”
