Page 12 of Chivalry & Chauvinism (The Victorian Vagaries #2)

An unfortunate event happened at the Matlock Ball, a month after the ball at Pemberley House. Elizabeth suspected that the gentleman only had the courage to attempt such a terrible crime because Darcy and Richard had been called away for an unavoidable problem with the building in Kent and were gone for three days. Late in the evening, when much champagne had been drunk, and people were getting tired, Mary’s next partner, a young baron named Sir Daniel Lewis, appeared bearing two cups of punch. Mary was heated and breathless from the last dance, and accepted the beverage gratefully.

The pair sat and conversed pleasantly, Sir Daniel acquainting Mary with stories of his modest estate in Sheffield. When their dance began they took to the floor with Mrs Annesley watching as the couple whirled about with the other dancers. Kitty and Georgiana had gone upstairs after supper, with a footman across the hall watching their door, and Georgiana’s maid sleeping on a daybed in their shared sitting room, since there were so many guests in the house. Several minutes into the dance, Mrs Annesley’s attention was taken for a mere moment by a peal of shrieks and giggles from another pair of young ladies, and then she returned her attention to Mary, who had, in less than a moment, disappeared from the dance floor with her partner.

Mrs Annesley looked about in a panicked manner, which was immediately noticed by Elizabeth and Lady Matlock. They made their way quickly to her and learned that Mary had disappeared from the dance. They separated to rush to the exits and terrace to find if Mary had left the room.

Mary had been feeling slightly light-headed when she took to the dance floor with Sir Daniel. As they danced she began to feel not exactly ill, but not well either. Halfway through the set she missed a step and stammered an apology, and Sir Daniel inquired if she was well. “Actually, I do feel unwell, sir. Would you mind if we sat for a moment? I feel quite dizzy.”

“Not at all, Miss Bennet, although I must say you look as if you need some air. Let us step onto the terrace,” replied Sir Daniel.

“Oh, no, thank you, I would just like to find my sister and rest a moment,” Mary protested as she stumbled away from the dancing.

“Of course, I just saw her go this way; let us find her,” comforted Sir Daniel, leading her toward the doors to the gardens.

A moment later, just as Elizabeth reached the door to the gardens, she heard her sister’s voice, “Sir Daniel, I cannot go into the gardens without my sister, please take me back inside.”

“She’s out here my dear, I just saw her come this way,” assured the blackguard as he attempted to pull her behind the shrubbery.

Elizabeth had heard enough. “Sir Daniel, indeed you have not seen me go this way, and I will thank you to unhand my sister!”

The gentleman laughed, tightening his hold upon Mary’s wrist, “Lady Darcy, how fortunate to happen upon you here. I apologise for having taken liberties with Miss Bennet, but you have just interrupted a successful proposal, and we were carried away.”

“I would not see my sister married to you even if you compromised her a hundred times over! Not that I believe it is possible; you have not even been alone with her,” Elizabeth said angrily.

“It will matter not, because as I begin to make more noise, people will come and see what has happened, and no one will believe you,” the man replied snidely. Mary attempted to pull away, yet she seemed to have difficulty standing straight up, and Lewis was holding her up by grasping her arm.

“I have heard enough of this,” said a gravelly voice from a darkened area of the garden. Elizabeth saw the light of a cigar as Lord Rutherford laid it down in a tray, stood, and stalked over to the pair. In one movement he caught Mary as she swooned with his left arm and punched Sir Daniel square in the jaw with his right. The man dropped to the ground like a stone, while Elizabeth cried out and rushed to her sister. Lord Rutherford assisted Mary into a chair, and Elizabeth attempted to rouse her unsuccessfully. Mary moaned before turning to cast her accounts into a rosebush. Afterwards, she slumped onto the table.

Lord Rutherford searched Sir Daniel’s pockets, and found a vial of laudanum, which he laid on the table by Mary’s head. “She was slurring her words when she came from the ballroom. For a moment I thought she had too much champagne, but I believe this is why,” the gentleman stated. Lady Matlock rushed outside followed by Mrs Annesley, both still looking for Mary, and both cried out when they saw her with her head upon the table. “What has happened?” she gasped.

“As of this moment, nothing has happened and I should like to keep it that way. We must get Mary upstairs before I explain, though I need to have Sir Daniel dealt with immediately,” said Elizabeth.

“What can I do to assist you, Lady Darcy? I was preparing to leave, and so my carriage is ready if you need it,” offered Lord Rutherford.

“Sir, if you could deliver this worm to the back door of Pemberley House, and leave him with my personal steward, Mr Banks, with an explanation of tonight’s events, that would be very helpful. He knows how to deal with matters such as these. We thank you for your chivalrous assistance.”

Lord Rutherford bowed and assured Elizabeth that it would be done, then hauled the man up by his arm. He assisted him around to the front of the house, pretending that Sir Daniel was drunk. Lady Matlock went for Lord Matlock and her eldest son, then returned to her guests to ensure nothing had been noticed by the guests.

Lord Matlock and the viscount arrived in the garden. The earl swore when he found Elizabeth and Mrs Annesley trying to rouse Mary. Wanting to get Mary out of the garden before another guest wandered out and saw her, the viscount scooped her up into his arms and went around the back of the house, entering through a rear door, and climbing the servants’ staircase to the family wing. There, he laid her down upon the bed in the room that had been prepared for Kitty. “Georgiana and Kitty can share a room tonight, and Mary may remain here,” he stated.

Kitty and Georgiana wandered in from Georgiana’s room and cried out in distress at the sight of Mary unconscious upon the bed. “Eleanor said Sir Daniel has done something to her, what has happened? Is she well?” asked Lord Matlock, outraged at Mary’s condition as Elizabeth and the young ladies tended to her.

“I do not have all of the answers, but hopefully we will learn more when Mary awakens. It seems that Sir Daniel Lewis has drugged her with laudanum, and attempted to lead her into the gardens alone when she became unwell. She was never alone with him. I found them immediately as they went outdoors, and Lord Rutherford was there as well,” Elizabeth replied.

“Rutherford was there? I will have a word with him. He saw this and allowed Lewis to leave?” exclaimed Lord Matlock.

“This isn’t surprising, considering the word at White’s this morning was that Lewis has finally gambled it all away. He will have to sell his estate or face Newgate,” remarked the Viscount.

“Lord Rutherford did not allow Sir Daniel to leave,” answered Elizabeth. “He struck him, and knocked him unconscious. He was already planning to leave, and since his carriage was ready, he took Sir Daniel to Pemberley House to leave him under the guard of my steward. I deemed it necessary to remove everyone from the scene as quickly as possible. I will need to send a message to Banks with instructions immediately. The man must be dealt with and out of the city before Will and Richard return tomorrow.”

“Richard will be furious if you remove him from town before he can deal with the man himself, Elizabeth,” warned the viscount.

“Do you wish for Richard or Will to duel the man? That is what will happen if he is still here when they return. I have no wish to have my husband or my cousin to be guilty of murder or shot in a duel! I have been dealing with overzealous suitors for years; I know how to handle the matter. Richard is not yet Mary’s betrothed; his anger does not concern me.”

When the viscount made to respond, Matlock laid a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Son, I believe we must allow Elizabeth to manage her own affairs. It seems strange to us, but her arrangement with Darcy is different from ours with our wives, and she is entitled to an independence we are unused to seeing in women. In Darcy’s absence, we must allow her to handle the matter, for it is her sister and her money the man is after. As long as he isn’t going the way of Wickham, Elizabeth?” he said meaningfully with a raised brow.

“Sir Daniel will not be happy with the consequences of his actions, but I assure you he shall live to rue this day,” Elizabeth promised.

“Very well. Come with me to my study, and we will send your message to Banks post haste,” said Matlock. Leaving Mary in the care of the others, Elizabeth sent the message to Banks, instructing him that Sir Daniel must immediately make the same voyage as the nobleman who attempted to kidnap her during her mourning period. He would never return from Australia, for none who were transported there ever did. She instructed that the man must depart on the next tide, and asked her steward to inform Charlotte, who was home with the children, that Elizabeth would stay at Matlock House tonight. Lord Matlock saw the message to the hand of a footman with instructions to deliver it to Mr Banks at Pemberley House as quickly as possible.

By the time Elizabeth returned to Mary’s bedroom, Georgiana and Kitty had assisted Hopkins in getting Mary into one of Georgie’s nightgowns. Mary seemed to be resting soundly, though Elizabeth believed she would wake with a headache in the morning. Otherwise, she appeared to be unharmed. Finally, after the maid was settled on the chaise in Mary’s room, Elizabeth returned downstairs to the ballroom to help keep up appearances. Nearly as soon as she entered, she walked straight into her husband.

*****

He stood at the entrance of the ballroom, and Elizabeth slammed into his chest like a brick wall. She was shocked to see him, and took an instant to hide her dismay. Looking around, she found Lord Matlock vehemently arguing with the viscount, with Lady Matlock looking on. The viscount clearly wanted to tell Richard immediately, but the earl and countess had a greater interest in ensuring their younger son did not fight in a duel. Lady Matlock seemed to sharply put an end to the conversation, giving her eldest her sternest maternal gaze, then briefly nodded to Elizabeth before crossing the room to greet Richard, who had stopped to speak with an acquaintance.

Will was watching her intently when she returned her gaze to him, “Something has happened,” he stated.

Elizabeth sighed. “Yes, it has, but please trust me when I tell you the matter has been managed, no one is permanently harmed, and I cannot tell you about it until we are alone in our rooms. I have arranged for us to stay here tonight; they are preparing a room for us. You must say nothing to Richard. It is imperative that we tell him nothing until the morning.”

“Of course I trust you. More than I have ever trusted anyone, save Richard,” Will said solemnly. “Is Mary well?”

Elizabeth answered that Mary was sleeping, but that she was confident she would be well in the morning.

They remained downstairs until the ball ended two hours later, waltzing the last together. Anyone who asked, including Richard, was told that Mary retired with a headache. The messenger returned from Pemberley House with a message from Banks, assuring Elizabeth that the man would have left England’s shores by dawn. Banks would not even chance keeping the man in the house with Charlotte and the children while Elizabeth and Darcy were not at home. Lewis was beaten severely and beyond recognition, then dosed heavily with laudanum, before being stripped of his fine clothes, and dressed as a ruffian. Afterwards, he was tossed into an unmarked carriage, and taken to the docks. Banks found a ship transporting prisoners, paid the captain handsomely to quietly make room for one more, before supervising the loading of the man onto the ship. He and Timothy would watch the ship until it left with the tide. Elizabeth mused that at least Timothy was getting some practical training in what it meant to be ruthlessly responsible for protecting Elizabeth’s affairs that night.

Anne said nothing all evening, but Elizabeth could tell she knew something had happened. She spent the evening conversing with the friends she shared with the viscountess. The viscountess stuck like glue to her husband for the rest of the night, having taken orders from Lady Matlock to keep him away from his brother. The couple went upstairs far earlier than the rest of their family, and Elizabeth had an amused inkling of how the viscountess, who was madly in love with her husband, would distract her husband from speaking to his brother.

Eventually the Darcys made their way upstairs and divested each other of their clothes. Elizabeth donned a dressing gown thoughtfully provided by the viscountess from her own wardrobe, and Darcy a banyan from that of his cousin’s. They relaxed on the chaise, while Darcy poured them both a brandy. He came around to pull his wife into his arms and kissed her soundly. Three nights away from her had been more than enough for him. “Tell me what happened, my dear,” he encouraged.

Elizabeth poured out the whole unhappy scene, and Darcy sighed. “Antony is correct, Richard will be furious with you, although I can understand why you managed it in the way that you did. I must say, please remind me never to vex you. I have no desire to wake on a ship bound for some awful destination.”

“Richard has no right to be furious. They are not engaged, and Mary is under our protection, not his.” Darcy somehow did not believe Richard would see it that way, but instead of continuing the conversation, he tossed back the last of his brandy, lifted his wife into his arms, and took her to bed.

*****

Elizabeth asked to be woken by ten the next morning, which was at least two hours before the rest of the family would rise after their late night. Sarah and Watson had been waiting in the kitchens to bring clothes to their master and mistress, and help them dress. Elizabeth had not even thought of sending for them, but Sarah and Watson were so good to them. When her maid came to help her dress, Sarah brought a note from Banks, confirming that Sir Daniel had permanently departed from England. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief, and when she had dressed, went in to see Mary.

Ethel arrived with Sarah, not being able to stay away after hearing that Mary was unwell, and Elizabeth found her sitting by Mary’s bed. Ethel reported that Mary had awoken briefly two hours earlier, had complained of a headache, but had taken a cup of tea and eaten a muffin before falling asleep again. She had been rather groggy, but her maid hoped a few more hours of sleep would set her to rights. Elizabeth returned to her rooms and woke Darcy, who pulled her back into bed and undid all of poor Sarah’s good work, and the couple finally emerged from their room slightly before one.

Elizabeth checked on Mary again, who was awake and eating breakfast. She still had a slight headache, and wished to rest for the day, but she was not unwell. Her memory of the previous evening was fuzzy, not being used to laudanum, but she remembered enough to tell Elizabeth most of what happened. She told Elizabeth that what she wished most was to go home and rest alone in her rooms, and perhaps read a book if her headache lessened. Elizabeth promised they would return home after breakfast, and went down to break her fast with the family.

Lord and Lady Matlock were both present in the breakfast room, as well as Kitty and Georgiana. Elizabeth had just been seated by her husband, who had gone to the sideboard to make her a plate, when Richard charged into the room like a bull in a china shop and roared, “HOW DARE YOU!” so loudly that Darcy nearly dropped Elizabeth’s plate.

Stunned, Darcy bellowed back. “Now, Richard, see here!”

Elizabeth set her teacup down, looked at Richard and said evenly, “I dare quite easily, Richard, and how dare you question how I protect my own sister?”

“WHERE. IS. HE?” ground out Richard, warningly.

“Gone,” stated Elizabeth flatly.

“GONE?” echoed Richard, his tone sounding dangerous. “HOW COULD YOU LET HIM LEAVE BEFORE HE COULD BE TAUGHT A LESSON? I SHALL HUNT HIM DOWN AT HIS ESTATE AND CALL HIM OUT!”

“And that is why he is gone. I cannot believe you of all people, knowing the methods used by myself and Mr Banks in the past, would believe I would allow that awful man to go unpunished, Richard, but I assure you he is not on his way to his estate. He is on his way to a place where he will learn his lessons every day of his life. Already, he is far beyond the reach of yourself or any of us here on these shores,” answered Elizabeth.

Lady Matlock planned to have the servants out of the breakfast room this morning, though soon the entire household would know of the entire affair if Richard continued to behave like this. “Richard, I must insist you sit down and converse properly. We went to a great deal of trouble to protect Mary and her reputation last night, and it will all be for nothing if you shout the house down for all the servants to hear.”

Richard glared at his mother, who feigned a complete lack of concern as she returned his gaze sternly and stirred her tea. Eventually his mother’s gaze won out, and he sank into a chair. Darcy brought Elizabeth her plate and plunked another before Richard before returning to his seat next to Elizabeth.

Turning his glare toward Darcy, Richard retorted, “I am not a girl to be waited upon, Cousin.”

“We shall see about that, if you can manage to temper those emotions like the man we all know you to be,” said Darcy, unruffled by his cousin’s ire.

Richard turned to Elizabeth again. “Elizabeth,. Where is he?”

“On his way to join Lord Hampton, I presume,” Elizabeth said as she sliced into her sausage.

“Hampton has been missing for nearly three years now. Did you send him somewhere, Elizabeth?” Lord Matlock inquired as he peeled his egg.

“After bribing a servant to allow him to enter my home at night while all were asleep, he and the servant awoke badly beaten on a ship bound for Australia,” Elizabeth admitted. This was the first time she had openly acknowledged to anyone but Banks and Richard what she had done to the man. Hampton’s family would not take the news well if it became known, although Elizabeth stood by her actions and would never apologise if she were ever confronted about the matter.

“Are we certain Miss Catherine and Georgiana should be party to this discussion?” asked the viscount mildly as he and his wife entered the room and closed the door behind them. Antony seated his wife, Arabella, and went to the sideboard to make their plates.

“Cousin, Elizabeth and I believe that by shielding them from the dangers posed by the ton, we leave them vulnerable. Of course, we never discuss anything explicit, but we have spoken to them about particular rakes and blackguards of the ton and their methods for harming young ladies. When something is happening, it is best that they learn a lesson from whatever young lady has been unfortunate enough not to have had their advantages of advance knowledge. In light of what has happened to Mary, I believe her sisters should know the details, provided they can proceed with discretion,” replied Darcy, as the young ladies nodded to indicate they would hold their tongues.

“Antony, I appreciate your dedication to showing your brother your loyalty, but by rushing to tattle to him this morning, all you have done is send him into a rage. If we had all sat down at breakfast to explain the matter to him sensibly, I am certain he would have taken the news much better,” observed the countess. “Now I propose we tell the story as it happened and as we came into it, and Richard should listen patiently until he has heard it all.” Richard scowled but made no argument.

Elizabeth began, “Last night, after supper, Mrs Annesley reports that Sir Daniel appeared at the end of Mary’s previous set bearing two cups of punch. Mary was overheated from the dance, and accepted the refreshment with polite thanks. The two sat, under Mrs Annesley’s chaperonage, and discussed innocuous subjects. They took to the floor for their dance, and Mrs Annesley became distracted for a mere moment by some shrieking young ladies nearby. She looked away long enough to determine the girls were not in any real distress, and when she returned her attention to the dance floor, Mary and her partner were no longer there.

“Lady Matlock and I had been watching Mary, but we were also in conversation with others. Due to the two of you being away, I was endeavouring to assist Lady Matlock in managing her guests. I looked over, and when Mrs Annesley appeared frightened, we went to her immediately to learn what had happened. We rushed to the exits, and I quickly found Mary being led into the gardens. She was objecting, saying she could not go to the gardens with him, and asking him to help her find me, but her speech sounded odd, as if she were drunk.

“I confronted the man, and he insisted he would be successful in compromising her by attracting the attention of the other guests, regardless of my presence.” Elizabeth paused for a moment; Richard’s face was thunderous. “Suddenly Lord Rutherford came away from a table in the shadows, where it seemed he had been enjoying a cigar.”

Darcy piped up, “Rutherford is honourable but has ever been a loner. You are more likely to encounter him on a shadowy terrace than inside the ballroom. Everyone in town would know that. I have always had the highest respect for the man.”

“You are one to speak, Cousin,” said Antony with a grin.

Elizabeth continued, “Lord Rutherford put a quick end to the scene by striking Sir Daniel unconscious, and catching Mary as she swooned.”

“How gallant,” retorted Richard sarcastically. “I do, however, have difficulty believing that Mary, of all ladies, swooned.”

“Fell unconscious is a more appropriate description,” stated Elizabeth. “We got her to a chair, where she was ill in the bushes, and then fell completely unconscious at the table. Lord Rutherford searched Sir Daniel’s pockets and found a vial of laudanum. I believe he drugged the punch in order to lure Mary outside more easily but used a bit too much, because she could not keep conscious. She was not badly drugged, but he had used too much to only make her easy to lead about. Lady Matlock and Mrs Annesley found us, and Lady Matlock went to find Lord Matlock and the viscount. Lord Rutherford offered his assistance, and stated that his carriage had already been ordered, and asked me if he could return anyone home or do some errand. I bade him take Sir Daniel to the back door of Pemberley House, and put him into the management of Mr Banks.”

The viscount spoke up, “Rutherford and Lewis had gone when we arrived in the garden. I understood immediately that we must get Miss Bennet away from the garden before she was seen there unconscious. I carried her to Georgie and Miss Catherine’s suite, where she was tended by the ladies.”

“Antony was against dealing with the man before you arrived,” said Lord Matlock. “However, I maintained that knowing of the peculiar marriage settlement that you signed, Darcy, that Elizabeth must be permitted to manage your affairs as she saw fit. This is how Darcy arranged his match, and I am no one to disagree with it. I also have no desire to see you fight a duel, Richard. I gladly sent Elizabeth’s letter by messenger to Mr Banks with all haste,” the earl admitted, looking at his younger son unapologetically.

“I appreciate that, Uncle,” said Darcy. “I will take this opportunity to make everyone aware of my intention that in my absence, Elizabeth must have complete authority over Pemberley, and all of my affairs, and is my replacement guardian to Georgiana, if such a tragedy were to occur.”

Elizabeth took the tale back up. “After sending the message to Banks, I checked on Mary again, who was well looked after by the girls and Mrs Annesley and Mrs Hopkins. I returned downstairs to find Will and Richard in the ballroom. Somehow, you must have just missed Rutherford delivering Lewis when you stopped at Pemberley House to change, and crossed paths with Lord Matlock’s messenger on its way to Banks.

“I have checked on Mary twice in the last few hours. Her maid, hearing she may be unwell, travelled here this morning and was with her when she awoke at eight. She was groggy but took a muffin and a cup of tea before falling back asleep. When I checked on her at ten she was resting comfortably, and when I visited her again a short time ago, she was awake and breaking her fast. She does not feel unwell, but wishes to go home and rest quietly in her room for the day. I expect she will be fully recovered by tomorrow. I am certain Ethel will have her prepared to leave soon,” Elizabeth finished.

“She cannot go so soon; she must rest another day before she travels, even just to Pemberley House,” objected Richard.

“Richard, she is not in any danger. I am confident she will travel quite easily. She has not been ill, merely had a small amount of medicine she did not need. She will find the most comfort in her own bed and dressing gown, after perhaps a long bath, and by spending the day resting in the manner she prefers,” Elizabeth insisted.

“Kitty and I can be ready to return home after breakfast,” said Georgiana. “We must do whatever Mary wishes to help her feel better.”

“Elizabeth, I must say, I find your methods rather extreme,” said Antony. “Was it truly necessary to transport him to the work colonies?”

“Was it truly necessary for him to sentence Mary to be under his control for the rest of her life against her will? Heaven knows what she might have faced as his wife, seeing what he is capable of. I have had my share of unwanted suitors, and I am mostly reasonable, but when a man attempts to kidnap me from my home where my child sleeps nearby, or drug my sister and attempt Lord knows what liberties with her person and her future, I will not tolerate it. Such a man is a danger to society at large, and I consider it my responsibility to ensure he causes no further harm. I shall be as ruthless to them as they are to me and mine, and I make no apology for it,” Elizabeth said firmly.

Richard began to argue that as Mary’s future husband, he should have been the one to deal with the villain, and Elizabeth finally snapped. “Richard, please learn to regulate your pride. You are not Mary’s future husband yet. Yes, I know you have an understanding, but you have not proposed, and officially, you are not engaged or even courting.” She held up her hand when he began to argue and said, “I realise that has been by my design, but there are many other factors at stake besides just your desire to marry my sister. The way we approach the matter could affect the freedom of our younger sisters to make their own choices later, which Mary does not wish to cause. Not only that, but are you truly too stubborn to understand that after your years in battle, everyone here has a sincere interest in seeing you actually be here to meet my sister at the altar rather than having been shot in a duel, or having to have fled the country for killing someone in one? Might I point out that throwing your chance away in a ridiculous duel could prevent you from being present in order to protect Mary in the future, you great blockhead?”

Richard, finally chastened, ceased his arguments. “Hear, hear.” stated Lord Matlock, “Couldn’t have said it better myself. Elizabeth is right, son. No one here wishes to see you fight a duel, except Antony, for some reason I cannot fathom. Time to let the matter go. Elizabeth is correct. You are not yet the girl’s betrothed and therefore it is not your place to protect her. You must learn to be patient, Son.”

“This wouldn’t be a problem if Darcy had not signed that ridiculous marriage settlement and his wife would let the men handle matters,” groused Richard.

Elizabeth laughed and said, “And you believe I am just going to pay you fifty thousand pounds to marry my sister without making you sign an identical contract? You delude yourself, Richard. When Mary reaches her majority, she may make her own decisions, and marry who she chuses. I will not object, just as I did not with Jane. But I will not release her dowry to anyone who is not willing to sign a similar contract as the one I have with Will. She may marry without it if she wishes, but the settlement in question is not negotiable if her husband wishes to collect her funds.”

Richard appeared as if he might have an apoplexy. “That contract was designed to allow you to manage your business. Why would Mary need such a document?”

“Because all of my sisters,” Elizabeth’s voice suddenly hardened and her tone suddenly darkened, “Georgiana included, deserve better than to be used as broodmares who do not even have the right to make their own choices for themselves or their children. Mary is not a horse. Marrying a woman under the current laws is akin to slavery, and I won’t pay a man to take my sister’s dowry and turn her into a broodmare with no rights.”

Richard looked at Darcy and said, “Darcy, you cannot think this is a good idea. And who is Elizabeth to make decisions for Georgie, when you and I are in charge of her welfare?”

“Who is Elizabeth, you ask?” Darcy’s voice hardened nearly as much as his wife’s had as he snapped open his newspaper. “Elizabeth is my intelligent, educated, capable wife, whom I trust in all matters and with all of my affairs. I agree with her wholeheartedly. You cannot imagine what a relief it is to have such a capable wife whom I can trust with anything. It is my hope that Georgie will learn that same capable confidence, and make a true partner to a worthy man someday. And for the record, I am in control of the dowry left by my father for Georgie, and Elizabeth plans to add to it to match those of her sisters. Like Elizabeth, I will not release it unless her husband signs the settlement designed by Elizabeth.”

“My dowry shall be fifty thousand pounds?” squeaked Georgie and Kitty simultaneously.

“It will, but that is not to be shared with anyone, and I mean that, girls. Kitty, you must not repeat that to anyone, especially not our parents. Our father would interfere with your match relentlessly to get his hands on that kind of money. If I find you have confessed it to anyone, even a prospective suitor that you care for deeply, without consulting me, I shall be extremely vexed with you, and it may result in your forfeiting the dowry entirely. As you can see, society is already a danger to Mary even though her dowry is not known. There are men who would marry a horse and sleep in the stable for fifty thousand pounds, and there are also very bad men who would stop at nothing to get that sort of money. For your own safety, you must keep it completely secret at all costs.”

Richard had heard enough, and in his frustration, rose from the table abruptly, stalking from the room, then slamming the door behind him. When the family left the breakfast room, Mary was in quiet conversation with Richard in the hall. Richard was attempting to convince Mary to remain at Matlock House for one more day. Mary assured him she was well enough to return home, and that she would rest more comfortably in her own rooms. She sat quietly with Elizabeth and Lady Matlock in the drawing room and waited for Georgiana and Kitty to collect themselves while the carriage was readied. Meanwhile, Lady Matlock glared at her youngest son each time he attempted to converse with Mary. She felt the girl ought to be allowed to go home and regain her composure before being expected to be in company. Eventually, all was prepared and they left in Elizabeth’s carriage, leaving Darcy’s carriage to transport the servants, even though it was but a ten minute walk. Most noblewomen would have made their servants walk rather than allow them in their carriage, but Elizabeth couldn’t see how such views were productive.

Mary went to her apartments and rested for the day. Elizabeth brought her a bowl of pastina and egg as well as a cup of chocolate at teatime. Mary napped and read and later in the evening, took a long bath. She took dinner on a tray in her room. Georgiana and Kitty joined her. The girls talked about the distressing incident, with Mary being understanding, and willing to talk to the younger girls about how a gentleman had been able to manoeuvre her into such a situation, and how Elizabeth and their brother were not being foolish in warning them of the dangers inherent in society. They talked long into the night; Georgiana and Kitty confessing their shock at learning the amount of their dowries, and their worries about what would happen when they had their seasons and must determine who was the best gentleman for them.