“Very well.” I allowed her to lead me away but took a backwards glance.Good day, Mama and Papa.
June 1801
Knight's Manor
Elizabeth
I knocked upon the door to my uncle’s study and entered at his invitation. Uncle Barton stood from behind his desk. He had never been an especially attractive man, but ever since my dear aunt and her baby had died in childbirth five years ago, he had aged quite a bit. The grey hairs in his thick mane threatened to overtake the brown ones. Excess pounds had settled around his middle, and the lines beneath his eyes often lent him a haggard look, as they did today. He appeared far different from the painting of him and Aunt Barton that held a prominent position in the portrait gallery.
Since my aunt’s demise, the entire household had undergone a profound alteration from a sunny, happy home to a far more subdued one. As the years passed, Cassie and I struggled to preserve our fuzzy remembrances of her. Noah, now thirteen years of age, retained many more memories of his mother, and we often called upon him to recount these anecdotes for us. No one, though, had suffered more for Aunt Barton’s death than my uncle. He hadcherishedher.
Within the last few years, my association with Uncle Barton had greatly improved to the point that he now took an interest in me and my activities.His opinion of me had altered for the better, and I held him in affection. In fact, he had become akin to a paternal figure.
I approached his desk. “You wished to see me, Uncle?”
“Yes, Lizzy, sit down.”
I lowered myself upon the chair and crossed my ankles.
“Miss Green tells me that you are advanced in your studies for your age, and your reading comprehension is impressive.” My uncle pursed his lips. “I only wish Cassie would follow your example.”
Devoid of a defence for my cousin, I made no comment. Cassie did not share my love of learning and took little interest in Miss Green’s lessons. She often tried our governess’s patience.
“You are ten years old now, and you ought to be made aware of a few facts, though you may find them difficult to hear.”
My back stiffened. What could he mean?
“Upon your parents’ marriage, your mother received a settlement of five thousand pounds. So, when your parents and sister succumbed to ague seven years ago, I assumed those funds had gone to you, though your aunt Barton and I never discussed the matter. However, after my wife’s death, I went through her desk and discovered documents that indicated your father had invested in a Northumberland silver mine.”
My uncle stroked his chin. “Unfortunately, the mine proved to be barren, and your father lost every penny of his investment.” He shuffled a bundle of papers on his desk. “Do you understand what that means?”
A memory niggled at me. Aunt Barton had once made a passing mention of my ‘inheritance’, but the details of her comment had faded beyond my grasp; she must have referred to the books in my room that once belonged to my father. “I suppose you are saying that I do not have a dowry.”
“That is correct. Cassie has one, but you do not.”
Just yesterday, Cassie had broached the subject of her fortune, worth over fifteen thousand pounds, and had wanted to know the value of mine. I hadreplied that I did not know; no doubt she had asked her father that question, precipitating this meeting. “Yes, I see.”
“In light of this disparity, once you enter society, you will need to be mindful that your experience will differ from Cassie’s. While I expect her to make a fine match one day, your situation is more complicated. Most eligible gentlemen of substance expect the lady they wed to bring their own portion to the union.”
I sucked upon my lower lip. Uncle seemed to believe that no gentleman would ever offer for me. I swallowed. “What will become of me if I never marry?”
“Rest assured, you will always have a home here. Neither I nor Noah should ever turn you out. Still, I wanted to prepare you so when the time comes, you will not have unrealistic expectations.”
“Very well.” It seemed my future would be dissimilar from Cassie’s. However, maybe this would not matter so much—after all, she and I had few preferences in common.
“What I have to say next may come as a shock.” He leaned forwards and beheld me with a benevolent expression. “Despite what we have led you to believe, you are not, in truth, my niece.” His voice had a soft, measured tone. “You are neither related to me nor to my late wife.”
I gasped.Could this be true?“But you must be my uncle. Aunt Barton always called me her niece.”
He shook his head. “Rebecca and I agreed that we should use that term for you. We thought that, if others believed you to be a family member, they would be more apt to accept you and treat you with the respect you deserve.”
A wave of dizziness descended upon me, and I pressed my palm to my forehead. “I do not understand. How…um…did I come to be here?”
“Rebecca’s father was a fellow at Cambridge. Each summer, he took a few of his most promising students home to tutor them, including your father, Mr. Bennet. Because of the close bond he had formed with Rebecca, herbrother, and her parents, Mr. Bennet named her as your godmother and indicated in his will that she and I act as your guardians.”
“So…” For a moment, my words remained trapped in my throat. “I am no relation to Noah or Cassie either.”
He released a heavy breath. “That is correct.”
