Page 121 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

Mary felt her cheeks flush at the praise. Georgiana pressed a hand to her arm and smiled warmly at her.

“I understand your son is a doctor?”

Mary silently blessed her new friend for continuing to keep Oscar a part of their conversation. She enjoyed hearing about the man she loved so dearly.

“He is,” Mrs. Gregg said proudly. “Oscar and the Bennet sisters played together as children. Oscar is a few years older than Jane, you see. They all used to run a little wild in the neighborhood together. I was so thankful, for Oscar is our only child, you understand, with no siblings of his own to play with.”

“I understand,” Georgiana said wistfully as she reached for another biscuit. “My brother is ten years older than I am. Naturally, he played with me, but it was not the same type of play I would have had with a sibling closer in age.”

“We had great fun,” Mary said, smiling at her memories.

“We got into enormous trouble, is what you should say,” Oscar pointed out from the doorway.

Mary, who had not heard him come in, gasped and twisted in her chair to behold him, standing in the doorway, his arms folded, and leaning on the jamb.

“Shame on you for telling on us,” she retorted. Please, do not notice how my words are shaking. Goodness, how handsome he looks.

“I am shameless,” he claimed. “Hello, Mother.” Oscar straightened and bowed his shoulders to Georgiana. “Miss Darcy, welcome. No, do not stand.”

“Are you joining us, dear?” Mrs. Gregg asked her son.

He shook his head and held up his hands. “I think I am close enough. Young Jimmy Butcher’s typhus may still be contagious.”

“I thought you said he was improving,” Mrs. Gregg said, frowning.

“A little at a time. The typhus has not spread, thank the good Lord,” Oscar said, nodding gravely. He looked at Mary. “Is that giant outside waiting for you, Mary? I have never known you to walk with a valet before.”

“He is Miss Darcy’s attendant,” Mary explained.

“Elliot is my brother’s valet,” Georgiana revealed. “He is very strong and most intimidating.”

“He is, indeed,” Oscar said. “I wish we had a few orderlies shaped like him.”

“My brother is protective of me,” Georgiana said, bowing her head, seemingly embarrassed by the need.

“He is right to be so,” Mrs. Gregg said in a comfortingly hearty voice.

“Excuse me, ladies,” Oscar said, bowing to them. “I am needed in the surgery with Father.”

Mary joined the other ladies in murmuring appropriate farewells. Upon glancing at her hostess, she saw that Oscar’s mother watched her with keen interest.

Mary cleared her throat, and then said, “It appears I will not be going to the infirmary this Sunday, either.”

“If the weather cooperates, perhaps you could read something outside, in the gardens?” Mrs. Gregg suggested. “I will discuss the possibility with my husband and son at dinner tonight.”

“Thank you,” Mary said, feeling warm gratitude.

Setting down her empty glass next to her saucer on the table between them, Mary stood, signaling the end of the visit. Georgiana immediately stood, handing her glass to Mrs. Gregg, who took it and placed it on the table at her elbow.

“Thank you for the refreshments, Mrs. Gregg,” Mary said, curtsying. “It has been pleasant speaking with you.”

“Yes, thank you,” Georgiana said, curtsying. “You have a delightfully cozy home.”

“Thank you, my dears,” Mrs. Gregg said, now standing. “Kindly come and visit me again, Miss Darcy, before you leave Hertfordshire. Mary, you must come too. We do not see enough of you.”

Mary and Georgiana nodded, beaming, and they followed Mrs. Gregg from her study. Mary hoped she would have a chance to see Oscar once more, but the empty entrance hall gave her no satisfaction.

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