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“How’s my baby sister?” Tom wrapped his arms around Georgina in a loving embrace. “God, it’s good to see you.” He held her back and perused her from head to toe. “And looking so smashing. You are a diamond, my dear Georgie!”
“I’ve missed you, Tommy. We haven’t seen each other once since I’ve been in London,” Georgina scolded her brother.
“Sorr
y, Georgie. Had some unfinished business up in Haymarket, but that’s all done now.” Tom greeted Jeremy, who took his hand in a friendly shake. “You look good, too, my brother. You’ve hardly changed a bit despite the leg shackles,” Tom teased.
“Really, Tommy, you ought to consider matrimony for yoursel—” Georgina lost the rest of her words when she laid eyes on her handsome father stepping toward her. Dressed in his evening clothes, he seemed to stand a little taller, a resolve in his manner that boded a certain poise. He looked well, happy even.
“That’s what I keep telling your brother, my dear, to take a page out of his sister’s book,” he said softly, his hazel eyes a mirror of hers.
“Papa…you came.”
“I wouldn’t have missed this chance for all the world, my daughter.” Her father kissed her forehead. “To see you looking so beautiful and happy.” He touched her cheek. “So like your mother, Georgina. She loved you so much. Mamma wanted the world for you—for all your hopes and dreams to come true. I know she rejoices when she looks down on you from heaven, as I do in this earthly life.”
“Oh, Papa!” Georgina embraced him and relished his strong arms returning her clutch. “I’m so happy you are here.” She realized how truly she meant her words.
“As am I.” He smiled. “You look like a queen in that gown, my dear. With your mother’s pearls and those earrings, all you lack is a crown.” He bowed. “Walk with me, daughter?”
Georgina took her father’s offered arm and walked with him for a bit.
He looked wistful. “Do you remember the picnics we used to have by the old oak tree when you were a little girl?”
Her heart dropped. “I do remember them, Papa,” she whispered.
“Your mamma made you a circlet of wildflowers one time, and on that day we crowned you the Fairy Queen of Oakfield.”
She gasped. “You recall everything! I had no idea you still think of those times, Papa.” Georgina was stunned by his revelations.
“Of course I think about it. I never forget. Those were the best days in my whole life, with a loving wife and my children about me.” He paused and squeezed her arm. “I lost my path when your mother died, Georgina. I know I wasn’t the father I could have been. I wasn’t a comfort to you in your hour of need. I let you down, and I am so grievously sorry for my actions.”
He pulled them to a stop and looked at her. “You turned out magnificent in spite of my lacking attentions, and I love you very much and am so proud of you. I can now only hope you might forgive your old dad his foolish ways.”
Georgina felt the wall of fear that had haunted her crumble to dust. In the acknowledgement of his failings, Georgina knew blessed peace, finally. Papa did not blame her for what had happened to her. He loved her still. He is proud of me.
Georgina fell into her father’s arms a second time. “I do forgive you. You have restored my heart in this declaration.” She kissed his cheek. “More than you can ever know. I am truly happy, Papa.”
“I am so relieved to hear it. I have worried, Georgina, over you.”
“Worry no more, Papa. I am blessed in my life and very content. Jeremy is the best of men and takes very good care of me. And thank you for this lovely gift of memories tonight. They are most precious to me.”
“As you are to me, my daughter. And if you are willing, I want to make more happy memories with you, and your good husband, and your children.”
Georgina blushed. “I would love that, very much, Papa.”
Jeremy appeared in their midst and stepped forward to greet his father-in-law. “Welcome, sir. Your presence is a comfort to Georgina. Thank you for coming tonight.”
“Thank you, son. I pledge it shall be only the first of many visits,” John Russell answered sincerely. “I was just inquiring to Georgina when you two might see fit to make me a grandpa.” He smirked at them both.
“Papa!” Georgina felt the flush spread to the roots of her hair, imagining she must be the color of a strawberry.
Even Jeremy looked a bit discomfited, but recovered quickly and managed a saucy, “I’m giving it my best effort, sir.”
In an attempt to steer the topic away from bedroom antics, Georgina touched her father’s cheek. “You’ve cut yourself. Does it hurt?”
“Not in the slightest. I don’t notice it a bit. Is it very ugly?” Her father shrugged.
