Chapter 20
“I hope you had a comfortable night,” Mrs. Gilford said the next morning, as she welcomed them at breakfast.
“Excellent, thank you,” Elizabeth said. She had not. She had barely closed her eyes all night and had startled at every sound. She had kept a candle lit until dawn. In the darkness, the fear had been with her all the time.
“Oh yes, very much so,” Jane replied, blushing most becomingly.
“Yes, very much so,” Bingley repeated.
“I did not sleep much, but I love being home again,” Cece admitted.
“I am glad to hear such positive reports. Would your ladyship like to request anything special for today?” Mrs. Gilford addressed Elizabeth.
“Yes, I would like to speak to the entire staff again. But this time, one by one. I would like to find out as much as possible about each of them.”
The housekeeper was momentarily disconcerted.
“One by one? But it will be quite an effort...”
“Perhaps, but I am sure it will be worth it. Knowing the people around me is the least I can do. And then, I would kindly ask you for a private meeting—Cece will join us too. I wish to understand more about the household—which I am sure is run impeccably. I would like to know more about you too.”
“About me? Of course, ma’am! I will make the arrangements immediately. We will have everything settled as your ladyship requires,” the housekeeper said with solemnity and concern.
“Mrs. Gilford?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Please do not worry—I assure you they will be friendly meetings. I have nothing specific to request,” Elizabeth smiled.
Her warmth confused Mrs. Gilford even more. “Oh, I see. Very well, then. Thank you, ma’am.”
As soon as the housekeeper had left, Elizabeth turned to her companions.
“One strange thing about being titled is that I keep getting thanks and apologies without any particular reason. And everyone is willing to hear my requests and to make arrangements accordingly. I am beginning to feel like Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
The three stared at her, surprised by her mocking tone, then Bingley began to laugh aloud.
“Dearest Lizzy, I am so happy to hear you jesting,” Jane said. “I have missed my witty, teasing, laughing sister so much! I had hoped to see her again soon!”
“Who is Lady Catherine de Bourgh?” Cece asked, confused.
“She is my cousin’s noble patroness. And the inventor of shelves in the closet,” Elizabeth replied in earnest.
Cece was even more puzzled. “Really? We have been using shelves in the closet for many years,” she answered seriously.
“Have you? Well, this news will greatly disappoint Lady Catherine. I look forward to informing her soon. I might write her a letter and sign it Lady Barrington. Perhaps I should check through the legal papers again—I might now be wealthier than she is. That would certainly be one of the biggest advantages of this inheritance,” Elizabeth concluded.
Bingley and Jane continued to laugh, while Cece remained puzzled.
“Do not worry, I will tell you everything about Lady Catherine and my cousin, Mr. Collins, and hopefully you will meet them soon,” Elizabeth assured her.
“There is no hurry. I am just surprised, as I have never seen your ladyship joking and laughing,” Cece admitted.
Elizabeth became serious. “I am trying my best to rise from my misery, Cece. I have had enough,” she said, unconsciously touching the bruises on her neck.
“Indeed. My Lizzy is the bravest, loveliest, cleverest woman I know,” Jane declared.
“Not at all,” Elizabeth replied lightly.
“But I must establish our future plans, nevertheless. I would like to invite the trustees and Lady Sedgewick’s executor for a meeting the day after tomorrow.
And I hope Mr. Darcy will join us too. Until then, Cece, you must tell me about all of Lady Sedgewick's properties, as I wish to see each of them. The first that I would like to visit are the two schools. I know her ladyship was very fond of them.”
“Where are the schools situated?” Bingley enquired.
“One of them is in Surrey, the other is in Sheffield,” Cece explained.
“There is also an estate in Kent and one in Warwickshire, a cottage in Brighton, and another house in town where there is a clinic for the poor. The main Sedgewick estate belonged to the earldom and was returned to the Crown when Lord Sedgewick passed away.”
With every piece of knowledge, Elizabeth’s bewilderment and anxiety increased, while the Bingleys listened in consternation.
“I did not realise there were so many,” Jane whispered.
“Neither did I,” Elizabeth responded, struggling with the news.
“Both Lord and Lady Sedgewick inherited properties from their families. On her ladyship’s side, there was no male entailment and she was the only living heir.”
“I am surprised, as I do not remember her mentioning all this,” Elizabeth said.
“I assume Lady Sedgewick concentrated on what was most important to her, especially the schools,” Cece answered.
“As you were married, all the properties belonged to your husband, so she must have seen no reason to detail them all to you. Lord Barrington and Lady Augusta were well acquainted with every piece of the Sedgewick fortune.”
“Of course they were. It is no wonder Lord Barrington needed a scheme and a victim to help him obtain such extensive wealth. Surely he would have done anything to inherit it. He very likely envisioned himself a young widower, indulging in every pleasure, with no concern for the expense. With all the documents he asked me to sign, if I died, all the restrictions and limitations would have disappeared with me.”
“Lizzy darling...” Jane called her, but Elizabeth continued, distressed and furious.
“And he almost succeeded. My life was a useless burden after he had used me to obtain the inheritance legitimately.”
Cece immediately interjected.
“Lady Barrington, I assure you Lady Sedgewick never considered such a turn of events. She might have omitted to tell you some details, but surely she did not intend to deceive you. She never suspected that you could be in danger. Such malice, such cruelty in Lord Barrington is unbelievable!”
Elizabeth touched her hand to calm her.
“None of us ever considered such a turn of events, nor suspected I had married such an oppressive and vicious man. I most certainly do not blame her ladyship, nor suspect her of deceit. After all, I should be thrilled to find out that I am even richer than I realised,” Elizabeth said with bitter sadness.
For a while, they ate in silence, then Elizabeth turned towards Cece again. “But tell me, how do all these properties function? Who is responsible for all the expenses?”
“There are servants in every house. As I said, I last visited them with Lady Sedgewick three years ago. Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Finch are surely more knowledgeable in the matter. They supervise the expenses, I imagine.”
“I wish to speak to them as soon as possible. We must see if Lady Sedgewick’s documents are still in the house or if Lord Barrington destroyed them.”
“Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Finch are in possession of the same documents, I know. They used to meet her ladyship once every three months regarding the financial issues.”
“Let us see what we can find here. Charles, will you call on Mr. Darcy today?”
“Yes, that is my intention.”
“Please kindly ask him to pay us a visit as soon as possible. I would like to take his advice even before I meet the solicitor and executor. If he is not otherwise engaged, of course,” she added, feeling her cheeks strangely flushed.
“Of course. May I invite him to dinner?”
“Certainly—it would be our pleasure to have his company. As I said, he is welcome any time, no formal invitation is required. We are already in his debt more than we could ever repay.”
“Excellent! I will tell him. I am sure he is not otherwise engaged. He said he will adjust his schedule this summer so he can help you.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks coloured slightly, while she turned to her sister.
“Jane, will you join us?”
“No, Lizzy; I am of little use in a business conversation. I would like to pay a visit to Aunt Gardiner if you do not mind. May I ask for the carriage?”
“Dearest, remember that this is your house too, and you may do as you please. Please convey my love to everyone! I hope to see them soon.”
“Thank you, Lizzy, I will!”
“I shall accompany you there and on our way, I will stop to talk to Darcy briefly,” Bingley offered, enchanted by the prospect of a long ride in the intimate company of his lovely wife.
However, his visit to his friend was not successful.
The butler informed him that Mr. Darcy was out, meeting his uncle, Lord Matlock, at White’s, the gentlemen’s club.
Disappointed, yet pleased to spend the entire day with his wife, Bingley asked for paper and pen and left a short note, in his usual, barely legible handwriting.
∞∞∞
Early in the morning, Darcy decided to have breakfast with his sister. He had not seen her for several days and, besides missing her, he worried she might be distressed by the recent, dramatic events.
Georgiana was delighted to receive him and embraced him affectionately.
“My dear brother, I am glad to see you! You are well, I hope? Are you alone?”
“I am alone and very well, dearest. Do you need company for breakfast?”
“I most certainly do! And the others? Charles? Mrs. Bingley? Lady Barrington?”
“Lady Barrington moved yesterday, to the Countess of Sedgewick’s house. Charles and his wife returned home.”
“I see,” she said, with apparent curiosity and reluctance to enquire further.
“My dear, please ask me anything you want and I will tell you as much as I can without betraying Lady Barrington's trust. But first I must beg your forgiveness—I will not be able to return to Pemberley this summer. I promised Lady Barrington to help and support her. She has inherited an enormous fortune and, unlike other women who would be thrilled, she is distressed by the responsibilities attached to it.”
“I can well understand that. It must be frightening to find yourself burdened with so many duties.”