Georgiana looked over at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. How he loved her. He’d not thought that possible either, but he had been mistaken. Love had come for him and he had opened his heart and arms to the exquisite woman next to him. Each day that passed, he loved her more fervently.
James continued. “It might be our instinct to feel bitter for the father they took from us and the abuse we endured at the Langstons but I do not believe that serves us. Instead, we must approach the pastand the future as Papa would have. With faith and hope and love. It is not with anger that we embark on this next season of our life, but one of gratitude for all that’s been restored to us.” His voice thickened with emotion. “When I look around this table and see the faces of all I hold most dear, it seems almost too good to be true. Thank you, Sebastian, for never giving up on our family. Thank you, Georgie, for loving me regardless of my flaws. And to the rest of you, I’m thankful you’re here to celebrate the union of our two families. May God continue to bless each and every one of us.”
Everyone raised their glasses, tears and laughter coming in equal measure.
The first course arrived, a white asparagus soup with cream and a touch of nutmeg, garnished with a sprig of fresh thyme from the garden, light puff pastry shells filled with tender pigeon in a white wine and tarragon sauce and a small plate of pickled vegetables and radishes in herb vinegar. Lastly, barley bread still warm from the oven, served with honeyed butter and wild strawberry preserves.
Lavinia beamed as she looked down at her soup bowl. “This is delightful. If only those who rejected me from Society could see me now, in this fine home, with my daughter about to marry Lord Ashford. When I think of the sacrifices I’ve made for my girls, it’s all been worth it.”
James noticed Georgiana and Cecily exchange a glance that held annoyance and humor. Lavinia had become much more docile and cooperative since his engagement to Georgie. He had assumed their good fortune would have made her more obnoxious but it had seemed to calm her. It hadn’t taken away her vanity or self-absorption, but one could not expect a miracle.
They’d asked her to stay with them, even though Georgie was afraid the woman might drive her to madness. But in the end, Lavinia was Georgie’s mother. It was their duty to take care of her. Lavinia had accepted their offer with her usual martyr act, saying how muchshe would enjoy London but she knew her dear daughter needed her so what could she do but say yes?
His gaze landed on his sister, who seemed distracted and even a little sad. She’d been delighted to hear of his upcoming marriage and seemed to be excited to visit their old home. However, since her arrival, he’d sensed a melancholy. Even a restlessness that made him think she’d rather be elsewhere. Surely not with the child she cared for?
“Sophia, we must speak about the upcoming Season and your participation,” Sebastian said firmly, in his big brother voice. “It’s important you have a chance to secure an excellent marriage. We have the dowry for you now. There’s no reason to delay it any longer.”
“You are getting older,” James said softly. “It would behoove us to present you next Season.”
Sophia looked down at her plate. “I don’t want a Season. I’ve told you before. I am committed to staying with Amelia. I am all she has ever known. I can’t betray her now.”
“What of Lord Montrose? Isn’t he her guardian?” Sebastian gestured with his fork. “He can hire another governess. You, dear sister, are a lady now, not staff.”
“What if I don’t want to be a lady?” Sophia asked.
Lavinia gasped. “Oh dear me, you mustn’t say such things.” She leaned forward slightly. “Think of the balls and the parties and all the men swooning over you.”
“It is fun,” Cecily said, shyly. “And you might find a love match, as I’ve done.”
James hid a smile behind his hand. His soon to be sister-in-law was as starry-eyed as one could be, glowing and sailing about the manor with a slight smile displayed on her pretty face. Their families had announced her engagement to Nathaniel just last week. They would be married in the fall and move to his family’s estate. Georgiana would miss her terribly. Hopefully, they would be able to visit often.
The crystal clinked softly as Sophia set down her glass with deliberate care. “Amelia is only just two years old. Lord Montrose is gone from dawn until dusk with estate business. I am the closest thing she has to a mother and I will not abandon her.”
James studied his sister. There was something fierce about the way she spoke about the little girl. A quality that sounded very much like a mother. But what of this Montrose? From what he understood, the man was a good sort—a gentleman who had taken responsibility for his orphaned niece when tragedy struck his family. James had heard he was a man of deep integrity, despite the obvious grief he must have felt about the death of his sister and brother-in-law and the shock of learning he was to care for an infant. Was there more to this than just the baby? Had his sister fallen in love with her employer?
Georgiana reached under the table to squeeze his knee. She was thinking the same thing.
“We don’t have to decide anything tonight,” Georgiana said gently. “This is the evening before James’s and my wedding. A night of celebration.”
“Here, here,” Sebastian said, looking slightly abashed.
The second course arrived—delicate trout glistening with lemon balm butter, roast capon carved with care and arranged beside spring carrots and young onions, and tureens of new potatoes steeped in mint and salt. As they enjoyed the food, conversation flowed easily, with Sebastian describing the changes he’d made to his estate’s business practices. Taking them from illegal brandy smuggling to legitimate and lawful enterprises had not been easy, but Sebastian was so clever that they were past the worst. And now there would be a baby. James could hardly wait to meet his niece or nephew.
The third course arrived. Tender lamb cutlets glazed in redcurrant, spinach and mushroom tart with its flaky golden crust, roasted marrow squash drizzled with creamy béchamel, and wine had warmed everyone’s cheeks and spirits.
“I do feel terrible for the lambs,” Cecily said mournfully. “But they’re delicious.”
“Dearest, perhaps you should acquire a dog when you marry,” Georgiana said to her sister.
Cecily brightened. “That’s a splendid idea. Someone to keep me company when Nathaniel is taking care of business. He’s also said I am to have free rein of the gardens. I’ve already started working on my design.”
“What about you, Georgiana?” Sebastian asked. “Will you continue to pursue business opportunities now that you’ll be married?”
This had been a topic of much debate between them. James had encouraged Georgie to do as she pleased. If she wanted to continue her work, he had no intention of stopping her. However, she’d come to the conclusion that helping to run the estate and continuing their work bringing life back to the village would be enough to keep her busy. He had convinced her to take one of the rooms for an art studio, where she could draw and paint whatever she wished.
James secretly hoped that motherhood would soon be yet another focus for his smart wife but he did not say the words out loud, afraid he might hurt her if there were no children in their future. One could not take these things for granted.
Dessert was a procession of lemon syllabub, elderflower and gooseberry tart, and jewel-toned fruits nestled beside wheels of Wensleydale and Stilton.
