Georgiana ran down to meet him and found him in the sitting room his head in his hands. "Oh William," she sighed.
"I take it you saw?" he asked leaning back and slumping down in the sofa his head resting on the back of it. She winced and then sat down next to him.
"I was curious, I admit it. You tried at least."
"Do not patronize me, it was a complete disaster. The whole time I was down there all I could do was stare at her."
"It's true… Oh, brother why did you not speak?"
"I didn't know what to say."
"You could have asked her to stay."
"For what?"
"Well to introduce me to her. I should think I wanted to meet her as well you know." She replied.
"Yes, I am aware of it sister." He sighed and shook his head. "It's just as well; I fear a passionate celibacy is all that is left for me Dear Georgiana."
"Oh don't talk nonsense."
"Well what would you have me do?" he asked wearily glancing over at her.
"They obviously have an interest in the house and you, or they would never have asked to see it. Go and invite them to spend the day with us tomorrow." She replied mischievously.
"They leave tomorrow." He said his voice incredulous.
"Not if you invite them tonight." She replied, staring at him as if he were a simpleton.
"But she doesn't like me Georgie." He said with a sigh.
"She doesn't know you Will, if today was an example of your previous behavior." She noted his indecision and tried again. "If she is anything like you painted her then she wouldn't deprive her beloved relations of the chance of a lifetime, surely." Ice blue eyes darted to her sparkling grey ones and she saw the wheels of that strange and designing mind start to turn.
"You are very sure?" He asked. She raised her eyebrows and then rose to her feet.
"Well if you are determined to be a tragic hero then perhaps you had better stay here and brood. The militia is often quartered at Meryton; perhaps she may come across a handsome Colonel or even a gentleman with a backbone." She walked to the door stopped and turned to see him sitting up straight, his eyes narrowed. Grinning to herself she gave on last parting shot. "Cousin Richard did express an interest in her. Perhaps he might do the deed for you. They would have adorable children together, you could call on them, and they would call you Uncle Fitzers." With that last statement she left the room going back into the music room with a positively diabolical smirk on her face as she crossed to her piano and began to play again. Five minutes later Mrs. Reynolds entered the room, a winded and bemused look on her face. She sat down on the chair and sighed. "Are you alright Mrs. Reynolds?" she asked.
"What on earth did you say to your brother Miss?"
"Oh nothing…much."
"He nearly ran me over and all but bellowed for his horse." She noted the look on the young girls face and ventured a leap of logic. "Is he going to call on Miss Bennet?" she asked.
"I cannot say for certain but I would prepare for guests tomorrow Mrs. Reynolds." She replied.
The next morning was amusing for Georgiana to say the least. Her brother had been in a state of panic the whole time fidgeting and fretting all through breakfast, eating too many scones and muffins and drinking far too much tea. He had spent all the time prior to breakfast pestering the cook and Mrs. Reynolds. She had heard a request for strawberries and roasted duck, and something about lilies and roses but that was about all before the exasperated servants had sent him out into the breakfast room with strict instructions not to return. Right after breakfast they had sojourned into the sitting room; her to read and him to pace. She had been about to say something to him when he turned a suspicious shade of green and then fled the room for about twenty minutes. When he returned, he was much paler, a little calmer and significantly less green. He sat down next to her leaning back in the chair, his hands folded on his stomach. She smiled and went back to her reading knowing that the worst was over, but then out of the corner of her eye she saw it; his little finger tapping against his waist coat. Eventually his foot started tapping, and all ten fingers were drumming out a tattoo against his stomach. Then, unable to sit still he rose to his feet and began to pace. It was the most predictable thing about him, his pacing. It was the one thing that seemed to calm him down at times when music could not. She tried to put the staccato beat of his boots on the wood floor out of her mind but eventually it became too much for her.
"Honestly brother can you not settle yourself somewhere? You are beginning to make me nervous."
"I can't sit down."
"Then stand, but stop that noise." She replied.
"If it bothers you so much then leave."
"Why should I, when you seem so determined to stay in motion?" she replied. He stared at her for a moment and then left the room muttering something about a walk. She smiled and continued to read until her attention waned again. She put her book aside and walked over to the window to see him pacing on the lawn and smiled. He truly was a dear creature and when he was nervous he seemed even more so. This time he would have her to help him, and things would not be ruined. This visit would set it all to rights, she was certain of it. Grinning to herself she skipped into the music room seating herself at the piano and beginning to play. Eventually he entered the room his colour restored and his manner less agitated and crossed over to stand at the piano, his hands braced on the top as she continued. She glanced up him, caught his eye and smiled reassuringly and he returned it with one of his quick smiles. His gaze was fixed on the polished surface of the wood as if that were the only thing keeping him from doing something desperate. Suddenly he looked up at her as if an idea had just occurred to him.
"Is that one of the new pieces?" he asked.
"Yes." She replied. He smiled and nodded and her eyes went back to the music. They stayed in silence for a moment during which she glanced up at him again to gauge his level of ease and the door opened as their guest were ushered in. Their heads snapped towards the door as one and she all but felt his stomach turn over.