A quietude settled over the room as everyone sipped their refreshment. It did not last, as Darcy soon cleared his throat, “Mrs Carrington, the thought of you all remaining here vulnerable to that blackguard’s evil intentions horrifies me. Will you please consider moving to Darcy House? Between your guards and the Darcy footmen we will have enough men to safeguard you all until he can be captured.”
Elizabeth took a breath to answer, but before she could a strident voice called out, “Absolutely not.”
Heads turned in shock to stare at Lady Matlock. “Forgive me, Mrs Carrington, I have no objection to you, of course.” She faced her nephew with a stern expression. “Fitzwilliam, are you trying to destroy this woman’s reputation? What will it look like to your neighbours if you take this young lady and her infant son into your home? Everything Catherine said will run rampant through the rumour mills within a day.”
Darcy stood and turned away, stepping closer to stare out the window. “We have a responsibility to Mrs Carrington and her son-”
“Pardon me.” Elizabeth had risen to her feet and now stood, arms akimbo. “Ihave a responsibility to my son’s welfare. If anyone will be making decisions on moving, it will be me.” She nodded at Jane. “And Jane.”
This triangle of tension was interrupted when Bingley was announced, and he entered holding a small bouquet of flowers. He paid no mind to the three standing rigid. His gaze fell on Jane holding a burbling Alex and his smile grew wider.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet. I hope you are well. Miss Darcy.” Only then did he pay attention to Darcy’s hunched shoulders and Lady Matlock’s presence standing in the middle of the room. “I say, have I interrupted something?”
“Welcome, Mr Bingley.” Elizabeth smiled. “May we offer refreshments?”
At his refusal, she asked Jane, “Would you and Georgiana mind taking Alex out back to the garden? I am sure he would enjoy the fresh air. Mr Bingley, would you be so kind as to escort them?”
Seeing as he was more than happy to, in a matter of minutes the only ones remaining in the room were Lady Matlock, Darcy and Elizabeth.
“Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth stepped closer to him, her tone soothing, “I thank you for your kind and generous offer, but you know I cannot accept. All our reputations would be at risk from the gossip, including Georgiana’s.”
She watched his shoulders sag at her words, and he turned his head to meet her eyes. His were pained and it unnerved her to see him so unsettled. “Come now, Mr Darcy. You requested to call on me. It would not do for you to make no effort to see me. A woman wishes to be pursued more strenuously than a mere walk from study to parlour.” Her impish smile and twinkling eyes did more to appease him than any counter argument.
However, a delicate little cough reminded them they were not alone. Lady Matlock was smirking as she watched them blush in mortification. She did not belabour their embarrassment, “Well,you cannot go to Darcy House, and I am afraid he is right, dear, you should not stay here. There is only one place you can relocate to.” It seemed dramatics ran through the family, as she gave a little pause before concluding, “Matlock House.”
“Your Ladyship, no. I would not put you or your husband at risk.”
“Nonsense. Fitzwilliam’s reasoning stands for Matlock House just as for Darcy House. We shall have more than enough guards. Besides, where else should young Lord Carrington go in times of trouble but to his godfather’s home? And Darcy and Georgiana may visit every day without causing any gossip. Miss Bennet is included in the invitation, of course.”
Thoughts reeling, Elizabeth sat down on the nearest seat. “I am very uncomfortable with the idea. If something were to happen to either of you, or your home, I would not be able to live with myself.” She felt more than saw Lady Matlock draw closer and sit nearby.
“Mrs Carrington… Elizabeth, you are a fearless woman, who has already been through so much in your short life.” She took Elizabeth’s hand and held it in both of hers. “Allow us to care for you and Alex in this moment of tumult.”
Lady Matlock’s encouraging smile was soft, but her eyes held such a perceptive look of understanding, Elizabeth found herself agreeing before even having made the decision.
“How would we get there? I mean, it would not do to announce our move by going so publicly. It would only make Matlock House his next target.”
“Allow me to make those arrangements.” Darcy gave all the appearance of a little boy planning to filch from the cookie jar in the kitchen. “We must deploy a decoy. Perhaps make a show of the servants loading a coach with trunks. Then send it in the opposite direction. We might then use a second carriage to drive you to Matlock House by way of the mews and servant entrances.”
Lady Matlock was attempting to hide her smile. “Darcy, contact Richard. Between the two of you, I am sure you will come up with an appropriate plan.” She shooed him away. “I shall take Georgiana home.”
Wide eyed at his abrupt dismissal, Darcy bowed and with a lingering look to Elizabeth, he took his leave.
Raising her eyes to the ceiling Lady Matlock muttered, “Boys will be boys.”
“Lady Matlock, Mr Bingley is calling on my sister. I trust his visiting Matlock house will not be an issue?”
“Is he not a friend of my nephew’s? From trade, if I am not mistaken.”
“Mr Darcy speaks very highly of him. And my sister seems quite taken. If it will be a problem, I suppose we could always decamp to my aunt and uncle’s home in Gracechurch Street.”
“Enough, Elizabeth. I see what you are doing. Very well. I know him to be an amiable gentleman. His sisters will not be admitted.” She shuddered. “Such encroaching mushrooms.”
“I understand they are no longer in contact, Your Ladyship.” Elizabeth assured her with a straight face.
“Call me Lady Helen. You are to be my guest, your son is my husband’s godson, and unless I am very much mistaken, you may be my niece at some point in the near future.”
Feeling her face heat in a flaming flush, Elizabeth stammered, “Your- My- Lady Helen, nothing is- that is, I am not-”
