“Thank you, my dear,” Aunt Henrietta replied throatily. “I knew you would understand. I do not want to appear overly sentimental in my grief, but I do not see there is anything amiss in surrounding myself with things that spark good, happy memories and make me smile when I remember my Thomas.”
“I believe you are quite right, Aunt. You both had a wonderful life together. It is good to remember it, and it is right and proper respect to Uncle Thomas that you do so.”
Aunt Henrietta turned and with tears in her eyes, embraced Georgiana. “You are a good girl. You always make me wish I had had a little girl of my own, you know.”
As she was released from her aunt’s arms, Georgiana replied, “Well, you have me, and you always shall have me.”
Clearly fighting against the onslaught of tears that threatened to overcome her, Aunt Henrietta changed the subject. “Shall we eat?”
It was obvious as they ate that both ladies were beyond tired after their journey to London. Their conversation petered away to almost nothing, although their shared love and appreciation for the Christmas season gave them something to chat about when they did speak, until it was time to retire early for the night.
Georgiana hardly remembered climbing the grand marble staircase to her lavender-coloured room. She did not recall undressing and getting into a crisp white cotton nightgown. The one thing she did remember was how delightfully comfortable and soft the bed was to her exhausted body. The feather pillow moulded itself around her head and neck and, not long after, she breathed a sigh of pure pleasure, then fell asleep, a contented smile lingering on her plump lips.
Five
The following morning brought their first real callers. Georgiana thought that all of London’s society wanted to be acquainted with the Dowager Countess and her niece. She was not used to being in such high demand, and her stomach filled with the fluttering wings of nervous butterflies.
She had thus far led a fairly sheltered life, and at this moment, holding the door handle of the drawing room, she appreciated how much her brother had protected her. She knew that as soon as she stepped into the room on the other side of the door, she would come under such close scrutiny from countless ladies throughout the morning that she did not know how she would bear it. She couldn’t wait for the ordeal to be over, and it had not even begun.
Taking a deep breath, Georgiana pushed open the door and stepped through. Her aunt, the Dowager Countess, sat waiting in her favourite chair beside the fire.
“Oh, good. You’re here. Come and sit opposite me. That way I can see you when the visitors call.”
Georgiana frowned. “What do you mean, Aunt?” She did as she was asked and sat down opposite.
“We must have a secret code when visitors call. Sometimes it is a necessity for when things get a little tedious.” She tapped the side of her nose. “I shall wink at you with my left eye, the furthest away from our guest.”
Georgiana’s mouth twitched. “Whatever for?”
“Then you will stand and say, ‘Aunt, we must make preparations if we are to make our luncheon arrangement.’”
Georgiana covered her mouth as a gasp escaped it. “A deception?”
Aunt Henrietta waggled her head from side to side. “More like a great hefty nudge out the door.” Her eyes shone at Georgiana’s shocked expression. “I’ll let you into a little secret, shall I?”
Georgiana nodded.
“I like less than half of those who will attend on us today, and I would not wish the remainder on my worst enemy.” She tucked her chin into her neck. “I can count only a handful of society as friends and even fewer that I would take into my confidence. You shall see what I mean.” She played with the onyx beads around her throat. “The quicker we get some of them in and out again, the better, my dear.”
Unable to help the grin that spread across her face, Georgiana replied, “Very well, Aunt. I shall keep a watchful eye out for your wink.”
“Besides,” Aunt Henrietta continued, rearranging her skirts about her knees, “at my age, there is only so much tea one can drink during the course of the morning.”
Georgiana snorted and covered her mouth again. “I suppose it is too much to hope that no one comes calling.”
“Tish! I doubt anyone in London could resist. Remember who I am.” She licked her lips and sucked in her cheeks as she tried to refrain from laughing. “I remember why Thomas and I stopped coming to London now. Neither of us enjoyed feeling like an exhibit in a museum. Before his father died and Thomas became the Earl of Matlock, very few people even gave us the time of day. As soon as he inherited the title, they all came crawling out of the woodwork. We shall greet everyone. Then, once the pleasantries are over and done with, we decide with whom we would like to socialise while we are here. It is a necessary evil, I’m afraid, but it is soon finished.”
The doorbell rang, and they both shot a wary glance at the drawing room door.
“Be careful, Georgiana, dear. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing. As your uncle used to say, I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them.” She took a deep breath. “Still, I intend to find some of society’s best for you to associate with. We need to find you one or two beaux to stand up with to dance and perhaps to fall in love with, eh?”
It was with her last words that the door was opened and the first of their guest arrived. Georgiana’s face was flushed red as she curtseyed in greeting to Louis Ashton, who it turned out, was a friend of Colonel Fitzwilliam, Aunt Henrietta’s younger son.
Georgiana sat quietly throughout and scarcely said anything above “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance” and “It was lovely to meet you. I hope we shall have the pleasure of meeting again soon.”
Not long after Louis Ashton departed, they were joined by Mrs Chamberlain and her three daughters. They had recently returned from India and had much to say on the subcontinent, the climate, and the tedious journey back to England. Georgiana did not think they took a breath the whole visit long.
Following their departure, the two women heaved a great sigh of relief.
“Are they all as draining as that?” Georgiana asked, sipping the last of the tea from her cup.
“Let us hope not,” Aunt Henrietta replied, fanning herself with her handkerchief. “What bores they all are!”
There was just enough time for them both to attend to their toilette and have the tea things taken away before the bell sounded again.
This is going to be a very long morning. I am so thankful that our circle was small growing up, Georgiana thought, standing facing the door as more visitors entered the room.
For the remainder of the morning, Georgiana came under such scrutiny that she understood entirely what her aunt meant when she said she felt like an exhibit in a museum. Only this was worse. Georgiana began to worry if they thought ill of her.
She gripped her hands tightly together in her lap and could hear Elizabeth’s voice as she gave her advice before her departure. “Pay no mind to what people say to or about you, sister. What is their opinion? It matters not what they think. You are a beautiful, intelligent young lady whose family love her very much. Nothing else matters.”
Under her breath, without being heard, she whispered, “Nothing else matters.”
One visitor in particular watched her in such a way as to make her squirm in her chair and wish for an excuse to leave the room. Lady Francesca DeVere, the only daughter of the Duke of Somerset, fairly drooled as she complimented the Dowager Countess on her elegant home and accomplished niece.
Georgiana planted a well-practiced smile upon her face and ignored the discomfort in her cheeks which maintaining such a false smile produced. She astounded herself that, after seven visitors, she could still be polite and courteous. Elizabeth would be proud of me, she laughed at herself inwardly, knowing her sister-in-law was always one to respond quickly with a witty quip or two. She did not suffer fools easily, and Georgiana admired that trait. She herself could rarely bring herse
lf to say what was truly on her mind. Sometimes she feared she was far too plain and ordinary. It was Elizabeth’s wit and intelligence, as well as her fine eyes, that had first attracted Fitzwilliam to her, or so he confessed. She was a cut above every woman of his acquaintance, he said. As Georgiana listened to Lady Francesca prattle on about the delights of London during the winter season, she wondered if she had any distinguishing features of her own which would attract the attention of a gentleman worthy of her hand in marriage.
Shifting position on the settee, she concluded that perhaps she was not the best person to evaluate her own personality in such a way. She all too readily saw her own flaws. She imagined what Elizabeth would say and knew she would mention her kind-heartedness as well as her gentle spirit. Elizabeth always said she envied those traits in her. Georgiana hid a smile as she realised Elizabeth would also tease her by mentioning that her dowry of thirty thousand pounds would also be seen as a veritable and highly sought-after virtue.
Pushing all thoughts of her own virtues and distinguishing features aside, Georgiana did her best to concentrate in the conversation.
“My brother, Lord Hugh,” Lady Francesca turned to Georgiana as though what she said was of particular importance to her, “the third son, takes great pleasure in dancing at balls and assemblies during the season. Do you like to dance, Miss Darcy? I am certain he would be desirous of having such a delightful partner as yourself.”
Georgiana felt heat rise and a blush spread from her forehead all the way down to the top of her breasts. Is this what the winter season is all about in society? Am I now to be paraded in front of all the eligible men in London? She cleared her throat. “I do certainly enjoy dancing, but I cannot say whether I am a delightful partner or not.”
“Oh, fie!” Lady Francesca laughed. “You are too modest.” She leant forward. “I shall take you under my wing and make sure you have only the best of dancing partners. It would not do to have your precious little feet trodden on by some great lumbering oaf, now would it?”
Georgiana inclined her head in thanks, but she judged from Lady Francesca’s wry smile that she had been insulted with her last comment. She took an instant disliking to the Duke’s daughter. From that moment on, Georgiana decided to avoid Lady Francesca and her brother Lord Hugh DeVere if it was at all possible. Surely London is large enough for the three of us to never need meet, she surmised.
She looked at Lady Francesca with as close a scrutiny as she herself was beheld. Dressed in the deepest lavender with cream lace accents, she certainly looked like the daughter of a Duke. However, her conversation was not to Georgiana’s liking. She was snide and haughty, and Georgiana did not like the way Lady Francesca looked down her nose at nearly everything and everyone, except Aunt Henrietta and Georgiana at the present moment, which she presumed was because she had every intention of flattering them. She supposed the Lady wanted to be friends with those of rank. Georgiana wished she was not descended from noble blood at that point. Anything to avoid a closer acquaintance with Lady Francesca. As she worked her facial muscles harder to smile, she thought, I wonder what she will say about us when we are not present.
For the remainder of the visit, which thankfully lasted only a very little longer than the perfunctory fifteen minutes, Georgiana kept her responses as short as she could manage to and threw the conversation back at Lady Francesca with a question each time she was addressed. This had the desired effect of making the Duke’s daughter the centre of attention, where, of course, she was more than delighted to be. Relaxing in her seat, Georgiana locked eyes with her aunt. The smallest tilt of the older woman’s head conveyed her thanks and appreciation. Lady Francesca was content to talk unaided and unhindered about her favourite subject: herself.
When all the guests had departed, both Georgiana and Aunt Henrietta retired to their rooms. Georgiana attended to her toilette and fought the desire for a nap. She lay down on the chaise and reflected on the morning’s visits.
If she were honest with herself, there were a couple of ladies with whom she wouldn’t mind having a closer acquaintance; however, one visitor stuck out like a sore thumb. She was determined that Lady Francesca and her brother Lord Hugh DeVere would not be among her friends this season.
She was even bold enough to mention it to Aunt Henrietta when they went out for a walk after luncheon.
Aunt Henrietta chuckled as she walked beside her on the pavement. “Do not be so hasty, Georgiana, dear. You’d be a fool to slight the attentions of the son of a Duke, even if he is the third son, my dear.”
Georgiana’s stomach lurched at the implication. “I’m aware of his position of birth, but if his sister is anything to go by, I really…” She could not finish the sentence but waved her hand in the air and puffed out her cheeks.
“Nonsense!”
She had never heard such a hard tone from her aunt before.
“Do not be so obstinate and headstrong! I declare, I have no idea where you get that from.”
She shot her aunt a sideways look and caught the scowl on her face.
“From the way you are reacting, anyone would think you had been told you had to marry the man, for goodness sake. Just be polite to him and dance with him should he ask you to. He is the son of a Duke and related to the King, remember.”
As they rounded the corner and walked through the gates to an immaculately kept walled garden, Georgiana clenched her teeth. Her aunt was right; yet inside she wanted to scream. “I know you are right, but did you not say that we should whittle out those we did not wish to associate with? Well,” she set her jaw, “I do not wish to associate with the DeVeres.”
Aunt Henrietta stopped walking and turned to face Georgiana. She lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the glare of the low winter sun shining brightly that day. “You have had your say and made your point. Now I shall make mine. You could go a long way in England without finding the equal of the DeVeres.”
Georgiana made to protest, but the older woman held up her forefinger to stop her speaking.
“When we are in society, attending balls, assemblies, plays, and the like, you shall…we both shall pay the DeVeres kind attention. It is obvious that you have taken an instant disliking to Lady Francesca, and I don’t blame you. She is a self-obsessed spoilt little rich girl, who, most likely, gives our class a bad reputation. I doubt there is a generous bone in her body.” She lowered the finger and softened her tone. “And yet, she is a station or two above us both, my dear. Unless the Prince Regent himself were to entertain us with his presence, we would be foolish not to consider her friendship as both fortuitous and beneficial. I wish the best for you this season, and she will help procure it. Of that I am certain.”
Chagrined, Georgiana had no comeback or response. She closed her eyes and nodded slightly, letting her aunt know she was right.
“Dukes are the highest-ranking peers below the Royal Family. Your cousin, the now Earl Matlock, and I, as the Dowager Countess, are somewhere in the middle.” She tilted her head to the side, and her grin lit up her face to match the sun beaming on it. “I too would like to rub shoulders with those higher up the ranking than myself. Who knows? We might even get an invitation to St James’ Palace this visit if we keep in with the right crowd, if you know what I mean.”
Georgiana sighed. “Yes, Aunt. I know what you mean, and I apologise. I was being impudent and childish. As you said, I do not have to be the best of friends with Lady Francesca and I most certainly do not have to marry her brother, who, more than likely, is just as spoilt as his sister.”
Aunt Henrietta began to stroll again, linking her hand through Georgiana’s arm. “That’s the spirit, my girl. We’re meant to be having fun here, after all.”
Georgiana took a deep breath as they walked on in silence.
“I have an idea,” Aunt Henrietta spoke at last. “Why don’t we do a little shopping? I still have a gift or two to buy.”
Georgiana broke out into a grin. “Let’s!”
Six
By the time the sun set that early evening, the temperature had plummeted and the skies threatened a downpour and possibly sleet. Georgiana sighed as she stared out of the window in the drawing room.
“It was such a beautiful day.”
“It is winter, my dear. We cannot expect sunshine all the year long.” Aunt Henrietta came up beside her. “Perhaps now might be a good time to lighten our spirits by making those paper roses for the tree.”
“Yes,” Georgiana beamed. “That would please me, Aunt. Let’s do that.”
“I have paper that I put by years ago to do rainy-day things with the boys.” She turned and led the way out of the room towards the study. “Of course, boys being boys, they were not too interested in crafting but in chasing each other around the house, making all sorts of racket as they pelted up and down the stairs.”
Georgiana could not help but giggle at the image of her two elegant and grown-up cousins pelting around like little scamps.
She discovered that her aunt had put by more than a few things. She had a whole box full of craft items in one of the cupboards beneath the walnut bookcases.
“Aunt, there is so much to choose from,” she said, bending down and picking out a cheery red scrap of paper. “This is lovely.”
“I used to make all sorts of things when I was younger. My father used to say I was a fiddler,” she explained, lifting the box and carrying it over to the desk. “I could never keep my hands still. They had to have some kind of occupation. So I made things.”
Georgiana looked at her aunt’s long slender fingers, now showing the crooked signs of aging, and watched as she fiddled with a tiny scrap of tissue paper until it resembled the tiniest of rosebuds. “Oh, that is beautiful,” Georgiana gasped. “You have such a talent.”
With a contented smile planted on her face, Aunt Henrietta sat down in the chair behind the desk. “I doubt very much that it shall ever be listed as one of my accomplishments.”
Miss Darcy's Christmas Page 3