Chapter 2.16 #3
She then approved the dress Elizabeth had chosen for the ball, and offered more details that someone attending the event for the first time should know.
Sometime later, as Elizabeth expected, Lady Matlock changed the subject.
“Elizabeth, I was wondering what news you have about the young maid who has been ill?”
“Oh, she is well now,” Georgiana answered animatedly.
“Fortunately, she made a full recovery. And we have a surprise: we discovered that she is very skilful with the needle and that her mother worked for a modiste in Paris. Maud seems very nice and hardworking, and William suggested she move to Lambton with her family and work as a seamstress. Isn’t it lovely? ”
Lady Matlock’s surprise matched her disbelief. “Move to Lambton?”
“Yes…for some reason, she wished to return home to her village, but it is unlikely they would be able to support themselves there. She said she did not want to cause more trouble to our family, but we could not possibly understand what she meant.”
Her ladyship cast a quick glance at Elizabeth then turned to her young niece again.
“My dear, Elizabeth will explain to you later what Maud meant. I believe you are old enough for us to choose the truth over a tendency to protect you.” She smiled at Georgiana’s astonished expression and addressed Elizabeth.
“Would you mind if I talk to Maud a few moments?”
“Talk to her? I would not mind, but she might be too distressed to handle such a discussion. She is only a young and modest girl. I expect she has little experience conversing with someone of your ladyship’s position, and her prior discussions with Lady Beatrice likely will make her uneasy.”
“Please do not worry. I do not intend to reproach her for anything—quite the contrary. It will not be a difficult discussion, and you may witness it if you like. Georgiana dearest, would you please excuse us for a little while? As I said, Elizabeth will talk to you later. I would be grateful for your discretion.”
Georgiana was astounded, and she only nodded as she left the drawing room with a last glance to her sister-in-law. Elizabeth, heavy-hearted and concerned for what would follow, sent for Maud.
“I imagine my son visited Maud. I expected him to make a convenient proposal. He seemed determined to…preserve this connection. I do not approve of his behaviour, but he is my son, and I will become accustomed to what he decides. I have little choice.”
“Lady Ellen…” Elizabeth tried to interrupt her, but the lady continued in her impressive voice.
“This is precisely what I want to talk to Maud about—to tell her we do not condemn her. Although I could never show my acceptance in public or have any kind of relationship with her when in company, I do not intend to disturb her tranquillity in any way. And if she had my son’s child, I would have happily supported him.
But what is this story that she will move to Lambton? Did my son purchase a house there?”“
“Lady Ellen, the viscount did come with a proposal for her…and she refused him. As Georgiana already told you, she declared a wish to avoid further scandal and decided to return home. She also refused any payment from me as she considered herself already in my debt. She was ready to walk all the way back to Oxfordshire. We have rarely seen such courage and dignity. That is why William proposed she move to Lambton.”
Lady Matlock frowned, and then her eyebrows rose in disbelief. She dropped to the settee, looking inquiringly at Elizabeth for further details.
“She refused Thomas? So she has no affection for him? I was certain she would accept him. I do not intend to be insensitive, but very few girls in her position would reject an easy way of living. I can hardly believe she did it.”
“We first suspected that she would readily accept his offer because she does seem to hold him in regard. And in truth, it would have been an easy and advantageous option. Many girls in her position would have accepted it. I cannot say what influenced her decision, but she refused him and remained unmoved. I believe it mattered that our families are related, and she did not want to disappoint us.”
“This is quite astonishing,” Lady Matlock whispered.
A knock on the door made Elizabeth open it to meet a shy and apparently frightened Maud. Elizabeth smiled encouragingly.
“Maud, I invited you here because there is someone who would like to talk to you. I promise you have no cause for concern. This is Lady Matlock; she is our aunt and—”
“Oh, dear Lord!” Maud exclaimed, all the blood draining from her face. It was clear that she recognised her ladyship, and the shock made her nearly faint.
Elizabeth was not surprised by the reaction; even when she smiled, Lady Matlock was an impressive and intimidating presence, not only for a young maid but for everybody who knew her.
“I am sorry,” Maud said, meeting the lady’s gaze for only an instant.
Lady Matlock stepped closer until she could observe Maud carefully. The young woman—looking almost like a child—was thin and pale, and her brown eyes seemed too large for her small face.
Her ladyship spoke kindly. “Maud, I do not wish to disturb you. I only came to see you and to speak to you for a moment—to apologise for all the suffering you had to endure from our family and for the tragic loss, which I can well understand.”
“Oh…” Maud’s face coloured instantly, and she appeared even more frightened. “I beg you not to say that…you cannot apologise to me…”
“I can and I need to, Maud. I know everything that you went through, and I regret it. Is there anything I can do for you? May I help you in any way?”
“Your ladyship must not show me so much kindness because I do not deserve it. Everything that happened was my fault. I broke the rules, and I was punished for that. I am sorry that I caused so much trouble…” She was obviously fighting her tears, so Lady Matlock took a step back, for the first time in her life not knowing how to answer.
“I did not want to make you cry, Maud. I do not know what to do to help. I understand you decided to move to Derbyshire?”
Maud only nodded in silence.
“Would you allow me to offer you some monetary compensation to make your move easier? It must have been difficult for you and your family since you have been ill for so long. Perhaps three hundred pounds? Or more?”
Both the maid and Elizabeth startled at such an offer. Lady Matlock looked uncomfortable and glanced from one to the other. Maud lowered her head again.
“Your ladyship is very generous, but I cannot possibly accept it. I am grateful for your help, but I am well now. God has been good to me. Mrs Darcy has been my saviour; I owe her my life. And the master has now saved my family. All is well.”
“I see. So there is nothing I can do for you? Are you certain?”
Maud kept her eyes on the floor while she dared to answer. “If your ladyship is ever in Derbyshire and happens to need anything sewed or mended, I would be happy to serve you.”
A small, restrained smile lifted Lady Matlock’s lips.
“Matlock Manor is only twenty miles from Pemberley. I am certain I will have many gowns to repair—and so will all my acquaintances in that part of the country.”
Maud’s pale face lit slightly and she held Lady Matlock’s gaze for a moment.
“I thank you, your ladyship.”
Lady Matlock prepared to leave, and she offered her hand to Maud, who briefly took it with disbelief.
“Please do not thank me, Maud; I have truly done nothing. We are only fortunate that our faults have been remedied by the generous hearts of my niece and nephew. I trust everything will be well for you and your family now. You could not be anywhere better than under Mrs Darcy’s care.”
∞∞∞
When Darcy returned home later in the afternoon, he found his wife and sister speaking solemnly in Elizabeth’s apartment. He worried at their apparent seriousness and inquired about the subject of their conversation.
Elizabeth answered with a smile.
“Lady Matlock was here earlier. She spoke with Maud; she was very kind and considerate. And I thought I should tell Georgiana the details of the story she did not know yet.”
“I am glad you did, and I thank you for trusting me, Elizabeth,” Miss Darcy whispered.
Darcy frowned, searching his young sister’s face for a sign of distress.
Elizabeth continued. “I was reluctant to do it too, but I believe Lady Matlock was correct in her opinion. Georgiana is wise and old enough for us to choose the truth over the tendency to protect her.”
Darcy kissed his wife’s hand and smiled at his sister.
“I will always protect you both—always. But I agree with you: my dear sister has grown very wise. I may say that Maud’s story has changed us all in a certain way. We have all grown older and wiser.”