Page 62 of Georgiana
“Then, go with Nanny and wash your hands. I shall join you shortly.” She signaled the nannies to take charge of the boys and once they’d exited the orangery, sat on a nearby bench and retrieved her letter. A soft, furry body joined her and she lovingly scratched him between the ears.
Adborough Hall
February 26, 1815
My darling Georgiana
I sit and look out the window watching what is hopefully the last winter storm of the season. With the advent of spring my soul is hopeful of new beginnings. Not only with the season and Parliament, but with our relationship. I received your letter and devoured it within minutes of Chapman placing it upon my desk. I am pleased your new ‘guest’ arrived safely. It took much coaxing for Mr. Mason and I to bring Sir Waddlesworth out of his hiding place and into a comfortable box for transport. The scratches received will be heralded as badges of honor if he brings you joy.
As before, I will share what I love about you. We’ve covered the first seven letters of the alphabet, bringing us to the letter ‘H’ and for me, that means your heart.
I love your heart.
You fascinate and inspire me and because of you, I strive to do better.Myheart is full of you. There are no others in my thoughts, which consume me day and night. Every night, before I go to bed, I gaze at the stars, comforted by the thought that you could be looking up at those same celestial orbs with me. A tenuous bond, at best, but one to which I will cling because it brings me closer to you.
I love you, my darling Georgiana.
Yours, etc.,
Max
P.S.
I leave for London for the start of Parliament next week. My dearest hope is that you, and your family come down for part of the Social Season. I desire to escort you to the theater and, if I may be so bold as to ask now, may I have the first set of any ball of your choice.
~~~~~
“What am I to do? He loves me.”
Georgiana had joined Lizzy after she’d settled Andrew for his nap.
“Are you sure his love is constant and not a desire to present a united front to the world.” Lizzy poured a cup a tea and handed it to her. “He is an important man and must produce an heir. You are his only option. I know not how to counsel you in this matter, Georgiana.”
“His letters have not wavered in his declarations of devotion. He…” she hesitated in sharing what Max had written but her sister-by-love never quibbled with giving her opinion and she needed somewhat of an outside voice to see reason. “He has begun, alphabetically, cataloguing all the ways he loves me.”
“He has?”
“Yes. First there was alluring, followed by beauty, compassion, devotion, ethereal, felicity, my own name and finally, my heart.”
There was a brief moment of silence until Lizzy broke it by saying, “Oh dear, what will he do for ‘x’?”
They both began to laugh and Georgiana felt some of her trepidation depart.
“You and Fitzwilliam both had strong prejudices against one another when you first met. How did you overcome those obstacles?”
“As you well know, when your brother sets his course, he rarely deviates from it. He had determined to become a better man, or to be more precise, a man whom I could respect without reservation. And so, he persevered while I remained unaware of his steadfast love until Lydia’s folly with Wickham. If she hadn’t blurted out how he had discovered them, I may have never known of his deep regard for my well being.” Lizzy set down her tea cup. “If you truly love him, Georgiana and wish to have, at the very least a comfortable life with him, then I believe you need to take the first step. He said he will not impose without your permission. It is now up to you.”
~~~~~
Kerr House, London
It had been two weeks since he’d sent the letter to Georgiana, with no reply. Had he lost her for good? Could he keep his promise to grant her an annulment if unsuccessful in reclaiming her love? All he wanted was for her to be happy, and if that meant he had no place in her life, then he would have to accept her decision.
Tears pooled in his eyes and his heart clenched. The pain was physical and he dreaded facing every moment she was no longer his. Despondent, knowing he only had himself to blame, Max returned home after a long day in the House of Lords.
The butler met him at the door and divested him of his hat and gloves.
“The mail has arrived, your Grace.”
