“What is it?” Georgiana asked. She had happily joined them for breakfast, wearing another hastily altered gown.
The Countess glanced at her husband, who shrugged. She handed the paper over to Georgiana.
She read it quickly, eyes widening. “How could the newspaper know about me and George?”
“Someone put news of your elopement in the paper weeks ago. Wait; I still have it.” The Countess rose from her seat and left the room. A few minutes later, she returned, carrying a small piece of newspaper. “Here it is.”
Georgiana glanced at it and then looked away. “George did this; he shewed it to me when it first came out.”
“Hmph,” the Countess looked huffed. “Wickham likely had no hand in this one. More likely, it came from a neighbor who saw Wickham pounding on the door yesterday. But, now that I think on it, if the original article was actually planted by Wickham…” She looked at her husband.
“Yes; we might be able to have a retraction printed,” the Earl agreed.
“Will they do that?” Georgiana asked.
“They might,” her uncle replied. “It would be better if you had indeed eloped, but with someone else, not the son of a steward. That would be a more believable story to tell the newspaper.”
“More believable than saying that the event never took place at all, you mean?” Georgiana asked. “But I do not know of anyone else I could have eloped with.”
“Patience, child,” the Countess said. “We will continue to consider this; but now there may be some hope for all of us. I think it time to bring Richard and Darcy here.”
The Countess sat at her writing desk in her bedroom, considering what put in her letter to Richard. She planned to send it with her own footman, so she would not be required to choose her words with care in case the letter was opened en route.
?Dear Richard,
Georgiana is with us at Matlock House. It now appears that Wickham was already married – to Mrs. Younge, of all people! – so his marriage to Georgiana is not valid.
Your father and I think there may be a way out of this disaster, but we would very much like your opinion. I expect to see both you and Darcy here at Matlock House as soon as may be.
Your loving mother,
Elaine Matlock
She sanded it, sealed it, and gave it to Mr. Robeson.
“Is the footman to wait for a reply, my lady?”
“No; he may return to Matlock House immediately.”
There was a tentative knock on her door, which she recognised as her niece’s knock. “Come in, Georgiana,” she called out.
“Are you writing to Brother?” she asked.
“To Richard, but he will show Darcy the letter.”
“And we think they will come here to Matlock House?”
“I would be surprised if we do not have them with us by tomorrow evening.”
Georgiana looked uncomfortable.
The Countess understood immediately. “I know you are concerned about facing your brother, but I think you need not fear. He loves you very much, and he will be delighted that you are safe now.”
“But when he sees me…” She gestured to her abdomen.
“Let us not worry about that just yet, Georgiana.”
“Will he take me to Darcy House, do you think?”
