Lady Cecelia returned to what was her favorite subject, based on what Colonel Fitzwilliam had said when Elizabeth begged him to describe his family. “But Mrs. Darcy, you must dress in a London mode. When the season comes you must let me take you around to my dressmakers. Do promise that you will not spend all your pin money on Derbyshire dresses.”
“I can promise that I will not, as I must buy books with the money. You see Mr. Darcy settledbookmoney on me, notpinmoney. This is specified in the legal documents.”
Lady Cecelia looked aghast and insisted once more that Elizabeth must attend on London dressmakers with her, which Elizabeth duly promised to do.
Lord and Lady Matlock looked at each other, and then Lord Matlock said to his wife, “I admit it. I do. You have won your bet.”
The woman had a satisfied air in reply.
“The bet?” Darcy asked.
“It is certainly a love match,” Lady Matlock said. “And I wish you both all the happiness in the world...” She sighed. “But now that we are all acquainted, Georgiana, what were you thinking?”
The young woman flushed and retreated into the seat. “I, well…”
“Madam, my sister feels her errors keenly,” Darcy said. “There is no necessity to remind her of them.”
Lady Matlock stared at Georgiana. “And what are we going to do about you? Richard, what if you married her? You always say that the reason you don’t marry is that you need an heiress, and that they are difficult to find. If you married Georgiana, it would end any scandal about the child.”
“By Zeus, no!” Colonel Fitzwilliam exclaimed. “I am twice her age, and her cousin.”
Georgiana looked at Colonel Fitzwilliam with an expression of disgust at the thought.
“Oh, nonsense,” Lady Matlock said. “Half my friends married a man three times their age.Thatdoes not signify.”
“And who also were brother and sister, like the pharaohs of Egypt, I imagine?” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
“There is nothing wrong with keeping estates and wealth closely tied up in the family. And if you are bothered by the thought of the child—”
“By Zeus, mother. I am herguardian. I accepted the duty from my uncle to care for the interests of his daughter in the best way I could. Not touseher to gain my own fortune. By Zeus!”
“Well then what are we to do?” Lady Matlock said, “She cannot secretly have the childhere, and if she disappears for some months everyone will assume that it was to have a child—the talk would make it impossible for her to ever marry anyone of worth. The only choice then is for her to marrynow. And there could be no one so eligible as you.”
Elizabeth stood and put a hand on Georgiana’s shoulder. “Why do you not ask Georgiana what she would wish to have done?”
“Her?” Lady Matlock said dismissively. “She is too young, and she has already proven that she does not have sufficiently good judgement or character to be trusted with a decision of such import.”
“You mean to have her marry without having any choice in the matter?”
Lady Matlock replied, “She already chose to marry, I only mean to choose the partner.”
“Ah. A miniscule difference. It is well known that women generally are indifferent as to the identity of who they shall marry.”
“Please don’t argue,” Georgiana said. “I will marry if you say I must, but—”
“We already discussed this,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “And no, you do not need to marry anyone. The plan, mother dearest, is to do nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“At all. Let matters take their natural course. Call a doctor and a midwife when it becomes necessary, tell all the world that we have a scandal within the family, and that they may avoid us if they wish to. I believe, however, it is Mr. and Mrs. Darcy who will have worries on that account.”
Lady Matlock ground her teeth together. “No, no, no. Georgiana, surely youwishto be married one day. That is not—we cantryto hide the child, but—”
“You may hide me if you wish, but I will never banish my own child, nor lie to them about my connection to them.”
“Darcy, are you and your new wife with child yet?” Lady Matlock then asked. “Perhaps we could pass off Georgiana’s child as yours. Maybe the younger twin?”
“Lord,” Elizabeth said. “I have heard this suggestion before, but I had not expected it from a serious source. Not only would Georgie not participate in such a scheme, neither would I.”
