Elizabeth held her breath, then it released shakily. “How is this possible?” She whispered.
“Random circumstances? Fate? Does it matter? Such is the situation now.”
“I am not quite ready to go back.”
“Then we shall take a few minutes, so you may settle your nerves.” This elicited a huff of laughter from her niece.
In the drawing room, Georgiana had moved closer to Jane to offer her comfort and support, and they sat, side by side, tightly clasping hands. Meanwhile, Mr Gardiner and Darcy had both approached the solicitors, each wishing to receive answers to their many questions. The main one being, were Elizabeth and Alex in danger?
Deferring to his host, Darcy let Mr Gardiner speak first. “Is this the reason their deaths were kept so quiet? What were you hoping to achieve by it?”
“As I said, we have no information on who might benefit from the line dying out. Very few are aware of Captain Carrington’s scion. We were hoping someone would come forward with an appeal of legitimacy, thereby bringing them out of the shadows.”
“Yet,” grated out Darcy. “That did not happen.”
“It did not.” Mr Graham gave a sharp nod. “And the earldom cannot remain a void if there is a legitimate heir. If there was none, the line would merely die out and the title with all it entails would revert to the crown. We were rather convinced a plea would be submitted.” A frown marred his features for a moment, before disappearing.
“How long have you been searching for my niece?” Standing with his arms folded over his chest, Mr Gardiner looked sombre.
“For over a month.” Mr Seymour scowled, “And it feels as if I have travelled the length and breadth of England.” Mr Graham murmured something into his associate’s ear and the darker man calmed. “Forgive me. Mrs Carrington and her child were difficult to find,” he amended.
~ / ~
Easing her arms under her sleeping son, she lifted him up and brought him close to her body, the blanket still surrounding him, keeping him warm.
With her arms wrapped around him in a firm embrace, Elizabeth took a seat on the nearby chaise. “Is this inevitable? Might there be some way to turn down the title?”
“You would make that choice for your son? Think of the possibilities which will now be available to him. Ones which you could never have conceived of, even if you could have afforded them?”
“Possibilities? What care I for those possibilities when they put his life in danger?”
“We do not know all the particulars-”
“I know enough. Lord and Viscount Carrington are both dead. And a strange man has been watching us.”
“Lizzy, calm yourself. You are not alone in this. If it means hiring more footmen or even armed guards to ensure your safety, that is exactly what we shall do.”
Elizabeth collapsed a little, hunching her shoulders. Her voice came out very small, “But what kind of life is that to grow up in?”
Her aunt sat down beside her on the chaise and put an arm around her shoulder. “Not one you are used to, and I think this is what terrifies you most of all.” She leant her head against her niece’s, “But, Lizzy, I wish to remind you of how you felt after you met Gregory, and he asked you to marry him. You were scared of the unknown then, yet your courage rose to face a completely new life with him.”
Her hand came up to cradle Alex’s head, and Mrs Gardiner continued speaking in quiet, but firm tones, “This may seem more daunting, but you, my dear, are a strong woman, and you will rise to this occasion now, with as much fortitude as you did then.”
Her aunt’s words reverberated inside of Elizabeth. So much had happened to her and her family over the last four years. So much pain and loss and yes, resentment. The most she had dreamt for herself, was a little home somewhere with Gregory and a family. Since his death, her only thought had been about planning a future for her son. Her aunt talked about strength and courage, but was Elizabeth even that person anymore? Not to her sensibilities. She felt smaller, like somewhere along her journey since Lydia’s debacle, her confidence had been lost. She had hoped to find it ina life with Gregory. Now, as a single mother of the heir to an earldom she was meant to, what? Be brave, strong and assertive? Could she? Was she even capable of it?
Elizabeth closed her eyes, breathing in and out, feeling the warmth of Alex filling her arms. Tears prickled behind her lids, but she ignored them. Allowing every single emotion she had experienced over the past couple of years to rise up, filling her, feeling them in her heart and mind. She embraced the sensations and acknowledged each and every one. The pain, and the losses, her hopes on the day she wed Gregory and the pure love she felt the moment Alex was in her arms. Breathing deeply, in and out, just feeling. Eventually her breathing slowed, and the turmoil inside her lessened into something she could govern.
She opened her eyes and looked down at her son, snuffling against her. “For you, I will take on the world.”
Then, looking at her aunt, Elizabeth offered a timid smile. “I believe I have some questions for Misters Graham and Seymour.”
~ / ~
Mr Darcy had watched as Mrs Carrington departed. The lengthening distance between them felt farther than a mere length of hallway.
All he had wished for was her consent for him to call on her. He never had the opportunity to ask the question. Now her life would be utter turmoil. How could he lump one more stone on the rising pile?
“Georgiana.”
