Page 21 of Georgiana
About to return to the ballroom, his mother’s voice stopped him.
“There you are.”
Max turned to see the Duchess advance toward him.
“Mother, you look lovely as always.”
She offered her cheek and he gave her a light kiss.
“I hadn’t seen you come into the ball room and had to be told by others that my son was dancing,” she gently chastised.
“My apologies. Almost as soon as I arrived, I noticed Miss Darcy being harangued by Sir Reginald. I whisked her onto the dance floor before he could press upon her further.”
“George told me briefly about his circumstances and Lucinda filled me in on the rest. You are a good friend to the Darcy family.” Max acknowledged her praise with a nod. “Have you decided who you will dance with next?”
“I haven’t even had time to greet my host and hostess. Dancing will come later.”
“You are not getting any younger, Maxwell, and the only way you will find someone is to actually go up to them and begin a conversation.”
He gave a small start at the idea of his mother querying his marital aspirations so soon after his conversation with Ash.
“Mother, I am barely one and thirty, hardly in the grave!”
“Not that I wish to bandy my age about, Maxwell, but I wish to have a grandchild before I reach the age of fifty. You and your brothers have but three years to grant me my wish.”
“I am sure my siblings shall accommodate you within the year.”
Mother sniffed elegantly. “Only because they have acquired a wife, which you seem reluctant to follow suit.”
“I have yet to meet a woman I wish to spend my life with,” he said smoothly. “I want the same felicity and joy you and Father had.”
“I must point out that our joy began when your father asked me to dance. Maybe you should follow in his light-as-air footsteps and seek to do the same.”
“I will do my very best.” He leaned in and kissed his mother’s cheek again before whispering, “Beyond that I cannot promise more.”
“You do that or I shall make a list and find you a wife myself.” His mother took her closed fan and tapped him on the arm. “I am determined to see you well married by the end of this Season.”
“I’m leaving now, Mother.”
“You are lucky I love you as you are.” She smiled at him. “Come and sit with me after the supper set.”
“You know I will.”
As it was, Max had to leave the ball a few minutes before midnight.
“Harold,” he exclaimed upon seeing one of his footmen approaching. “Why are you here, of all places?”
“Pardon me, Your Grace, Mr. Benson sent me with an urgent message for you to return to Kerr House.”
“Did he say why?”
“No, Your Grace, but I do know he received an express from Adborough Hall.”
“Very well. Tell Benson I shall return immediately.” Max didn’t hesitate in this decision. Benson was an extremely reliable butler and would have interrupted his evening only for the most extenuating of circumstance. “First, I must find my host and bid her goodnight and then let the Duchess know I am leaving.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Harold bowed properly and turned to leave.
Max searched the crowd for Lady Dalrymple and upon sighting her, cleaved his way through the crowd.
