Chapter Twenty-Three
Georgiana
The fire crackled gently in Georgiana’s bedchamber, its warmth spreading across the Aubusson carpet and reflecting off the polished mahogany of her dressing table.
Georgiana stood by the tall windows, one hand resting on the windowsill, watching the early evening sky deepen to violet above the frost-touched gardens.
Behind her, Molly, her lady’s maid, carefully arranged the pearl combs in Lavinia’s auburn hair while Cecily observed from her perch on the window seat.
“Do hold still, my lady,” Molly murmured. “These combs are determined to have their own way this evening.”
“I cannot help it,” Lavinia replied, adjusting her emerald silk gloves for the third time.
“What if no one comes? What if they all think to snub us after everything? I have spent months—months—planning every detail of this ball. The humiliation would be complete if we find ourselves dancing alone in an empty ballroom.”
“Mother,” Georgiana said without turning from the window, “you know perfectly well that everyone has sent their acceptances. We have had more responses than we can comfortably accommodate.”
“Acceptances mean nothing,” Lavinia insisted. “People can change their minds. They can decide at the last moment that the Ashford family is still not quite respectable enough for their company.”
“Half the county has been angling for an invitation since we sent them out,” Cecily added gently. “Your ball will be the event of the season.”
“How I wish Rose and Sebastian could be here,” Georgiana said. “But it was impossible with the baby so young. She wrote to me just today that little Edward has James’s stubborn chin and Sebastian’s unfortunate tendency to wake at all hours.”
They had named their first born, a son, after Sebastian and James’s father, the first Edward. From all accounts both mother and father were overjoyed and smitten with their baby boy.
Lavinia’s expression softened slightly. “I’m sure he’s adorable.”
“We’ll see him soon enough,” Cecily said.
“There now, my lady,” Molly said, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
Georgiana smiled at her maid. “Thank you, Molly, for doing Mother’s hair. You may go.”
The maid bobbed a curtsy and withdrew, leaving the three women alone.
“Speaking of babies,” Georgiana said, drawing closer. “I have something to tell you both.”
Cecily’s hands stilled where she had been smoothing her skirts. “I think I know. You have a certain look.”
“What look?” Lavinia demanded, rising from her chair to study her eldest daughter’s face. “What have you two been keeping from me?”
“I’ve kept nothing from you. In fact, you’re the first to know.” Georgiana touched her hand to her middle, unable to suppress her smile. “I am with child.”
The silence stretched for exactly three heartbeats before Cecily let out a delighted gasp and Lavinia clapped her hands together.
“Oh, my darling girl!” Lavinia rushed forward to embrace her. “When? How long have you known?”
“Only a few days, though I have suspected for a fortnight. I have not yet told James.”
“He will be beside himself with joy,” Cecily said warmly, joining their embrace. “Though I confess, I wondered if you might have news when you seemed so ill when the fish course came out.”
Georgiana pulled back to look at her sister. “You are remarkably observant. I thought I hid my revulsion well.”
A becoming flush rose in Cecily’s cheeks. “There’s a reason for that.” She bit her lower lip. “I was rather hoping to speak with you both privately before the evening began. You see, I also have news.”
Lavinia’s eyes widened. “Cecily really?”
“I, too, am expecting a baby.” Cecily’s smile was radiant. “The doctor said we conceived on our wedding night, if he were to venture a guess. Is it not romantic?”
“It is, dearest,” Georgiana said. Her sister and Nathaniel had married just a month after her wedding to James.
“And the fish smelled heinous to me too,” Cecily said.
From their calculations, the sisters would give birth within weeks of each other. The squealing that followed could likely be heard in the servants’ hall, but none of the three women cared a whit for propriety in that moment.
“Sisters, expecting together,” Lavinia said, dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. “Oh, how jealous everyone will be of me. Two grandbabies at once. I shall tell everyone tonight.”
“No, not yet, Mother,” Georgiana said. “It is too early to share. Promise me?”
“All right, fine. I shall keep it to myself.” Lavinia sniffed in protest but it lacked any real luster.
Despite their mother’s maddening ways, she had become less so now that she felt safe about her and her daughters’ futures.
It was remarkable what security could do for one’s peace of mind. Even Lavinia Linley’s.
“There is something else,” Georgiana said once they had composed themselves somewhat.
“I have been corresponding with Sophia, and she remains absolutely steadfast in her refusal to consider a Season. She refuses to leave Amelia. James is appalled but they cannot make her do something she doesn’t want to do. ”
Lavinia clicked her tongue. “Such a shame. She will be a spinster before long if she remains steadfast. Think of all the fun she will miss.’
A soft knock interrupted them, and Molly appeared in the doorway. “Forgive the intrusion, my lady, but our first guests have begun to arrive.”
“Already?” Lavinia flew to the mirror to check her appearance one final time.
“And Mother,” Cecily said with studied casualness, “I believe Mr. Whitaker wished to speak with James before the dancing began? Do you have any idea why?”
Georgiana and Cecily had discussed it at length and felt certain Mr. Whitaker, who appeared to be a very wealthy capitalist from America, was going to ask for Lavinia’s hand.
They had met him while in London and he had seemed immediately besotted with Lavinia.
The sisters were delighted, but not only because they were happy for their mother.
Rather, they were feeling rather giddy that their mother would be an ocean away.
At the mention of the American gentleman’s name, Lavinia’s cheeks pinked most becomingly.
“Oh. Yes. He wishes for James’s blessing.
He does indeed want to marry me. And best of all?
He has agreed that we will live here with you for part of the year.
Now that I know babies are coming, I am even more delighted. ”
Georgiana exchanged a meaningful look with her sister. What was to be done? Their mother was their mother, for better or worse.
“Shall we go then?” Georgiana asked. “To greet our guests and see what the evening holds for each of us?”
“Indeed.” Lavinia beamed and practically ran from the room.
*
The ballroom had been transformed.
Garlands of ivy and late-blooming roses wound around the pillars, while hundreds of beeswax candles cast everything in warm, golden light.
The musicians, positioned on a small dais decorated with autumn leaves and ribbon, had begun with gentle airs to welcome the arriving guests.
Ladies in their finest silks and gentlemen in elegant evening dress filled the space with animated conversation and laughter.
Georgiana moved through the crowd on James’s arm, marveling at how many had come.
The local gentry, certainly, but also neighbors from farther afield who had not set foot in Ashford Manor since before Lord Ashford was hanged.
She recognized familiar faces and caught snatches of conversation, but the evening felt delightfully new and hopeful.
Ashford Manor was alive with joy.
“Lady Ashford.” Lady Alderidge approached with a warm smile, resplendent in navy blue and diamonds. “What a magnificent evening you have arranged. The house looks absolutely splendid.”
“Thank you, Lady Alderidge. Though I confess the credit belongs largely to my mother and sister. They have worked tirelessly these past weeks to ensure everything was just so.”
“Cecily has such an eye for these things,” her mother-in-law replied fondly.
It warmed Georgiana’s heart to see the affection Lady Alderidge obviously felt toward Cecily.
Whatever misgivings she’d once had were no longer.
In fact, Cecily and her mother-in-law had grown as close as mother and daughter.
Georgiana felt envious of the new mother figure in her sister’s life, but also relief that everything had worked out so well for her sister.
It was easy to lose sight at this point in time that securing Cecily’s future had been her reason for everything not so long ago.
She’d accomplished not only that but, by a miracle, had found love of her own.
“It must run in the family. And where is our colorful Lavinia this evening? I have heard the most interesting rumors about a certain American gentleman. Are they true?”
“Yes, they are true. She met him at a party in London a few months back and they’ve been spending time together ever since. I believe we may have a marriage proposal very soon. Mr. Whitaker’s asked to speak to James.”
“Does that mean she’ll move to America?”
“One hopes but it sounds as if they will spend time here as well as the states,” Georgiana said.
“You’re terrible.” But Lady Alderidge laughed just the same.
At the far end of the ballroom, Lavinia glided across the floor in the arms of a tall, distinguished gentleman with silver hair and an unmistakably expensive coat. Mr. Whitaker gazed at Lavinia as though she were the only woman in the room—perhaps the only woman in the world.
“He does seem quite taken with your mother,” Lady Alderidge observed. “I’m glad for her.”
Georgiana nodded, smiling. “Completely conquered, I should say. And she appears to return the sentiment.”
It was true. Lavinia positively glowed as she danced, her laughter carrying above the music. When the set ended, Mr. Whitaker led her to the refreshment table, hovering attentively as she selected a glass of ratafia.