Chapter 1 #3
“No...Not at all, I assure you. Greed? Surely not. Resentment? Perhaps, but who would blame you. But despise you? That could never be...”
“I have become estranged from such generosity and kindness lately. I have no words to thank you.”
“Let us not speak of thankfulness. Where can I see the documents? Do you have them?”
“My uncle has some. Mostly those related to my family… When you came… I cannot remember what I did. Sarah was so hurt...I could think of little but being safe and free from that terror.”
“I am very sorry. So very sorry,” he whispered. He did know why he was apologising, but he needed to do it. He felt guilty and responsible for her turmoil.
“Please, sir, do not apologise for others’ faults. The papers...I am sure the trustees and Lady Sedgewick’s executor have them all.”
“They certainly must have them, which is fortunate. I doubt Lady Augusta would have willingly given her son’s papers to us, under the present circumstances.”
“I doubt it too. It pains me to say so, but she was just as horrible as her son. Yes, I admit I do hate her. Deeply. Motherly love can justify one’s errors for some time but she had witnessed her son’s bad habits, that turned into violence and cruelty—for years.
There was terror and pain spread everywhere around them! ”
She became emotional again, her voice trembling, her hands shaking in her lap. Without much consideration, he put his palms around her hands, calming and protecting them.
“She told me several times to mind my own business. But how could I have witnessed all those malicious injustices and humiliations and remained silent or indifferent? How could I have protected my own comfort and allowed others to be harmed?”
“You have been brave beyond expectation, Lady...Miss Bennet. And I am honoured by your trust. We will find a way.”
“There are signed papers for everything. Lady Sedgewick’s executor and the trustees requested papers for each arrangement.
The countess and her late husband wished to be certain of the future of their heritage.
And still—they were deceived as utterly as me—a silly, ignorant girl from Hertfordshire. ”
“I shall not even pretend to understand your ordeal. If I had known...If I had behaved differently...There is little I can do now...Please be confident that you are not alone any longer and you will benefit from everything that is rightfully yours. Of course, if there is an heir, either son or daughter, matters will be different,” he said, watching her meaningfully.
She hesitated, and even under the black veil, he could see her paleness. She moved her hands in his palms but did not withdraw them.
“There will be no heir,” she whispered. “The marriage was never consummated. But no one else is aware of this aspect.”
He nodded and immediately averted his eyes, tormented by feelings he tried to reject as being inappropriate, even forbidden. Her own turmoil at that revelation was equally overwhelming.
“I will read the available papers and I will demand to see all the others,” he repeated, mumbling, “You are not alone, Lady Barrington. I mean, Miss Bennet. You should not doubt the love and the protection of your friends and family.”
She smiled at last. “Your promise is the comfort I need, Mr. Darcy. I will not thank you again, as the words are nowhere near enough to express my gratitude.”
“If you wish to express your gratitude, please promise me you will sleep, as soon as we return today. You must rest, and allow us to take care of the rest.”
“I promise you that I will try,” she smiled bitterly.
“Perhaps sleep will take pity on me once we are done with this. Now let us leave—we cannot afford to be late. The trustees will be there too. We must clarify the legal issues with no further delay. We are all in agreement on this at least, including Lord Barrington’s mother. ”
∞∞∞
The party left Park Lane in two carriages, around eleven o'clock in the morning, as they were expected to reach their destination no later than one hour after midday.
In the first carriage were Elizabeth, Jane, Charles Bingley and Mrs. Gardiner. In the second carriage, following them, were Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner.
The horses were running at a steady pace.
Charles Bingley took Jane’s hand and she smiled at him.
Mrs. Gardiner enveloped them in a comforting, endearing gaze.
They were travelling to the estate that had been Elizabeth’s residence for the last few weeks, where her fate had been sealed and where her ordeal unfolded day by day.
The house which had hosted so much suffering that it should have been torn down brick by brick.
The place where Bingley, her uncle Gardiner, and Darcy had finally discovered her.
The carriage’s slow movements made Elizabeth dizzy and she closed her eyes, leaning her head against the window.
She heard some whispers, but her mind was too blurry to understand them.
She felt the sunshine warming her face and opened her eyes for an instant.
It was a warm, bright day—very similar to the one when she had arrived in London from Kent, almost four months ago.