Page 36 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
D ownstairs, Elizabeth steeled herself for another morning of being organised into activities, much as she imagined exclusive seminaries to be.
She smiled to herself as she recalled Miss Bingley rhapsodising about her attendance — although perhaps it was an achievement to survive the school experience.
Elizabeth thought it might make her go mad if the duration of this party were not limited.
It would even have caused her to take leave of her senses as a young girl, and now, at twenty, it was worse.
She smiled across the room comfortingly at Mildred, who, not surprisingly, had been organised right across the room from her.
She hoped their conversation in her chambers last night had helped her new friend, and Lady Palmer had been very kind to her.
She had assured Mildred they would correspond, and she did look somewhat brighter for the promise.
But Elizabeth did not feel up to her usual vivacity today, and the conversation could not hold her attention.
After twenty minutes, Elizabeth excused herself with the excuse of retiring briefly.
She slipped upstairs and was happy to find Clarke in the suite she shared with Lady Palmer.
Her aunt’s maid was checking Lady Palmer’s gowns in her wardrobe, ensuring none were creased.
“Oh, I am glad to find you here, Clarke,” Elizabeth was relieved. “Might you be free in a little while to accompany me out onto the terrace for some fresh air?”
“I can be free now, Miss Bennet.” The maid smoothed down the last gown and hung it carefully on the rail. “I did check these yesterday, after all.”
She assisted Elizabeth on with her shawl, and together they went downstairs and slipped out of the side door from the hall and onto the great grey stone terrace that ran along the east side of the house.
Elizabeth leaned on the balustrade and looked out over the park, breathing deeply.
It was a lovely estate, despite being further north than the milder counties, and the standing oak trees in the lawns were particularly fine.
It might be agreeable to live on a beautiful estate like this, and she considered why she would like it.
It was peaceful, for one thing. Beautiful to look out over such a tranquil landscape. No very near neighbours. Space within the house for the rooms to look elegant, while still being able to store one’s precious possessions.
She huffed a laugh to herself. The cost of keeping an estate like this in good condition and the grounds well-tended, would be onerous indeed. She had built a good fortune, but it would not last long if there was the upkeep of an estate such as this.
Still, she could be content with smaller expenditures, could she not?
Then she could continue to reinvest her four per cents — and she smiled slightly at the memory.
And, of course, her business was thriving.
She was impatient to get back to it. While she had wanted to come to this house party, and it had been an experience she had needed to have, she was anxious to get back to her life.
There she could be busy doing work of her choice, making a difference to both her and her family, as well as those in need of her assistance.
She drew a deep breath, glad Clarke had moved away slightly to give her room to think and consider her future. As she turned away to return to the drawing room as would be expected, she heard a soft sound of amusement, and jerked around the rest of the way.
Mr. Talbot was standing there — too close. And with an amused smirk. She stepped back quickly.
“I wonder what was taking so much of your thoughts, my dear.” His voice held the slightest of sneers, and her jaw tightened.
“Nothing that would be of interest to you, Mr. Talbot.” She raised her chin. “Now I will return to the company, if you will excuse me.”
He smiled again, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Not immediately, if you please, Miss Bennet. I have been waiting to speak to you in private for some while and would wish to have my say. I am sure you will be delighted to hear it.”
Elizabeth turned her gaze to Clarke and gave her an expressive look. She was thankful the maid had moved closer. Being patronised was almost as bad as — though she could not think quite what, at this moment, but it did make her angry.
“Very well, Mr. Talbot.” Elizabeth looked at him calmly, although her heart beat unevenly. He could not want … could he?
He could.
“Miss Bennet. I have been very impressed with your beauty, poise and intelligence. You have all the social graces that could possibly be wanting in the mistress of my estate, and an adequate connection that has brought you here. I count myself a fortunate man. I am the heir to my father’s estate which, as you know, is in Devonshire, so you will find me very eligible.
I believe you will make me an excellent wife and my family will be as delighted with you as I am. ”
He smiled fatuously at her, barely drawing breath before continuing.
“I flatter myself that you find me an amiable, friendly man, and our natures thus align. So, Miss Bennet, I ask that you do me the great honour of accepting my hand in marriage, an occurrence I had no idea of achieving when I arrived here to attend this party.” He finally stopped and beamed at her, reaching for her hand.
Elizabeth stepped further away, putting both hands firmly behind her back. She must take a moment to think carefully how to refuse him. She drew a deep breath.
“Mr. Talbot, I must thank you for the honour of your proposals to me, surprised though I am by them. We have known each other barely a week, sir, and I cannot think that you know me well enough to be assured of our compatibility. Whatever the circumstances, I also consider myself far too young to marry, not yet being of age, and therefore I regretfully decline your offer.”
She was utterly relieved that she had brought Clarke outside with her, somehow she knew the man would be sore at being refused and might have cried scandal.
While she would never agree to marry him even if compromised, she suddenly thought of the effect on her sisters if that were to happen, and her heart went cold.
Mr. Talbot’s eyes were wide with shock; he had certainly not thought of being refused. “You refuse?” he gasped, stepping forward again.
Elizabeth again retreated another few steps. “I am sorry for your disappointment, sir, but it is true. I have refused your generous offer.”
“So why are you here?” His voice turned uglier.
“Like all the young ladies here, you are in search of a husband. All of you. You, Miss Bennet, have been encouraging me to think that you have welcomed my attentions, have listened to me talking about my dogs and my horses with delight in knowing that a well-to-do gentleman has been considering you.” His face twisted, angry.
“You must consider, madam, how this looks to others, that you give your attentions carelessly, without thought, not serious at all at the want of propriety you have been showing to all of us here!”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. Want of propriety? Surely Mr. Talbot could not be implying that she had to accept the first offer that came her way, or become known as a silly flirt. Like Lydia is ; the inconsequential thought flitted through her mind.
“Be that as it may,” she kept her voice firm. “My refusal stands. Please excuse me, I must return to the house.”
It was essential that she speak to Lady Palmer. And as soon as possible. She looked at Clarke.
“Come with me, please.”
Once she was safely in her chambers, she breathed a sigh of relief, and slowly removed her shawl. She looked over at her aunt’s maid. The woman was probably her mother’s age, and must be experienced with society.
“Clarke? What do you think I should do? I really need to talk to Lady Palmer about it, don’t I?”
“Yes, Miss Bennet, you do. But not right now. First, I think you need to be seen downstairs. It is important that you are seen, and not noted to be hiding away or distressed at what has happened.” She smiled maternally.
“You have done nothing wrong, Miss. Allow me to get you a drink of water and you can take a few minutes before returning downstairs.”