“We will honour your wishes Lady Elizabeth, as will our husbands and sons,” Lady Matlock added.
“What time should I arrive on the morrow?” Elizabeth enquired. “I will have my lady’s maid and two guards with me. None of them will report anything untoward to my husband.”
“Any time comfortable for you,” Lady Anne replied. “If you will excuse us, we have a stop to make at the parsonage on our return to Pemberley.”
“Before you depart I have one request. When we are at your home can I be just plain Elizabeth or Lizzy?” she requested.
Agreement was given with alacrity. The two ladies and one girl hugged Elizabeth and then took their leave. Tomorrow would be a very good day.
Anna was delighted to find a pineapple had been placed in the Darcy coach.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Welcome to the parsonage, Lady Matlock, Lady Anne, and Miss Darcy,” Evangeline stated surprisedly. There were times she had met with the mistress of Pemberley regarding parish business or charities, but that was normally a call to Pemberley, where she was received in Lady Anne’s study, or at the church.
Only once, shortly after she married Adam had Lady Anne visited at the parsonage. She led the highborn ladies into the drawing room where Maddie, Lady Lucas, and Hattie Philips were seated. The men and children were taking a walk around the town.
The three ladies stood when Eve entered with two ladies and a girl, all wearing very expensive and fine dresses denoting their wealth and rank. Madeline recognised Lady Anne from the time she used to live in Lambton.
“Mrs. Lambert, would you introduce us to your friends please,” Lady Matlock, as the highest ranking person present, requested.
Eve made the requested introductions. While she had, she had noted how Lady Anne had been looking at her sister-in-law questioningly.
“You may remember Maddie as Maddie Lambert, my husband’s older sister. Some years back before her father passed away, she moved away when she married Mr. Gardiner,” Evangeline explained to Lady Anne.
“Why of course. I remember you would accompany your mother to Pemberley sometimes,” Lady Anne recalled. “We—my sister, my daughter, and I—have a very specific purpose in mind by calling on you this afternoon. Before coming here, we visited with Lady Elizabeth. She will be visiting us at Pemberley from the morning on the morrow…” Lady Anne did not miss the looks of great shock on all four ladies’ faces. She related an edited version of the visit at Castlemere making no illusion to her knowing the true reason Lady Elizabeth married the brute. “Which leads me to inviting all of you, the Gardiners, Bennet sisters, Philipses, Lucases, and Lamberts to be our guests at Pemberley for as long as you choose.”
Madeline was the first to recover her voice. “You say it is safe for Lizzy to come to your home and remain there for some days?” she verified.
“Yes, perfectly so…” Lady Matlock related what Lady Elizabeth had shared regarding her staff, servants, and guards.
“Of course we will…” Hattie began to respond enthusiastically. She stopped when Madeline placed a restraining hand on her arm.
“We will speak with our husbands and of course Lizzy’s sisters and send you a note with our decision as soon as may be,” Madeline completed what her sister-in-law had begun to say.
“For us, my husband cannot be away from the parish, but I will visit most days, and he will when he is able,” Evangeline stated.
With that understanding, the two Darcys and one Fitzwilliam lady took their leave.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Less than two hours later a note of acceptance detailing all who would be in their party was received at Pemberley.
Chapter 23
Hertfordshire summoned his man demanding an update on the progress of his mission to get him into Jersey House.
“Well Wickham, what news is there?” he demanded.
“The maid I have charmed has been most helpful. I am sure that by Thursday at the latest we will have every man who we need to execute the plan agreeing to accept your funds. Each will be willing to make sure you will not see anyone from the time you enter the house until you reach the master suite,” Wickham reported.
“I am certain all the banknotes I have provided you are helping.” The Duke could not conceive of servants and peasants not having a purchase price to gain their cooperation.
“Your money is and will be spent well Your Grace, a worthy investment to further your aims,” Wickham stated. His words had the intended effect of inflating the master’s ego.
“That is why I suggested you have money to assist with my plan,” the Duke stated assuredly.
Knowing it would only engender anger, Wickham said nothing about whose plan it was and who had suggested the need for funds to make the plan work. “I have the latest report from Biggs in Derbyshire, Your Grace,” Wickham changed the subject.
