Page 66 of Georgiana
“She was very nervous about this evening,” Darcy offered in a soft voice. “I haven’t the heart to disabuse her of the notion that we can attain our former friendship.”
“Why disabuse her at all. We may not go back in time, but we can proceed forward. Our friendship has changed, that is a fact, but I have always held you in high esteem and nothing has changed my attitude toward you. I regard you as a friend and hold out hope that some day you might reciprocate.”
“Someday, Adborough, but not today. Can we agree on that?”
In spite of himself, Max found himself smiling. “We can agree on that.”
“Elizabeth has told me how, multiple times, how grateful she is for your timely arrival when she’d fallen at Pemberley.”
“Truly, Darcy, ‘twas nothing. It was God’s providence that I arrived when I did and could help in any way.”
“Regardless. She said you were most solicitous and then she commented on something you said while carrying her into the house.”
“Really? I wonder what that could be.”
“She wondered to which bird you referred.”
His brow furrowed as he cast his mind back to when he’d carried Elizabeth into the house. At the time he’d been so worried he murmured a few kind words so that she wouldn’t panic and possibly hurt the child. At last, his memory lit on a part of the conversation to which Darcy alluded and chuckled.
“I take from your reaction that you have recalled your words.”
“I do,” Max cut a quick glance toward Mrs. Darcy who had paused in her conversation with his mother. “I made reference to an ostrich.”
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow and said with a smile, “An ostrich?”
“Yes, Mrs. Darcy. A very large ostrich.”
Elizabeth laughed outright before clapping a hand over her mouth.
“You have won this war of words, your Grace. I shall gracefully concede before you decide to enumerate how many feathers it would take to replace my body weight.” She looked toward his mother. “Later, when the gentlemen have their port, I’ll share more details.”
“I look forward to it,” mother replied with a curious glint in her eye. “And then, I’ll tell you some stories about your husband and his cousins that will make your toes curl.”
“You must tell me everything. I’m dying to know what they were like as children as they refuse to tell tales about each other.”
“It’s called righteous blackmail, my dear.”
Max took this opportunity to excuse himself from their company and made his way to Georgiana. He knew every eye in the room followed his progress.
“Georgiana.” He gave her a polite nod once he arrived where she waited.
“Maxwell.”
A somewhat awkward pause began before he remembered his manners and addressed Catherine. “Did you find the confectioner’s store Mother told you about?”
“I did and spent over an hour browsing. The shop was filled with so many delightful things I couldn’t decide what I wanted to purchase.”
“I have it on great authority,” Maxwell leaned toward the two ladies as though imparting a great secret, “Your husband is a regular customer there.”
“That is no secret, Max. I recognized the store’s logo as soon as I saw one of the gift boxes.”
“Nathan spoke of this shop.” Caroline had joined them and stood by his side. “Right next to the haberdashery he frequents, if I’m not mistaken.”
Max used this opportunity to come closer to Georgiana.
“Would you take a turn about the room with me?”
“I would be delighted.”
