Lord Matlock and Kitty did not have a moment alone for the rest of the night. All through dinner she was dying to know what had happened outside. Lord Matlock kept up a cheerful appearance, and although Georgiana looked a bit concerned she was able to conceal her inner turmoil fairly well. There was one moment when Kitty was worried all might be discovered. She heard two footman discussing that another footman had left for his break over an hour ago. But the pair dropped the subject and she moved along.
The ball ended very late. It had been a huge success. All had enjoyed themselves immensely and other than the hiccup in the garden, Kitty had enjoyed the evening. But as she tried to fall asleep her mind raced. She lie for a very long time wondering what the next day would bring before finally drifting off.
Kitty awoke mid-morning the day after the ball. Most of the house guests were sleeping late or taking the morning to rest and relax. When she went to breakfast there were only half a dozen others plus Lord Matlock and Georgiana in the parlor. She wished that none of the other guests were there so she could ask all the questions which were running through her head. She was satisfied though when upon seeing that it was a sunny and unseasonably warm day, Lord Matlock asked her and Georgiana to join him for a carriage ride about the estate after breakfast.
Georgiana agreed but it was obvious to Kitty that the young lady did not relish the idea. Kitty was sure Lord Matlock had not had a chance to speak privately to her about last night's events.
Georgiana excused herself to go dress for the ride. Kitty stood to rise shortly after but Lord Matlock called her back and quickly spoke under his breath, "Thank you for joining us this morning. I fear I may not be able to hear Georgiana with patience today and will appreciate your help on the matter. They did not teach us to deal with weeping wards in the military."
"Of course Lord Matlock. Between my four sisters and Mother, I've had plenty of experience in that corner," Kitty replied assuredly. She was pleased that Lord Matlock was bringing her into his confidence and including her in the discussion. This was the kind of thing she would need practice with if she were to be a suitable Countess she thought.
Half an hour later Kitty and Georgiana met Lord Matlock outside as he pulled up in a gig.
Georgiana hesitated when she saw her cousin approach in the small carriage, "A gig cousin? Wouldn't we be more comfortable in something a little bigger?"
"Nonsense, you and Miss Bennet are not large. It will be a cozy ride!" He replied cheerfully.
Kitty glanced at Georgiana who was nervously fingering the strap of her reticule, and back to Lord Matlock who stood with a pasted smile on his face. She could see that behind his cheerful reply was the plotting of a military man. This was a plan Kitty thought. With Georgiana stuck between her and Lord Matlock on the bench, he would have more control over the conversation. Georgiana would be forced to tell the whole truth before the ride was over.
The sun shone brilliantly and although it was unseasonably warm, the two women still spread a blanket across their laps. Soon they were off with Lord Matlock expertly driving, Georgiana sitting straight back and solemn in the middle and Kitty on the outside admiring her future husband's experience at the reigns.
No one spoke for the first few minutes, and Kitty truly was enjoying the ride. It was so nice to be out of doors after months of cold. The sun felt nice upon her face, and she had almost forgotten the troubles which got them to this place before Lord Matlock spoke.
"Georgiana. I want to hear your side of the story. What happened last night?"
Georgiana had been waiting for this question. But despite knowing it was coming the actuality was even more stressful than what she had imagined. Immediately she broke into tears. Lord Matlock shifted uneasily and glanced at Kitty.
"I'm sure Lord Matlock doesn't mean to frighten you Georgiana. He's only concerned. Please answer him."
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so silly and tried to run off this would never have happened," Georgiana cried before continuing, "This is all that awful George Wickham's fault!"
"My brother-in-law Wickham? Whatever do you mean Georgiana? What's he got to do with your running away with the footman?" Kitty asked.
Georgiana ignored Kitty's first question. She glanced up at her cousin and then spoke again, "I wasn't running away with the footman. Oh Kitty do you think me that daft? Well perhaps I am…" she trailed off and began sobbing anew. All Kitty and Lord Matlock could do was wait until her tears had subsided. Once they had she continued, "I wasn't having a, a – dalliance in the garden! I swear I wasn't."
"That's not what that footman told me last night Georgiana. But I'll believe you if you tell me the whole," Lord Matlock replied.
"He forced me to meet him!" She said.
Lord Matlock ground his teeth. His voice rose as he spoke, "How did he force you?"
"The other night at dinner, when I dropped my napkin, he handed me this note," Georgiana reached into her reticule and pulled out a small crumpled piece of paper. Lord Matlock slowed the gig and pulled off on a flat grassy patch of land. He and Kitty both leaned forward and read the note which Georgiana tightly grasped.
I know about you and Wickham. My Aunt Mrs. Younge told me. If you don't want every guest to know, meet me during the ball at 10 O'clock in the garden with 100 pounds.
Kitty stared surprised by the words. She had so many questions but remained quiet. She would let Lord Matlock speak first.
"Damn him!" He said under his breath and then aloud continued, "Georgiana. That footman is a scoundrel. Why didn't you come to me or Darcy? We would have set this right from the beginning."
"I see that now," she responded.
"Well never mind that anymore. Just know in the future you CAN speak to us. We are your guardians and will take care of these things. You're a very wealthy and desirable girl Georgiana, which unfortunately makes you a target for these sorts of men. Take more care in the future."
This was all the scolding she was to receive. Lord Matlock held too much affection for his ward to upset her anymore. All he said in closing was, "It is unnecessary that Darcy know of this ordeal."
It was Kitty's turn to speak up, "Whatever happened to the footman Lord Matlock?"
"My man paid him off this morning. With money and a ticket to make it to the continent and disappear forever. I thought I was sending him off for a very different reason however. If I'd known last night what I do now, I would have wrung his neck!"
"Oh I'm so glad you didn't! I was so frightened you'd kill him last night! Or he you, and then I couldn't even claim to be a widow since we're not even married yet," Kitty told him with a rush.
He laughed heartily at her, "You are very silly Miss Bennet," he said with a wink over Georgiana's shoulder. She blushed in response.
Lord Matlock turned the gig back in the direction of the house. Georgiana's countenance was greatly improved and on the ten minute ride back that she even smiled a few times at Kitty and Lord Matlock's flirting.
When they stopped by the front doors the women were helped down by Lord Matlock who reached them faster than the footman. Georgiana walked immediately inside but Kitty stayed back a moment at Lord Matlock's request.
"Miss Bennet, thank you for your help."
"Oh I don't think I was much help really!" She replied.
"You were. I can never deal with Georgiana crying. Makes me want to run far away. You being there made me face my fears! Anyway, I'm sure you're curious about Wickham's part in all this."
"I confess I am very curious."
"He tried to run off with Georgiana when she was fifteen. For her money of course." Lord Matlock spoke bluntly.
"I suspected something of the sort. Oh that Wickham! Lydia's the only person in the world who can stand him… aside from my poor mother," Kitty rambled.
"Well, it was over two years ago. We need not bring it up again. And please, keep this ordeal to yourself Miss Bennet."
"Certainly Lord Matlock."
He reached for her hand and kissed the top of it. She smiled up into his face. A servant came round and prepared to take the gig back to the stables, but Lord Matlock stopped him, "I'll take it. I need to check on my horses," then he turned back to Kitty, "I'm going to leave tomorrow for a fortnight. I need to take care of some things before the wedding."
Kitty was surprised. She felt a bit emotional hearing that he was leaving for two weeks. She would miss her fiancé and friend.
"Oh! When will the wedding be?"
"You're the bride. Would you like to choose?"
Kitty giggled a bit at this, "The sooner the better I think. What if you get in a fight with another footman?"
Lord Matlock smiled, "Three weeks it is then. Then we'll go to London for the rest of the season."
And with that he climbed up and rode off. She went into the house and up to her room, where for reasons she could not quite understand, perhaps exhaustion, stress, or relief, she cathartically cried for a full twenty minutes.