Page 31 of Georgiana
She rose to her feet and went to the drawing room door and called Anna to come into the room. Before leaving she gave Georgiana a happy smile and a quick wink. Heat chased across her cheeks once more. What she’d been dreaming of for over three years was about to come true.
Without hesitation Max advanced and sat on the couch beside her. He reached for her hand but for some reason she couldn’t relax her fingers, clutched tight in her lap.
“Miss Darcy. Do you fear me?”
“Oh no! How could I?”
“Then will you trust your hand to mine?”
Surprised by the question, her fingers unraveled which allowed him to hold her hand in his. A sensation akin to pins and needles ran up her arm. She’d never had a man touch the bare skin of her hand before, other than family members, and they didn’t count. Was this why ladies always wore gloves? To protect them from such intense vibrations?
“Your hands are so cold. Do you wish me to start a fire?”
“No, I am perfectly comfortable, but thank you.”
She bit her lip, searching for words. For a way to thank him for saving her.
“I wanted to thank−”
“I came to ask−”
Both stopped mid-sentence. Max spoke first.
“Forgive me Miss Darcy, there is no need to speak of that situation. I thank God every night that I was there.”
“I also thank Him daily. I am afraid I’ve built you up into knight of the realm proportions.”
“Don’t place me too high on a pedestal. The fall, when it comes, would be quite painful.”
“Very well. I shall make sure the pedestal remains only two feet in height.”
Maxwell laughed out loud. “You have a delightful sense of humor.”
“Thank you. I blame Lizzy. She has taught me and my brother how to laugh again.”
“She brought joy back to Pemberley.” Max shifted on the couch and his knee bumped hers. “I requested this time because I have an important question and regardless of what you think you ‘should’ do, I wish for you to follow your heart.” The moment she’d dreaded, yet hoped for, had arrived. “First, I must tell you I have admired you for a number of years. You have grown in grace and beauty and even without these extenuating circumstances, you are someone I have considered as a wife.”
An awkward pause stretched before them as he looked at her with expectation. Aware he awaited some form of response, she finally said, “I’m a bit confused. Was there a question in there?”
“Dash it all. I knew I’d forget something.” He surprised her by raising her hands to his lips and pressing a soft kiss against her fingers. She absolutely forgot how to breathe. “Yes, there is a question. Would you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage? I would have preferred a longer courtship but given the events of this past week your brother wishes to post the banns immediately. Which make sense as the articles of marriage will be ready for signing within the week and the announcement appears in The Gazette tomorrow.”
“The announcement will post tomorrow, before the question was asked?” she cried out, withdrawing her hand from Max’s light grasp.
She longed to accept his proposal and throw herself into his arms, but no one, absolutely no one had conferred with her about how this would proceed. After everything she’d been through, shouldn’t she be given some modicum amount of control in her own fate?
“Miss Darcy, we are not trying to be high-handed in this. Circumstances dictate we move with some haste. Slade is bound for the colonies and cannot spread any vile rumors, but we have no control over the inn keeper or any of his staff and guests. If word, truth or untruth, spread about your harrowing experience, you would be branded a fallen woman and become an outcast.”
“I know that.” She stood and walked over to the window, wrapping her arms around her midsection. She’d longed for Max to propose, but not under these circumstances. Not because he was forced. Max joined her, standing close but not quite touching. His soothing voice calmed her frustration.
“If you are agreeable to my proposal, we shall have a three-week courtship while the banns are read. More than enough time to allay any rumors which may, or may not arise.”
“You do not need to sacrifice your happiness to save my reputation,” she managed to breathe out.
“You obviously forgot the first part of my pretty speech. I have always considered you as a woman who could be my Duchess.”
“Always?” She lowered her arms and dared turn around and face him.
He cupped her chin and tilted her face to his. “Always, darling Georgiana.”
