Georgiana went to sleep in her bed in Pemberley's nursery, but when she awoke the child had no idea where she might be. The bed was far too large, like something Mama slept in. The thought brought the child up short as tears wet her eyes. Mama was in heaven now with the babies. Papa said that she should not cry, but it was very hard to remember that sometimes. Mrs. Reynolds said that she was a very strong little girl and slipped her extra slices of cake when nobody was looking.
She sat in bed for what felt like a very long time, but nobody came for her, which was very odd. So Georgiana took the time to explore the room, happy to find a pretty dress patterned with pink flowers in just her size. At five years old, she wasn't very accustomed to dressing herself yet, but the buttons at the neck were not too tricky. She had to forego stockings and shoes, which would probably lead to her getting a scolding, but she couldn't find them and her stomach was starting to protest. It had to be at least half a day since she had supper.
Slipping from the room, Georgiana wasn't sure where she was supposed to go now. She didn't know anyone! And worse, nobody knew her! What if nobody knew Papa or Fitzwilliam? She would be lost to them forever like Mama. But worse because Mama went to Heaven and they knew that. They didn't know where she went. Georgiana froze at the top step of the stairs. What if this was all a bad dream? What if she ruined everything by getting out of the strange bed in the first place? How would she get back to Pemberley now?