Page 18 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
E lizabeth sat in her uncle’s office, wondering what had happened, while her uncle waited at the door for Aunt Gardiner to arrive. Her note had been brief and uninformative, although Elizabeth was sure nothing ailed the children, or they would have been called back to the house.
After ten long minutes of wondering, finally her aunt and uncle entered the office, and her uncle assisted his wife to the second comfortable armchair, leaving the door open. Within a moment or two, Molly from the office carefully carried in a tray of refreshments.
“Thank you, Molly.” Elizabeth jumped to her feet and cleared a few books from the table.
Uncle closed the door behind Molly, and nodded at Elizabeth to pour the tea. “You’re sure nothing is wrong at home, Madeline?”
“There is nothing there to be concerned about, my dear. But I had a caller this morning with a rather startling request. Since time is quite short, I wished to speak to you both on the matter without delay.”
“I am impatient to hear what it could possibly be.” Elizabeth was very curious. “Please explain as soon as you have taken your tea.”
Her uncle laughed. “I am sure you don’t mean that, Lizzy. You mean tell us this very minute, please. ”
“Perhaps I do.” Elizabeth settled herself back in the chair, forcing herself not to reach for her notebook.
Aunt Gardiner turned to her husband. “I think you have met Lady Palmer, the dowager Countess of Abingdon?”
He nodded. “I believe she was at the tea for sponsors of the orphanage a few years ago. A slim lady with white hair, about five and seventy?”
“Yes, that is correct, although I believe she is over eighty now. She remains active and still has a lively mind.” Aunt turned to Elizabeth.
“I believe you have been in conversation with her several times, have you not?”
Elizabeth nodded. “I have. I very much enjoyed her company. She has a dry humour, coupled with excellent observational skills and knowledge of human nature; yet she is never malicious and describes people with kindness, unless they have really proved themselves unreliable.” She frowned slightly.
“I hope there is nothing wrong for her ladyship.”
“No, it is nothing like that. She knows of course that you are staying with us, and that we have put it about that you have a modest inheritance.” Aunt sipped at her tea before continuing.
“The Earl of Bedford, in Warwickshire, has twin daughters who are due to make their come out next spring, so his wife has decided to hold a brief house party before Christmas to give them some preparation. Lady Palmer has received an invitation to attend with her companion, and her son is anxious that she go, despite her age and the rigours of travel, because he hopes that she will glean some idea of the earl’s stance on some political issue or other in the House of Lords. ”
Elizabeth frowned. She could not imagine what this was about, to involve them. But it seemed her uncle had deduced something.
“Absolutely not! I would not countenance it. How can you even imagine I would, Madeline?”
“What do you mean, Uncle?” Elizabeth shook her head. “How does it involve us?”
“I will not have you being a companion!” Her uncle’s face had reddened. “The news will get out somehow and will affect your whole family!”
Elizabeth gaped at him. She had not thought of that. But Aunt would not even consider it, either, and she turned to her. Her aunt was shaking her head and reached out her hand to touch his arm.
“Let me finish, Edward, please.” She waited until he nodded and then continued.
“The reason she mentioned the companion was to explain that she will have a suite of two bedrooms. She also said she had given leave of absence to her current companion because of a family emergency.” She smiled at Elizabeth.
“You have caught her eye, my dear, and she wishes to get to know you better. Her proposal is that you travel with her as her great-niece from her father’s side of the family, and as a young lady with a moderate fortune.
It will be ten days at the house party, amongst people from the first circles, none of whom you know.
You will have the prospect to see if you like being an heiress in that sort of environment and with the chance, if you don’t like it, to escape back to your real life.
Most other opportunities to find this out will be irrevocable once society knows you have money. ”
Uncle was silent, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “How long have you known Lady Palmer, my dear? Can you be confident she will keep our Lizzy safe? And what if something happens to her? She is of quite an advanced age, after all.”
“I think the first thing to decide is if Lizzy would like to go. If not, then that is the end of the matter. If yes, then we can consider the issues that might arise.” Aunt met his eyes. “She is a very powerful figure in society. It might be impolitic to cross her, business-wise.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I do not think that at all, Aunt. She is as honourable a person as I have ever met. She would consider any threat like that to be beneath her.” She smiled eagerly. “But, yes. If all enquiries are satisfactory — and problems solved — then I would like to go.”
Uncle shook his head. “It is too much for me to consent to without informing your father, Lizzy. I will send him an express, explaining things and we must have his agreement. You had better write a note to him that I can enclose with my letter, too. Then I will consider all aspects of your security.”
“Oh, thank you, Uncle!” She jumped up and dropped a kiss on his forehead, then spun round to embrace her aunt. “It sounds a wonderful opportunity, and I can study the ladies’ costumes, too! It will give me a much better insight into what first circle ladies use when they are not shopping.”
“The first thing you will have to do,” said her aunt in a practical tone, “is to get a heavy winter pelisse made up. Warwickshire can be very cold. I believe the rest of your wardrobe will be satisfactory.”
“Of course. I know just the fabric I’d like to use.” Elizabeth knew her eyes were dancing. “May I go to the storeroom, uncle, and get it brought through?”