Page 18 of Debtor’s Daughter

Chapter 6

P.S Whilst I have not the slightest doubt you will treat the ladies with the utmost kindness, I must make you aware that the eldest Miss Merrivale, their Aunt Constance, appears to be more than a little eccentric.

――Excerpt of a letter from the Hon’ble Larkin Weston to The Most Hon’ble Lady Matilda Barrington, The Marchioness of Montagu.

27th September 1850, Montagu House, St James’s, London.

“Do you have a cuckoo clock?”

Maggie had to give Lady Montagu credit, for she did not so much as bat an eyelid.

“I’m afraid we do not,” she said, with apparent regret. “My eldest daughter, Phoebe, brought one home after a holiday in Switzerland and I thought it the most charming thing, but Lord Montagu disagreed. He said it gave him a headache and refused to get me one. He was quite adamant, which is rare, for he is a most generous husband as a rule. Do you possess such a thing?”

“I do,” Aunt Connie said with a contented smile. “Though mine is rather unusual. It’s—”

“It’s such a great pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Montagu, and so good of you to spare the time to meet with us,” Maggie said in a rush, praying the lady would not think her horribly ill-mannered for so rudely interrupting her aunt.

“Not at all,” Lady Montagu replied, turning her attention to Maggie. “Indeed, if you will forgive me for my frankness, Larkin has given me a brief outline of your situation and I have been impatient to meet you all. My dears, I am so terribly sorry for all you have suffered. I cannot imagine what a trial you have endured these past months, and to come to London, to face society all alone, well, you are very brave indeed, and such courage ought to be rewarded.”

“I’m not certain it was courage so much as foolishness,” Maggie admitted, hardly daring to believe the lady had already decided to help them. “But I did not know what else to do. I could not have Caro marry such a wicked man as Mr Jenkins appeared to be.”

“I should think not,” Lady Montagu said, anger flashing in her blue eyes. “Men such as those believe women are property, things to be possessed. But we will not speak of him for the moment. Of course, you are in mourning for your father at present, which would normally present certain difficulties, but Larkin tells me you are prepared to defy convention to a degree?”

Maggie nodded. “I know it is rather outrageous to launch Caro before the year is up, but we do not have the funds for a second season. Indeed, if she does not marry, we will need to quit London and find somewhere cheaper to live. There is no point in denying the fact or allowing people to believe otherwise. Caro has no dowry, but she has great beauty and is very accomplished, as well as being the dearest creature that ever lived. But I cannot pretend that I am not afraid of the less than respectable offers such a situation might attract.”

“Miss Caroline, how old are you, my dear?” Lady Montagu asked her gently.

“I am eighteen, my lady.”

“Oh, so young,” the lady said with a sigh, sorrow in her eyes.

Maggie felt her throat tighten. “I would not, for the world, force my sister to wed. I wish I could give her the time to enjoy life, to meet a young man whom she could esteem and fall in love with, but I fear what will become of her if she does not marry.” To her dismay, Maggie’s voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes prickling with tears.

“My dear Mrs Finchley, please do not feel the need to justify your decision. The world is not kind to women, especially not to unmarried women with no fortune, and who have no male relations to protect them. I understand your choices and your decisions far better than you may believe. However, if it is not an indelicate question, do you not consider this an opportunity for yourself as well? Do you not wish to remarry?”

“Oh! Oh, no,” Maggie said at once. “No, this is all for Caro. Once she is safely settled, I shall be at ease. I have my little boy, Gideon, to think of, and Auntie and I plan to buy a little cottage in the country somewhere. We will be quite content, I assure you.”

“But, my dear, you cannot be over three and twenty. That is a little young to turn your back on the world, is it not, and perhaps Miss Merrivale too might find herself a beau?” Lady Montagu suggested, smiling warmly at the eldest Miss Merrivale.

Aunt Connie gave an almost girlish giggle but shook her head. “You are a dear to say so, my lady, but sadly I lost my beloved years ago and I cannot ever love again, for he was my soul mate. That is why he hau—”

Maggie cut in before her aunt put them all to the blush. “I am five and twenty, my lady, and as you see, my aunt is determined to live the rest of her days as a spinster. I promise you, the state does not terrify me.” Much, she added silently as her stomach twisted into a knot.

But her future did not matter. She did not wish for Lady Montagu to feel burdened by the idea of finding them all husbands when the only one who needed one was Caro. There was no way she could impose upon the woman’s generosity further than that, but if it got Caro into society and gave her opportunities Maggie could not provide her with, then she would certainly take advantage of her kindness on her sister’s behalf.

“Well, we shall see,” Lady Montagu said with a smile. “To put your mind at ease, I should be delighted to sponsor Miss Caroline for her come out.”

“Oh! Oh, my lady, thank you!” Caroline said in astonishment, her hands flying to her cheeks and Maggie was so overcome for a full minute she could not form a coherent word.

She simply gazed at Lady Montagu, her hand covering her mouth as she fought to keep from breaking down and sobbing with relief and gratitude.

Thankfully, the butler returned at this moment and for the next few minutes, Lady Montagu was occupied with preparing tea to everyone’s preferred taste.

Once Maggie had regained some semblance of calm, she spoke, finding the words trembled and quavered as she fought to keep her emotions in check. “I have no words to thank you, my lady, for your kindness and generosity. You may be certain that we shall never forget what we owe you and will ensure to do all we can to act in a manner that will not make you regret your decision.”

Lady Montagu laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, pish. As to that, I cannot abide a milk and water miss. I admire a little spirit, I assure you, but perhaps if you could steer clear of any great scandal, it would be best for all concerned.”

“Oh, my lady, we would never—” Maggie began, only to be hushed by Aunt Connie.