Chapter 15
When the carriage stopped in front of Lady Sedgewick’s house, Elizabeth stepped down hesitantly, as her knees felt rather weak.
She had last been there at the countess’s death and suddenly she recalled all the lady’s fears and warnings.
Lady Sedgewick had been aware of her nephew’s unworthiness, but Elizabeth now reflected on how well his aunt had known him, how much of his devious behaviour she had suspected.
“Shall we enter?” Mr. Gardiner asked. He was by her side, together with Jane, while the carriage carrying the two other gentlemen continued on.
Before they knocked, the butler opened the door. He stared at them, surprised and puzzled, trying to identify Elizabeth behind her veil.
In the hall, they were met by Mrs. Gilford, the housekeeper, who gasped, dumbfounded.
“Lady Barrington! What a surprise… Dear Lord, do come in! Would the drawing-room be acceptable? We have removed Lady Sedgewick’s former furniture and now we may receive guests. We have waited for you and we worried when we received no word.”
“Yes, the drawing-room is fine. I was detained by unfortunate circumstances and I could not find a way to come… But everything will change now. Have you heard the news?”
The housekeeper lowered her eyes. “We have. Some rumours…We do not know much...Mr. Reeves came here yesterday and he told us Lord Barrington had suffered an accident and passed away. We could hardly believe it. What a tragedy!”
“Yes, a tragedy.” Elizabeth replied sternly. “Mrs. Gilford, would you be so kind as to tell Miss Cecilia that I wish to speak to her?”
“Miss Cecilia?”
“Yes, Cece. Why is that surprising? She is not unwell, I hope? I sent her a note yesterday but I do not know if she read it.”
Mrs. Gilford looked disconcerted. She rubbed her hands together in distress as she replied, “But Lady Barrington, Miss Cece has left.”
“Left? Is she out?”
“No… She left after the argument with Lord Barrington. He asked her to leave and she left that very evening.”
“What argument?”
“Lord Barrington came about a month ago… with Mr. St. Claire. They talked to Miss Cece privately. I do not know what was said. Then he told us she must leave. I believed your ladyship knew…”
Elizabeth's knees were too weak to support her. “I was never informed… Where did she go?” she asked, while a sense of panic, helplessness and resentment enveloped her.
The housekeeper lowered her eyes.
“We do not know, your ladyship. She did not tell us and… Lord Barrington was here… we did not have time to speak.”
“But… How did she leave? Did she take a carriage? Where are her belongings?”
“She left on foot, Lady Barrington. Lord Barrington said she had no luggage.”
For a moment, Elizabeth was stunned into silence.
“Was she hurt?” she whispered hesitantly.
“I do not believe so… the butler was here. She simply left. She took a small bag. I do not know any more details. I am so sorry… so very sorry…” The woman’s distress was apparent and suddenly Elizabeth could not fight her own tears either.
“I am so sorry, Lady Barrington,” the housekeeper repeated, while Elizabeth tried to wipe her eyes behind the veil.
“Do not worry, Mrs. Gilford, we will find her,” Elizabeth finally murmured. “I must leave now. Please make the arrangements, I want the house to be prepared for living and entertaining, I will move in here in a few days. And Miss Cece will return too, I will do everything I can to find her.”
Her requirements obviously astonished the housekeeper. Although the news of Lord Barrington’s death was known, it was expected his widow would remain in his house.
Elizabeth arranged her veil, then brushed her hands over her gown and straightened her back.
“Mrs. Gilford, the trustees, as well as the executor and all the solicitors confirm that, according to the legal documents, I am now the mistress of all. All the fortune remaining from Lady Sedgewick is under my supervision. I will move into this house and I will take care that all the requirements of her ladyship’s will are met. ”
“Oh, what extraordinary news, Lady Barrington! This is quite astonishing! We are so happy to have you here! I will prepare the master suite for you, would that be convenient? For Miss Cece—when she returns—we will prepare her old apartment. What a joy to have you here!”
“Mrs. Gilford, I would appreciate it if you could do me a favour. I should attend to this delicate task myself, but I am too tired and too preoccupied with finding Cece. Also, my present state is not proper for being exposed to the public too much. Please go to Barrington House. My uncle, Mr. Gardiner, will accompany you.”
“Lord Barrington’s house? Of course. What do you wish me to do?” The housekeeper and Mr. Gardiner were equally puzzled and Elizabeth cleared her throat before she presented her demands with solemnity.
“I know many of those in the Barringtons’ service have been harmed and humiliated over the years.
Ask Mrs. Nott to gather the staff and please inform them that I am willing to offer them another position in one of my households, with the same pay.
They will be offered the chance to choose which location is most convenient for them.
And all those who wish to leave that house will be offered accommodation here.
You have enough rooms for the present, I assume? ”
Mrs. Gilford was now completely shocked. In her twenty years of employment, she had grown accustomed to Lady Sedgewick’s strange demands, but never had she imagined such a scheme, and the task was overwhelming for her. She looked at the new mistress with surprise and reluctance.
“Yes, we have plenty of rooms in the servants’ quarters, of course. But… Mrs. Nott might oppose the idea. And what will Lady Augusta say? She will be very angry, I am sure.”
The housekeeper's fear and reluctance increased Elizabeth's distress and impatience. She raised her voice more than was necessary, unable to control her temper.
“Mrs. Gilford! Please inform Mrs. Nott that I am too upset by all the horrors that have happened in that house to discuss with her. Tell her that she most certainly does not want to argue with me at this moment. I have allowed Lady Augusta to live in that house for now, but I could easily throw her out anytime I wish to. And Mrs. Nott too.”
The statement left Mrs. Gilford dumbfounded. She had never witnessed Elizabeth behaving in such a cold way. With her eyes widened in disbelief, the woman nodded, looking at Mr. Gardiner while Elizabeth continued.
“My temper and my civility are not to be tested at the moment. The scheme is simple: those who are comfortable remaining there and continuing to serve Lady Augusta, are more than welcome to do so. Those who wish to leave will be offered this choice no later than today. I hope my uncle’s presence will be enough support in this task.
Lady Augusta may apply to a judge at any time if she considers it proper. Am I being clear enough?”
“Indeed you are, Lady Barrington.”
“Yes,” Mr. Gardiner repeated. “Mrs. Gilford, you should know that my niece offered the same option to the servants at the Barrington country estate, in the presence of all the gentlemen of the law involved in this inheritance, and they approved her actions.”
“Oh, good…I mean, I did not doubt Lady Barrington...I was only wondering if Mrs. Nott would listen to me and allow me to take the servants. I suspect some of them will be happy to leave...that is what I meant.”
“If you face the smallest opposition, I shall go and complete the task myself,” Elizabeth said with a sharpness that astonished even Mr. Gardiner.
“I am sure we will settle everything to your liking,” the gentleman replied.
“I am sure you will. Mrs. Gilford, I thank you for your assistance. I know Lady Sedgewick was fond of you and valued your loyalty. I trust we will continue her excellent work together.”
“Thank you, ma’am. You are very kind. We will do everything to please your ladyship. Everything will be arranged as you require,” the woman repeated with solemnity, obviously intimidated.
“Mrs. Gilford, I do not have many demands. I simply want everyone to be comfortable and safe, as I know many have suffered from Lord Barrington’s behaviour.
I shall not conceal his cruel actions. And I wish to be sure we comply with Lady Sedgewick’s requests.
I have not been able to keep my word since I married, but all will change now.
Now please excuse me, my sister and I must leave.
I am confident you will manage this situation properly. Uncle, we will wait for you at home.”
She then turned and left, followed by Jane. She noticed some of the servants lurking around the corner on her way out.
In the street, she stopped and Jane quickly took her arm. It was not a surprise to see Bingley waiting in front of the house. Although Darcy’s house was only a short distance away, he had come to support and to accompany them home.
She smiled at him, while a pain clawed at her chest. She would never experience such a tender relationship.
She did not expect it even when she accepted Lord Barrington’s marriage proposal.
Witnessing Bingley’s love for her sister soothed her turmoil and gave her the strength to step forward.
She did not even realise Jane was holding her one arm and Bingley the other, just as she was oblivious to everyone and everything around her.
She walked lost in her thoughts, completely covered in black, the veil over her face, like a shadow.
She felt dizzier as she thought of Cece.
The young woman had been thrown out of the house, with no means, no protection.
Just as Lady Sedgewick had feared. And she, Elizabeth, like an arrogant fool, had believed she could keep her promises.
She had been so naive, so silly, so unwise. And she had failed in everything.