Page 50 of Georgiana
I am a complete and utter ass.
“We all know that,” her brother muttered.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy. If you interrupt one more time, I shall discontinue reading and not share any of what Maxwell wrote until tomorrow evening.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Don’t try my patience. I’m heavy with child. I have a toddler who demands all my time and energy throughout the day and I haven’t slept properly in over a month.” She shook out the letter in agitation. “Shall I continue?”
“Yes, my love. I will remain as quiet as a church mouse.”
“Pfffttt….,” was Lizzy’s only reply before beginning again.
I have no explanation for my words and actions other than an incident which occurred in my youth and, if you return to Adborough Hall, I shall share the full of it. Know this. I betrayed not only your trust but my good judgement. How could I have entertained such vile thoughts about you? There is no plausible answer or reasoning other than the fact I became consumed by jealousy. I broke not only the trust of your family, but mine. You are a gracious and lovely young woman not deserving of my previous bitter treatment. My mistakes are multiple and egregious.
Fitz snorted and Lizzy gave him a warning twitch with her eyebrow. He clamped his mouth tight and leaned back in his chair. Georgiana dreaded the next part of the letter, unsure of how her brother would react.
I am well aware that words without action are hollow and with that in mind, I beseech your permission to attend Pemberley and work through this trying time. Have no fear of me demanding your return to Adborough Hall. I solemnly promise I will never dictate your actions again and your family may stay by your side as we converse. I desire there be no secrets between any of us. To that end, I have no objection to your sharing this letter with your family members.
The information I overheard with regard to Wickham was something we should have spoken of prior to our wedding. However, looking back, I realize there was no time. Between social engagements, fittings for your trousseau and all the excitement that goes along with organizing a wedding we had no time for ourselves. One does not have this conversation on the edges of a ballroom, nor at a musicale. I believe you would have told me. It’s not your nature to be dishonest. I’ve always known that. I allowed jealousy to color my view of your character.
Although I never spoke the words aloud, I proclaim them now. I love you, my darling Georgiana, most ardently. I have loved none but you.
I await your reply,
Eternally yours,
Maxwell Kerr
“He can wait until Hades has frozen over. That man is not welcome at Pemberley.”
Fitz pushed back his chair and threw his napkin onto his plate. Lizzy let him stew for a few minutes before speaking.
“I seem to recall a certain gentleman who also made multiple mistakes in his pursuit of love. He almost lost the woman he so ardently loved because of extreme prejudices against her family and interfered with her sister in an extremely high-handed way.” She paused and gave Fitz a compelling look. “Need I go on?”
“There is no comparison between the two incidents,” he groused. “Adborough insinuated that Georgiana dallied with not one, but two different men.” Fitz sat once again and drummed his fingers on the table.
Georgiana paled at the vehemence in her brother’s voice. If she did reconcile with Maxwell, there remained a good possibility she’d lose her brother forever. The choice was almost too difficult to consider.
“And whose fault might that be?” Lizzy argued back. “I don’t wish to point fingers at you, or Richard, but surely to goodness one of you should have informed him of Wickham prior to their marching down the aisle. Nathan told us Max was completely blindsided by the news and, yes, he behaved badly, but he did it out of a jealous love. And we all know what a twisted partnership love and jealousy make.”
“I reformed my character upon your chastisement−”
“Please, stop!” Georgiana stood, her whole body shaking. “I cannot stand the fact you are debating over who behaved more badly. I have the beginning of a headache and wish to return to my room.” She held out her hand and Lizzy gave her back the letter. “I shall see you both in the morning.”
With that she spun on her heel and exited the room, almost at a run.
~~~~~
A soft knock on the door had Georgiana pause in her pacing.
“Georgie?” Her brother’s muffled voice carried through the thick door.
She moved to the door and swung it wide, not waiting to see if he entered before moving to sit in the chair by her fireplace. Fitz took only a few steps into the room and played with his signet ring. Determined not to begin the conversation, she waited.
“I have no words for my callous disregard for your feelings in this matter.”
She refused to interrupt him, even though she could tell he expected her to voice an opinion.
