Chapter 1 #2
He moved his chair closer and gently took her hands. His touch made her startle but she did not withdraw from him.
His eyes were still locked with hers, and his dark gaze penetrated her soul as he spoke.
“Miss Bennet—I will say this only once, then I will be silent on this subject forever unless you open it again yourself. My feelings have not changed since last April. I never thought less of you and even if I was indeed angry for a while, it soon passed. Your wellbeing has always been my concern and I would willingly have done anything in my power to relieve your suffering earlier if I had known your true circumstances. As it is now, you may rely on me for anything you need.”
“Thank you,” she struggled to reply. His confession about his feelings still being the same made her heart ache, but for the moment she buried it with her frozen soul and her troubled mind. It was not the time for such a discussion or even reflections.
“Mr. Darcy, I am not sure if Mr. Bingley offered you any details. My situation is a most peculiar one, with regards to my inheritance. From the very beginning, this marriage was based on my h… on Lord Barrington, his mother and some of his cousins and friends’ greed and their plans to deceive the Countess of Sedgewick—God rest her soul.
Most of Barrington’s wealth had been long wasted on the earl’s depraved lifestyle. ”
“Most of us were aware of Barrington’s character and he was not welcome in many honourable families. I know little of the peculiarity of your circumstances but I suspect enough.”
She withdrew one hand to wipe her tears. “Sadly, I did not find all this out until it was too late. Nobody warned me, I was hurried into accepting his marriage proposal, my family’s future seemed hopeless and…”
She paused and he patiently waited for her to continue. Her suffering was devastating to witness but he did not dare attempt any more comforting gestures.
“Two days ago, when I left the Barrington estate, my mother-in-law threatened me. She demanded that I leave, as I had no right to be there.”
“That I remember, as I was there. Lady Augusta was shocked and grieved by her son’s death and her words should not be taken in earnest.”
“Yes, they should. She was part of the conspiracy from the beginning and she allowed, excused and even encouraged her son’s dreadful behaviour. She caused widespread suffering, just like him.”
Her perturbation grew with every word and she suddenly stood, pacing the room. He remained sitting on the chair.
“There are two trustees that were appointed to make decisions, together with Lady Sedgewick, regarding Lord and Lady Sedgewick’s private fortune—those monies and properties not attached to his title.
Prior to my wedding and a week after it, I signed many papers that I cannot clearly remember.
I know there was a settlement—approved by my uncle Gardiner after he carefully analysed it with two solicitors of his acquaintance.
It stipulated a substantial sum of money to be given to my family on my wedding day, meant to assure them a comfortable future.
At least at that time, I believed it to be a very generous sum, without knowing the price I would be required to pay for it. ”
Another pause, then more silent waiting.
“I know there was another significant part of the fortune granted to me directly, in jewels, pin money, and an annual allowance, and a very detailed arrangement for my future children—Lord Barrington’s future children, of course—distinctly settled for sons and daughters.”
“Yes, this is how things are usually done with large fortunes,” Darcy replied tentatively.
Elizabeth let a grieving peal of laughter escape.
“I doubt very much this is how things are usually done. I confess I remember little because, in the beginning, I was impressed with Lord Barrington’s care for me and my family.
He seemed so preoccupied with assuring everyone a good life.
The notion of securing my family’s comfort made my decision to get married in such haste, to a man I barely knew, worth the sacrifice.
But I do recollect that we signed several documents mentioning that if one of us passed away, the other would inherit his or her part of the fortune.
Lord Barrington’s solicitor told me it was a mere formality, as we both were young and healthy and we were expected to live a long and happy life.
I readily agreed, of course. Since nothing previously belonged to me and as long as my family’s comfort was secure, I found it perfectly normal that, if anything tragic happened to me, Lord Barrington would inherit the rest. What I did not know about was his scheme to become a widower as soon as possible and gain control over the entire fortune, circumventing the terms set out in the Countess of Sedgewick's will.”
Darcy stared at her in utter disbelief. He stood up hastily, frowned, rubbed his chin, ran his fingers through his hair, pacing around, just like her. Two restless souls, walking around a chamber.
“Surely you do not mean that…”
“I do mean precisely what you understood. And Lord Barrington told me as much after a fortnight of marriage when I dared confront him. But I wish it to remain secret. You are the only one to whom I have dared to confess this. My family is already devastated knowing the ordeal I went through. Papa is still not fully recovered. I see no reason to torment them even more.”
“I understand that and you may count on my secrecy. But I can hardly believe it. I still hope that you somehow misunderstood everything. I could not have imagined that you had been in such hell all these months, without anyone knowing.”
“It is all over now…”
“Had I known earlier… Had Bingley told me of his suspicions before… They were in Hertfordshire until their wedding and...Please let me know, what do you wish me to do? How can I assist you?”
“My uncle told me that he has already been approached by Mr. Blackmore’s solicitor, with several claims.”
“I know. Mr. Gardiner informed me last night too.”
“So you know that I asked the two trustees—Mr. Reeves and Mr. Thorn—as well as Mr. Finch—Lady Sedgewick’s executor—to meet with us today at the Barrington estate, to clarify the situation.
But I wish you to be there too. I can trust nobody.
Except for Uncle Gardiner and Charles, but their own knowledge is limited.
I fear everyone will conspire against me.
I expect the majority of the fortune will go to Lord Barrington’s creditors and the rest to his mother and cousins.
But I must keep what was promised to me.
I might sound like a fortune hunter, but I must be sure my family’s settlement remains untouched.
I deserve as much. Lady Sedgewick also had several charities she was supporting and the terms of her legacy demanded that those were continued.
There were two schools—one for boys and one for girls—that also functioned as orphanages, in two of Lady Sedgewick’s largest properties.
There was also a clinic in a London house that treated the poor.
Everything is written in her will, but Lord Barrington dismissed it as soon as she passed away.
He shamelessly planned to steal the money for himself.
I have at least the duty to honour Lady Sedgewick’s memory.
She was a most honourable lady, with the best of principles, but her illness and her weakness kept her to her bed, and she was deceived by the worst of schemers.
She died, not knowing the truth, and to this day, I do not know who has been loyal to her and who has not. ”
“I understand that…”
“Mr. Darcy, I must know my rights! I have lived these last months in fear and terror. Fear for me, for my family and those around me, trapped under Lord Barrington’s cruelty.
I had no means of escape, no means to free myself, no means to call for help—until fate took pity on me and you all arrived two days ago.
I will never be defeated by fear again, I will never be powerless again!
I must keep control over my life and maintain the ability to protect those who depend on me.
I must use the power given to me by the law.
I must keep the little good that came from Lord Barrington's evil plans. Everything that rightfully belongs to me, I must keep. You are the only person in the world who possesses the knowledge to disentangle the claims of the law, the power and the connections to challenge the infringement of it, the honour to fight by my side for the truth, and the willingness to do so. I have none but you, I put my whole life in your hands now and I can only pray you will not reject me, although you have every right to do so.”
The struggle of overcoming her tears made her voice sound harsh, severe, demanding. But he easily recognised the turmoil concealed behind the words.
“Miss Bennet, let us sit,” he suggested, and she obeyed. They were again close, sitting on opposite chairs.
“I already said I am at your service and I am always loyal to my word,” he responded, overwhelmed by sorrow, defeated by the anger of not being able to punish those who had caused her so much harm.
However, she took his undecided voice as hesitance.
“I imagine you are appalled by my fierceness. I only hope you understand my reasoning and that you will not despise me for my greed and resentment.”