Page 46 of Georgiana
This story cheered my heart somewhat as Miss Marianne Dashwood did find love with Colonel Brandon, a quiet man who was quite a few years older than she. This gives me hope for us, Maxwell. Twelve years is not too much time. Why, Admiral Pennyroyal is almost twenty years his wife’s age and they adore one another.
Have I told you how grateful I am, that it was you who rescued me that night at the inn? When he, (I refuse to call him by any name), snatched me from my bedroom and carried me off to that horrible inn, I prayed as never before. I shudder to think what would have befallen me if you hadn’t heard my cries.
Your brother, Nathan, stopped by for a brief visit. He was quite curious as to why you were in London, and as I didn’t have the faintest idea for the reason of your absence, other than business or Parliament, I couldn’t provide an answer. I must beg your forgiveness. During our brief conversation, I told him about your letter and he asked to read it. He became quite perturbed and spoke briefly with Mr. Chapman and Mrs. Howell. Soon after that, he returned home. He said I’d done nothing wrong, but I’d shared your private correspondence and I’m sure he was disgusted by my behavior.
I’ll finish my ramblings with more antics from Sir Waddlesworth. He has returned to the house. Your stable master begged me to take him back as he howls all night and puts the horses on edge. Poor Sir Waddlesworth. I suppose he missed my soft, inviting bed because he snuggled near my feet all of last night. I am glad of his return as well and appreciate his company in the music room as I work on my newest music. I do hope you will enjoy my latest attempts when you return to Adborough Hall.
I miss you and I love you,
Georgiana Kerr
Max stared at the waning fire in the fireplace, the letter held loosely in his hand. This missive explained why Nathan had barged so unceremoniously into Kerr house a few months back. It made him wonder, given how he’d treated Georgiana, why Nathan hadn’t planted a facer on him for his boorish behavior. Truly, before the Lord got a hold of his youngest brother, he not only would have punted Max a good one on the nose, but would have laid a well-deserved beating on the rest of him.
Nathan’s angry words pummeled his memory.
You’ve treated her worse than a harlot. You have subjected her to an embarrassing scrutiny for reasons she has no knowledge of.
Max tipped back his head and closed his eyes at the painful memory. How right Nathan had been and how wrong he’d been. He truly was the worst libertine of them all. She was an innocent maiden and he’d become judge, jury and executioner of their marriage without a fair trial. Georgiana would hate him when she learned the truth.
He carefully folded the letter and placed it with the others before locking them in his desk. He didn’t think his heart could take any more, not after her latest revelation of never having been intimate with a man. There was only one more letter to read and no others had been delivered these past few weeks. That did not portend well for him.
Chapter Fourteen
Max handed his outer clothing to Benson before moving down the hall to his study. The strident tone of his mother caused him to pause mid-step.
“Maxwell Edward Phillip Kerr, stop right there.”
It was a rare day when his mother called him by his full name and he was loath to turn around, much like his ten-year-old self would have been, and yet he did. Mother stood framed in the door of the front drawing room, back rigid, hands clasped tightly in front of her. He didn’t know if that was because she was trying not to shake or was holding herself back from throttling him. Instantly he knew Nathan had spoken with their mother about his estrangement with Georgiana.
“Yes, Mother?”
“I will have a private word with you.” She looked toward Benson. “Ensure that his Grace and I are not disturbed. For any reason.”
“Yes, your Grace.” Benson bowed and removed himself from the hall, taking Max’s outwear to the cloak room and then disappeared through the servant’s door.
“To your study, Maxwell. The room is fairly soundproof with all the books lining the wall and I can be assured of a modicum of privacy there.”
With a regal swish of her skirts, his mother moved past him and down the hall to his study. He followed behind and closed the door when they reached his inner sanctum. Still holding herself straight and tall, she turned and faced him, tears flowing down her face.
Shocked, he quickly approached and held her in his arms, letting her cry silently against his chest. After a few minutes, she clenched her hand into a fist and gave his vest a few hard pounds before stepping back. Silently, he handed her a handkerchief, which she used to dry her eyes. When she finally looked up at him, the anguish in her gaze nearly brought him to his knees. He’d never disappointed his parents, nor given them any cause for grief, and yet he’d brought his mother to tears.
“There are no words to describe how angry I am at you. When Nathan informed me of your callous disregard for that lovely girl I jumped to your defense. My first impulse was to come back to Town and ring a peal over your head, but Caroline was so close to delivering Margaret−”
“They had a girl?”
Max fell into the closest chair. Nathan had not been kidding when he said he was cutting Max out of their lives. He hadn’t even informed him of the birth of their first child.
“Yes. Nathan forbade me from writing you with the news. As soon as Caroline was comfortable with my granddaughter, I returned to deal with this mess. George offered to escort me, but Catherine is nearing her confinement and he’s reluctant to leave her side. Nathan said he’d never darken your door until you apologized.”
“George and Catherine are expecting a child as well?”
“Maxwell, I am at a loss over your behavior. Not only have you treated Georgiana with callous disregard, but both your brothers refuse to speak your name. It’s as though you’ve died a traitor’s death.”
“I may well have. All of this is my own doing.”
“Then explain it to me. The only way forward is to take that first step.” She settled in a comfortable chair by the fireplace and looked at him expectantly.
He stayed seated for a few minutes, gathering his thought and then stood to pace. As he walked back and forth in front of his desk, he haltingly told her of what all had transpired.
