Page 17 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
T he next morning, Elizabeth was at the warehouse again when Madeline Gardiner received an unexpected caller.
“Lady Palmer, what a pleasant surprise to see you. Do come in out of the cold.” She led the way to the morning parlour. “Please permit me to call for refreshments.”
Once they were settled, Madeline raised an eyebrow at her caller. “I have known you a long time, but if I may speak plainly, I must admit I am puzzled why you would be here.”
Her visitor arched an eyebrow. “You must have noticed yesterday afternoon that I had a long talk with your niece?”
Madeline nodded. “I did.”
“I have a request to make, and I hope this will assist Miss Bennet as well as benefit me.” She put her teacup down.
“I remember what we talked about before. You told me that Miss Bennet has recently come into an inheritance, and you are wondering how to give her a taste of society to see if she wishes to make her life in town.”
Madeline nodded. She didn’t like the lie as to how Lizzy had come by her fortune, but her niece was insistent that no one must know of her business.
If the secret were revealed, all her sisters would suffer opprobrium, not just herself.
And that was not the only reason. But she had reluctantly agreed to be known in town as having a modest inheritance.
After all, if she was going to live a life in the ton, she needed to know what it was like to be pursued.
Madeline waited for her friend to reveal more.
“Yes. Well, I have been asked to go to a short — only ten days — house party in Warwickshire next week, culminating in a small private ball. It seems exceedingly silly to have one at this time of year, but the family has twin daughters who will be coming out in the spring, and feel they need this to help them prepare.” Lady Palmer grimaced.
“My son is attempting to get a bill through the Lords, and has asked me to attend, so that I may find out what the host’s position is on the matter. ”
Madeline sighed. “I cannot think you enjoy all these machinations.” She smiled. “You are far more interested in changing people’s circumstances.”
Lady Palmer laughed delightedly. “You know me very well, my dear. And on that note, I wonder if I may take Miss Bennet with me? I will introduce her as a great-niece on my father’s side, and she will have ten days among people she does not know and may well not meet again if she decides she does not like the life. ”
Madeline stared at her. “You want to take Lizzy to a house party? As your great niece? In Warwickshire? Pretending to be something she isn’t really? Not knowing anyone apart from yourself?”
“Exactly.” The dowager leaned back. “I will make sure that she is safe.” She allowed a moment of silence before sighing.
“I will have a suite with two bedrooms, because I usually travel with my companion. But I have just permitted her to return home due to a family emergency. And I thought yesterday that Miss Bennet is a delightful young woman and I would dearly love to get to know her better.”
Madeline considered the matter. It would be difficult to give up a fortnight of Lizzy’s time here, although this opportunity would be a rare one, given that introducing Lizzy as an heiress from Gracechurch Street would be irrevocable, but at a country house party …
She came out of her reverie and started at her caller’s amused expression.
“I do beg your forgiveness, my lady. It was very rude of me.”
“Not at all. I believe I know exactly what you are thinking.”
Madeline smiled. “You are very astute. It is a wonderful chance for Lizzy, but I am not sure what my husband’s response will be — he is in loco parentis for Lizzy while she is here. And we must ask Lizzy herself, of course.”
“Naturally.” Lady Palmer glanced at the clock and rose to her feet. “I will leave you now. I would appreciate you calling on me, perhaps tomorrow, if you have been able to come to a decision by then.”
As they moved to the door, she smiled. “I know you will miss her, but I believe it is a good prospect for her.” She smiled mischievously. “I am assuming she has enough suitable clothes for ten days and a ball?”
Madeline’s eyebrows rose. “Certainly she does, my lady. I will speak to my husband and to Lizzy and will call upon you tomorrow with the answer.”
As soon as the door was closed on her guest, she hurried back to the morning room and rang the bell to ask for fresh tea. She felt she certainly needed it.
First things first. Would her husband allow it? Of course Edward’s first instinct would be to refuse. That was certain. Could he be persuaded to change his mind? She expected he would if Lizzy was doing the persuading. If her niece wanted to go, then she would need to do the persuading.
She sighed. Elizabeth had certainly been enthralled by Lady Palmer’s conversation yesterday. She had talked about the incredibly interesting life that lady had lived; and Madeline knew for herself how fascinating her conversation was.
But the fact remained, Lizzy hardly knew the woman; even though Madeline had known her for a number of years.
She rose to her feet and crossed to the writing desk. She would send a note to Edward, asking if it was convenient for her to call at the warehouse and see him and Lizzy on an urgent matter.