Chapter 26

26

I t was not long, although it seemed it, until Uncle was home and Elizabeth was sitting with her relations and Charlotte in the sitting room with the door closed. She was impatient to hear what it was all about.

"Papa, it is not that someone has discovered Santorio, is it?"

He shook his head. "Patience, Lizzy, patience. But do not worry, it does not appear so."

She sank back on the sofa with a sigh, and Charlotte surreptitiously squeezed her hand. It was a relief to her, although she could not imagine what else could cause Papa to bestir himself and come to town.

When they were all seated, refreshments served, and the door closed, Papa stirred, and reached into the inner pocket of his top coat. "As I said, I received a letter, and it seems to me that, whatever we decide to do, things may well change for us all."

Uncle frowned heavily. "I think it was bound to happen, eventually. Who is the letter from?"

"Someone I have not met in the whole course of my life." Papa raised an eyebrow at Elizabeth, who smiled, having recognised his repeating the words from when he had spoken about the forthcoming arrival of Mr. Collins.

Perhaps you could read it out to us, Mr. Bennet." Aunt Gardiner's voice showed only the slightest sign of waspishness; she would not rail at his teasing delays as Mama did, and Elizabeth hid a grin.

"Perhaps Lizzy would like to read it." Papa gave up his mischievous behaviour and passed the letter to her.

"Very well, Papa." She frowned. "It is a very fine quality paper." The seal was already broken, of course, and she unfolded the sheet, her eyes dropping to the signature at the bottom.

"It is from …" she hesitated. "Someone who signed it Alice, Lady Matlock."

"Oh, I know of her," Aunt Gardiner interjected. "She is the Countess of Matlock, and is a patroness of the orphanage where I teach the girls sewing skills on Wednesdays."

Papa's eyebrows rose. "Have you met her, and would she recognise your name?"

"We have been introduced, although we only exchanged a few words."

"Would she know of your connection to Lizzy, or that Edward publishes Santorio?"

"No, I do not believe so." Aunt frowned. "Although of course, Edward is generally known as the publisher, but I do not think her family is particularly musical."

"What does the letter say, Lizzy?" Uncle brought them all back to the matter in hand.

"She writes from Matlock House, Grosvenor Square," Elizabeth said, frowning like her aunt was.

Dear Mr. Bennet

I have had my attention drawn to the private presentation of your daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, to Her Majesty some two years ago. Having therefore discovered this, I have spoken to some of my friends at Court and I understand that your daughter has an exceptional talent at both playing and singing. Since I had not heard of her before this, I also surmise that she has not had the opportunity to perform within the first circles.

I request you permit me to make the acquaintance of Miss Bennet and listen to her play and sing, and then I will introduce her to society by having her perform at a musical soiree I am holding at Matlock House with the intention of raising funds for The Asylum for Female Orphans in Lambeth, of which Her Majesty is also a patroness.

I would appreciate your reply soonest, as the soiree is to be held on December 22 nd .

Yours etc

Alice, Lady Matlock."

There was a long silence after Elizabeth had folded the letter and returned it to Papa. She knew that everything had changed. Finally, Uncle sighed.

"I think we should divide the situation into several threads, Bennet, if you agree. Firstly, how did Lizzy's name become known to this lady, and so might there be a risk that Santorio's identity may have been discovered? Secondly, is it time Lizzy became known in society, or do we need to somehow regain privacy for her? And thirdly, if she should become known in society, then is now the right time?"

"I know how it happened," Elizabeth said bitterly. She would never forgive him, never.

"How is that?" Her father looked at her over the top of his spectacles.

She folded her arms. "Mr. Collins has mentioned that Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the sister of the Earl of Matlock in almost every sentence since he arrived at Longbourn. And he also told us that she is Mr. Darcy's aunt. So Lady Matlock would be his aunt, too. Mr. Darcy knows about my playing and singing, and that I was presented. That is how she knows. He doesn't know about Santorio, so she doesn't, either." She growled to herself. "He must have written to her."

"But surely he would have first asked you for permission to do so?" Aunt sounded troubled.

"You would think it common politeness." Elizabeth was unconcerned her anger was showing in her voice. "But he is so arrogant he would not think it necessary. He must think I would fall at his feet in gratitude for such a favour and thank him for his condescension."

Papa and Uncle chuckled together, although Charlotte squeezed her hand again. "I'm sure you can guess why he really did it, Eliza."

"Why he didn't bother to ask, or why he wrote to her in the first place?" Elizabeth was not about to calm down.

Charlotte shrugged and looked over at her hostess. Aunt Gardiner smiled at her. "I think we both agree, Miss Lucas, but perhaps Lizzy will listen better to you." She nodded at Charlotte to continue.

"Eliza, Mr. Darcy is interested in you. We talked yesterday in the coach, if you remember, how much he watches you. He has not just been interested in your music, he has played chess with you and asked about your childhood, has he not?"

"But that doesn't permit him to decide to write to his family about me without even asking!"

"No, it doesn't, but I believe it explains his motives." Papa's voice was cold, but he looked at Charlotte with respect. "Thank you, Miss Lucas."

Uncle broke in. Elizabeth knew he was a sound businessman, and it probably helped that he was used to getting to the heart of the matter. "Very well, so we know how this happened, whether we agree about the gentleman's motives or not. Since it has happened, and nothing will change it, then is it right that Lizzy needs to be known in society at some point; and if we agree it is, then is it right to accept this lady's offer — which is a good opportunity if we wish it."

"I will not give Mr. Darcy the satisfaction of knowing I have taken advantage of his condescending, patronising generosity ." Elizabeth sat back, arms crossed, scowling.