“Whyare you so cheerful?”
“We, dear Georgiana, are going to make a call this morning.” He bit into a slice of toast and chewed.
“We are?” Georgiana leant back in her seat giving her brother all her attention.
“We are.”
“And where are we going to make this call?”
“To our uncle and aunt, Lord and Lady Matlock.” His grin was infectious, and Georgiana grinned back waiting for him to say more.
When he did not, she made a swirling hand motion, “And?”
“And we are going to request her help.”
“Help with what?”
“Not with what, my dear, withwhom.”
Georgiana’s eyes grew wide. “Do you think...?”
“I have no doubt. She may not be best pleased, but our aunt will not be able to walk away from the coup of the season.”
Hiding her giggles behind her napkin, Georgiana responded once she had composed herself, “William, you have a bit of a cruel streak.”
Darcy shrugged. “Her discomfort will be temporary. Lady Matlock will cut a swath through theTon, leading our dear Mrs Carrington behind her.”
He finished his coffee and rising, explained he would send a note ahead asking to call early again. “Take your time, Georgie. We shall leave when you are ready.” Whistling, he walked out of the breakfast room.
~ / ~
“Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, how wonderful to see you this morning. I was surprised to receive your note.”
“Aunt,” Georgiana kissed her cheek.
Darcy bowed and kissed her other cheek. “Lady Matlock.”
She eyed him with a raised brow. “Well?”
“I beg your pardon.”
“You look like I caught you with your hand in the cookie jar, but you already enjoyed all the cookies. Speak, Fitzwilliam.”
He seated Georgiana and drew up a chair closer to the settee. “You recall Georgie’s friend, Mrs Carrington?”
“The widow, yes.” She pursed her lips, looking suspicious.
“Well, it has not yet been made public, but her son is the new Earl of Carrington.”
He waited. When no immediate response came, he and Georgiana shared a quick look.
Reaching over Georgiana laid a hand gently on her aunt’s arm, “Aunt?”
Extraordinarily, Lady Matlock began to chuckle, shaking her head ruefully. Brother and sister watched her nonplussed.
At length, she calmed and turned to her niece. “It seems I will be meeting your friend after all.”
A bright smile lit Georgiana’s face. “You will like her very much, I am convinced.”
