Georgiana did her best to follow and keep the proper forms, but there were moments when she had found it hard to breathe. Her thoughts continually shifted to Walter.
He was dancing the waltz, as well. The scandalous waltz, which had him holding Miss Rutherford closely, had him… Georgiana felt herself growing more and more nauseated as the dance went on, until, finally, it was over.
“Can we go and sit down, please?”
“Yes, of course,” Ambrose quickly replied. “You look so pale. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I just need to sit down for a moment or two.”
A while after she was seated, her aunt and uncle made their way to her. “We can leave soon if you wish, my dear. Do you think you are up to staying just a little longer?” her aunt asked.
Georgiana, who was feeling better now she was sitting, gave Adelaide a weak smile as she nodded. “I can last a while longer. Besides, Ambrose is waiting on me and can take me home if I change my mind.”
They both smiled, her uncle patting her on the head for a moment, then they left to mingle with the crowd, leaving Georgiana wondering if she might have made a big mistake by agreeing to attend the season.
Chapter 7
A short while later, Ambrose helped Georgiana into her uncle’s carriage. Since her aunt and uncle were already inside, Ambrose closed the door behind her.
He was following behind them in his own carriage, with the intention of seeing them safely to Irvington Manor before departing to his own townhouse for the night.
Georgiana sighed as she took her seat beside her aunt and across from her uncle. Though she hadn’t danced anymore, and had spent most of the evening sitting, she still felt thoroughly exhausted.
Jonas must have noticed it, as he reached across and laid a hand on hers, asking with a look of concern, “Are you alright, darling?”
“You do look awfully pale,” Adelaide added, placing her hands on Georgiana’s face, and turning it toward her, so she could see it better.
“I am … I am fine. I am just a little tired,” she replied with a weary smile. The other two did not look convinced.
“Are you certain, dear?” her aunt asked, taking her hands away and instead putting one arm around Georgiana.
She was well aware she was going to have to give them more than that, but Georgiana did not want to mention her brief meeting with Walter. “I found it particularly tiresome, and I am sure I was far too tense. A good night’s sleep should be all I need. I will do better next time, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Jonas gave her hand one last pat, before releasing it. “Then, you must go straight to bed when we are home.”
“Actually, I think a glass of warm milk first would be best,” Adelaide interjected.
“I will not argue with that in the slightest,” Georgiana replied, grateful the conversation seemed to be over.
She rested her head on her aunt’s shoulder, and nothing more was said for the remainder of the short ride. Normally, she and Adelaide would have been having an animated conversation about what everyone had been wearing at the ball and the things that had been heard and said, with Uncle Jonas playfully complaining at having to listen.
This time, however, the ride was silent, so Georgiana felt she might have dozed off if her mind were not so preoccupied. She wondered if she would be able to sleep, even though she felt exhausted.
By the time they arrived at home, Ambrose hastily exited his own carriage and approached to help Georgianna out. In getting up from the seat, however, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.
As one foot landed on the ground, Georgiana felt her weakness get the better of her and everything began to spin. She was vaguely aware of Ambrose saying something in a tone of concern, but the sound seemed to come from a long way off.
Finally, she could no longer continue the fight to stay on her feet and felt herself swoon. Georgiana was barely aware of not hitting the ground, opening her eyes for just a moment to discern Ambrose lifting her into his arms before her world faded to black.
***
The first thing Georgianna was aware of was a strong smell right underneath her nose. Somehow, the smell startled her awake, enough to jolt her back to her senses, and she recognized the scent of smelling salts.
Opening her eyes, she was surprised to see the family physician sitting next to her. “What happened?” she asked with some confusion, as she had also noticed she was in her bedroom. How long did I lose consciousness for, I wonder?
“You had a fainting spell, dear girl,” the elderly Doctor Amos replied, as he looked at her eyes and checked her pulse.
Georgiana sighed and lay her head back on the pillow. She had never fainted in her life before and despised the fact she had now done so.
“So, she will be alright?” her aunt asked Dr. Amos, as she smoothed Georgiana’s hair the moment it seemed likely the man would permit her to approach her niece.
“Yes. A good night’s rest should be all that is needed,” he replied as he began to put the salts and his other supplies away.
“Do you think a glass of warm milk would be of any help?” Adelaide asked.
“I don’t see that it would hurt … if she feels up to drinking it, then she may.”
Georgiana, feeling her aunt looking at her questioningly, replied, “I think perhaps just half a tumbler of it.”
Adelaide motioned for Lucy, who had been waiting in a corner. As the physician left the room, it seemed he must have given permission for Jonas and Ambrose to enter.
Neither rushed straight over, instead walking over calmly and stopping a few feet away. Both were obviously under strict orders from Dr. Amos not to excite her.
“How are you, dear?” Jonas was the first to ask.
“I am fine. I only fainted, Uncle,” she replied. “I will be myself by morning.”
“Perhaps you should make your excuses for tomorrow?” Ambrose suggested.
Georgiana frowned. “I would rather not do that, but we shall see how I feel when I wake up.”
“Alright, dear,” her aunt said. “But if you feel at all weak, I am going to insist you not even attempt to attend the soiree. For now, we will leave you to rest. Lucy should return soon with your milk. Rest well, Georgiana.”
“Goodnight, Aunt Adelaide, Uncle. And goodnight to you, too, Ambrose,” she said. Adelaide shooed the others out of the room.
“Goodnight, dear one.”
“Goodnight, Georgiana. I will return early in the morning to check on you.”
A couple of minutes later, Lucy was back with the requested milk. She wordlessly assisted Georgiana to drink it, and then tucked her into bed.