Page 74 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

“ Y es, just two nights, Charlotte, and then you may come back here with Mrs. Bailey, until we are back from our wedding trip — probably only four weeks or a little less.” She shook her head. “There is always so much business.”

She reached out and took Charlotte’s hand.

“I must now talk about after that, Charlotte. You have your stipend, so you know you will always be in charge of your own affairs. However,” she drew a deep breath.

“William and I would like … no, we would be honoured if you would consent to live with us, whether that be town or Pemberley. But the choice is yours.” Elizabeth looked around the room.

“You have made this our home — beautifully. If you would like to remain here, I will keep the lease going, and you may stay as long as ever you wish. Or perhaps you would want to live in Meryton, where your childhood friends are. You know you have the means to live wherever you choose to. But I am a selfish being and I would like you with me.”

She took a sip of her tea — rather cold, but she wanted to look away — so her friend would not feel any sense of obligation.

Charlotte rose to her feet and began to walk slowly around the room. “I have loved being at Oakfield, Eliza. It has been good for me to be here with you, and permitted to make the sort of changes the mistress of a house would make.”

She came back to the sofa and sat next to Elizabeth. “But I do not believe I will stay here. I know the lease has been set up that you may relinquish it without penalty, so you may give notice to do so after you marry.” She shook her head.

“And I thank you for the honour of offering me the opportunity to continue living in your homes — but, while I do appreciate you saying so …” She sighed.

“Eliza, I want to be independent and I would like to stay here, in this community where I have made friends. And …”

Elizabeth saw the faintest of blushes on Charlotte’s face.

“And …?” she teased.

“As I said, I have made friends. One, in particular, seems determined to ensure he is always out walking when I am.”

“Charlotte!” Elizabeth was delighted. “I am so happy for you — to have friends here. Do you know where in the village you would like to live? Are there any houses available to let? Oh, you must let me look with you!”

Charlotte smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm. “I would like that. And I hope you will permit Mrs. Bailey to stay with me. We suit each other very well.”

“Of course, although I was hoping to steal her away.” Elizabeth gave an exaggerated sigh, then smiled over at the older woman, who sported a small smile, although her gaze was fixed on her sewing.

“Well,” she turned back to her friend. “Then that shall be what you will do. But you must promise to visit me at Pemberley in the summer for a few weeks. Lady Mildred will be staying then, and I have told you how shy she is. Miss Darcy is also reportedly very shy indeed, and I will need you to assist me in helping them both out of their timidity!”

“Very well,” Charlotte’s soft laugh was infectious. “Since you make it sound so ... peaceful, I will come.”

As they laughed, there was a knock on the door, and the butler entered with the silver receiving tray. “A lady has called for you, Miss Bennet.” He extended the tray, and she took the calling card.

“Thank you, Mr. Clifford.” Elizabeth took the card and looked at it. The Countess of Matlock! William’s aunt. He had told her of his visit to Matlock House the previous day.

She drew a deep breath. “Thank you. Show her in, please, and arrange for refreshments and ensure that her ladyship’s servants and horses are also refreshed.”

“I will leave you to receive her, Eliza.” Charlotte squeezed her hand and she and Mrs. Bailey left the room through the door to the private part of the house, while Elizabeth hastily tried to tidy her correspondence into her writing case.

Oh, I must design something better than this, easy to tidy, but smaller to carry.

Surely that is possible, but I cannot let myself think of it now.

She rose to her feet, smoothing her features into a welcoming expression. William and I love each other. He wishes to maintain the connection, but if his family do not accept me, then he will distance himself from them. He is my support and help.

She curtsied deeply as the lady was announced; a slim elegant lady, a little taller than Elizabeth, dressed in rich colours and wearing a shawl of spring green around her shoulders.

As Elizabeth rose to her feet, she smiled. I sourced that shawl, and the fabric the gown is made from. But she will never know that. “Lady Matlock, I am honoured to make your acquaintance.”

The lady’s glance was cool and assessing. “I hope you do not take offence at my call, Miss Bennet, but Darcy was very — firm about you during his call on me and my husband yesterday that you must forgive me wishing to meet you, as I have not had the opportunity before now.”

“You are welcome, my lady, and I am honoured that you have taken the time to call.”

The ladies sat and when the tea tray had been delivered and the door closed, Lady Matlock waited no longer to begin speaking.

“Why do you think that Darcy has become enamoured of you? We had always presumed he would marry a lady of his station in the world.”

Elizabeth masked a grimace. “My lady, I think that your nephew would be best placed to answer your question. But from the very beginning of our acquaintance, I was manifestly clear that I was not in the market for a husband. I do not think he took it as a challenge, and we only met again by chance at the house party. If we had not, nothing may ever have come of it. I made no overtures to Mr. Darcy. I was still determined not to marry.”

Lady Matlock’s eyebrows were as expressive as her own Papa’s, Elizabeth thought, and her attitude softened a little. That was helpful, when that lady smiled. “So what changed your mind, Miss Bennet?”

Elizabeth grimaced. “I suppose there are several reasons. The main shock was the terrible rumours that emerged, even though I was well chaperoned here. I came to realise that a single woman is extremely vulnerable, even one who is manifestly more capable than many gentlemen. Then Lady Catherine called upon me and — please excuse me here — was rather plain-speaking in her accusations.” She smiled reminiscently.

“Then Mr. Darcy called on me and my aunt and uncle in town and was extremely gentlemanly, and very kind. He offered marriage and I have accepted.” Elizabeth raised her chin. She was not ashamed.

Lady Matlock changed topic. Was she trying to unsettle Elizabeth? “I understand you have not yet met Darcy’s young sister. Do you not feel you ought to have met her before accepting Darcy?”

“I have not yet had that honour, my lady. I think you ought to ask your nephew if he was remiss in offering for me before introducing me to his sister.” Elizabeth smiled affectionately.

“On the first occasion we spoke, he explained that she had purchased a shawl from my uncle’s business, and that it made her feel special.

I told him that a shy young lady, barely out of girlhood, needs to feel special and valued for herself, and that this would help her confidence. ”

She was not inclined to be too garrulous, she did not wish to speak out of turn and the more she said, the greater the risk.

The countess rose elegantly to her feet.

“I must leave now, so that I am home before dark. Miss Bennet, I see now why my nephew is so resolved to marry you. I believe you will do him great credit — and bring him much-deserved happiness.” She turned for the door.

“He has had a hard time of it since his father died, and I have seen a contentment in his countenance that I had despaired of ever seeing again. Thank you for that, and thank you as well for your time this afternoon.”

Elizabeth curtsied. “It has been a pleasure meeting you, my lady.”