Page 20 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

E lizabeth wished she was a child again and could slide along the seat from one window to the other, afraid of missing something exciting.

Beside her, Lady Palmer shook her head. “Have you really never been this far north before?”

“No.” Elizabeth shook her head. “I am sorry. I will try not to appear too provincial when we get there. But I have never even been on a journey long enough to need to stay at an inn.”

The other lady rolled her eyes. “Be thankful for it. But Dunstable was acceptable to you, I hope, and Daventry has an equally good inn, and both of them know me. It is better to stay two nights and not be too tired when we reach Bedford.”

“Oh, it was wonderful last night, my lady. Very comfortable, and such attentiveness! I can hardly credit the stories of the insalubrious inns that one reads about.”

“Oh, they are true enough, Miss Bennet. You most certainly do not wish to go to an unknown inn when travelling.” She sniffed.

“In an emergency, of course, there may be no alternative, although it is to be hoped you would be in company with your husband, or at least, very many servants. Even so, it can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and noisy — sometimes even dirty.”

Elizabeth smiled at the lady beside her. “I cannot imagine any emergency has ever had you retire to such an inn, my lady.”

“Well, perhaps not. I have been excessively sheltered all my life. Following the death of my parents, I was brought up by my grandparents, the Duke and Duchess of Durdar, so from very young until I married, I led a very circumscribed life.”

Elizabeth swallowed. This lady was far higher in society than she had imagined. “I am sorry for the early loss of your parents, however long ago it was occasioned.”

“I thank you, although, having been so young, I do not remember them. But I must say, I used to envy young ladies who had more freedoms. I wonder,” she said thoughtfully, “what sort of life would you have liked to live, Miss Bennet?”

Elizabeth smiled. “I have a great imagination, Lady Palmer. I have envisioned all sorts of lives, from the tenant farmer’s child, raised to help in the home as soon as I could stand; from the shopkeeper’s daughter to the daughter of a university professor who would teach me everything I wished for.

I have dreamed of being the daughter of a peer, although I have never seen any part of that life to understand if my dreams were realistic.

But mostly, I have wondered what it would be like to have the choice of whatever I wanted to do — although for that, I would have to be born a man. ”

The older lady shook her head. “There are, of course, many more opportunities for men than women. But many men don’t actually have much more choice than women.

They are born to take that tenant farm, or to inherit their father’s estate or business.

Younger sons of the gentry have some few choices — the church, law, or the army — as you know. Which of those would you choose?”

Elizabeth grimaced. “It would depend, I suppose. I have always envied the life my uncle and aunt have. They have a marriage where they love each other, wonderful children, and satisfying work that has repaid them with a comfortable lifestyle.”

The lady nodded thoughtfully. “You have the measure of happiness and contentment, I believe. You will, however, not find that amongst the highest society, so be warned.”

“So what is most important to those in the first circles?” Elizabeth grinned, to lighten her words.

“That is one of the things that drew me to you, Miss Bennet. You are impertinent, but always so artless, it cannot offend.”

“I would rather say, does not often offend. I am afraid I have had to apologise many times for going too far, although lately I try to think first before I speak.”

The older woman nodded. “Well, in the first circles, there are kind, genuine people. But there are also rather more who are overly proud, who are disdainful of those below them, and those who can be rude and offensive, because they think that their status excuses it.” She looked intently at Elizabeth.

“That is one of the reasons I asked your aunt if you might accompany me. You will have to learn to read the attitudes of the people you will come into contact with in Warwickshire. They will be the sort of people you have not met before, and you must be careful not to judge them by what you have learned of other people. Many are not as genuine as those you know, and you have to be careful not to get your first impressions wrong.”

Elizabeth nodded. She had seen a number of those in her uncle’s warehouse and, she believed, taken their measure. But she could hardly say she had the extensive experience she did without revealing her secret.

“And what should I tell people of my background?”

“That has been exercising our minds, Miss Bennet. In the end your uncle and aunt have left it to me to devise a story with you that will not have besotted young swains descending on Longbourn to ask for your hand!”

Elizabeth stared at her. “I am not looking to tempt any young swains , Lady Palmer!”

“Of course not.” The lady waved her back onto the seat. “But you have no idea of your attractiveness to men of all classes, Elizabeth.” She frowned slightly. “I may call you Elizabeth, may I? If you are to be my niece, it will be helpful.”

“I am honoured,” Elizabeth murmured. “But I must challenge your assertion. I do not try to attract attention from men.”

“And that is what makes you irresistible, my dear.” The lady’s smile was positively roguish. Elizabeth’s eyes widened.

“How can I stop it? I have no intention of ever marrying!”