Chapter One Hundred and Seven
Georgiana!”
“No! No!”
“Georgiana, wake up!”
Georgiana’s eyes flew open; she discovered herself to be tangled in her bedsheets, with Lizzy leaning over her, looking very worried.
“Thank heavens! You were having a terrible nightmare, Georgiana.” Elizabeth sat beside Georgiana and stroked her hair. “Was it…”
“Yes.”
“Oh, dearest, I am so very sorry!”
“Lizzy,” Georgiana whispered, looking down at the rug. “I still have dreams about it. I wake up thinking I can feel the rocks under my back, and hear him breathing down my neck, and feeling his mouth…” She shuddered.
“Oh, Georgiana,” Elizabeth moaned. She held her sister close, wishing she knew what to do. She sat with Georgiana, gently stroking her hair, until the girl fell into a peaceful slumber.
***
Georgiana came to breakfast quite late, hoping she would be allowed to eat alone, but immediately discovered that Elizabeth had waited at the table for her. “You did not have to wait,” Georgiana muttered.
“I did, though,” Elizabeth returned. “Think you I would not want to make certain you had recovered from such a bad night?”
Georgiana immediately regretted having been churlish. “I am sorry, Lizzy,” she whispered. “You are very kind.”
“Look; here is fresh tea for you, and the apple muffins you enjoy. And you have a letter from your cousin,” Elizabeth said, smiling. “Doubtless that will cheer you!”
Georgiana obediently read the letter.
Dear Georgiana,
Mother has agreed to let me have a Season for a month, and that if I am not enjoying myself, I will come home and choose a husband from one of the local gentlemen. Of course, there is no chance at all that I will not enjoy myself!
But I understand now, as I did not before, that she did not enjoy her experience with the ton, and she feared that I would be hurt as she was.
Aunt Eleanor has agreed to host me for the rest of the Season! Her modiste has my measurements from when we purchased my ballgown, and she has already been set to work to make a whole new wardrobe for me!
To think that I will be sponsored by the Earl and Countess of Matlock!
Doubtless there will be no end of parties and balls and Venetian breakfasts and I know not what else!
Mrs. Jenkinson is to come with us, I suppose that is the only bad thing.
How I wish it were you coming with us instead, dear cousin!
Your loving and very excited cousin,
Anne
Georgiana could not even think of replying to that letter just now. Instead, once she finished her breakfast and assured Lizzy that she was well enough, she went back upstairs to compose a letter.
Dear Lydia,
We are all well here at Pemberley, and hope you are the same!
What are you doing with your time? It must feel quite odd to have three sisters suddenly out of the house! Of course, Jane and Mary are quite nearby, but that cannot be the same as having them at Longbourn with you. Are you and Kitty still running off to Meryton whenever possible?
Lydia, tell me honestly, do you still think of what happened to us this past winter? I find that I think about it all the time. I wish I did not, but it seems that I cannot help it. Tell me if it is the same for you. There is no one else who truly understands how dreadful that day was.
You affectionate friend,
Georgiana