With a sigh of relief Elizabeth sat back against her seat.Finally, some real progress. She stood to pace, wishing she were at Longbourn and could escape outside to the solitude of a long walk. The items would be sold, and Mr Darcy’s man would examine the estates. She had also asked Mr Graham to look for a buyer for the one unentailed property. Hopefully, it would not take long, even if it meant selling at a loss.
Still, she was uneasy. With a tug, the study door flew open, and she practically ran to the back garden, only stopping once she was outside.
Lifting her face up, the sun’s rays warmed her skin and burnt orange on the inside of her eyelids. It was not only the sale or the estate examination. She could not but ponder over the meaning of the letter received earlier that day from Matlock House.
Mrs Carrington,
Lord Matlock and I wish to invite you, your sister and your son to our house for tea. Two days hence at three o’clock.
Lady Matlock
She was to meet Lord Matlock and by the fluttering in her stomach she was forced to admit she was nervous—very nervous.
~ / ~
Matlock House
The carriage pulled up in front of an imposing building, four stories high. Elizabeth waited with Alex in her arms for Little toclimb the steps to the front door and knock. Once the door was opened by the butler, Jax opened the carriage door handing her and Jane out. Two guards were to accompany them inside. A compromise requested by Elizabeth. She did not wish to give a high-handed impression to the earl and countess.
To Elizabeth’s relief, Alex had slept well that afternoon and was cooing his way through the stately home as she and Jane followed the butler. Too nervous to take any regard for her surroundings, it was all she could do to keep her breathing regulated.Calm, Lizzy. All will be well.
The butler announced them and Elizabeth and Jane curtseyed deeply before Lord and Lady Matlock. During the introductions, her perception of Lord Matlock was of a large man, some years older than his wife, with thinning hair, and a midsection indicating his fondness for food and drink.
Once the introductions were complete, Lord Matlock stepped directly over to Elizabeth and gave a very shallow bow to Alex.
“Lord Carrington.” He smiled and looked around to everyone present. “I must say he is indeed the smallest earl I have ever met, though not the baldest. Har har har.” His loud belly laugh proved he enjoyed his own joke very much.
Elizabeth’s smile twinkled in appreciation of his good humour.
The earl ceased laughing and focused a serious mien on Elizabeth. “Mrs Carrington, you have my condolences on your losses. It is disconcerting when a noble line is under threat of being wiped out. We must do all we can to safeguard our nobles.”
“Indeed, Your Lordship.” She knew not what else to say.
“Pray, be seated,” Lady Matlock encouraged, and Georgiana beckoned Elizabeth and Jane to sit near her. A blank faced Darcy remained standing sentry beside the ladies, and the earl seated his countess.
“As I was saying,” the earl stood in an imposing way, hands clasping his lapels, and Elizabeth could envision the earl orating in the House of Commons. “Your son needs to be kept safe. Not only by the fine guards you have hired, but his future entrance into Society as well.” He paused for a beat, “I offer myself as godfather to your son.”
Shocked silence greeted his speech. Elizabeth noticed Darcy give an involuntary jerk, out of the corner of her eye.
The earl either not realising or not caring about the impact his words had made, spoke further in the same fashion. “To stand steadfast for him as he grows and has questions regarding the earldom and his position amongst the first circle and the House.”
By this time Elizabeth had got over the greater part of her shock. “That is… very generous of you, Lord Matlock.” She gasped out.
“Yes, well. Us earls must stand together.” The earl, quite pleased with himself, rocked on his heels.
“I thank you for your kind offer to stand godfather.” Elizabeth, amazed at the earl’s offer, still felt the need to clarify her position in Alex’s life. “I trust, Your Lordship, my son will still be allowed to develop his own world views.” This was said in a light tone of voice accompanied by the arching of one eyebrow.
Lord Matlock at first was flabbergasted, waffling between affront and humour despite himself. Humour won out as a bellowing laugh shook his girth. “You are a canny one, Mrs Carrington. No fear. I am convinced your son will be more influenced by your upbringing than any political views I possess.
“Darcy, come, let us discuss this over a drink and leave the ladies to enjoy their tea.”
Once the two men were alone, his uncle nudged Darcy with an elbow. “You were quite speechless in there, nephew. I imagine you were as shocked as Mrs Carrington.”
“Indeed, my Lord.” Darcy’s tone was dry. “Many scenarios played through my mind regarding this meeting, but that was never one of them.”
With another guffaw, Lord Matlock only clapped Darcy on his shoulder, quite pleased with his own performance.
Chapter 32
