Chapter 24 Mothers
As foreshadowed, Her Grace Isabella Deveril, the Duchess of Barrington arrived in London and joined her son at the family’s residence on Park Lane.
Her first action after greeting her son and refreshing herself was to send a note to Jane Bennet arranging to visit Gardiner House the following day. She sent a second note requesting her cousin Henrietta to accompany her.
Deveril became suspicious at the inclusion of the cousin, but his mother refused to enlighten him.
~T~
The following day, Jane was relieved to see the friendly, not to say impish, smile on the duchess’s face when Deveril introduced her to the ladies of Gardiner House.
The duchess herself introduced her cousin, Lady Henrietta Chester, saying, ‘I hope you do not mind my bringing my cousin. I wanted to speak to you without my son’s presence and by having Henrietta with me to accompany me home, I can dispense with his company now that he has introduced us.’
Deveril smiled apologetically as he bowed to the ladies. ‘I believe I have been given my marching orders. I think that I will call on Fitzwilliam while I leave you ladies to get acquainted.’
The ladies had a moment to study their visitors while Deveril made his departure.
They knew that Deveril was thirty years old, therefore his mother had to be at least close to fifty years, but she appeared much younger, particularly since her auburn hair was virtually untouched by grey, she still had a trim figure and she moved with ease.
Lady Henrietta appeared to be about sixty and while she was tall like her cousin, she was more rounded and there was a significant amount of grey in her once auburn locks. She appeared more sedate but still friendly.
Once Deveril was gone, the duchess addressed Mrs Gardiner, ‘If you will allow, I would like a chance to get to know Miss Bennet privately.’
Madeline Gardiner had half expected such a request and suggested, ‘You might like to use the small parlour. It is particularly pleasant at this time of day.’
The duchess gave a grateful smile to her hostess. ‘You are most gracious.’
~T~
Jane led the duchess and Lady Henrietta to the small parlour into which they were followed by a maid carrying a tea tray.
Once they were seated, Jane served the tea to her guests. Despite her nervousness she managed to maintain her poise, which the ladies noticed with appreciation.
‘I hope that you are not too upset with my highhanded presumption of arranging things to my liking in your home.’
‘It is only natural that you wished to take my measure. After all, I am a complete unknown in society, and you wish to ensure that I can be a credit to your family.’
‘Well said, my dear. But I am more interested in how you feel about my son and if you have it in you to make him happy.’
Taken aback by the change in direction in the conversation, Jane took a moment to compose herself before she replied. ‘I do not know if I can make Lord James happy. All I can tell you is how I feel and how he makes me feel.’
Jane focused her gaze on the duchess and ignored the cousin who sat back in her chair and was content to fade into the background while she observed.
‘Despite not having known him for very long, I have come to care deeply about your son. I enjoy my conversations with him and how he respects my opinions.’ She stopped for a moment to find the right words while a soft smile played about her lips.
‘I suppose what stands out in my mind is that I trust him implicitly, despite his initial duplicity.’
‘Ah, yes. He did mention that he did not enlighten you about his status. I gather you do not hold it against him.’
‘I did at first but have come to understand his motivation.’
‘You truly did not wish to be a duchess?’
‘I still do not care for the idea, but if that is the price, I have to pay… I will deal with it for Lord James is worth the discomfort.’ Jane paused a moment again before she hesitantly said, ‘He said that you would help me learn to be a credit to the role.’
The more Jane spoke, the more the duchess understood her son’s interest in the lady and the more pleased she was that he had found such a worthy woman who cared about him rather than his rank.
Paying close attention not only to Jane’s words but her expressions and demeanour, she became convinced that the young woman was head over ears in love with her son.
Having satisfied herself on the main point, the duchess continued her interrogation of Jane about her background, including her family, her accomplishments and education, as well as her knowledge about society.
By the end of the long interview, the duchess felt that while there were gaps in Jane’s education, which was to be expected since she was not raised to be part of the nobility, she was sensible, intelligent enough to learn all she needed, and had the innate graciousness and good manners to deal with people at all levels.
And while she was kind and compassionate, she also had the strength of character not to be taken advantage of.
At last, she sat back in her chair. ‘You will make a very good duchess if you decide to accept my son. And yes, to answer your earlier question, I will do all that I can to help you,’ the duchess said with a wide smile.
‘Thank you, Your Grace,’ Jane said with gratitude although she felt utterly exhausted by the interrogation.
‘There is no need to thank me and please call me Lady Isabella. While it is longer than your grace it sounds infinitely more gracious. And you must know that helping you will be my pleasure. Especially, to see all those vicious harridans and their empty-headed daughters being green with envy at missing out on catching my son.’ The duchess chuckled and turned to her cousin.
‘Well, Henrietta. Have you seen enough?’
‘I have indeed. I believe that you will have an invitation for Miss Bennet and her sisters within a few days.’
Jane was startled when the lady spoke as she had forgotten her presence. ‘An invitation?’ she queried. ‘An invitation from whom?’
‘The Queen of course. You cannot possibly marry a future duke without having been presented at court.’ When Jane looked thunderstruck, Lady Henrietta could not help but join the duchess in a small chuckle of her own.
~T~
While Jane was closeted with her visitors, Lady Matlock arrived all afire with curiosity.
‘Forgive me for intruding unannounced, but Deveril just stopped at our house to collect Richard and he mentioned your visitors.’
‘Lord James’ mother wished for an opportunity to become acquainted with Jane.’
‘Deveril also mentioned that Lady Isabella brought along her cousin, Lady Henrietta.’
Although it was not phrased as a question, Elizabeth answered, ‘Yes, indeed. The duchess said that she wanted someone to accompany her when she returns to her house since she sent Lord James away.’
‘Which Lady Henrietta was it? There are two in her family.’
‘The duchess introduced her cousin as Lady Henrietta Chester. Why does it matter?’
‘Oh, my. Lady Isabella is bringing out the big guns,’ exclaimed Lady Matlock with an admiring nod.
When she encountered only looks of incomprehension, she explained.
‘Lady Henrietta is a lady in waiting for Queen Charlotte. I suspect that Lady Isabella is trying to arrange an introduction to the Queen.’
‘You think the duchess wants to introduce Jane to the Queen?’ Even Mary was getting a little flustered by the lady’s supposition.
‘Well, if Deveril is set on marrying your sister, she will have to be presented at court. Arranging for a private audience has two big advantages. It is more prestigious than a public presentation with fifty other debutantes and Jane will not have to wear one of those ridiculous court dresses, which makes women look like overdecorated Christmas apples. This of course also saves about five hundred pounds which is the cost of one of those dresses.’
‘Oh, my. What an honour for Jane if your assumption is correct,’ breathed Mrs Gardiner in awe. While the lady had no special respect for much of the nobility, she did revere the royal family despite the King’s illness.
Lady Matlock suddenly smiled impishly. ‘I suspect that you all had better dust of your best dresses and party manners as well. Knowing the way, the duchess thinks, I would not be in the least surprised if she will include all of you in that presentation.’
The three ladies looked at each other in consternation until Elizabeth brightened and said, ‘At least we will not have to wear court dresses either.’
~T~
Eventually all the visitors left Gardiner House, allowing the ladies to discuss the astonishing morning. As Jane related her conversation, she gradually recovered.
When she had finished her report, Mary could not help but comment, ‘What is it about ladies in the first circles that they all seem to take charge of any situation.’
‘They have wealth, position, and power, as well as husbands who will back their decisions. The better ladies will use those assets to protect their families and support their friends,’ said Mrs Gardiner who had had several years to observe the machinations of those ladies.
‘I suppose the less honourable ones will use those same assets to destroy anyone who stands in their way,’ Elizabeth surmised.
Jane sighed and corrected her sister. ‘My dearest Lizzy, as far as I can tell from speaking to Lady Isabella, all the ladies are capable of destroying their opponents. The difference is simply their motivation. Some, as you surmised, will use their power for ambition and greed, while others, as Aunt Madeline has said, will use it for protection and support.’
‘I certainly hope that the duchess is one of those who uses her power to help,’ Elizabeth murmured.
Jane smiled at her sister and raised her brows in a friendly challenge. ‘Considering the character of Lord James…’
‘And she is his mother. Yes, I see your point.’ Elizabeth was satisfied that Jane would be safe.
~T~