Chapter 18
Elizabeth was awakened by sunshine resting on her face. The tender, warm touch startled her and a sense of panic enveloped her for a moment. Then she closed her eyes and allowed herself to be spoiled by the comfort of the silky sheets, reflecting upon her situation.
Only a day ago, her husband had been buried, placing her in the middle of unexpected and life-changing circumstances.
Then, the previous night, she had spent more than an hour in private conversation with Darcy.
His presence and their shared confidence had helped her to find a little bit of rest and tranquillity.
With renewed strength and hope, she rang for the maid and began to prepare for a new, tormenting day.
Before breakfast, Elizabeth met Jane, then together they visited Sarah. They found the girl sitting up against the pillows, her state significantly improved. In a corner of the room, Janey, the maid who took care of Sarah, was waiting.
“My dear Sarah, you look so much better. How do you feel?” Elizabeth asked, approaching the bed.
“Lady Barrington, I beg your forgiveness...If Janey could help me stand up, I will...”
“What are you apologising for? Stand up? No indeed! You will not even consider leaving your bed until the doctor approves!”
“Oh, my lady, you are hurt! Are you in pain?” Sarah exclaimed, pale with worry as she stared at Elizabeth.
“I am well, my dear. The bruises look worse than they truly are. Soon enough they will fade. Tell me, how are you feeling? Are you in pain? Have you eaten something today?”
“Do not worry about me, my lady. I am fine and I can attend my duties at any time.”
“She has not eaten anything yet, my lady,” Janey answered. “I was about to bring her breakfast now.”
“Thank you, Janey, that would be lovely,” Elizabeth said. “Please do so, we will stay with Sarah until you return.”
As soon as the maid left, Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed. Jane remained standing up, waiting.
“My dear, tell me how you truly feel.”
“I am well, Lady Barrington. I have been worse,” she whispered, lowering her eyes. Elizabeth shuddered.
“Ma’am, what happened?” Sarah asked unexpectedly. “What should I do?”
“What do you mean? Do you not remember how we left the Barrington house? And the earl’s accident?”
“I do remember that. I know the earl passed away. But what now?”
“We will move to the Countess of Sedgewick’s house soon. Not at this moment, but in a few days.”
“May I come with you?” the girl whispered.
Elizabeth held her hand. “Of course, my dear. You will stay with me as long as you wish to. You were my help and my support in the most dreadful of moments.”
“I have done nothing, ma’am. It was you who saved me. If not for you...”
“Sarah, let us put all this aside. You have been by my side when I most needed a friend and I hope you will stay when better days come.”
“Ma’am, I will be your maid for as long as you want me. I have nowhere else to go.”
Elizabeth wiped a tear. Her hand, still holding Sarah’s, trembled.
“Sarah, you will not be my maid, but my friend. My companion. There are few people that I trust more than you.”
Sarah stared at her in disbelief. She struggled to reply, glanced at Jane briefly, then back to Elizabeth, fearful to accept what she had heard.
“Lady Barrington, what could you possibly mean? I am just a maid. I must work to support myself and my family.”
“Sarah, you have been my loyal friend and this will not change. Your present employment and your wage will continue until you are fully recovered. Then we will see what sort of tasks you may accomplish that will better serve our purpose. But you will remain my friend, never doubt that.”
Sarah nodded and murmured words of gratitude while her tears fell freely, cleansing her inner suffering and breaking the endless terror that had surrounded her.
“As you will see, several others from the Barrington staff chose to leave and come with me. Each of them will be offered a fair opportunity for future employment.”
“But...but...Lady Augusta?”
“Lady Augusta has not much to say...Lord Barrington’s deceptive scheme and the papers he required me to sign did not turn out as he intended. If he became a widower, he would have inherited everything. Now, as a widow, I am the mistress of all.”
Astonishment overwhelmed Sarah. She blinked repeatedly, then gulped several times, then her sobbing became heartbreaking.
“I beg your forgiveness, Lady Barrington. I am being so silly...It is just...I still cannot believe it...A week ago we were...I cannot believe it...”
Elizabeth’s eyes moistened too, as she could understand the girl’s outburst only too well.
“All is well my dear. I promised you months ago that it would be, and now, with God’s will, it finally is. Now please eat something and rest.”
“Lady Barrington?”
“Yes?”
“The gentleman who carried me...Is this his house?”
“Yes. He is my brother-in-law’s friend.”
“Is he a good man?”
Elizabeth smiled nervously. “The best of men, my dear. Just like my brother. There is nothing you need to worry about.”
“Your ladyship should eat and rest too,” Sarah whispered.
“I will,” Elizabeth replied, leaving the room together with Jane.
In the hall, she leaned against the wall and Jane held her arm to support her.
“Dearest Lizzy, I fear to imagine what you and Sarah had to go through. Will you ever tell me what happened in that house?”
“Sarah, me and many others...No, dearest, I will never speak of that again. Come, let us have some tea and pray that Charles and Uncle will return safely.”
∞∞∞
Breakfast was a small affair, with only Jane, Elizabeth and Darcy attending.
After the time they had shared in the middle of the night, the reunion was slightly awkward and both avoided locking gazes.
They had easily opened their hearts and shared their deepest secrets and fears in the intimacy and darkness of the bed-chamber.
In the daylight and Jane’s company, they became reluctant and cautious with their words.
Darcy informed them about the colonel’s visit and the subject eased the conversation.
“I would be delighted to see the colonel again. As soon as we move into Lady Sedgewick’s house, it will be my pleasure to invite you all to dinner,” Elizabeth said.
“There is no hurry, Lady Barrington.”
“There is, sir; we have already bothered you exceedingly. And, as comfortable and welcome as I feel here, it is time to find a home of my own.”
“I understand. As fond as I am of your company, I hope you know you have my support whenever you need it.”
“And I hope you know that you have my endless gratitude, Mr. Darcy.”
They were again addressing each other, gazes finally locked, oblivious to Jane’s curious countenance and her attempts to join the discussion.
“Lizzy, if Charles and Uncle Gardiner return with Miss Cecilia, will you move to Lady Sedgewick’s house today?”
Elizabeth looked at her sister, surprised by the question and distracted by the small exchange with Darcy.
“I have not considered that. My only concern was for Cece to be found. I suppose we could move, but it might be late by the time they return and they will surely be very tired.”
“It is entirely your decision, but if I dare be so bold as to interject, moving in the evening might cause some disturbance. You may send a note to the housekeeper, with all your requirements, and move when everything is settled.”
“I believe that would be wiser,” Jane said.
“Very well,” Elizabeth agreed. “The servants from the Barrington estate might move today. There are enough rooms to accommodate everyone.”
“Forgive me for asking—do you trust the housekeeper?”
“I do. I will have to discuss this matter with Cece, but I know Lady Sedgewick was pleased with Mrs. Gilford.”
“Do you have a dependable butler? Any large household needs an efficient and responsible housekeeper and butler to run it properly.”
“I do not know that either. I must speak to Cece about all this. Lady Sedgewick kept no secrets from her; Cece was involved in all the family’s business for years. From the little time I spent with her, I was impressed by her extensive knowledge.”
“How remarkable. And very helpful for you to have someone trustworthy, loyal and familiar with the affairs you have to manage,” Darcy said.
“She is remarkable indeed. But she is alone, in a world unkind and unfair to a young woman with no name and no connections.”
“From your description, I am sure she found the means to protect herself, even under the unpleasant circumstances,” Darcy continued.
“I hope as much. What pains me the most is that she might have imagined I knew of Lord Barrington’s actions and approved them.
I gave Lady Sedgewick my word that Cece would be part of the family and I would always protect her.
Then I suddenly disappeared and she knew nothing of me; she had every reason to believe I had abandoned her. ”
“You must cease tormenting yourself for what was not your fault,” Darcy said, with warmth and compassion.
“Bingley and Mr. Gardiner must have almost reached their destination by now. They will soon meet Miss Cecilia and explain everything. She will read your note and understand that your ordeal has been even worse than hers.”
“Yes, Lizzy. Let us have faith and pray for them to return safely. All will be well by tonight,” Jane added.
Elizabeth rewarded their sympathy with a sad smile.
“I will try to keep my faith. And, as Mr. Darcy said, I trust Cece has kept herself safe. But I wonder how much more suffering Lord Barrington left behind. I wonder how many other lives he has ruined that I do not know of yet. I must speak to every servant that chose to follow me. I fear the worst.”
Her two companions exchanged a brief look. Neither of them could find the proper words to dissipate her fears.