“Yes, we have already spoken to each other, actually.”
“And how did that go?” her uncle asked.
She opened her mouth to give a simple and brief reply, but then she changed her mind. “It was a little uncomfortable, but it was progress. It actually went better than I thought it would.”
They were both relieved at this. “Good, Adelaide and I were a little worried about how your first meeting would go. I am glad it is over with.”
“So am I,” she said as the current dance started to come to an end.
“Well, we will leave the two of you alone for now,” her aunt said, giving her a quick hug.
As the old coupe walked away, Walter turned to Georgiana expectantly. “So, will you please honor me with this next dance?”
“You just want an excuse to hold me close in public,” she playfully told him, as she nodded and let him lead her into position.
“Absolutely,” he whispered in her ear low enough to make her shiver.
She swatted at him as they came to a stop, but she was smiling as Walter placed his hand on her back and they took their position for the waltz. As they began to dance, he held her closer than was strictly proper but, as they were engaged and he did not take any obvious liberties, no one seemed to mind.
As she gazed into his eyes, she knew, no matter what they might go through in the future, they would always have each other. It seemed to hit her all over again that he was never going to leave her side.
“I love you,” she whispered to him.
“I love you, too,” he replied earnestly, their eyes promising they would love each other forever.
Epilogue
Both Lucy and Adelaide looked over Georgiana one last time, to make sure everything regarding her hair and dress was in place. Felicia, as her maid of honor, was getting ready herself at that same moment, or she would have been doing the same thing.
“Have I forgotten anything?” Georgiana asked the other two as soon as they had finished their perusal.
It was then she noticed her aunt seemed to be on the verge of tears. “You look so beautiful in your wedding dress,” Adelaide said, wiping a tear away from her face. “Have I ever told you about your mother’s wedding, dear?”
“Yes, and you were her maid of honor. You may have told me about it a handful of times,” she replied somewhat teasingly. “But really, please don’t start crying, Aunt, or I might start too!”
“Oh, I’ll try not to. But I just wanted to say how much you look just like she did in her wedding dress when she was getting married. So beautiful…” Adelaide reached up and placed a hand on Georgiana’s cheek.
The emotion in her aunt’s eyes sent a wave of emotion over her, as well, enough to make her eyes start to water. “See! What did I just say,” she said laughingly as she tried to brush away the moisture.
“I’m sorry, but there is a reason why I brought it up, I promise!” Adelaide replied as she went to retrieve a small velvet bag.
Georgiana was curious about what was in the bag, gasping at the beauty of the pearl necklace her aunt suddenly produced from within. “It is gorgeous.”
“It belonged to your mother,” came the reply, accompanied by a wistful smile. “I was keeping it safe for this very special day. I knew you would want to wear it for your wedding.”
“Yes, please,” Georgiana replied, turning so the pearls could be placed around her neck and fastened in the back. Her hands instantly went to touch them and to settle the necklace in just the right place around her throat.
“I think they go perfectly with your dress, Miss Georgiana,” Lucy told her.
“Thank you. And thank you, too, Aunt, for keeping this for me,” she told her.
“I hope you are all ready,” Felicia said from the doorway. “It is time for us to be in the carriage and on our way to the chapel. We don’t want to be late!”
“Of course! I am ready,” Georgiana replied as she started for the door. Felicia, looking splendid in a flattering dress of cream satin, joined her there. “Wait, I am ready, aren’t I? We haven’t forgotten anything, have we?” Georgiana suddenly said, momentarily flustered.
“No, you are perfect,” Adelaide replied as they linked arms and sedately walked out. “I am sure we have plenty of time. It wouldn’t do to twist your ankle in unneeded haste.”
“You’re right,” she replied as she took a deep breath to steady the butterflies starting to take flight in her stomach.
Soon, all three of them were in the carriage, with Lucy arranging her skirts carefully as she sat, so her wedding dress wouldn’t get wrinkled. Georgiana felt the need to take deep breaths to calm herself, not that she was having any doubts about marrying Walter, just because of the excitement of finally belonging to him in every way.
And there are so many changes that are going to happen today! I will not be living at Irvington Manor with my aunt and uncle any longer. I will not be either Miss or Montgomery, so I will have to get used to being called by a different name. And I am sure I shall probably forget and introduce myself incorrectly at times!
She was startled out of her thoughts by the carriage coming to a stop. Shaking her head in hopes it might help to clear it, she followed her aunt out of the carriage.
Jonas was standing waiting for her, giving her a hand to steady her as she stepped down, just as he had done for his wife. “You look stunning,” he told her, looking every inch the proud father of the bride, even if he was really her uncle.
“Thank you,” she told him, as an almost shy smile on her face, which was glowing with happiness.
“How are you this morning?” he asked her quietly, searching her face for any signs of second thoughts.
“I am a little nervous,” she admitted. “But I am so happy,” she added as she felt her eyes start to water again.
“Oh, no dear, don’t start that again,” Adelaide intervened as they began to walk inside.
“I’m trying not to!” she complained with a hint of a laugh, as she took a handkerchief from Lucy and dabbed at her eyes.
She tried to get her emotions in check again and was only vaguely aware of movement around her as Lucy arranged the folds of her dress one last time, and her hair was examined to ensure everything was still perfect.
Felicia handed her the bouquet of flowers she was to carry and, before she knew it, she was standing by her uncle and on the verge of walking down the aisle.
She took a deep breath as she placed her hand on Jonas’s arm. He patted her hand, causing her to look up and notice for the first time he also had tears in his eyes.