Chapter Nineteen
A week later
“Georgie, you’re practically glowing.”
Georgina grinned, squeezing Felicity’s arm as they strolled through the private aviary. “I’m so full of happiness, I can’t seem to contain it. If you weren’t holding my arm, I’m sure I’d be skipping through this garden, much to the consternation of these magnificent birds.”
“Is it because you’re so enjoying this lovely aviary?”
“To tell the truth, I’m having a difficult time focusing on the birds, which is terrible.
” She looked over her shoulder to where Philip escorted his mother.
Somewhere behind him were Rose and Arabella.
She faced forward again. “It’s my husband.
Felicity, we’re in love.” She could barely keep her voice down.
Felicity smiled widely. “I’m so happy for you. I knew it was only a matter of time before he realized what a wonderful person you are. How could he not?”
Georgina sobered at her friend’s compliment. “Maybe now, but I know I was far too focused on getting out of my parents’ house to be truly wonderful.”
“Don’t be hard on yourself. That was a very important task to focus on. Besides, you have been a loyal friend to every Curious Lady.”
“That’s because you all have made me feel like I matter. I don’t think I’d have recognized true love if I didn’t have you all as friends first. I mean that.”
Felicity patted her arm. “I believe we are all better because we know each other. We are, after all, social beings, like horses.”
Georgina stifled the urge to neigh. “Horses? Really?”
Felicity laughed. “Maybe not the best comparison. How about birds of a feather? You truly have become a phoenix, starting your marriage under such sorrowful circumstances and now thriving and in love.”
“And what about you? Have you set your eye on any prospects this Season?”
“No one in particular, but I am observing. Like that bird right there. What is that?”
Georgina didn’t mind the change in topic, especially when it concerned a bird.
“That’s a blue tit, and there must be another bird nearby because he’s puffed up his feathers.
If I were to have an aviary, it would be just like Lady Farnell’s.
This allows all the birds to enjoy the natural plants.
But I truly don’t wish to create one. It must have taken quite a bit of study to determine what plants would be best for each species.
I don’t think I’d enjoy that responsibility.
Just thinking about the dovecote at home worries me. I do want the doves to be happy.”
“I completely understand. I feel that way about my menagerie at home. I worry about my animals I had to leave behind when I’m in Town.”
Just as Felicity finished speaking, they came into a large courtyard with tables and chairs along with sideboards filled with food. Georgina gestured toward the drinks. “I do hope there’s hot cocoa.”
“Then allow me to check for you.”
At Philip’s voice right behind her, she giggled. “Thank you.”
Felicity unhooked her arm and raised her brows. “I see I should leave you to your husband. I will join Rose and Arabella. I’m truly happy for you.”
As Felicity moved off, Philip’s mother came to stand next to her. “Shall we find a table before there is a crush? I believe half of London is behind us. I’m so glad you suggested we arrive as soon as the gates opened.”
Georgina followed her mother-in-law toward a small, round table on the far side of the courtyard.
Lady Farnell only allowed visitors once a month to her aviary just outside of London, so as not to cause too much stress for the birds.
That was something Georgina could respect.
But that did mean most of the ton came when it was announced.
It was a very different type of outing from the usual calls, museums, recitals, and balls.
“Here we go. This will be perfect. Just enough room for the family.”
She smiled at the dowager’s comment. It felt good to be part of a family who wanted her. Hopefully, soon, she and Philip would have their own. It was her dream that one of her children would take an interest in ornithology.
“Here we are.” Philip set down a cup of cocoa, a cup of tea, and a plate of macarons.
“You spoil us, son.”
“I try, but there was no cinnamon or marzipan. Now, I shall take myself off to find a stronger drink.”
The dowager looked at Georgina. “He means wine.”
Georgina stifled another giggle. She never giggled and wasn’t quite sure when she’d started or why. Perhaps it was that she had so much happiness inside her that it must come out.
“Now that we’re alone, Georgie, you must tell me what you did to my son.”
She blinked, not a little surprised by the question. “I don’t think I did anything to him.”
The dowager waved her hand as if to dismiss the comment. “Surely you’ve noticed the change in him. He’s smiling more and going out of his way to be, well, pleasant. That’s not the same man that attended dinner at his sister’s over a month ago.”
“I think it may be because he’s happy.”
“Well, of course he is, but how did you manage to make him so?”
Georgina didn’t wish to keep things from her new mother, but her instinct told her that keeping Philip happy was more important, so she shrugged and quickly took a sip of cocoa, not revealing their private conversation from earlier in the week.
As she took a second sip, she smiled. She’d just kept something secret! She couldn’t wait to tell her friends.
“Whatever it is, just keep making him happy.” The dowager took a macaron and daintily bit into it. “Having my son and daughter both married and content is a true relief. My dear sister is still…”
As the dowager continued, Georgina watched the entrance to the courtyard, surprised that no one else had arrived after Rose and Arabella. Had something happened to one of the birds?
Philip returned, sitting next to her. “Has the aviary changed since last you toured it?”
She tried to think of the birds along her walk, but she hadn’t been paying close attention. “I’m not sure. My previous visit was last summer.” She waved toward the entrance to the courtyard. “Do you think something has occurred along the path?”
“No, I think that you and your Curious Ladies just walk a bit faster than most.”
The dowager nodded. “That’s true. I found the pace to be rather brisk. Your friends are lovely ladies. I’m so pleased I had the chance to visit with them this morning. I really must attend more balls so that I may keep up on everyone’s lives. It’s a benefit of being a widow, you know.”
Georgina immediately looked to her husband, but he didn’t stiffen as he used to. Instead, he smiled. “Mother, I thought you content with my cousins. Did not one make her debut this Season? Surely you’ve attended a ball with my aunt for that.”
Georgina spotted people at the entrance to the courtyard and relaxed. “Here they are.”
The crowd slowly filed in, everyone busy talking and a few glancing their way.
No wonder everyone took so long. Had they noticed the birds any more than she, or were they too busy chatting?
Feeling a bit guilty, she addressed the dowager.
“How many nieces do you have? Do you think any would be interested in the Belinda School for Curious Ladies?”
“Now that you mention it, the youngest does seem preoccupied with books, much to my sister’s chagrin.”
“If you like, I’d be happy to talk with her.”
“I will arrange it. The school has a growing reputation.” The dowager reached for another sweet and frowned. “It looks like we’ve finished everything.”
Philip rose. “Not to worry. I shall endeavor to search out more sweets for you both.”
“Thank you, dear.” The dowager watched him walk to the side table before leaning toward Georgina.
“I had about given up hope he’d marry. You truly don’t know how relieved I am that you two met.
Now, I know it’s soon, but have you thought of names for your children?
When I was first married, I must have written down at least twenty.
Poor Walter was a bit undone at seeing it.
So if you do as I did, I suggest not sharing it. ”
“I could never hide something from Philip, so maybe I won’t write it down.”
“Ladies, we must leave. Now,” Philip announced even before he arrived back at the table.
From the tension emanating from him, Georgina knew something was terribly wrong. She rose immediately. “Has something happened?”
He didn’t look at her as he answered, instead looking at his mother, who also stood. “Yes. We need to return to the townhouse immediately. Mother, you shall continue on to Lady Redding’s.”
“Of course. Can we be of any help?”
“No.” He waited for them to precede him down the path around the house to where the coaches were parked.
Once they were on their way, he stared out the window.
Georgina looked at her mother-in-law, who appeared as worried as she felt.
She gave a reassuring nod, sure that whatever it was could not be so horrible.
It wasn’t as if Philip had been gambling and lost, or that they had angered the prince regent. Anything else was fixable.
When they arrived at the townhouse, she squeezed the dowager’s hand. “Please give our regards to Lady Redding.”
“I will. Thank you for inviting me on such a lovely outing.”
When Georgina alighted, she found Philip was already inside, and she hurried up the steps. At the doorway, she untied her bonnet and handed it to Haines.
“In the study. Now.”
She jumped at Philip’s cold tone before following him to the study, where he closed the door and immediately went to the sideboard to pour a drink. She could sense his anger, and his posture was much like a goose just before it was about to attack. “What is it?”
He splashed liquor into a glass then threw it back before pouring another.
She’d never seen him drink anything but wine and port, and that was definitely not port.
“What it is…is you. You just couldn’t keep it a secret, despite how it would affect me, my mother, our whole family.”