Chapter 2.12 #3
“I agree that the situation was unacceptable, but a true lady would have demanded that her husband solve it discreetly. You reasonably did not allow the outrageous relationship to continue, but that does not justify your selfishness and cruelty. You are neither kind nor generous, Beatrice, and I wonder whether you know what love and affection mean. But again, this does not diminish your husband’s share of the blame.
It pains me to observe your marriage, but until today, I had not realised how harmful it could be not only for you but also for others around you.
You have everything in life—both of you—and yet you completely fail to be happy. This is heartbreaking.”
“I am not unhappy. I am like any proper lady should be in her marriage,” Lady Beatrice responded contemptuously. “You will excuse me now; I cannot listen to this any longer. Thomas, I shall await you impatiently in the dining room!”
She left furiously, slamming the door and shouting something at a servant. Lady Matlock rolled her eyes then turned her attention to her eldest son.
“Mother, why do you bring up this story now? And how did you learn of it? I mean—it is more than a month since it happened. And yes, I am not proud of myself, but Maud was…we had a relationship of a particular nature. Beatrice found out, and she dismissed her immediately. I could not argue with my wife over a maid; certainly, you must see that.”
“Of course not; after all, there are plenty of other maids in your house, and if necessary, you may borrow a few from your neighbours,” Lady Matlock said sarcastically.
The offense made both men pale, but the colonel still tried not to interfere. It was his brother’s duty to take responsibility for his behaviour.
“You are unfair and unreasonable, mother. Surely, you cannot blame me for something that every man does.”
“Every man? They might—but surely not any gentleman. And will you pretend—like your wife—that she was the one who tried to gain your favours? I have heard she was very young, almost half your age. And she was with child—did you know that?”
The viscount averted his eyes. Lady Matlock put her hand on her chest to calm her heart.
“So you did know. And it was your child?”
“I believe so…I have no reason to think otherwise.”
“And you still would let her freeze to death? With no money and nowhere to go? While carrying your child? What kind of man are you?”
“Mother, listen to me. Beatrice demanded she leave while I was at the club. She was very angry when she discovered Maud was with child, and she likely waited for a moment when I was not at home. When I found…I knew she had an aunt at an inn, and I imagined she would go there. The next morning, I went to look for her, but I was told she had left. I tried to find her whereabouts for a few days but with no success. I am not a monster. I know I should have been more careful but…how did you find out about her?”
“Darcy and Elizabeth found her in Hyde Park, took her into their home, and had her taken care of! Elizabeth—who is everything your wife is not! The generous, kind, warm, caring Elizabeth saved a life that you carelessly threw away.”
“Oh, please, let us not be so dramatic. Can we please stop praising Darcy and his wife? For heaven’s sake, he married a country nobody!
You never would have accepted that I marry a woman so far below us!
You were content when I chose Beatrice! Elizabeth’s custom of taking home people she finds in the park is not praiseworthy but another proof of her low breeding.
I understand you are upset. I know I should have made arrangements to handle the situation better.
I was wrong, and it will never happen again.
But you cannot despise me for doing something any man in London would do and commend Darcy for neglecting his duty and marrying against his family’s will—and to a woman whose only merits are her charms, her beauty, and probably her delightful company in the marriage bed! ”
“You are an idiot,” the colonel finally interfered, struggling to control his voice.
“Stop repeating that this is something every man does, and take responsibility for your stupid error. It was no accident or mistake: you had your way with a young maid, got her with child, and then left her to freeze to death! That is the truth! You are irresponsible and selfish and cruel—very well suited to your wife who, by the way, chased Darcy around Town for two years and married you only when she realised she had no chance with him.”
“Robert, you forget yourself! You cannot speak to me in such a manner in my own home. Are you out of your mind?”
“Of course I can! How dare you speak of Elizabeth in such a manner? Darcy would call you out for a single offensive thought against his wife! Let us admit it: he was the only one of us who had the daring, the wisdom, and the tenacity to obtain the woman he not only desired but the one who would make him happy. He will never have to trick a servant girl into his bed! Not all of us have the fortune to marry for love, but we can have enough honour and dignity to praise his character and strength. Of course, we could choose to be like Wickham: take advantage of Darcy’s help when it was needed and trash his name behind his back the rest of the time. ”
“That is outrageous! I only now discover your true opinion of me, Robert. I have never been so offended! This cannot easily be forgotten.”
“I agree, Brother—and it will certainly not be. Mother, may we leave now? I need some fresh air.”
“Yes, let us leave.”
“Mother, please…” the viscount attempted to intervene.
She stopped and turned to him, a sad smile on her face.
“Thomas, I have always been proud of you, and I have loved you with all my heart. My affection for you will never change, no matter how powerful my disappointment in you might be. My heart is in pain now, and I cannot continue to ignore the traits of your character that I refused to accept before. Because you are my son, I will try to forget and to forgive your recklessness and will pray to see you struggle to improve yourself. But I am afraid I will never have the strength to forgive and forget that you and your wife caused the death of my grandson—of your own son. Let us go, Robert. I have nothing more to say.”
The colonel offered his arm to his mother, still tormented by the horrible argument.
He was worried for the lady who seemed to have lost all her powers and could barely walk.
The colonel could easily understand his mother’s torment.
He had also deeply cared for his brother since they were infants, and telling him such terrible words was equally burdening for all of them.
As they moved to the main door, Beatrice appeared and stood near her husband, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring defiantly at them while Lord Buxton leant against the wall to avoid falling to the floor.