PP AU NON-CANON GENERAL REGENCY
Family Ties
Previously:
"I will keep my eyes open. Now, if you men do not mind. It looks as if the women want a small celebration past opening presents even if often others in our society simply marry and go home." He chuckled as Elizabeth went to the piano and started playing. No one cared if it was not technically correct.
Thomas went and took Georgianna by the hand and took his wife to the middle of the floor and began to dance as the chairs had already been taken to the side of the room.
Family Ties
Ch. 19
Spring had returned, and though it was not nearly as harsh as the previous year, it remained quite chilly. Fires crackled in every occupied room at Longbourn, warding off the lingering cold. The master bedroom, with its large four-poster bed draped in heavy velvet curtains, was a sanctuary of warmth. The rich, dark wood of the furniture gleamed in the firelight, and the embroidered tapestry hanging above the fireplace depicted a pastoral scene, adding an air of elegance to the room. The scent of fresh lavender, used to ward off moths, subtly permeated the space.
Georgiana stirred early, accustomed to taking care of the hearth up in Scotland. Her movements were graceful yet purposeful as she adjusted to the routine she had known for years. She quietly got out of bed, intending to tend to the fire, but Thomas, noting her movement, smiled and gently called her back to bed.
"My dearest, we are home, we have ample servants. There is no need for you to rise so early. It is not yet five. We have another half hour."
"Oh..." Georgiana's face flushed. "I am so sorry. I am accustomed to rising early to take care of the fires. Mother Gordon would take her turn later." She hesitated for a moment, then climbed back into bed.
"There is no need for any apology." Thomas turned on his side and pulled her close to him. "Tell me, how did you recognise me? It has been seven years, and silver has begun to creep into my hair."
"Not that much color has been lost, and your features remain much the same."
Thomas rolled back onto his pillow, placing an arm beneath his head while holding her close with the other. "Did you ever wish to return to England before I came? Did you and Patrick ever consider it?"
"Only half-heartedly." Georgiana sighed. "He was often away at sea, and despite his brother's claims, Daniel and Margaret-Anne only became truly responsible for his mother after Patrick was found washed ashore. So, with her there, my husband and children buried on Scottish soil; also, not really knowing how my own blood relatives felt, I just thought returning to England was not an option." Pausing, Georgiana asked hesitantly, "Had she not shown signs of age-related memory issues, how would you have felt about having Mother Gordon in your home?"
Thomas stroked Georgiana's arm thoughtfully. "I cannot give you a definitive answer. The situation never arose, as you had already managed her care. If you require my true feelings on the matter, I must ask for some time to reflect on it earnestly." Thomas looked at the clock on the mantel and slid his arm out from under his wife and sat up. "I must rise and start my day. Please, just for this morning, relax and let the servants attend to your every need. Consider it my wedding present to you."
Thomas dressed in the soft, warm light filtering through the heavy drapes and headed down the stairs. The grand staircase, adorned with intricate wooden carvings, descended into the main hall where the scent of breakfast wafted from the kitchen. He informed the servants of what was going on and had about made it down the hallway when a knock came on the door. Fitzwilliam was shown in, removing his hat and gloves as he stepped inside.
Georgiana's husband was surprised to see Fitzwilliam, as he had been under the impression Elizabeth's own was occupied with his estate.
"May I speak to you privately?"
"But of course."
Thomas led Fitzwilliam down the hallway, both ignoring portraits of family members and scenes of nature painted by Kitty's own hand before she married James. They also paid no mind to all the knick-knacks sitting on various tables, which included delicate porcelain figurines and finely crafted wooden boxes. No, they simply went inside Thomas's study and sat down.
The study was a room of stately comfort. It featured a large, sturdy oak desk that dominated the room, with papers neatly organised in piles. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, their spines gleaming in the firelight. An ornate rug covered the floor, and a large window overlooked the garden, though the view was obscured by heavy drapes. Thomas sat behind his desk and Fitzwilliam took a seat in a comfortable but old Gregorian-styled chair that had seen better days.
"My family and I have been discussing matters. We are fully aware of your reluctance to accept Georgiana's dowry." Fitzwilliam hurried on before Thomas could open his mouth as if to put his foot down. "However, you are aware of how... stubborn... my aunt can be."
"I believe I am fully aware of that fact. What is she attempting to have occur?"
"I would not say she is attempting anything, other than she has sent me here to ask you to consider an offer if you cannot bring yourself to take Georgiana's dowry in cash. Which, after seven years, has increased to fifty thousand pounds as I invested the original thirty thousand."
Thomas was floored. He, now more than ever, did not want that kind of cash connected to his name. However, he felt a need to explain why, for Elizabeth had only partially been correct in what she had told the Darcy family.
"No, I do not want people thinking I married Georgiana for money. However, neither do I wish for Radcliffe to get wind there is that kind of cash flow coming into Longbourn. We still have no idea why he and those... men... went over the Gordon property so thoroughly. As it is, we have already had one guard apprehend a man who was not only trying to break into this house but did not inform my wife of that. So, what is the offer Lady Catherine wishing you to relay?" Thomas and Catherine both refused to have him call her aunt; it just felt too awkward.
"Let us purchase the entailment of Longbourn and then alter its terms should my sister not bear you a son. She has the influence of Mr. Collins—convincing him would be easy enough, and the remainder of the money could then be divided into dowries and trust funds for any daughters or sons you have with my sister."
"No money would go to anyone else should something happen to me?"
Fitzwilliam was not foolish; he understood where Thomas' concerns lay. And he could not blame Elizabeth's father, who he was still coming to terms with him as his brother.
"No, we would ensure the best barrister handled the paperwork."
"In that case, I shall not oppose that offer."
"Thomas." Fitzwilliam dropped his reserved manner and squirmed a little before asking if he could be bold; when given permission, he asked. "I know you have only been married to my sister a month; less if you only count the regular marriage, however, how do you manage Georgiana's role in the household, considering her past? I mean, Scotland does things differently concerning their women."
"We... she, I, and the household, are undergoing adjustments." Thomas openly acknowledged the fact. "However, we shall, like any couple, work them out just as you and Elizabeth are finding ways to manage your household. Which reminds me, how are you dealing with her mood swings?"
"Ugh, please, do not remind me. It is not so bad when it is just she, but when Jane and Kitty came to visit? And now with them all in the same parlor? I still cannot believe all five sisters are with child at once. It is a good thing Mary is not here for long because her mood swings are the worst of the lot."
Thomas roared with laughter. It was rather amusing. He then sobered as he thought of Georgiana. She had cried out in the middle of the night without even knowing it, and what had come out of her mouth had made his blood boil. Patrick may have been a decent enough man and had done his best-when he bothered coming ashore, but she had kept facts hidden from the captain about some of his household. It was that which motivated him to say what came out of his mouth next.
"Just so you know, I may have had my faults in the past, Fitzwilliam, may have mocked my family in the past. However, I give you the most solemn vow a man can make—I will not do that to your sister. And if I ever hear of anyone doing anything to physically, emotionally, or mentally harm your sister, they will feel the full force of my wrath."
Fitzwilliam was shocked at the fire which may as well have lit up Thomas' eyes and seeing his kin's hand curl into a fist. Clearly, Thomas was not jesting. Georgiana would be defended by her husband without a second thought.
"My family will be very pleased to hear that."
"Now, I do not know about you, but I have work to do. Feel free to stay here and visit your sister. I will return after my morning chores."