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“I do not know for certain, but you are a beautiful young widow. There will be a matchmaking mama with a favoured son or nephew, not the heir, and thus in the market for an heiress, who will leave a card asking to call later in the week, the following week, whenever is suitable.”

Harriet stood up and went to one of the shelves, returning with a copy of Debrett’s. She unfolded two sheets of paper from within.

“You need to understand you have a significant degree of social prominence my Lady. I have reviewed these pages and have counted all those with titles. It might not be completely accurate but it is close.

“There are approximately 20 Dukes and 20 Marquesses. The later does not include the courtesy titles of the heirs of the Dukes, of which there are at least 10. So 20 ‘real’ marquesses and 10 courtesy. There are 125 Earls, give or take, and that includes those awarded in the last few years. There are only 35 ‘real’ Viscounts, the actual rank of the individual, but there are many times that of courtesy titles for the heir of Earls. And then there are the Barons, a few more in number than the Earls. Other than Royal titles that is it.

“Approximately 330 titles, which up to 18 months ago included that of your late husband, Baron Napier created as a Lord of Parliament in Scotland in 1627.”

She put the paper down and faced Elizabeth.

“As Baroness Napier, even as the widow of the Baron, you have tremendous consequence. Including the wives, there are less than 1,000 people in the whole kingdom that can sneer at you. Sorry, it is less than that, as the other Barons and their wives are your social equal. It is less than 750 people out of all the millions in the kingdom that you are inferior to.

“I think that might be the most important thing to remember. Wives of Knights, wives of Baronets, the wives of all the untitled gentlemen, they all have to give way to you.”

Lady Lucas as well as her mother and aunt flitted through Elizabeth’s mind. It was naught but a dream but she imagined a trip back to Meryton. She shook her head, she needed to read her Meditations again!

“I am not going to be a pretentious snob but I need to demonstrate consequence when I am out of the house.”

It was both a statement and a question.

“It will not be easy, it is not in your nature my Lady, but yes. Everywhere you go, once you are known you should expect fawning from everyone. And if you do not receive it, I will remonstrate with them, most strenuously.”

“Who should accompany me when we are out and about?”

“I will always be at your side, your constant companion. One of your guards, masquerading as a footman, and one of the outside maids.”

Outside maids was the name they had given to the two large young women that were employed for their size and presence, not for their skills as an Abigail. Daisy and Ingrid were being taught these necessary skills as part of their employment but it was not the reason for their hire.

“I am sure Mr. Jones will perform most of the initial accompaniment.”

Elizabeth had a small pocket pistol in her reticule, as did Harriet Underwood. The carriage had at least four artillery pistols secreted about the coachwork, and both Mr. Jones and the maids, all the guards, carried a gun as well as knives. Elizabeth no longer suffered nightmares over her ruin but was taking no chance with her safety. She was never going to be a victim again.

Chapter 20

“Lady Jersey, welcome. Join me next to the fire, it is a miserable day.”

Hot fresh tea was immediately brought, showing preparation and consideration. Once they were alone the formality eased.

“Sarah, how are you?”

“I am well Susan, very well thank you.”

“What news do you bring on this awful winter’s day?”

The two Countesses were of equal rank, and good friends. This was despite Lady Matlock being a generation older than her more well-known guest. Lady Jersey had two young children and so was not in competition with her hostess, or a match for either of the Fitzwilliam sons.

“There has not been much news at all. I will merely mention that the departure of the Bingleys, brother and sister, should ease other gossip.”

They both knew what she meant.

“The one piece of interesting news was received from a tradesman this very morning. He spotted that the knocker was on the door of Napier House. I confirmed it myself on the way here.”

“Lady Napier has been rumoured to be in town, but there have been no confirmed sightings.”

“You have met her? I am surprised that you have acknowledged her.”

“No, nothing so formal. My niece was the person that noticed her first, it was the late summer of the year ‘12. We were in Bath and Lady Napier was still in full mourning. Georgiana saw her leave Arbuthnot’s the bookseller and return to Napier Hall. Although we did not know that at the time. I saw her myself at the end of the summer last year, so around a year later, and was finally able to ascertain her name, again from the bookseller. She was out of full mourning by then but was still in half mourning.