Chapter 12 #2
“Elizabeth, thank you for coming,” the countess said from her chair by a mirror. “Genevieve will be done with my hair in a moment, and then I would like to talk.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied, sinking into a nearby chair and watching as her friend’s maid carefully braided her mistress’s hair into a coronet, over which she placed a lace cap, which she pinned into place, before leaving the room on gliding steps.
“What do you think?” the countess asked, turning a smiling look on her friend. “One of my husband’s sisters suggested that I start wearing my hair in a braided coronet on occasion, and I think it looks well.”
“It does,” Elizabeth agreed, tilting her head. “I do not pretend to be an expert at hairdressing, but yes, that is charming.”
Clara nodded. “I think so as well. But Keaton wishes to leave shortly for Greyfell, so let me turn to the reason why I requested a private conversation with you. Elizabeth, I am inviting you and your elder sister to spend a few weeks with me in London in December or January.”
Elizabeth was a quick-witted woman, but it took her a moment to understand the countess’s words, and another moment to cogitate, before she said, “Clara, I appreciate your kindness, but I have responsibilities here at Longbourn and in any case, I do not think Jane and I belong in such exalted circles.”
“Nonsense,” the countess replied briskly. “Absolute nonsense. You and Miss Bennet are both lovely young ladies, and very intelligent, and the daughters of a knight.”
“Yes, but…”
“My dear Elizabeth,” the countess interrupted. “Please think about it for just a moment and then answer me. If you had no concerns about Longbourn and Emerald Island, would you want to visit me? Or is the thought of several weeks in Town during the winter repugnant to you?”
“Repugnant? Of course not!”
“Well, I would not entirely blame you if you preferred country air to Town air, especially in winter,” Lady Keaton replied candidly. “Indeed, I do not wish to press you, but my husband will be very busy over the winter, and I would relish your company so very much, Eliza.”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed, and she demanded, “Clara, are you happy in your marriage?”
“I am, very much,” her friend replied, her face bright with happiness.
“I adore Keaton, and he adores me, and I am so glad that we waited to find one another. Naturally, I had many offers from eligible gentlemen, including a duke, because of my fortune and connections, but I did not love any of them. It was Keaton who captured my heart.”
“If you love each other so much and have been married less than a year, why will the earl be so busy? Is it his estates?”
The countess leaned back in her chair, sighed, and then said, “It is partly his estates, yes, but he also is politically minded and intends to be involved in the upcoming session of the House of Lords. I have no sisters or brothers, as you know, and would relish the company of a dear friend and her sister around the New Year. But as I said, I will not press you.”
“But surely given your position in life, you could find another friend, from your own sphere, to keep you company?” Elizabeth replied.
Lady Keaton grimaced and said, “Assuredly I could, but you are my very best friend, Elizabeth. It is odd, I know, since our friendship has largely progressed through correspondence, but the truth is that I am surrounded by ladies who refuse to treat me as an equal. I am the granddaughter of a duke, and the daughter of a marquis, and a great heiress, and ... oh, my dear friend, how well I remember the first time we met at Emerald Island, when you, a mere girl of fifteen, befriended me with such goodwill and cheer and ease! And then I had the opportunity of meeting your aunt and uncle Gardiner. I still visit them at least once a month when I am in Town, you know, because they are so honest and real, and their house in Cheapside is so cozy, and your little cousins so incredibly sweet. If you and your sister were willing to stay with me, it would be a great boon, I promise you! Now that I am the Countess of Keaton, I will be dealing with many high ranking visitors, and you and Miss Bennet are obviously adept at conversation and will be a great help.”
Elizabeth regarded her friend intently. She knew that Clara, while not exactly shy, was not an easy conversationalist. Moreover, the thought of a few weeks in Town was tempting, not on her own behalf, but on Jane’s.
If Mr. Bingley proved a fickle admirer, Jane might well have the opportunity of meeting eligible men in London.
The eldest Miss Bennet was so beautiful, and so charming, that she deserved an excellent marriage.
“I do have to look after the estates,” she said.
“London is closer to Emerald Island than Longbourn, is it not?”
“Yes.”
“If you need to visit either estate, I will put a carriage at your disposal.”
“That is very generous. I will have to think on it.”
“Of course,” the countess said with a smile. “Take your time, and I hope we will continue to correspond with one another regularly?”
“Exchanging letters with you is one of the great delights of my life,” Elizabeth said truthfully.
“I will consider the situation and consult Jane, and I will write when I make my decision. And thank you, Clara. I consider my sister, Jane, to be my best friend, but you are without doubt one of my closest.”
The countess chuckled and said, “And that is exactly why I love you so, my dear Elizabeth. Most ladies would murmur their adoration of me after such a declaration on my part, but you would not dream of being dishonest, would you?”
“I would not,” Elizabeth agreed firmly. “If one cannot have true honesty in a friendship, it is no great friendship.”
“I agree entirely.”