Chapter 15 #2
The notion that Cece could have been hurt, made her nauseous.
Only God knew what had happened during that private encounter.
From her late husband, she expected the worst. And that horrible St. Claire was no better.
He even had the audacity to feign an appearance of honour!
If she had been a man, she would have called him out!
But she was only a woman, who could do very little.
It was late in the afternoon when the three of them entered Darcy’s house.
They had been gone for less than six hours, but it seemed like days to Elizabeth.
So much had changed since that morning, when she waited for the funeral and for the clarification of her situation.
Now, everything was clear and out in the open.
When the large, heavy door of Darcy's house opened, a revelation struck her: she was not ‘only’ a woman, she was a titled lady with enormous means and power. She could do more than call St. Claire out. Much more. She could do almost anything she wanted.
In the hall, while Bingley chatted with his wife about dinner, Elizabeth remained lost in her thoughts. She lifted her veil—finally—and walked down the long hall, feeling Jane’s gentle hold on her arm.
“Lizzy, would you like to go to your room? We should change for dinner. I will call for some tea and…”
“No. I wish to speak to Mr. Darcy first and ask his opinion. I must find Cece. I cannot eat or drink when Cece is somewhere, alone, exposed to God knows what ordeals.”
“Yes, of course...I am sorry…I know I have been selfish,” Jane whispered.
Elizabeth quickly embraced her sister. “Forgive me, dearest. It is not your fault—your care is much appreciated. But I have so much on my mind…I must speak to Mr. Darcy, but a cup of tea would be perfect.”
“I will inform him that we have arrived,” Bingley said, showing the ladies into the drawing-room.
They stopped in the doorway, stunned in surprise, met by the curious gazes of two ladies, with whom Darcy was talking.
Elizabeth immediately recognised the younger lady and the eldest had all the appearance of a lady of consequence, with wealth, connections and self-confidence.
For a moment, Elizabeth was tempted to turn and leave. She was too pained, too troubled, and her mind was too desolate for entertaining.
Jane and Bingley greeted the guests with familiarity while Darcy hurried to Elizabeth.
“Lady Barrington, allow me to introduce my aunt, Lady Matlock. I believe you have met my sister Georgiana before?”
“Yes, I have and I am very pleased to meet her again. Delighted to make your acquaintance, Lady Matlock.” Elizabeth heard her voice sounding more composed than she expected, and she even forced a polite smile.
“We apologise for intruding,” Lady Matlock said. “We were on our way home from shopping and we stopped here only briefly.”
Elizabeth did not doubt that rumours had already spread around London and the lady had come to satisfy her curiosity.
The news of an earl dying in his own house, after abusing and imprisoning his wife, had probably become the talk of the ton already.
And her presence in the house of a man who was unrelated to her, surely added more flavour to the gossip.
She chose her words carefully before replying.
“Surely you may visit your brother and nephew whenever you please. It is we who have intruded and abused Mr. Darcy’s kindness.”
“Hardly,” Darcy intervened. “I am honoured to host you, Lady Barrington, just as I am happy to see my aunt and my sister.”
More tea was served and, while she sipped from her cup, Elizabeth felt the others staring at her. Only then did she realise her face was exposed and she quickly pulled her veil down, ashamed and tormented. Georgiana looked pale and distraught while Lady Matlock whispered with much sorrow.
“Oh, poor, dear girl…” Then immediately, the lady adjusted her voice.
“Please forgive me, Lady Barrington, I should not have expressed myself with such familiarity. I believe we had better leave now.”
“Lady Matlock! I despise being called Lady Barrington, so ‘poor, dear girl’ is quite a welcome substitute,” Elizabeth answered with a painful smile.
Lady Matlock stared at Elizabeth, amazed that she could jest under such circumstances. Next to her, Miss Darcy looked at them, teary and silent.
“I know we have not met before but both my nephew and son—the colonel—have spoken so highly of you,” Lady Matlock continued.
“I confess we were all surprised and worried when we heard of your marriage...if we had known before, I assure you that you would have been warned. We all suspected Lord Barrington's character was less than honourable. And since he lacked a father’s guidance, his mother’s tolerance encouraged his reprobate actions. ”
“I can hardly find any excuse for his behaviour,” Elizabeth whispered.
“No indeed, there is no excuse! I knew your sister and brother were worried when he did not allow them to see you, but we assumed he was just a pompous, arrogant fool who tried to separate you from your family, out of social considerations. Until this moment, I had never imagined that he was capable of harming his wife…”
“Lady Matlock, I shall not conceal my husband’s evil character and his despicable actions. But let us not speak on this subject any longer. I see no point in distressing you, Miss Darcy and my sister more than is necessary.”
“You are right, of course, Lady Barrington. Please know that you may count on me for anything you might need.”
“Your ladyship is very kind,” Elizabeth said with genuine gratefulness. “I expect I will need help, as I intend to begin work on all of the Countess of Sedgewick’s charities that have been neglected in the last weeks.”
“The Countess of Sedgewick was a remarkable lady, very dedicated to charity. She had no close family, except for the Barringtons, I remember. My husband said something about a trust fund.”
“Yes. This was the course that brought us to the present tragedy. Her ladyship’s connection with the most horrid of men.”
“How very sad… and dreadful. It is commendable of you to continue her work,” Lady Matlock answered. “But I would suggest you rest and recover first, if I may be so bold as to advise you.”
“Your care is much appreciated, but I am well enough, I assure you. Mr. Darcy generously offered us shelter and support when we needed it. I admit I accepted his invitation to stay in his house, with my sister, my brother, my uncle and aunt, because I was equally frightened and ashamed to allow people to see me. I feared not only for my own safety but also for my maid’s, who is so badly hurt that her life is in danger. ”
Despite her exhaustion, a terrible headache and the claw that still gripped her chest, Elizabeth’s mind was sharp and alert, as it had been for all those months when she had lived in fear and peril.
She purposely offered additional details, realising that it may help to quell further gossip and speculation that could harm the Darcys, as well as her own family. For herself, she cared little. Nothing could be worse than the nightmare she had already lived through.
“Dear Lord,” Miss Darcy murmured.
“I believe it was a wise decision. If he was in town, I assure you my son would have invited you to stay with us, too! There is nobody amongst us who does not condemn Lord Barrington’s behaviour!”
”I am thankful to your ladyship for the warm support. Fortunately, I shall have my own home soon. I will move to Lady Sedgewick’s house in a few days.”
“Really? Not the Barringtons’ house?” Lady Matlock’s astonishment was apparent. Georgiana kept staring at Elizabeth, oblivious to anything else around her, while the others witnessed the conversation quietly.
Elizabeth grew more impatient to end the encounter. Her main preoccupation was to find Cece without further delay, so she answered Lady Matlock in some haste.
“No, not Barrington House. Lady Sedgewick expressed her wish that I would live in her home someday and I want to honour her desire. I am afraid I…”
“My sister is now the mistress of all! Everything is under her supervision!” Bingley suddenly interjected enthusiastically.
“What could you possibly mean?” Lady Matlock asked in a loud and perturbed voice.
Elizabeth tried to calm herself.
“Indeed. According to the gentlemen who manage both the Barrington and Sedgewick fortunes, all the responsibilities, all the expectations, all the duties that once belonged to Lady Sedgewick are now mine. That is why I mentioned that I would certainly need help.”
“But…Forgive my indiscretion, this is utterly unexpected! And Lady Augusta?”
“Aunt, please,” Darcy interjected. “Lady Barrington is certainly exhausted and since she is under my protection, I must beg you to end this conversation this moment. I am sure there will be time for other discussions in the future.”
Lady Matlock appeared disconcerted by being silenced.
“Of course. You are right, nephew—we should leave. I am sorry for keeping Lady Barrington so long.”
“Lady Matlock, it was a pleasure and an honour to make your acquaintance and to speak to you,” Elizabeth offered. “I hope to see you and Miss Darcy very soon, under happier circumstances and with a less disturbing appearance.”
Lady Matlock seemed content with Elizabeth’s statement. “It was a pleasure for me, too, Lady Barrington, and I look forward to our next encounter. I wish you all the best and hope you are able to regain your tranquillity soon.”
The farewell between Elizabeth and Georgiana was short, quiet, and filled with emotion. Miss Darcy’s tearful blue eyes and paleness spoke more of her compassion and sorrow than any long and solemn declaration and Elizabeth’s gratitude was conveyed with the same discretion and emotional gaze.