Ten

                                    

                                          
Georgie re entered the drawing room 45 minutes later in a beautiful pleated midi skirt and plain top. The men stood and Johnny greeted her with a kiss before she began pouring drinks and handing them out. "Are you settled?" She asked Sean and Travis who both smiled and responded positively. "Darling, you've got to stop fretting about everyone." "Nonsense, as the lady of the house it's my duty." She said with a smile before Percy announced dinner.
The four sat at an elaborately set large dining table that could easily sit 20. Georgie hated the pretentiousness but kept face for the staff's sake as they were served their first course. Travis pulled a face making Sean smirk and Johnny gave them a stern look, he was concerned their goofiness would upset Georgie. As he looked at his girlfriend he saw her delicately begin eating her soup, before she clocked eyes with Travis who pulled a face to make her smile. Before he knew it, the entire group were belly laughing. "Not to sound like Barbossa..." she said knowingly with a smile. "But there's no call to impress, no reason to stand on ceremony." She said relaxing. "This is my home and I want you all to be comfortable." She said as the three men sighed in relief eating their food how they wished.
The next morning, after arriving downstairs for breakfast, Johnny and Georgie sat discussing plans for the day. The former was extremely excited to explore the grounds, and was discussing taking a walk when Percy entered flustered. "Lady Chatham, The Countess of Wickham has arrived." "Goodness. Aunt Gladys is here?" Georgie said standing and wiping her mouth with the cloth napkin. "Yes shall I take her through to the library?" "Yes please do Percy. I'll be a few moments." Johnny's eyes widened as Percy left the room. "Are you ok?" He asked his girlfriend. "Yes I'm fine, it's my great aunt, I didn't know she had any engagements today, it's unusual for her to visit the house unless it's for an occasion." Georgie said as she began to walk around the large table. "Would you excuse me?" She said rather elegantly to Johnny and left the room. 
"Aunt Gladys, sorry to have kept you waiting." Georgie said entering the library where her very well dressed elderly great aunt was stood looking out the window. "Not a problem. I was just admiring the changing colours across the fields." Georgie approached and kissed her aunt on both cheeks before gesturing to an arm chair, "It's wonderful to see you Georgina. How have you been keeping? I must admit, I never thought you would accept the invitation." Georgie's eyebrows furrowed before she corrected herself. "I'm well thank you, and you look wonderful. France obviously agreed with you over the summer?" Gladys nodded with a smile. "Yes very much so. I do so enjoy our trips to St Tropez however now with Bill getting older it's harder to make the trip every year. And, May I enquire as to why this time you're attending?" Georgie opened her mouth before closing it before thinking. "Attending?" "Yes, of course you know, tonight is the Chatham ball. It's wonderful that you plan to make an appearance it's been a while and with your mother so absent, it will be good to hush the rumours." Georgie's eyes widened, and her jaw went slack, losing all composure. "That's tonight?" She whispered. "Of course. That is why you've returned is it not?" Gladys asked. "Umm, well actually..." "it's just wonderful you're taking on more responsibilities, your grandparents would be so proud." Gladys said before she stood. "Would you mind if I got settled in the East Wing? The journey took it out of me. We did rise early." Georgie nodded before asking "Is Uncle William here?" "Why of course child. He's gone straight out for a stroll something about being cooped up in the car for too long." Aunt Gladys began to leave the room before Georgie stood dumbfounded "Aunt Gladys, there's umm something you should know. I have guests staying." "Oh? May I enquire as to whom?" "Well it's a little awkward.." "Oh that sort of guest." Gladys said with a knowing smile. "I was young once." As the woman left, Georgie rushed back to the dining room where Johnny, Sean and Travis were chuckling about something and enjoying their breakfast. 
"Doll?" Johnny noticed the distress in his girlfriend's face. "I have a problem..." she said before heading to the terrace doors and walking out. Johnny followed and lit up a cigarette immediately. "I may have made a tiny mistake when organising this weekend and may have overlooked a significant occasion in the Chatham calendar."  "Well it seems a big enough house, if your aunt wants to stay surely she can join us?" "It's not that.." Georgie turned from the view and looked at Johnny. "Tonight is the annual Chatham ball. Every month, a different blue blood family holds a shoot and ball. We've not held the shoot in quite some time as there has never been a man of the house to host, even before Grandpa was poorly he was getting on a bit. However, this month it's our turn, and I've not attended in some years so I've rarely thought about it, hence the oversight. Well, it's tonight." She said incredibly nervous. "Tonight. Here?" Johnny asked. "Yes." Georgie said closing her eyes. 
Johnny had began pacing before trying to keep calm. "So what does that mean exactly?" "It means. My aunt has arrived to stay as she normally would, the ball will be here this evening, guests will arrive, we will dine, dance and be merry." "We??" Johnny asked shocked. "Well now I'm here she's hardly going to let me rest in my suite is she?" Georgie said panicked. "It's been a long time since my face was seen in society, I just don't know what I'm going to do." Johnny could tell how worked up Georgie was and moved to wrap his arms around her. "Ok.. well I better send the guys out to get a dinner jacket right?" "You can't be serious?" Johnny looked shocked. "What? You don't want me there?" He said almost hurt. "You'd seriously sit through centuries of tradition and protocol for me?" She asked. "Just like you queued, waited and cheered for me at the gig. Yes, yes I would. We are there for one another. That's how relationships work." Johnny said with a kind smile and a brief kiss to the lips.