“It is no matter, for I shall beg Georgiana for an introduction to her guests. At last, I shall have a chance to meet the young Mrs Fitzwilliam! I must come to know her, of course, for not only is she my sister-in-law, but a fellow American. Why, that adds so much lustre to the notion of going back to Matlock that I shall scarcely miss you, my dear!”
“Hold just a moment—” Reginald began to protest, but Darcy was already shaking his head in flat denial.
“I regret that the idea is out of the question, Your Ladyship.”
She puckered her mouth and narrowed her eyes at him.
“Darcy only means that… er, the poor girl has suffered enough. We would not wish to frighten her with a horde of family at such a time,” Reginald explained.
“Nonsense! A horde of family is precisely what she needs. Why, you cannot send the child off to that dreary old estate with no word of her husband and nothing to do! I would not wonder if she were fit to run mad.”
“Come, my dear,” Reginald reasoned, “we cannot even be sure sheisRichard’s wife. The last thing we wish to do now is create a fuss over her arrival and—”
“Do you mean—” she whirled upon her husband—“that you still have not even acknowledged her? You are keeping her locked away like some scandalous secret? My husband, I am ashamed of you.”
“It is only in defence of Richard,” the earl clarified. “Until we can be certain—”
“Certain, nothing! I shall go and comfort her myself, and you needn’t fear that I will spread talk. But the girl must havesomewelcome, if you will not do it.”
“Georgiana is there,” Darcy protested. “She has seen admirably to the guests.”
The countess curled her lip, and if Darcy could guess the cause of her disdain, he chose to overlook it. She recovered smoothly, hoisted her chin, and patted her husband sweetly on the cheek. “I was always fond of Georgiana. I hope she does not object to me occupying her guests on occasion. And Darcy, I have heard that Anne is back from the Continent. She will wish to accompany me to Matlock, I am sure.”
After that, the lady swept from the room, leaving both Darcy and the earl groaning in surrender. “Better send word to Georgie at once.”
Darcy nodded. “I wish I could put them all back on a ship and be done with the whole affair.”
Chapter 10
“Wearetohavea caller this afternoon.” Georgiana Darcy announced this bit of intelligence with a hint of strain in her voice.
Elizabeth lowered her book and waited silently, trying to discern what would be Miss Darcy’s expectations of her upon on this occasion.
Miss Darcy seated herself and carefully arranged her skirts. “The countess returned to Matlock yesterday, and she desires an introduction.”
Elizabeth straightened. “Richard’s mother?”
There was the barest flutter of impatience in Miss Darcy’s lashes. “No, the dowager countess does not… the present Countess of Matlock is my cousin Reginald’s wife.”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at Miss Darcy’s odd correction. “I am honoured. May I ask if I ought to do or expect anything particular in meeting such an illustrious person?”
Miss Darcy’s face was a mask. “No.”
“Ah,thereyouare,Mrs Fitzwilliam! Oh, aren’t you just the loveliest—I declare, what a peach you are!”
Elizabeth found herself wrapped in an informal embrace, the likes of which she had not known in years. Her cheek was pressed against the countess’ lace-clad shoulder, her mouth muffled in satin and her body rigid in shock. No one had told her that the countess was a young American woman! And an animated one, at that. When the lady released her, Elizabeth tried not to stumble backwards and gasp for breath.
“It is a pleasure, ma’am,” she stammered.
Miss Darcy shot her a pointed look, then stiffly greeted the countess herself. “We are honoured by your presence,Your Ladyship.”
“Good afternoon to you, too, Georgie,” the countess answered coolly. “Mrs Fitzwilliam, have you met Anne—forgive me—” she rolled her eyes as she gestured to the lady just coming up the steps. “Missde Bourgh?”
Elizabeth looked at the approaching woman in interest. “No, but I have heard much of her.” So, this was the future Mrs Darcy? The woman was tall and slender, almost severe in appearance. Her steps were precise and stiff, her expression regal ivory as she drew near to stand beside the countess. Elizabeth felt an unaccountable urge to shrink in her presence.
Miss Darcy performed the formal introductions at last. Jane curtsied beautifully, Elizabeth performed tolerably, and Billy—after going very much red in the face and badly stuttering Miss de Bourgh’s name—managed not to step on anyone’s toes. All in all, the first five minutes were a resounding success.
“Now,MrsFitzwilliam,Imean to call you Elizabeth, is that understood?”
