Chapter 27
Elizabeth was concerned about Mrs Bennet. Since Jane's wedding, she had noticed that her mother seemed sadder and more withdrawn than usual. Therefore, before retiring for the night, she decided to visit her mother's bedchamber and ask whether everything was all right.
“Mama, before I go to bed, I wanted to ask whether you need anything.”
Elizabeth immediately realised that her mother was avoiding her gaze.
“No, Lizzy. I do not need anything...” As Mrs Bennet spoke, she could not keep the tears from filling her eyes.
Elizabeth crossed the room, embraced her mother, and asked gently, “What is the matter, Mama?”
Mrs Bennet wiped away her tears before answering.
“Everything has changed in such a short time. Jane is married, Lydia has been sent to boarding school, and Mary and Kitty no longer wish to live with me... and you, Lizzy...” She paused for a moment before adding, “You must be pleased that your birth mother is a rich and elegant lady like Eleanor. She was always clever, just like you.”
Elizabeth embraced Mrs Bennet even more tightly and kissed her on the cheek.
“Whatever has happened, you will always be my mother, and I shall always be grateful to you for giving me a home and four sisters.” Smiling, she added, “And for your endless patience with me.”
“Oh, Lizzy, you always did know how to disagree with me,” Mrs Bennet replied with a laugh.
Elizabeth remained with her for nearly an hour, talking and laughing about the many mischievous things she had done as a child.
“Lizzy, I want you to know that I wish you every happiness, and I hope you will never forget that I love you as my own child.”
Mrs Bennet was so overcome with emotion that she could say no more.
“Do not worry, Mama. We shall see one another more often than you imagine. My mother, Eleanor, wishes you to come to London and stay with us for the Season. You will also have the opportunity to spend more time with Mary and Kitty.”
“Indeed, Lizzy? I should like that very much. Then I shall be able to see Jane as well and make certain that Mary and Kitty find good husbands. Perhaps Mr Andrews can help me...”
Mrs Bennet went on at some length about how Mary and Kitty ought to conduct themselves if they wished to find suitable husbands.
Elizabeth listened with an affectionate smile.
Mrs Bennet had always been a simple woman whose thoughts frequently turned to such matters.
Yet she was also the woman who had raised and protected her throughout her childhood.
For that reason, Elizabeth listened patiently and continued talking with her until her mother gradually grew sleepy.
Elizabeth helped her mother into bed and, before she fell asleep, kissed her gently on the forehead.
“Good night, Mama.”
“Good night, Lizzy,” Mrs Bennet replied, comforted by the knowledge that her daughter still loved her.
Elizabeth returned to her room and reflected upon how greatly her life had changed over the past few months. Before long, everything would be different, and she would begin her new life as Elizabeth Sinclair.
◆◆◆
Matthew could scarcely believe his misfortune.
He and Jane were happy; for the first time in many years, he felt he could finally leave the painful past behind him, only for Dona María Alta Gracia to appear and threaten to turn his life upside down.
His only prayer was that Jane would not be hurt by discovering the truth about his maternal family in such a manner.
Everyone surrounding Matthew and his grandmother sensed the great tension between them. Lady Westcliff did not dare to say anything, but she was secretly delighted to discover that Eleanor's niece would one day become the Marchioness de la Pena; in a way, it made them related.
For their part, Eleanor and Marcus did everything they could to steady Jane. She was visibly shaken, and they wished to avoid any possibility of a scandal. Jane was naturally shy and would find it difficult to withstand the pressure of malicious gossip.
Meanwhile, Jane was struggling to make sense of what she had just learned.
That wealthy and influential lady was, in all probability, one of the people who had caused Matthew so much suffering as a child.
Moreover, she could see the pain and anger upon her husband's countenance.
Determined to reassure him, she spoke quietly.
“My dear, you should dance with the lady. Pray do not concern yourself about me.”
Matthew looked at Jane and, for the first time in what felt like hours, managed to smile.
“Thank you, my dear wife.”
Mary returned with a glass of punch for Jane. She took a few sips, which helped to steady her as she watched her husband walk onto the dance floor beside the lady who claimed to be his grandmother.
“Aunt Eleanor, please dance the first set with your husband. I shall be quite well here.”
“Are you certain, Jane?” Eleanor asked anxiously.
“Yes. It is the best way to avoid attracting attention.”
Jane had noticed Caroline watching her with far too much interest. She would not give that woman the satisfaction of seeing her distressed.
Mary was to dance the first set with Lord Westcliff, as Lady Westcliff would dance with her son, the newly appointed Colonel Christian Campbell, Lord Blackwood.
Jane had almost regained her composure and was considering how she might speak privately with Matthew to discover who the lady really was when, all at once, a deep voice addressed her.
“Mrs Andrews de la Garza, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?”
The gentleman had witnessed the entire scene and overheard part of the conversation.
Seeing Jane standing alone and visibly distressed, he decided to ask her to dance, hoping to prevent anyone from approaching her with indiscreet questions about her husband.
He had noticed the way Caroline Bingley was watching Jane and knew only too well how malicious she could be.
Jane smiled gratefully.
“Yes, Mr Darcy, I should be delighted.”
Then, almost in a whisper, she added, “Thank you very much.”
“You are most welcome,” said Mr Darcy
“Do not look at me in that way, Mateo. You have forced me to do this. I have been trying to speak with you for several months,” said Dona María.
Dona María Alta Gracia was pleased. At last, she would be able to fulfil the promise she had made to her husband.
“But I do not wish to speak to you or to anyone else in your family. Is that so difficult to understand?”
Matthew and his grandmother continued arguing in Spanish for several minutes. Everyone dancing near them, as well as those watching from the sidelines, observed them with curiosity, but fortunately no one understood what they were saying.
“Your grandfather is dying, Mateo. He wishes to see you. He needs to speak with you before he dies. If you will not do it for me, then do it for your mother—for my daughter Rosita.”
“Do not use my mother to persuade me, madam. Do not forget that you and Don Pedro cast her out of your lives when she married my father.”
Matthew was exhausted and had no desire to continue the conversation. More than anything, he needed to speak with Jane and explain everything to her.
Dona María Alta Gracia remained silent for a few moments. Before the set came to an end, however, she spoke once more.
“My husband and I have made many mistakes, but the greatest of them all was casting Rosita out of our lives. Yet your mother was such a happy and generous woman that I have no doubt she forgave us before she died. Surely you cannot be less forgiving than your mother, Mateo.”
Matthew could not ignore the humble, almost pleading manner in which Dona María spoke to him. It seemed almost impossible that such a proud and unyielding woman could humble herself in that way. For a moment, he hesitated, feeling deeply confused.
“I swear to you, Marcus, I had no idea that Matthew belonged to such an important family. The worst of it is that I believe Jane has only just learnt the truth as well,” Eleanor said to her husband.
“I only hope Matthew has a good reason for keeping something like that from his wife.”
Marcus and Eleanor continued to dance, but their attention remained fixed upon Jane, who seemed much calmer as she conversed with Mr Darcy.
Elizabeth had told her that they were friends now, and Jane suspected that there might even be something more between them.
Yet she knew her sister would never confide such a thing in a letter.
When the first set came to an end, Marcus and Eleanor crossed the ballroom to join Jane. Fortunately, Mr Darcy had been telling her about the days he had spent in Hertfordshire with Elizabeth, which had kept her mind pleasantly occupied.
“It has been a pleasure to dance with you, Mrs Andrews de la Garza. I hope that, on another occasion, we may have the opportunity to converse somewhere rather quieter.”
Mr Darcy knew that Jane was very close to Elizabeth and he sincerely wished to know her better.
Jane smiled and replied, “I am sure we shall have many opportunities to become better acquainted.”
She was sincerely grateful to Mr Darcy and was pleased to discover that he and Elizabeth had formed a friendship.
Once the first set had ended, Dona María Alta Gracia asked Matthew to introduce her to his wife. Matthew could not refuse; he was well aware that everyone was watching them. Afterwards, he hoped they might leave the ball so that he could explain everything to Jane.
Jane was standing with Marcus and Eleanor, as Mary was dancing the second set with Colonel Campbell. Matthew introduced his grandmother rather curtly, but Jane did her utmost to receive the Marchioness with warmth and courtesy.
“Mrs Andrews de la Garza, allow me to present Dona María Alta Gracia, the Marchioness de la Pena.”
Jane curtsied gracefully.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady.”
“The pleasure is mine, Mrs Andrews de la Garza,” the marchioness replied, studying Jane attentively.
Jane smiled kindly.
“I hope you are enjoying the evening, my lady.”