Georgiana linked arms with the duchess as they walked towards the garden. “Well, you are almost the first, and I am certain your age must be taken into consideration.”
Mary swatted at her with her free hand. “I may be getting on in years, and my hair may be completely gray, but I am not elderly quite yet,” she retorted.
“I’ll try to remember it,” Georgina replied with a smile, and then asked, eyebrows raised, “And when, if I may ask, will you consider yourself to be elderly and not simply old?”
Mary’s glare held a hint of amusement. “Humph. I thought to cheer you up a little, but it seems you have no need of me. You are quite pert enough without my assistance.”
Georgiana giggled lightly then, resting her head affectionately for just a moment on the shoulder of the duchess, she replied, “Only with you there … even when you redirect the conversation instead of answering my question.”
By now, they were in the garden, but Adelaide seemed content to let them talk, while she entertained the other guests. On her part, Georgiana was more than content to stay and talk to her friend, even as more guests continued to arrive.
She only left Mary’s side when the latter pointed out some other guests arriving, some whom Georgiana knew fairly well. She encouraged Georgiana to go to greet them.
This required a few deep breaths and a false smile, but soon the smile became a genuine one. She had not seen Susan in quite a while, and they had previously been quite close.
While she had half expected Susan to be uncomfortable or to try to avoid her, there was no sign of that at all. Instead, they were able to reclaim a small part of the closeness they had used to share.
However, her friend had other young ladies she wished to talk to, as well, so, eventually, Georgiana was left to herself. As she looked around to see who she could talk to next, she noticed her aunt standing just a few feet away.
Deciding to join her for a while, she paused at the edge of the conversation, so as not to be rude. While she was waiting to be acknowledged, she cast a glance towards the entrance of the garden, only to freeze at the sight meeting her eyes.
There, entering the garden, was Walter and his mother, the Dowager Baroness Bartlett. Seeing Adelaide had finished her conversation, she quickly took her aunt aside.
“What are— Why are the Bartletts here?!” Georgiana exclaimed, unable to decide how to behave as apprehension blocked all other thoughts from her mind.
Much to her added shock, her aunt did not look at all surprised. In fact, quite the opposite. “Ah, I was beginning to think they wouldn’t come.”
She was only vaguely aware her aunt had grasped her hands and was rubbing them soothingly, in an effort to help her stay calm. “You knew they were coming?!”
“Yes. I invited them.”
Georgiana was taken aback, and nearly jerked her hands away. “And you never thought to tell me?”
“I knew you would only grow anxious by thinking too much about it if you knew in advance. Just as you are doing now.”
“But … but why? You know how hard it is…”
“Yes. I know, my dear. But I also know there is something still creating tension between you two. The way you have both been acting since meeting again. Whatever it is, it must be resolved so you can both move on.”
She took a deep breath as the words sank in. Lucy’s words came back to mind, reminding her how she had said she would confront Walter the next time she saw him. She had even partially wished she could do so that very day, but now he was actually here…
Taking another deep breath, she slowly nodded. “Very well. I shall try.”
“Good girl. For now, it is time for everyone to take their seats. You can help me ensure everyone finds their assigned seat.”
Nodding once again, Georgiana released her aunt’s hands, as they both went to help the guests. She enjoyed having something to do, and there were a few looks of amusement as well disappointment as people discovered who they were seated beside.
When she looked for her own seat, she was surprised to notice miss Rutherford sitting next to two other young ladies. Upon closer inspection, she found there were very few open seats left, one of which happened to be next to Walter.