Page 51 of Georgiana
“Elizabeth kindly reminded me that you are a married woman, and as such, I must have what she called an adult conversation with you. Something I don’t believe we’ve ever truly had.”
“No, we have not.”
Fitz sat across from her and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He looked… forlorn, and her heart strings tugged.
“You were only ten years old when Father died and I went from loving older brother to guardian and father figure in one short minute. At twenty-two years of age, what did I know of raising a young girl, or of running an estate? My answer was to place you in a safe school and when it became apparent you weren’t thriving in that environment, I sought to pack you off with a governess or companion. It’s my fault Mrs. Younge had the means to perpetrate her fraud with Wickham. I did not practice due diligence in checking her background.”
“You did the best you could, Brother.”
“Did I?” he countered. “Could I not have spared my younger sister a few short weeks of my company while I awaited a response from Mrs. Younge’s ‘so-called’ references? What was happening in my life that I could not spend those days with my one and only sibling? Were you not worth the time and effort?”
“Cease this crazy talk.” She stood and wrung her hands with agitation. “I know you love me and I know you did the best you could.”
He also stood and took her hands in his, stilling their movement.
“I do love you, but I did not do my best by you. In all things important, I behaved as badly as Maxwell. Maybe even worse, because I have known your character far longer than him.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam,” she threw herself into his arms. “I don’t know what to do.”
“As much as it pains me, you must write back to Adborough. I leave it up to you whether or not you wish him to attend Pemberley. Elizabeth and I support you no matter what your decision may be. You will always have a home with us.”
She leaned back in his arms and cupped his cheek with her palm.
“You have always been the best of brothers and I will sleep on my decision and let you know on the morrow.” He turned his face and kissed her palm before she stepped out of his loose embrace. “If I know Lizzy, she awaits your return so you may tell her all is well between us.”
“You know her well, Poppet.”
“You’ve not called me that in years!”
“And I probably won’t ever again. You are no longer a child in pigtails and pinafores.” He paused in the doorway. “Sleep well, Georgiana.”
“I’ll try,” she whispered as the door closed with a soft snick.
Sleep eluded her as thoughts of Maxwell and his letter, of his behaviour and apology circled in a continuous loop. It was only when strings of pink and orange streaked across the eastern horizon did the haze of Morpheus relax her mind. Before breaking her fast later that day she picked up her quill, dipped it into a new bottle of ink and began writing.
~~~~~
“The post has arrived, your Grace.”
Benson placed a pile of correspondence on the corner of Max’s desk. Before his butler had closed the door, Max pawed through the letters, stopping only when he recognized Georgiana’s handwriting on one of them. The week awaiting her reply had been excruciating. His whole attitude had been one of half hope and half agony. Everything rode of her decision.
With shaking hands, he broke the seal and began reading.
Pemberley, Derbyshire
November 14, 1814
My Lord Duke,
I am in receipt of your letter dated November 8. After carefully consideration, I have requested and received permission for you to attend Pemberley at your earliest convenience. My brother awaits your response in order to have rooms prepared in advance.
In good conscience I cannot have you arrive without advising that my cousins, the Viscount Ashton and Colonel Fitzwilliam will also be in attendance. They are set to arrive sometime next week and will remain at Pemberley through to Twelfth Night.
On a personal note, I beg you destroy the letters I wrote. My maid mistakenly mailed them, not realizing they were for my own particular use.
Regards, etc.,
Georgiana Darcy Kerr
