Chapter Thirty-Four

S ally soon arrived with the bath salts in hand. The Countess remained with Georgiana while the girl was bathed in what was evidently the first time in a long while. The bathwater had to be emptied and refilled twice before Georgiana was truly clean, even with the help of the Countess' favorite lavender salts.

Georgiana's condition was alarming; though clearly with child, she was far too thin, her ribs visible beneath her skin. And those bruises on her arms! And her poor hands, so red and raw!

"Are you hungry, my dear?" she asked.

Georgiana nodded. "I think I am always hungry," she confessed.

"Sally, a tray," the Countess said. Sally nodded and disappeared, returning shortly with a tray laden with cold chicken, bread, butter, a large slice of cake and a pot of tea.

"Slowly, dearest," she admonished her niece, as Georgiana began to devour the food as if she had not eaten in a long while. "Did he not feed you?"

"Oh, Aunt, it was everything terrible! He did not love me and he – and Mrs. Younge – and –"

"Wait, Georgiana. Your uncle will want to hear every detail, and I do not want you to have to tell your tale twice. Perhaps a bit of rest now?"

"Oh, yes. But, Aunt, George will try to get at me; you must not let him in. He is not truly my husband and has no claim on me."

Other than his bastard child, the Countess thought, but she said nothing. Sally had already returned with one of the Countess' older nightrails, which Georgiana slipped over her head.

The Countess pulled down the covers of the soft bed and helped her niece to climb in, tucking the blankets around Georgiana as if she were just a child. "Sleep, dear, as long as you like. Pull the bell cord when you awaken and Sally will find me."

Sally opened the door for the Countess and then followed her out into the hallway.

"Sally…"

"Of course, I will say nothing."

"And Agnes?"

Sally pursed her lips. "She loves to tell tales, that one."

The Countess sighed. "I should have called for you to help me undress her. I knew I could not conceal Georgiana's presence, as both Agnes and Mr. Robeson had already seen her, but now Agnes knows Georgiana is pregnant as well."

"Mr. Robeson will not tell tales, of course. Let me talk to Agnes."

"Do you think you can silence her?"

"I think I can, yes; she does not wish it known that she is often found kissing Alfred downstairs."

"The footman?"

"Yes, my lady." Sally's eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"Sally, is it not wonderful how the wrongdoings of one person are kept secret by the threat of disclosure of another person's wrongdoings?"

"I do not know that I ever thought of it as wonderful, my lady, but just now it is certainly convenient."

"It is. I thank you, Sally."

The Countess made her way downstairs to await the Earl's return.

***

The Earl returned to Matlock House early. His usual practice of spending the entire day with his cronies, discussing politics, had ended with his niece's misstep. He made it a point to leave the house each day, so as not to become a recluse, but he was glad to return to the safety of his own home.

He was usually greeted by Mr. Robeson who, with a completely impassive face, would take the Earl's hat, umbrella, and whatever else he had carried, while the Earl himself would ascend to his room, there to have his valet help him change out of his uncomfortable street clothes and into less unforgiving informal attire.

But today, Mr. Robeson was positively a-tremble! The Earl stared at him from under bushy eyebrows and asked, "Are you quite well, Mr. Robeson?"

"I am, your lordship, but –"

"But?"

"No, nothing. I apologise, my lord."

The Earl extended his hat and umbrella to Mr. Robeson, who stared at the items blankly for a moment before recollecting himself and taking them.

Well, this was mysterious behaviour indeed, the Earl thought. He went upstairs to his room where his valet was waiting for him. Nothing seemed out of order here; Robeson must be having digestive problems. It had happened before. He breathed a sigh of relief when his cravat was untied from around his throat, and then heard a peremptory knock on the door that led to the sitting room he shared with his wife.

"Come in, Elaine!" he called.

His wife entered. "You may go, Alfred."

The valet began to protest that he had not finished helping his lordship change clothing, but the Earl interrupted. "I think my wife can help me, Alfred."

Once they were alone, the earl said, "Something has happened, has it? Robeson was all but shaking at the front door."

"Georgiana is here."

"Georgiana? Georgiana Darcy?"

The Countess looked at him irritably. "Edward, do we know another Georgiana?"

"I suppose not, but – well, I cannot believe it. Where did she come from?"

"Evidently she ran away from her husband. Except that he is not her husband, because he is already married."

"Good God, can it get any worse?" her husband expostulated.

"Indeed, it can and it has. Georgiana is pregnant."

"Oh, my God." The Earl's knees buckled and he sat down heavily on a chair. "What will we tell people?"

"I have no idea; we have much to discuss. But first, let us hear Georgiana's tale."

"Where is she now?"

"Sleeping, after Sally washed eight layers of dirt off her and we fed her what might well have been the first full meal she has had in many weeks."

"The poor child!"

"Just seeing her tore my heart open, Edward. I know the Matlock family has much at stake in this matter, but we must protect her."

"Of course; she is our sister's child. Have you sent a message to Richard and to Darcy?"

"Not yet. I thought to speak with her first and find out what must be done to protect her."

"Other than Robeson, who knows she is here?"

"Sally, of course, but also Agnes."

The Earl made a sour face.

The Countess nodded in agreement, saying, "I know, but Agnes happened upon us when Georgiana found me upstairs. I warned Agnes – I threatened her, actually – and Sally will reinforce the threat. I hope we have some time to manage the situation."

Just then, there was a knock on the Earl's door and Sally's voice said, quietly, "She is awake, my lady."

The Countess opened the door and said, also quietly, "I thank you, Sally. We cannot confine her to the Rose Room indefinitely, so I think it best that we put her in some decent clothing and simply say that our niece has come for a visit."

"I found a gown for her and have made some quick alterations; it will not be perfect, but it will do well enough," Sally replied.

"Thank you, Sally; it comforts me to know that I can always rely on you."

Sally made no response other than to nod, smile and curtsey before hurrying away.

The Countess turned back to the Earl and said, "Give us twenty minutes so that I make certain she is ready; then join us in the Rose Room."