Page 13 of Georgiana
“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.”
