Page 62

The next occasion that Lawrence was at Napier House she told him. The meeting ended with them both sporting satisfied smiles.

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“Lady Matlock is at the door, and wishes to know if you are at home.”

The very first visitor. She looked at Harriet.

“The Earl has a minor role in the government, assisting the Earl of Buckinghamshire at the Board of Control.”

The President of the Board of Control was a member of the Cabinet.

“Most pertinently she is the aunt of Mr. Darcy.”

Elizabeth made a split-second decision.

“Please ask her to join us Thompson.”

The butler departed immediately.

“One final point. She is the mother of two unmarried sons, either side of 30. This is not just social, she may be a matchmaking mama on a mission.”

Elizabeth smiled at the alliteration. As a first formal guest the Countess of Matlock was going to be interesting.

“The Countess of Matlock.”

Thompson sounded happy to introduce such a distinguished visitor.

“Lady Matlock, please be welcome. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lady Napier, widow of the last Baron. This is my companion Mrs. Underwood.”

Harriet was unmarried, but companions were normally widows. This was easier, it saved any fuss.

“Thank you for receiving me, and without an introduction. But my husband’s father knew your late husband, and I felt it my duty to make you welcome to society.”

Tea arrived and was fussed over for a few minutes.

“It is generous of you to make me welcome. I have been out of society for more than 18 months, it is close to 20 months since Baron Napier passed. I remained at the family estate outside Bath during my mourning period.”

“I believe my niece was in Arbuthnot’s in Bath on the occasion of one of your rare visits.”

“My only trips during my mourning were to the bookshops, there in Bath and down to Bristol as well. Apart from that I remained on the estate.”

“Do you intend to remain here for the whole season?”

“My plans are as yet not settled. I will be here through until Easter but I do not know if I will remain for the whole season.”

Left unsaid was whether anyone else made her ‘welcome’. Lady Matlock had decided to assist where possible.

“I tend to visit on a Monday and then be at home on a Wednesday. Allow me to invite you to Matlock House this Wednesday. I am at home between 1.00 and 4.00. In addition, I would be delighted if you would join me when I visit next Monday. It is normally somewhere between six and eight separate calls, and it would allow you to start to meet people of consequence. A Baroness will have entry to all levels of society.”

They stretched the normal 15 minutes out to 20 but then the Countess was gone. Elizabeth and Harriet waited until they heard the front door close before finally relaxing. After a moment of relief, and inelegant slumping, they straightened in their chairs.

“That went much better than I dared hope.”

“Lady Matlock is a shrewd woman. Remember what she said about the previous Earl knowing Baron Napier? There may have been ties of friendship between the families. She would not be here without the Earl’s permission, you are too much of an unknown. But it appears she wants to rebuild these ties. And remember she has two unmarried sons, at precisely the age where parental pressure will begin to be applied.”

“You are sure she is a matchmaking mama?”

“Yes.”