Chapter Fifty-Five
The Countess of Matlock had spent a good deal of time thinking about her niece’s dilemma.
Society had decided that Miss Georgiana Darcy was guilty and, contrary to what the Countess had originally thought, it seemed that the absence of the Darcys from Society had only reinforced that idea.
In fact, the Countess had heard it whispered that if the Darcys were not seen in Town by the beginning of the Season, then it would be proof positive of the girl’s guilt.
The Countess of Matlock went so far as to pay a call on Lady Emily, the Countess Cowper, to get that lady’s opinion on the matter.
After the usual pleasantries, and once tea had been poured, she began. “Emily, you and I have known one another a long while.”
Lady Emily’s teacup stilled halfway to her mouth. She set it down carefully. “So it is to be one of those conversations, is it?” she asked, smiling.
“Yes; I need your advice on a most sensitive matter.”
“Miss Darcy, I take it.”
“You are quite right.”
Upon being assured that their conversation would be kept in the strictest confidence, Ellen Fitzwilliam then poured out the story of a young girl betrayed by a scoundrel who had once been a trusted childhood friend and her companion, who had been hired by her brother.
By the end, Lady Cowper’s tea had gone cold, but she did not notice. “That poor child,” she said. “But nonetheless…”
“Yes, nonetheless, she showed poor judgement in allowing it to go so far. But remember that she was just fifteen years of age. She thought she could trust the companion her brother had hired for her; she thought she could trust the man who had once carried her on his back around the estate. Emily, I cannot bear the thought of this girl’s chances being ruined over one stupid mistake. Have we not all made stupid decisions?”
“I suppose you want to know what can be done to amend the situation.”
“Precisely.”
Lady Cowper considered it., her fingers steepled in front of her. “I suppose Mr. Darcy is as yet unmarried?”
“That is correct.”
“Then I think it would be helpful if he had a wife. She should be an unexceptional lady, who could be seen as taking Miss Darcy in hand, and all three of them should be seen prominently this coming Season.”
“I do not think he is courting anyone,” Ellen Fitzwilliam said, doubtfully. “And why would a Mrs. Darcy help the situation?”
“Because gossip would be more interested in a new Mrs. Darcy than in some old gossip about Miss Darcy.”
“Darcy is notoriously choosey,” Ellen Fitzwilliam murmured.
“That is true enough,” Lady Cowper agreed.
She was thinking of her own goddaughter, a young lady she had introduced to Mr. Darcy a year ago.
He had danced with her once and had never looked at her again.
Choosey, indeed! “But he may become less so, once he understands that he needs to be married in order to help his sister.”
“And after all,” Ellen Fitzwilliam added, darkly, “He helped create this mess, and now he must help clean it up.”
“Quite so,” Lady Cowper said, briskly. “And I will wish to speak with Miss Darcy when she arrives in Town, to assure myself of her character.”
***
When the Countess arrived home, she found Richard sitting in the drawing room. “I hesitate to ask what you have been up to, Richard.”
“Then do not ask, Mother. That would be best.” His tone was brisk.
“Is the situation…contained?”
“It is, at least in part.”
Ellen Fitzwilliam was not stupid; she understood at once. “So there is still the companion?”
“Yes. I do not yet know what to do about her. But I will think of something.”
His mother shuddered. “I prefer not to hear any details. Not about either of them.”