Chapter Eleven
“We’re going to meet a countess? How fancy I feel!” Beth made a little twirl and a deep courtesy.
“I do not think you will need to courtesy quite so low. Maybe if you meet a duchess. I never thought you would need to know such things. Your mother would be quite displeased with me.” Mamie said with a smirk.
“Mother and father likely never thought it would be necessary either. Life leads us on peculiar journeys.”
John entered the conversation, “It certainly does. Who would have thought I’d have dinner at the famous ‘Whites’, with two distinguished members of the ton, or that we’d be riding around in a viscount’s carriage? I’m just a simple steward’s son.”
“You are anything but simple, John. You have more in that head than most college dons. Not to change the subject, when will your suits and shoes be done? Do you think we can leave on Monday?”
“I see no reason why not, unless the countess wants to have tea on Tuesday.”
As they were finishing up breakfast there was a knock on the door. A bellman had brought some mail up. “Well, look here! A fancy envelope from Matlock House! We are invited to tea tomorrow, so I guess we can leave Monday. We’ll have to make sure to do a farewell visit to Gigi and William.”
“Do you mind going shopping with me again Mamie? I want to buy some things for my cousins at Longbourn, and a little gift for Gigi and William, since they have been so kind.”
“Not at all, let me go change. You already look ready to go shopping. I will be only a moment if John will call for the carriage.”
“Done. You can drop me at Gardiner’s warehouse. Since you want me dressed like gentry, I need to pick up a few more things.”
~~~~~
Tea with the countess was a bit underwhelming.
She was very formal, and seemed somewhat embarrassed, likely because Beth and her cohorts now owned her son’s carriage and horses and employed the driver and footman her son could no longer afford to pay.
Beth didn’t blame her. Lady Camile kept looking at Mamie as if she was trying to place her.
Several times she became quite distracted.
Just as they had said their goodbyes and turned to leave, “Wait! Cousin Mamie? You are Mamie Fitzpatrick, are you not?”
Mamie turned slowly back to her with a resigned half smile, “Yes Lady Camile. I was a Fitzpatrick before I married. I am surprised you recognized me. It has been a lifetime since we were girls.”
“It has been! The family did not know what had happened to you, other than you married one of the Russell’s younger sons and left for America. Does your brother know you are in England? Last I heard he was at his estate north of Dublin.”
“No. I am sure he does not know, nor care. I would appreciate if you did not make it widely known I am back in England.”
“Oh, of course. As you wish, but I hope you will maintain our connection. I know it has been more than half a lifetime, but I think on our younger days fondly. May I write you?”
Mamie curtsey just a bit less formally, “Of course, my lady. I will send a note with my direction once we are settled in Hertfordshire, or wherever else we visit while in country.”
The group left Matlock House silently and maintained their silence until they were back in their suite at the hotel. “So, you are a cousin to Lady Matlock?” Beth inquired with some eagerness. She just loved mysteries and intrigues.
“I did have a life before becoming your governess, you know.”
“Yes, and other than a few sparse stories about Mr. Russell, you have maintained your air of mystery. Why all the secrets Mamie?”
“Life did not turn out quite the way I planned, my dear. I have no secrets. I just choose to look forward, and not behind. Mr. Russell was not who I thought he was. My brother is a hateful man. Finding your family was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am happy now. I would not want to return to what was.”
“In other words, you would ask me to mind my own business. I shall. You’ve been like a mother to me since my mama died.
You’ve been my rock since papa died. If you say there are no secrets, I’ll leave it at that, but know that Ethan, and John, and I will defend you with our lives.
You can tell us anything you like, or not. We love you regardless.”
Mamie started to tear up, and excused herself with grace, as she always did. Nothing else would be mentioned by any of them.
~~~~~
“I so wish you did not have to leave so soon.” Gigi clasped the package Beth had just given her to her chest.
“I’m just going to Hertfordshire. Only four hours away. We can write every day!”
“You will not be too busy with your cousins?”
“I’m not used to being around so many young ladies at once. I’m sure I’ll need to escape to my room regularly and will have plenty of time to write.”
“Being around so many young ladies really is very wearing. When I was in school, I needed to escape quite often. There was a little reading room almost no one used.”
“Maybe Longbourn has something like that. I am looking forward to staying with my Bennet family, but also nervous. I write Lizzy quite often, and occasionally Jane and Mary, but the younger two rarely write me. Just a note on the end of another letter now and then. Neither of them is out, so maybe they don’t feel like they have anything to write? You don’t feel that way, do you?”
“I…well…I do live at least half of the year in town, and I have the museums and the lessons with my masters to talk about…but I guess my life is rather boring. Maybe that is why they do not write much. I hope you will not become bored with my letters.”
“I don’t get bored talking with you, so why would I get bored reading your letters?”
“Oh, well that is true. I like you so very much Beth! You make me feel...ummm…well, like a young lady, not a girl. Like I might be interesting, not a dullard.”
The girls were giggling together when Darcy finally entered the room. He shook hands with John and gave the ladies a little bow. “I apologize for not being here to greet you. My man of business kept me. I located some of that French brandy you were hoping to find. Radison is boxing it for you.”
“Excellent! Uncles Gardiner and Bennet will be most appreciative! Do let us know how much it cost you so we can pay you for it.”
Darcy was not sure he would ever get used to how openly his cousin spoke of money and the cost of things.
Was he being a prig again? Quite likely.
Beth had begun teasing him almost as much as Richard did.
It was like having a sister closer to his own age.
Cousin Marie would tease him on occasion, but she had a sharper, more dagger like, wit.
Beth was always kind, but to the point, in her teasing.
John was what he would have wanted in a younger brother, even if he was a steward’s son.
He was nothing like Wickham. John was a gentle giant, and probably the most intelligent person Darcy had ever met.
Mrs. Russell had all the manners of the ton but never admonished Beth for being herself.
He really needed to ‘loosen up’ as Beth had told him several times.
“No, no. It is a gift from me to you, so you can gift Misters Gardiner and Bennet. It was no trouble at all.”
“Well, if you’re sure. I never say no to a gift! Speaking of which, we have one for you too. Radison will have placed it on your desk by now.”
“As much as I hate to interrupt, my dear, we still need to stop by the Gardiner’s to say goodbye to Madeline and the children. We have planned a very early start tomorrow.”
“Of course you are right Mamie. I’m sorry we didn’t get to visit more William. Since we are cousins, you can write me too! Maybe we should use one of your messengers to send letters back and forth. Gigi and I plan to write every day!”
“It would likely cost me less than postage.” Darcy gave a sardonic grin. “I will make sure to write you if I need any of your sage advice.”
“That means I may never hear from you again! Mr. Darcy asking advice? Never!”
Everyone chuckled, and William did not even flinch when Beth hugged him and kissed his cheeks. The smile she gave made him know she was pleased with his progress in ‘loosening up’. He would look forward to having the three of them at Pemberley later in the year. Darcy was sad to see them go.