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Lady Maria knew she meant it.
“I will ensure that such a scenario does not come to pass. The last thing I wish to discuss is whether you would consent to reside here until your uncle’s new house is ready?”
Elizabeth found herself once again staring silently at Lady Maria.
“Asking if you are sure seems rude, as if you do not know your own mind. Er, as you can tell I was not expecting such an offer.”
“To save you trying to find a suitable alternate for ‘are you sure?’ let me explain. There are two things, one mainly for me, and the other mainly for you. Personally, I enjoy your company and would like for you to be my guest for the next three months. In return for the pleasure of your company, I can spend the time to continue to educate you to the ways of society. There is a lot for you to learn.”
“How will you explain my presence?”
“The truth. You are a friend of the family staying with me here in Hanover Square while Sir Edward’s new townhouse is completed on Bryanston Square. The kind will understand and inquire no further and the unkind can be ignored. And it simplifies things with regard to any gentleman callers. Please say you will accept?”
“I am getting ever deeper in your debt Lady Maria. Your kindness to me is unprecedented. But yes, I will reside with you until my uncle’s new house is ready for occupancy.”
“You will bring your two servants? Do you require a maid?”
“I presume we will be about town each week.”
“Yes, almost certainly every week, often every day of the week.”
“If you can spare the staff I would prefer a maid. I call Claire my maid, it is just easier to explain to people. But in truth she and Robert are my protectors, my bodyguards first and foremost. I travelled to the warehouses close to the Thames many times a week. I never left the house without at least the two of them to protect me. Normally there was a second footman as well, although they rotated. Claire will not have the time to fully perform the duties of a lady’s maid if she is with me throughout the day.”
“She provides you that much sense of security?”
“Yes she does. She has stepped in front of me more times than I can recount. If I had to give her a title then I would call her my companion more than my servant.”
“Then I will assign a maid to you during your stay. We will describe Miss Claire as your companion.”
“Mrs. Smith, she is married to Robert.”
“Elizabeth! You let your servants marry?”
“Yes. I trusted them with my safety, my uncle just laughed at me and allowed me to do as I pleased. At the time, I was not aware of how unusual this was, but it has been for the best, both mine and theirs.”
Lady Maria just shook her head. Was there anything conventional about Elizabeth Bennet? Her butler entered to announce a guest.
“Excuse me my lady. His Grace the Duke of Desmond is here. Do you wish to meet him here or in your study?”
“He may join us here.”
A moment later.
“Lady Maria, thank you for receiving me with no notice.”
“You are always welcome, you know that. Will you allow me to introduce my guest?”
At his nod of agreement, she continued.
“Your Grace, allow me to present Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Bennet this is His Grace The Duke of Desmond.”
After the bowing and curtseying were completed they all finally sat.
“Again, I do apologise Aunt for bursting in on you without notice.”
“It is of no import. Elizabeth, this young man is not in fact one of my nephews, he is technically a first cousin once removed. His grandmother is my aunt.”
“Given the generational gap I am guilty of just calling Lady Maria aunt.”
