Page 64 of Georgiana
Her gaze flew to his and he became lost in the cool depth of her azure eyes. Too soon, she smiled slightly and lowered her gaze.
“Good day, your Grace.”
And she was gone.
He’d almost reached the study when her words finally impacted on his brain and he fished out the invitation only to find there were two. One to him, the other to his mother.
“Benson!”
His butler appeared within seconds of his calling out.
“Your Grace?”
“Miss Darcy has left an invitation for my mother to dine at Darcy House. Has the Duchess given any indication she will be here for the occasion?”
“Your mother has not said anything to me, sir, however, she may have mentioned something to Miss Darcy when they had tea this afternoon.”
“Tea?” His head spun. “Here? This afternoon?”
“Yes, sir. The Duchess is resting in her chambers and advises she will see you at dinner. She also requested to forego changing this evening as she wishes to have an informal night with family.”
“Family,” Max struggled to wrap his thoughts around everything Benson relayed. “And how many will be attending this informal, family dinner?”
“By all accounts, your Grace, six adults including you and your Mother, and two infants. Her Grace enlisted the aid of the housekeeper to prepare the nursery for the children and their nannies.”
Slightly dazed by the overload of information, Max thanked Benson and returned to his study. Everyone, his mother, his brothers, their wives, their children, were coming to dine with him tonight. He sank into a chair by the fireplace and allowed tears to flow down his cheeks while he thanked God for bringing his family back into his life.
~~~~~
“I knew I’d find you here.”
At the sound of his brother’s voice, Max looked up from his ledgers to find George at the door to his study. Uncaring if it was indecorous or not, he stood and almost ran to his brother, enveloping him in a tight, bear-like hug upon reaching him. George returned the hug and then slapped him on the back before stepping away.
“I was unsure if you would welcome us back into your home, brother. It’s been a long time, nearly seven months.” George said with his usual good humor.
“You and the rest of the family have been on my mind continuously. I could only hope and pray you would forgive my behavior and begin anew.” Max replied, thankful his voice didn’t crack with emotion.
“Mother requires our presence in the drawing room before dinner.”
Another familiar voice beckoned from the doorway.
“Nathan!” Max moved to his youngest brother and enveloped him in a hug as well. “I am so glad to see you.”
“And I, you.”
“I must tell you that you were right.”
“I was?”
“Yes, when you visited me all those months ago. You were right to lay down the gauntlet of truth at my doorstep, so to speak.” Keeping his arm around his brother’s shoulders, Max turned to face George. “He wisely advised me to take the beam out of my eye before I judged another.”
“Our youngest brother has become a fount of good advice. I’ve looked to him for good cheer and warm words these past few months as I struggled with some decisions for Catherine and I.”
A shaft of disappointment stole his breath at the stark reminder of how far his family had moved from him. His closest brother had not thought to seek his counsel, something which he had done with absolute trust until this debacle. His pride had cost him more than a happy marriage and he could only hope the fraternal bonds were strong enough to overcome everything.
“Shall we join Mother, before she sends Benson to gather us up?” he asked, dropping his arm from around Nathan’s shoulders.
“Maxwell.” George stepped forward and held his gaze. “Much has been said and acted upon this year that we all regret. You made a mistake, but through the correspondence between Catherine and Georgiana, and” – he cast a quick glance toward Nathan, who nodded – “and Caroline, we know you are making amends and seek forgiveness. And we do forgive you, whole-heartedly.”
