Chapter 14
“Lady Barrington?”
A voice and a brief touch on her arm startled Elizabeth so much that she let out a cry.
She noticed Darcy’s worried stare and the other men’s puzzled looks. She suddenly recollected that she was back at the dreadful house. And that this time she was the mistress of it.
“Lady Barrington, are you unwell? You look truly ill,” Darcy insisted.
“No...I was lost in my thoughts. Forgive me...From Lord Barrington’s apartment I want nothing but to look for the ring given to me by Lady Sedgewick.”
“In truth, I doubt we will find anything,” Mr. Gardiner said. “If there was anything of value, his friends and his mother will have taken it away.”
“Still, we must retrieve the jewels given to Lady Barrington by Lady Sedgewick, since all of them were detailed in her will. If they have disappeared without our consent, that might class as a robbery,” Mr. Reeves declared.
Much to everyone's surprise, and as a sign that Lady Augusta had not anticipated such an outcome, their search met with success. Most of the jewels and papers were found, either in Lord Barrington’s apartment, or in his library.
But Lady Sedgewick’s ring was still unaccounted for.
As it had been offered to Elizabeth as a gift of love, it was not part of any legal arrangements.
Very likely the earl had shamelessly stolen it and used it to fund his greedy and deceptive habits.
The ring was gone and its loss broke Elizabeth’s heart one more time.
∞∞∞
When Elizabeth returned downstairs, the staff was gathered in the hall. From the drawing-room, Lady Augusta’s voice sounded angry and accusatory, but she ignored it. Instead, she addressed the servants, who watched her with fear and distress.
“As you may know, a tragic accident occurred several days ago. As a consequence, I have inherited the responsibility of this house for the time being, and all of Lord Barrington’s properties.”
A gasp of disbelief spread through the crowd, together with frowns of doubtfulness.
“You are certainly aware that painful events have been happening in this house for a long while. For those of you who worried about her, rest assured that Sarah is safe and being properly taken care of. I am also aware that some of you have been forced to remain in service here and to bear trials that are hard to imagine, and I wish to remedy this.”
More murmurs and Lady Augusta’s cries of contradiction interrupted Elizabeth, but she continued.
“Those of you who wish to remain here and keep their responsibilities, are more than welcome to stay. Those who wish to leave may do so immediately. You only have to pack your belongings. You will be offered similar employment at other properties under my supervision, or we will pay you what you are due and you may return to your families.”
This time, the rumours were so loud that Elizabeth had to pause. The servants looked at each other, still doubtful and fearful, then at Elizabeth and the rest of the group. Their astonishment and mistrust were apparent.
“Have you lost your mind?” Lady Augusta shouted.
Elizabeth’s eyebrow arched and she answered sharply, “Your ladyship would surely prefer not to debate this subject in such large company. We all understand why some of the staff would not wish to remain in this house.”
“You cannot let the servants come and go as they please!” Lady Augusta cried.
“Indeed. But we cannot keep them prisoners and expose them to abuse and humiliation either!” Elizabeth replied. “I am entitled to decide, and I am offering them a choice to stay, leave or take another role in this house or the house in London. Is this something so strange among noble families?”
“Not at all,” Darcy said sternly. “Of course, most honourable families treat their employees in such a manner as to win their loyalty. Which is certainly not the case here.”
“You impertinent young man!” Lady Augusta shouted. “You are a disgrace to our class!”
“I shall take that as a compliment, Lady Augusta. But let us not exchange pleasantries,” he said mockingly. “The gentlemen of the law will pronounce if Lady Barrington’s actions are valid.”
“They are,” Mr. Reeves said.
“Very well then,” Elizabeth addressed the staff again. “Please consider the matter carefully and decide. We will wait for another half an hour. Of course, any of you may leave at a later date, if you choose to.”
Then, while the servants quickly disappeared below stairs, Elizabeth turned to the trustees.
“Perhaps we should hire a new steward, to manage this estate according to the legal requirements?”
“Of course,” Mr. Finch readily agreed. “This must be done for each property. The Sedgewick estates were each managed properly. However, Lord Barrington demanded that the former stewards be dismissed, for reasons we could not understand.”
“I am sure that recent events have enlightened you regarding Lord Barrington’s motives,” Elizabeth said bitterly.
“But how do you expect me to live in such a way? Like a beggar! I will have to wait for this country girl’s approval for anything I want to do!” Lady Augusta whined. “This is outrageous! I shall address His Highness, the Prince Regent!”
“As we have already stated, I advise your ladyship to address anyone you feel appropriate,” Mr. Thorn responded. “And to answer the question—yes, Lady Barrington must be consulted on any decision related to the expenses of any property.”
Elizabeth stepped forward.
“Let me be clear on this subject. I agree that Lady Augusta should retain the use of this house and the one in London for the time being. I have already stated that. Also, I imagine her expenses for the two properties should be considerably lower, now that she is a single lady. She will need far less staff and I would expect there to be no money wasted on endless parties. I intend to use Lady Sedgewick’s inheritance precisely for the purposes it was meant, as set out by the trust. So each of us, including myself and Lady Augusta, must keep our expenses under good regulation. ”
“But this is not how things are done in our circle! We have a certain lifestyle that we must keep! A country girl cannot understand that!” Lady Augusta said angrily.
“This is true,” St. Claire interjected. “You cannot expect your mother-in-law—the daughter, wife and mother of an earl—to reduce her expenses! Some standards must be maintained, which someone outside our circle cannot understand.”
Elizabeth tried to keep her composure.
“I shall not even argue with that. This is why I will not rely on my judgment only. I trust the gentlemen of the law will settle these issues properly and help me hire trusted stewards and solicitors. In this endeavour, I also depend upon my uncle and Mr. Darcy’s advice.”
“From the short time we have spent together, Mr. Darcy seems to possess excellent knowledge of estate business,” Mr. Finch said. “Quite impressive.”
“Darcy?” Lady Augusta shouted frantically. “What does he have to do with us? Have you all gone mad? This is a nightmare! You have murdered my son and now you want to take away my fortune? How dare you? I hope to see you all dead! All of you!”
“I believe that will be all for now,” Elizabeth said coldly. “Lady Augusta, I must warn you that this very evening I will go to the Barrington townhouse and make the same offer to the staff there. These gentlemen might join me, to avoid further accusations.”
“What? You cannot speak to my staff!”
“I can and I shall, Lady Augusta. I remember a wounded young maid, whom you refused to discuss with me a while ago. Now I am finally able to protect her and others. Now you must excuse me, there is nothing left for me here.”
“Lady Barrington, in fact, there are some things that need attention,” St. Claire said, stepping forward. Lambert joined him, both approaching Elizabeth.
She looked at them sternly, waiting.
“Your husband, Lord Barrington, had some debts of honour that must be resolved. The amounts are quite significant and, since he has passed away, the matter cannot be delayed.”
“I see…” Elizabeth said.
“Indeed,” Lambert supported his friend. “He owed five thousand pounds to me and five thousand to St. Claire. There might also be others, as Barrington—God rest his soul—had more passion than luck for gaming.”
Jane and Mrs. Gardiner gasped in surprise. Bingley and Mr. Gardiner glanced at each other, disconcerted. Darcy rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“I see…” Elizabeth repeated. “Gentlemen, I am just a country girl who knows little of such matters and such numbers sound frightening to me. I hope Lord Barrington had some money set aside for such a situation. I have neither such a sum nor the willingness to accept claims for which I have no evidence.”
St. Claire took a step forward. Bingley, Darcy and Mr. Gardiner all moved protectively towards Elizabeth.
“Lady Barrington, this cannot be solved through solicitors! There is no proof for such debts, besides our word which you certainly cannot doubt!” St. Claire insisted.
Darcy interjected harshly, “Let us clarify the matter this instant. Mr. Reeves, Mr. Thorn, is Lady Barrington allowed to make such a payment at her own discretion?”
“Not without evidence of the debts and signed papers to justify the payment, Mr. Darcy. Unless she intends to use her pin money or to sell some of the jewels she has received as personal gifts,” Mr. Reeves answered.
“So does our word mean nothing?” St. Claire shouted. “Mr. Reeves, you must know how things are done between gentlemen! You cannot approve such a flagrant breach of a gentleman’s agreement!”
“Mr. St. Claire, any gentleman may and should repay his debts based on nothing but his word of honour and handshake. But how can we expect Lady Barrington to do so? And how could we, as men of the law, approve such a risky payment? I do not question your claims, but it would be easy for any dishonest man, remotely acquainted with Lord Barrington, to claim compensation from his widow! Surely you must see our point.”