The Devonshires

"You have no idea how happy I am to hear you finally call me mama openly!"

~Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire~

WT

Fifteen minutes passed. Then another fifteen went by. Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire, stood on the steps of Grave's End Manor and waited. She knew they should have been here half an hour ago, but had yet to arrive.

She was momentarily startled as she heard the huge black oak doors open behind her. She turned slightly to see the Manor's head of housekeeping, Claudia Shoal, emerging from inside.

"Your Grace, there is a call for you."

"Did they say who it is?" Georgiana inquired.

"Yes Your Grace. A Lady Georgiana Tavington." Claudia replied coolly.

Georgiana's eyes widened with worry. She pushed passed the housekeeper and hurried into the library. She snatched up the phone, and barely controlling her worry, she yelled into the phone.

"My God, Ana what has happened?"

A low chuckle met her question.

"Gee, you can stop worrying. Nothing happened, other than the train being late."

Gee heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank God! I thought something terrible had happened."

"Why would you think something like that, Gee?" Lady Tavington laughed softly.

The Duchess did not find this a laughing matter.

"You should have been here half an hour ago, Ana! I was half mad with worry, and nearly told the Duke to go out looking for you!"

"Nothing happened, Gee, so you can stop worrying." Lady Tavington replied stoically.

"Thank God." She said again.

A moment's silence followed, but Lady Tavington soon broke it.

"Well, something has happened, but that is something we will discuss when we arrive at Grave's End."

This peeked the Duchess' interest.

"Oh? Do tell!"

Lady Tavington laughed.

"All I shall say is this; you will be a grandmother in about six months."

"Oh my…Olivia…" Gee gripped the phone tightly in her hand.

"We shall discuss it further once we get there, Gee. The carriage is here, along with the supply wagon."

"Oh yes, must not keep them waiting, Ana."

"No, of course not. Besides, the Colonels…"

"Colonels?"

"Yes, Colonel Tavington and Colonel Tarleton." Lady Tavington replied sharply.

"I knew Colonel Tavington would be coming, but not Colonel Tarleton." The Duchess laughed. "The Duke will be pleasantly surprised."

"Indeed he will be, Gee. Tarleton wants to have a look at the Duke's hounds, as does William." Ana said.

"Well, as long as our men are occupied, we women can conduct our business in private."

"True indeed. However, William has things he wishes to discuss with the Duke, and that involves all of us."

Gee smirked to herself.

"Right, I shall pass that along to the Duke." She heard Olivia's voice in the background.

"Gee, Olivia wants to speak to you. I will see you in about an hour, and I do mean, an hour."

The Duchess could hear them conversing softly. After a moment, Olivia came on the line.

"Mama!"

"Oh…" Gee uttered softly.

"Are you alright, mama?" Olivia sounded concerned.

"Fine darling." She sighed deeply. "It is just I have waited so long to hear you call me that.."

"Oh mama, I…"

"You still think of me as such, Olivia?" Gee asked.

"Of course I do! Olivia sounded slightly offended by this. "You have always been there for me…you and papa."

Gee sighed deeply.

"And, we shall be there always." She replied warmly. She could hear the others in the background.

"Oh drat! The carriages are here. I best get off the line so we can get moving." Olivia laughed.

"Oh good. Your grandmother said you would arrive within an hour." Gee smiled despite not truly believing that.

"An hour? Really, it's more of an hour and a half!" Olivia laughed again.

"I thought as much. I mean honestly, you are coming from Kensington! Sometimes I think your grandmother is off her rocker!"

"You and me both, mama." Olivia snickered.

Gee could still hear the others. A familiar voice drew her attention for a brief moment.

"Colonel Tarleton is coming, as well. Or, so your grandmother said."

Olivia giggled softly.

"Oh yes, he is! This will definitely be a very, very interesting visit."

The Duchess smiled to herself.

"I'll say it will be. Where Ban Tarleton is concerned, there will never be a dull moment. Your papa will be very pleased that he is coming along." Gee inhaled quickly before continuing. "Both Colonels are always a pleasant surprise."

"Of course they are, mama. William has been looking forward to visiting Grave's End again. And, I know it's been months, since Ban has been there. He was having hound withdrawal apparently!"

"Oh he was, was he?" Gee laughed. "He will have hounds aplenty when he arrives. He'll just love the new horses, as well."

"Yes, William said we acquired new horses. He said papa did, as well. Yes, this will keep the men very busy."

"Indeed it will." Gee agreed. "Well now, you best be getting to the carriages. We do not wish for that hour and a half, to turn into two hours and a half!"

Olivia laughed deeply into the phone.

"Indeed not! We'll be along as soon as we can. Tell papa I send my love."

"I shall do so, darling." Gee replied happily.

They rang off. Gee sat holding the phone for a long time.

"She calls me mama." The Duchess smiled warmly to herself. "After all this time."