Page 4 of Georgiana
Chapter Two
Before the week was out, the Darcy’s had arrived in London and were almost immediately beset upon by Lady Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Aunt Lucinda, Richard, you are here at an ungodly hour. We have only begun to break our fast.” Fitz stood and gave their aunt a kiss on the cheek.
Georgiana and Lizzy started to push away from the table to stand, but Lady Matlock waved them down. Richard called out a cheery ‘good morning’ and promptly attended the sideboard. Lady Matlock settled beside Georgiana and accepted a cup of tea from one of the footmen.
“To what do we owe the honor of your company so early, Aunt?” Fitz asked once he’d resumed his place at the table. “Richard, I know, came only to stuff his face with my food.”
He gave his cousin a mild glare as Richard sat down next to Lizzy after filling his plate to near overflowing. Richard’s reply was to raise an eyebrow and take a bite of his fresh baked roll.
“We have no time to waste,” Aunt Lucinda began. “Elizabeth and Georgiana’s presentations are but a scant eight weeks away. Not near enough time to accomplish everything I’d like. I have arranged several fittings at Etienne’s, for which I am eternally grateful to the Duchess of Adborough. Normally, Madame Etienne has a line weaving down the street for her services, but Margaret was able to exert her influence and hire her exclusively to attend all our girls.”
“Caroline and Kitty, as well?” Lizzy asked.
“Oh, yes. Margaret adores both of them and is determined to have them shine this upcoming Season.” Lady Matlock let out a satisfied sigh. “There are rumors the Prince Regent himself may attend in honor of Lord George’s loyalty to the Crown. I would not be surprised if he doesn’t bestow on George his own dukedom.”
Georgiana’s memory briefly touched on the near-scandal a few days before Nathan and Caroline’s wedding. Guests at Pemberley had been informed that a gun accidently discharged in the stables and Viscount Stanhope had been tragically killed. She knew that to be a falsehood as she’d overheard Fitzwilliam and Cousin Richard discussing Stanhope’s treachery.
“I hear the Barwick Duchy is vacant.” Richard volunteered the information around a mouthful of ham. “At least two hundred acres of valuable farmland and long-term tenants.”
“Yes, of course. And there are the secondary titles of Marquis of Glanworth and Viscount Mandeville.” Lady Matlock enthused.
“You are a veritable walking and talking volume of Debrett’s, dear aunt,” Fitz teased.
“You laugh now, Fitzwilliam, but when you and your lovely bride begin to move among London’s finest, you will be glad to know whom to avoid and whom to curry favor with,” she decreed with an elegant sniff. “If not for your sake, then for Georgiana’s. We expect her to make a splendid match this season. Already there are rumors the Marquis of Trevayne is on the hunt this year.”
“Dear God, Mama. You make it sound like he’s about to call the hounds.” Richard exclaimed. “Trevayne needs to find a wife, that’s a certainty, but he is not about to stalk the halls of Almack’s and pounce on innocent debutantes their first night out.”
“Be that as it may, I expect the foyer of Darcy house to be filled with flowers and cards when eligible gentlemen discover how beautiful my niece is.” Aunt Lucinda patted Georgiana’s hand.
Georgiana’s insides shrivelled at her aunt’s sentiments. Her aunt meant well, however, she knew, just knew, many eyes would be on her because she was a Darcy and because she was wealthy. Not for the first time she was grateful Elizabeth, Caroline and Catherine would be by her side the whole season.
“Mama would be in raptures if Kitty became a titled lady in her own right,” Lizzy said with a laugh. “She will be hard put to remain humble if that happens.”
“As soon as you are finished with breaking your fast, we shall meet the Duchess at Etienne’s. With six of us to outfit, she will need all hands-on deck.”
“Mother, where have you learned Navy terms?” Richard slathered more creamy butter on yet another roll. “Your second and most favored son is an army colonel” – Lady Matlock raised an elegant eyebrow – “one would assume you would use terminology more suited for land warfare.”
Lady Matlock waved a hand in Richard’s direction, as though shooing his concerns away from her thoughts. “I do know a few Admirals and Navy Captains, Richard. My social circle is quite wide, which you would know if you attended some functions with me.”
“Ah, but then you’d expect me to dance attendance on some fresh-faced chit of a girl and make polite talk with dewy eyed innocents.”
“Richard!”
“Sorry, Mother. That was quite unchivalrous,” Richard apologized, casting a slight eyeroll in the direction of his cousin, Fitz.
They all knew very well that Richard gave no thought, what-so-ever, to finding a wife. He was happily situated as an army Colonel and had no intentions of settling down. Aunt Lucinda would be better served finding a wife for her eldest son, Viscount Ashton. Although, he’d proven just as wily as Richard when it came to avoiding young misses and their ambitious mama’s.
“Is Kitty meeting us at the modiste?” Lizzy interjected, obviously trying to move the conversation past the dangerous territory of Lady Matlock’s marital plans for her two unwed sons.
“No, George is escorting both Catherine and your sister Mary here. In fact, I’m surprised they’ve not arrived yet.”
“How lovely,” Georgiana enthused. “I cannot wait to see them both again. I delight in their companionship very much.”
As if on cue, Hutchins appeared at the door for the second time that morning.
“Lord George Kerr, Miss Bennet and Miss Catherine Bennet have arrived. They are in the blue drawing room.”
