Page 65 of Georgiana
“That is truth,” Nathan offered, “but we’ll cut you off at the knees if you ever do something like this again.”
Max’s gaze flew to Nathan’s and even though his brother smiled, there was steely determination in his eyes.
“Well then,” he tugged at his vest and smoothed it down. “for the sake of my cobbler I shall make every attempt to never be a nod-cock again.”
The brothers moved in unison toward the drawing room where their mother awaited. When she rose to her feet and met Maxwell half way, and allowed him to wrap his arms around her, he knew his family was on their way to reconciliation. All that remained was reclaiming his heart. Without Georgiana, any portion of his life was empty and dull.
Chapter Nineteen
“His Grace, the Duke of Adborough.”
The butler announced Max’s arrival and he, along with his mother, entered the drawing room to complete silence. For a brief moment he hesitated until his mother pressed her fingers into his forearm and he remembered to move forward. His discomfort was alleviated somewhat by Elizabeth leaving her husband’s side to approach them both, a welcome smile upon her face.
“Your Grace,” she curtsied before them both and mother released his arm to break protocol and take Elizabeth’s hand in hers.
“We are so pleased you invited us to join the family for dinner.”
“Thank you, your Grace−”
“I insist you call me Margaret. We are no strangers here.”
While Elizabeth and his mother chatted, he cast his attention about the room, locating Georgiana on the far side, conversing with Catherine. Caroline, seated on the other side of Georgiana, rose to her feet and approached him.
“Maxwell,” she took his arm and led him over to Colonel Fitzwilliam. “I have it on good authority that the good Colonel claims to have beaten you and George in a three-legged race when you were all young lads. My husband, who partnered him, has no recollection of this epic affair.”
Max shifted with unease. He was unprepared to face Georgiana’s cousin so soon into the evening. He thought he’d have at least an hour before the situation presented itself. Obviously, Caroline was not one to beat about the bush and decided to bring things out into the open.
“I know we had many such games when we were young lads running about the estate, but I do not recall any specifics.”
“Unlike you, your Grace,” the way Richard drawled the words ‘your Grace’ made them sound like an insult, “I have an excellent memory. It is unlikely I will forget anything that has happened between the two of us.”
“Stop it, Richard.” Both men looked at Caroline in shock. “Your false bravado does no good here and we are commanded to forgive. I suggest you have a long talk with my husband, followed by extensive reading of the book of John.”
A dull hint of red tinged Richard’s neck above his cravat. He mumbled something unintelligible and moved away.
“That was lovely.” She moved the two of them in the direction of a glowering Darcy. “Shall we beard the lion in his den?”
He desperately wanted to say ‘no’, but his sister-in-law, with a surprisingly firm grip, steered him across the room. They stopped directly in front of the Darcy’s and his mother.
“Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth, Mother Kerr.” Caroline said, smiling at all of them. “My husband and I have decided the best way to facilitate this unusual family reunion was to allow all parties to converse and begin healing. If we remain tight-lipped in our polite corners, nothing will change and Georgiana will become distressed.”
Caroline kept her arm looped through his, effectively pinning him in place. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought Elizabeth’s eyes danced with humor. His mother turned her head to one side and he saw that, she too, was trying to hide a slight smile.
“Adborough,” Darcy offered with a polite nod of his head.
“Darcy,” Max returned the greeting.
The silence stretched between them. This was worse than when they were at Pemberley. He decided to take the first step.
“I thank you for extending this invitation to dinner.”
“The invitation came from my sister.”
Undaunted, Max continued, “Regardless, you had the option to not attend, yet here you are.”
“Yes, here we are,” his mother said. “And it’s time to be a family.” She turned to Elizabeth. “Tell me more about your new baby. I’m dying to know how he fares after such an abrupt entry into this world.”
As his mother and Elizabeth conversed about Andrew, Max assessed Darcy. He knew that his friend’s good opinion once lost, was nigh unto impossible to regain, and yet he had to try for Georgiana’s sake. He cast a glance across the room and noticed that although she still conversed with Catherine, she kept careful watch on him and her brother. He offered her a slight smile to quell any concerns she may have had and she returned it swiftly.
