Chapter 2.12 #2
“I made no accusation—only asked for some explanation. I know quite well how such things occur. And your answer proved to me I was correct in my assumption.”
“Quite the contrary. And I wonder that you think so poorly of me. Surely, I am better than to take advantage of a young maid and abandon her to despair. You should have guessed that, if not my honour, my personal taste would lead me elsewhere.”
“Then…” Lady Matlock easily recognised the justice of her son’s harsh words.
Her heart was heavy with regret for hurting him while her mind insisted on discovering the truth.
Could he be so deceptive? Could she have been so wrong in trusting her son?
He had always been a little too…inclined toward the pleasures of life, but she had believed him to be a man of honour and surely not someone to take advantage of those in need—men or women.
And yet… how was it possible that he had a relationship with a servant from another house?
The silence was so tense, so overwhelming, that she felt the need to sit. She raised her eyes to meet her son’s hurt gaze and suddenly felt all the blood drain from her face.
“There is no other “Maud,” is there? There is only one, and she was thrown out of your brother’s house. I wrongly blamed you. How long have you known? Was she…? Oh dear Lord.”
Lady Matlock attempted to rise, but she fell to the floor as her knees failed to support her. The colonel helped her to the settee and hurried to get her a glass of water.
“Did you know from the beginning? Does your father know too? Am I the only fool here? Myself and poor Elizabeth who had to remedy the outrageous outcome of my son’s reckless behaviour?”
“Mother, please let us be calm and speak rationally; it would not do if you fell ill from distress. I did not know—I did not even suspect anything—until today. Thomas mentioned to me some time ago that Beatrice had severely dismissed a servant, but I had no interest in hearing more on the subject. I did observe his interest in the maid; he called her by name quite often when he spoke of her. But—forgive me—I took it as the usual inclination of a gentleman toward a handsome young female servant. As you said, it is very usual. I would say it happens in most houses among the ton.”
Lady Matlock did not answer; she finished the water and asked for more.
“About a month ago, while visiting Darcy, they told me about the young woman they found in the park, but not for a moment did I connect the two accounts. Again, I confess I listened only to half of it, and they never mentioned any name. Only today, when you and Elizabeth discussed the coincidence, did the connection strike me. I did not want to say anything although I imagined either you or Darcy would guess the truth soon enough. It was my intention to discuss it with Thomas immediately.”
“So that is where you planned to go.”
“Yes.”
“Forgive me for offending you, Robert. I have no excuse for my unfair accusation.”
“It does not matter now. I will call on Thomas briefly, and hopefully he will come to discuss it with you. I am not certain he would agree, though.”
“I am coming with you.”
“Pardon? Mother, you cannot seriously consider—”
“Robert, I am going to talk to Thomas right away—with or without you. Your father is resting. Should I wake him?”
“This is…very well, I have learnt by now that one cannot ever change your mind. Do not awake father yet. There will be enough scandal even without him.”
For half the ride, there was complete silence in the carriage. The colonel continued to glance at his mother, uncertain how to proceed. The situation could almost be more dangerous than a battle with Napoleon’s army.
“Mother, forgive me for being so blunt, but what exactly do you hope to accomplish by talking to Thomas? You cannot possibly reproach him for anything. He is a man in his thirties and the future earl of Matlock. It is truly his business where he spends his nights and with whom.”
Lady Matlock threw him a stern glare. “He is my son—just as you are. I can well reproach him for anything I consider proper, and I most certainly can censure his behaviour if it is improper, no matter how old he is, especially when he affects innocent people or the honour of our family.”
“Mother—”
“No ‘mother’! Tell me, Robert, do you believe it was his child—that the unborn infant who died was my grandson?”
“Mother, you cannot torture yourself like this. We cannot be sure of anything. Besides, you know too well that such accidents occur. It is not the first child to pass away before being born—and sadly not the last.”
“Without doubt your point is correct. Yet, I fail to see how this might make me feel better.”
The appearance of Lady Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam at such an improper hour was an obvious surprise even for the butler. They asked for the Viscount, and they were shown into the drawing room to wait for him.
When Lord Buxton entered, his smile betrayed his pleasure in seeing them. A moment later, however, as he tried to read their sharp expressions, he became concerned and mixed politeness with worry.
“Mother, I am so happy to see you. I believe it is the first time you have come unannounced.”
“True—and I apologise for the intrusion. We came to trouble you with a simple request. May I speak with your servant Maud, please? Or should I ask your wife?”
The young lord held his breath while his face turned pale then crimson.
“I do not understand your request. What business might you have with one of our servants?”
“Is she still your servant? Is she still in the house? If so, I shall be happy to see her and not bother you further.”
“She…is not here any longer…she left…some time ago…”
Lord Buxton glanced often at his brother as if asking for support, but the colonel stepped back and leant against the window as he had confirmation that his worst suspicions were correct.
“Did she? Of her own will? About a month ago, you would say?”
“Perhaps. I have no memory for such things.”
“How unfortunate. Does your brain always desert you when you use other…personal attributes?”
“Mother!” cried both men, but Lady Matlock stood, her back straight, her eyes casting poisoned arrows. She never raised her voice, but her tone had the chill of a blizzard and the edge of a sword.
“Mother, I am astonished by your inquiries. Why are we speaking of Maud? Why would you be interested in such a matter? There are countless servants who have left over the years, and you have never asked about them.”
“That was because I was perfectly aware of the circumstances of each servant that left my house—even those who were dismissed. I wonder whether you know where Maud might be and whether you are aware of the particular circumstances she was in at the time of her dismissal.”
From the doorway, Lady Beatrice yelled angrily, hastening to them.
“Why would your ladyship care about a horrible servant who betrayed our trust and disrespected our house? She was thrown out and rightfully so. She deserved even worse!” Fury twisted her beautiful features, but Lady Matlock responded with a cold smile.
“What a strangely powerful reaction for a lady regarding a member of her staff. It is our duty to be wiser than to become involved in emotional fights with our servants. It is very unbecoming for a woman of character and education.”
“Let us not argue over this any longer, Mother. Beatrice is the mistress of the house, and she is entitled to hire or dismiss anyone she wishes, just as your ladyship does in your own home. As I said, I confess I find it difficult to understand your discontent and to follow your reasoning in starting this debate.”
“Then I shall speak more clearly and slowly, so you can comprehend my words, Lord Buxton. Maud was found in the middle of Hyde Park, freezing to death. She had no means, as it seems she had been dismissed without any payment for her services. Strangely, it appears that the maid possessed character and honour, as she never blamed her former employers for their unfair treatment. Had she betrayed more details, it would have affected the good name of that employer.”
Lady Beatrice was unmoved. “She said nothing because she knew she was guilty. She was a shameless, low woman who did everything to gain the favours of the men. Did you know she was with child when I asked her to leave? I am glad she took her bastard and disappeared.”
“Beatrice, that is uncivil. Keep your voice down; we do not need the servants to hear our conversation. I have no doubt that they already know all the details of this story, though.”
“Lady Matlock! This is my house, and I have every right to speak as I please and to decide what my husband and I say to you!”
Lady Matlock’s expression hardly concealed her anger; then she addressed her daughter-in-law sharply.
“First, this is the house that was given to your husband by his family; second, I have every right to speak to my son in whatever manner I choose. If you prefer, you may leave. I am sure we all will be more reasonable. Afterward, should your husband choose to share this conversation with you, he may do so.”
“This is outrageous! I have never been so offended! How dare you put the entire blame on me? What about your son? Are you proud that he shared a bed with a servant behind my back? How do you think I felt? What would you have done in my place, Lady Matlock? Would you have allowed your husband to raise his child with a servant in your house? Admit it: you would have done just as I did.”