Chapter Thirty-Six

W ith Sally's help, Georgiana was soon properly dressed in a hastily made-over gown of the Countess' and her hair was put up in a simple chignon. Georgiana tried to express her gratitude, but was immediately hushed by her aunt.

"Georgiana, of course I am going to take care of you. No thanks are needed. But, child, you are in a very bad situation."

"I do know that, Aunt, and it is entirely my own doing."

"I rather imagine it is this George Wickham's doing, but you shall tell your uncle and I all about it."

Georgiana trembled. "I do not know how I can face him, Aunt!"

"You must face him, though, Georgiana, and you will have to face your brother at some point as well."

Georgiana turned ashen and the Countess was very much afraid the girl would faint. "Georgiana, if you were bold enough to elope with someone you scarcely knew, you are surely bold enough to face people who love you."

A knock on the door interrupted them; Sally opened it and stepped aside to let the Earl in. She glanced at her mistress, who nodded at her. Sally left the room and closed the door, but stood guard outside it to make certain no one tried to listen in.

Georgiana's pale, frightened face changed when she saw her uncle's expression. He had tears in his eyes as he opened his arms wide. She ran into them, sobbing, "Oh, Uncle! I am so very, very sorry!"

He held her close as she cried. Finally, as her sobs subsided, he pulled away enough to reach into his waistcoat and pull out a handkerchief. Georgiana took it, laughing through her tears, "I cannot recall the last time someone was kind enough to give me a handkerchief."

"Tell us what happened, Georgiana. Start at the beginning. You were in Ramsgate with your companion?"

And Georgiana told them the entire tale, not sparing herself in any way. When she was finished, there was a long silence.

The Earl broke it, saying, "Richard has men searching all over London, trying to find you. We will have to write him to tell him to call off his dogs."

"What could Richard have done?"

"We could not legally remove you from your husband's house, of course, but we thought we might at least ascertain that you were not being abused. Now that we know the marriage to have been invalid, the situation is much altered."

"I am with child, Uncle," Georgiana's voice was small.

"I know. Do you wish to keep the babe?"

Georgiana nodded emphatically. "It is not her fault, you know."

"Her?"

"I would like a little girl," Georgiana said, wistfully.

"You will be an unmarried mother and your child illegitimate," Aunt Elaine reminded her. "It might be better for your reputation if we were to have the child given away."

"Aunt, I do not think even a miracle could restore my reputation." She gave a sad little laugh.

Now the silence was tense.

"Oh," Georgiana said, in a small voice. "It is your family's reputation as well."

"Exactly," Aunt Elaine replied, a little tartly. "We do not wish to add to your burdens, Georgiana, but the august members of the ton have gleefully sharpened their cutlery and are happily dining on the Matlock family name."

Georgiana hung her head. "I do not know what to do," she whispered.

"Nor do I," the Earl said, spreading his hands wide. "I will have to give it a good deal of thought. For tonight, however, let us simply rejoice that our Georgiana has returned to us."