Chapter 29 #3
“I will do no such thing as lie.” Sir Dudley was affronted.
“It is my understanding that you came here for purely mercenary reasons…to protect whatever you consider to be your inheritance. It is well known in London–and Derbyshire, I understand–that you were a cruel husband who drove your first young wife to a very early grave, from misery and a broken heart. You arrived wielding intimidation, and you immediately began asking questions publicly about Miss Bennet’s person, her family, her dowry, her habits, and even where she walks to obtain her morning exercise.
I have to admit, I was concerned for the young lady’s welfare myself.
It would not be difficult to believe you might attempt to force a marriage against the young lady’s will to protect your interests.
Then, when society here did our best to block your attempt to access Miss Bennet, you began asking questions about other visiting heiresses, including Lord Matlock’s own niece.
It is obvious that you have the potential to be a dangerous man when your interests are threatened or even when you are presented with an opportune moment.
No one in our local society wishes to receive you, and only a few of the tourists are willing to sacrifice a daughter and a dowry for a connection to your title. ”
“Hear, hear!” Colonel Fitzwilliam said rather loudly. “I am not a local, but my sister and cousins are visiting Ramsgate with my uncle, and I am grateful to the locals for protecting the young women in Ramsgate.”
“Well, perhaps we should proceed with our decision.” Dr Sturt ignored Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“I beg your pardon, but not everyone who wishes to speak for Lady Barry has been invited to do so,” Lord Matlock interrupted.
“By all means, speak your piece, Lord Matlock,” Dr Klein invited.
It is obvious that Dr Sturt has been offered a great sum of money to make this come about. Elizabeth thought. Dr Klein seems to have more care for the person he is examining.
“I have known Lady Barry since I was a boy growing up in Derbyshire,” Lord Matlock said.
“Her daughter Isobel was my younger sister Anne’s playmate, and my brother Darcy–Anne’s husband–and I have probably known her as long as anyone living.
It is untrue that she has always been cold and reclusive.
Even as a younger woman, she was stern and tolerated no mischief.
She has never had much use for men or boys, but with her daughter and my sister, and–so I understand–Miss Bennet, she was always warm and supportive.
I believe she has also been kind to my daughter, Lady Priscilla, and my two nieces, even Miss Anne de Bourgh, whose mother–my elder sister Lady Catherine–she never liked.
She is also warm and welcoming to my nephew Darcy here for his late mother’s sake, and she is tolerant of my sons, which I take as a great compliment.
Lady Barry is only carefully selective about who she allows close to her, and that is no crime, nor is it a sign of madness. ”
He took a breath and continued. “I have not seen her in some years, but my brother Darcy has been in her company this summer, and he would have told me if she was going senile with age. I have no reason to believe that she will not outlive us all with her mind in perfect clarity. I have no idea what she has done with her will, but I say she has every right to dispose of her fortune as she wishes. In fact, I will use all of my influence to ensure her freedom to do so. This Barry twit merely wants more than he is entitled to. It is entirely true that he barely knows her, and knew her husband not at all. He is nothing more than an heir presumptive of Sir Charles Barry. A distant cousin that no one knew, nor ever cared about. I grew up in and out of their estate, and he was never once a visitor there. He has no claim upon her, nor upon her fortune. The man is desperate, and grasping at anything that might help him, but Lady Barry’s friends are higher placed than his, and in a better position to ensure her welfare. ”
Sir Rupert glared at Lord Matlock as Dr Sturt deliberated. “I will now question the young lady. Miss Bennet, from where does this close connection to Lady Barry come?”
Elizabeth coloured as Lady Barry patted her hand.
“The gossips visiting Ramsgate have made too much of it, sir, which mortifies me on Lady Barry’s behalf.
I have the greatest respect and affection for her, but that is all.
She lived in Hertfordshire when I was a girl, at a neighbouring estate called Netherfield Park.
She was amused then by my defiance of my mother, who disapproved of my father allowing me to read and educate myself.
I believe it was to tweak my mother’s nose that she used to invite me even as a girl from the nursery to read to her.
She is the sort of person who dislikes seeing girls and ladies hindered by society.
When she moved away, I was ten, and she would write to me occasionally.
As I grew up, I wrote back. We exchange letters a few times a year.
When I came to Ramsgate with my family for the summer, it gave me great pleasure to visit her twice a week.
We do not sit and plot over her will or her fortune, I assure you.
We are merely ladies drinking tea and enjoying an hour or two of novels each week.
Miss Darcy visits her as well, in the stead of her late mother.
Society makes up sensational tales, Dr Sturt, as you must well know.
There is no reason to suppose there is anything behind it. ”
“And Lady Barry? Can you confirm whether there is merit to the claims of society? Have you favoured Miss Bennet in your will?” Dr Sturt inquired, turning his attention to the object of their discussion.
“You have no right to ask who I shall favour in my will, you vile man.” Lady Barry thumped her cane.
“I will not humour you. I will only say that I have not altered my will since I arrived in Ramsgate ten years ago. There is no reason for Rupert to suppose that he would benefit from declaring my most recent will invalid, in any case, for he has never been mentioned as a beneficiary in any will of mine, no matter when it was written. Not in mine, and certainly not in my husband’s.
Sir Charles did not leave him so much as a pocketwatch. ”
“Bloody hell!” Sir Rupert bellowed. “I will see you rot in Bedlam if it is the last thing I do, old woman!”
“I believe we have heard more than enough.” Dr Klein stood as Colonel Fitzwilliam and the Viscount seized Sir Rupert and dragged him from the house. “My colleague and I have obviously been misled. We beg your pardon, Lady Barry. We will show ourselves out.”
“Oh, thank heavens!” Elizabeth jumped up and embraced Lady Barry impulsively. “I was so frightened!”
“All is well, Lizzy-girl, all is well.” Lady Barry chuckled as she patted Elizabeth upon the shoulder.
“Perhaps calling for your father and the men was for the best, little though I like to admit it. Reggie-boy, you certainly selected an opportune moment to turn up. I recall that you did so often as a boy. Always entered a room the moment a plate of biscuits or cake appeared.”
“Anything to hear you call me Reggie-boy again, Lady Barry.” Lord Matlock bowed and kissed the old woman upon the cheek. “It is my privilege to be of service to you.”
Elizabeth dried her eyes and hurried to Darcy to express her relief.
“You raised a fine girl, and if I must admit it, a pair of fine boys too,” Lady Barry said approvingly. “I assume that is due to the efforts of a fine wife.”
“I suppose I must thank you for chasing me away from Isobel in my youth,” Matlock admitted. “She did not love me, and I thank the Lord for the day I married Eleanor Ashley.”
“I have heard that she was a good match for you. Did she come with you to Ramsgate?” Lady Barry asked with interest.
“She did,” he acknowledged. “We came to see our daughter and nieces after briefly seeing Cathy in Hunsford. I must thank you for your assistance in that matter.”
“No need, no need.” Lady Barry grinned. “Any opportunity to spend a day in a carriage chiding Cathy de Bourgh is a good one. Have your daughter bring your wife to call on me, and I shall be happy to receive her.”
“Lady Barry, I am happy that I was able to assist you.” Sir Dudley bowed. “I must return home, Lady Nibsby is expecting me.”
Elizabeth watched the gentleman take his leave as the viscount and his brother returned to them.
“I am so grateful you all came to help her,” she said to Darcy in gratitude.
“I am glad to perform any service to my mother’s old friend.” He smiled down gently at her. “But most of all, I am privileged to perform any small service for you. Shall we still enjoy another sweet adventure today?”
“I believe we must.” Elizabeth smiled. “You deserve to be rewarded with an ice.”
“I do not think that is the reward Darcy has in mind.” Viscount Fitzwilliam grinned as he and his brother looked on in interest. “Do you not agree, Richard?”
“Most definitely not,” Richard agreed. “He has his eye on a much sweeter prize.”