Page 15 of Georgiana
For his new sisters-in law he would put up with the lingering looks and unsubtle hints of how ‘accomplished’ Miss So-and-So was, or how ‘well-connected’ Lady ‘So-and-So was. He had neither the time nor inclination to pander to their lofty hopes and desires. Miss Darcy was a perfect combination of beauty, charm and virtue. His course was set and nothing would deter him.
“Good day, Mother. You look ravishing, as always.” He leaned in to kiss the proffered cheek.
“You seem to be in a fine mood this morning, Maxwell. Can I assume you enjoyed yourself at the ball last night? You danced an inordinate number of times for you and never with the same lady twice, other than Miss Darcy, which couldn’t be helped – poor dear.”
He refused to rise to the bait and decided to keep the conversation neutral.
“I did enjoy myself, Mother. The Matlock’s and Darcy’s are good friends. Their company always make an evening pass much quicker.” He acknowledged his two new sisters. “Caroline. Catherine. I commend you both on a successful first foray into Society.”
“The battle is not yet won,” Caroline mused out loud. “The true test will come when Catherine and I are out and about shopping, or enjoying a tea on Bond Street. Then we shall see who accepts us for who we are and not who we associate with.”
He assessed the former Miss Bingley carefully. He’d always liked the feisty red-haired vixen. She balanced Nathan as no other woman had before and she had a common-sense approach to life, which he also admired. And, she was right. Even with the Duchess of Adborough and Countess Matlock firmly in their corner, some members of society would never take them on as bosom friends.
“You may be correct. However, I assure you there will be no cuts directly, not if they wish to maintain their position in Society. Fortunately, you have no need of their good will. Between all our families combined, we have enough people to hold our own balls and dinners and never need invite anyone else.”
“I prefer our own company as well, Your Grace,” Catherine said.
“I have told you to call me Max when you are in this house,” he teased his newest sister-in-law.
“That will be a hard habit to break, Your Gr−,” He lifted an eyebrow. “Max.”
“Much better.” He turned his attention to George. “Have we heard what happened to the Colonel? As far as I could tell, he never made it to the ball.”
“No, he didn’t. My sources informed me he was called to Spain.” George told them all.
“To Spain!” Mother exclaimed.
“With Napoleon’s abdication after the battle at Toulouse, many English assets are on the move and need safe passage home. There have been some pockets of resistance within France, so they are migrating south.”
“But why would Colonel Fitzwilliam be dispatched to Spain? Lucinda must be frantic.”
“Mother, the Colonel is not a paper soldier but a battle worn veteran. His knowledge of the area and ability to think ahead make him necessary for securing some of our deeply imbedded agents.”
“Do we have any idea when he may return?” Max asked.
“No, although with the armistice having been signed a but a few weeks ago, I pray everyone returns safe.”
“I pray that as well,” Catherine added with much feeling. At Max’s questioning look, she added, “A friend is in France and has been there for over a year. His family believe him lost as they hadn’t heard from him since he joined the army, but through certain circumstances George and I know he is in France as a spy.”
“And you’ve not told his family this?” Caroline asked, clearly astonished.
“No. First, for security reasons we cannot tell them what he is doing or where he is and second, why raise their hopes of his being alive only to find out later he may not.” Catherine took George’s hand in hers. “This has been on my heart and mind since your wedding, Caroline and I pray everyday he returns safe. All I can do is trust.”
“As you know, my Catherine is a most persistence woman of prayer. I think God will allow her friend to return if only to stop her from banging on the gates of Heaven.” George quipped, giving his bride a soft smile.
“George, stop teasing your lovely wife,” Mother chided gently. “Every mother wants someone to pray for their son when they are at war. I know I did.” She caught and held Catherine’s gaze. “You continue on, my dear and I shall add my voice as well.”
~~~~~
The clock had chimed three times when Catherine approached Max in the crowded drawing room.
“Your Grace, may I introduce Lady Standish and her daughter, Miss Penelope Standish?”
Max, engaged in conversation with Lady Addlesworth, turned slightly. The first thing he noticed was Catherine’s nervousness, shown by the way she squeezed her fingers together. He cut a quick glance across the room and saw George, glowering in the corner at Lady Standish. George would make his life miserable if he didn’t do something to allay Catherine’s nerves.
“You do not need to stand on formality, Catherine, I have told you to call me Max.”
He’d caught the calculated way Lady Standish eyed his new sister and wished her to know Catherine was a treasured member of the family, not someone she could order about, which is what he suspected by this intrusive introduction. He turned fully to face Lady Standish and her daughter, who was passably handsome but not handsome enough to tempt him from his first love, Georgiana.
