“To be candid, I find it extraordinary that a man in your position would overlook the disadvantages to my situation”—her chin inched lower—“in particular, my lack of wealth and my connexion to a dissolute tradesman.”
“To my regret, I once gave more weight to those details than they merited.”
She shook her head. “I do not take your meaning.”
“Irrespective of the amount of money to your name or any detriment attributable to your relations, you have always been more than worthy of me by virtue of your superior character. I regret that I did not comprehend this fact from our first meeting.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “You continue to perplex me. I should never have guessed that you might take this outlook.”
“In time, I hope you will feel confident that you know me well. I encourage you to ask me anything you may want to know so you will not have doubts about my nature.”
She nodded. “I appreciate that.”
“First, though, I have a great deal to relate, and you are apt to find the information shocking.”
A short, euphonic laugh escaped her. “Nothing could shock me more than your earlier declaration.”
“In fact, part of what I have to say may distress you.”
The skin on her forehead constricted. “Oh dear. Well, by all means proceed.”
In a tentative style, I explained my decision to hire Mr. Notley and shared the pertinent details of his report. She listened in silence, with the occasional flaring of her eyes the sole hint to her thoughts. Whilst I recounted the evening Hayward and I spent with Mr. Gardiner and his wife, Elizabeth’s left foot tapped upon the grassy ground. At the conclusion of my narrative, I removed Mr. Gardiner’s packet from my coat pocket and handed it to her.
She turned the package reverently in her hands and examined Mr. Gardiner’s neat handwriting. “So, my uncle Gardiner has been writing to me each year?”
“Yes, that is what he told us.”
Elizabeth tore through the seal.
I leaned forwards and braced to rise. “Shall I leave to give you privacy?”
“No, I should prefer that you stay.”
My heart leaped at her sweet statement. “Very well.” When she reached the end of Mr. Gardiner’s correspondence, a single tear escaped the corner of her eye. I took out my handkerchief and pressed the cloth into her hand.
“Thank you.” She snuffled and dabbed at her face. “My uncle is kind and eloquent. He wrote that he and his wife would be pleased to have me stay with them, either on a temporary or permanent basis, and he offered to come to Wiltshire so we may meet.” She peered at me. “You spent an evening with my uncle Gardiner and his wife. What is your opinion of them?”
“I found Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to be admirable people. I liked them very much.” The corners of her lips edged up.
Elizabeth took up the second page, a shorter letter in a feminine hand, and glanced my way. “This one is from Mrs. Gardiner.” She skimmed the missive. “She echoes my uncle’s invitation and declares her eagerness to meet me. How generous of her.”
Next, she unfolded a crude painting. “Oh, look at this!” She held up a picture depicting four children with a brown dog and read the writing on the back. “My cousin Tabitha painted this for me. She is eight years old. Is it not adorable?”
“Yes, quite so.”
She refolded the papers and shifted closer. “Why would Uncle Barton go to such lengths to keep me and Uncle Gardiner apart? He must have taken my uncle Gardiner’s letters. He declared that Uncle Gardiner took no interest in me and even made mefearhim.” She searched my countenance. “What could have possessed him to do this?”
“I know not. Mr. Barton’s duplicity is deplorable. Hayward, too, is dismayed, as he had considered him to be an honourable man.”
“He has been the closest I have had to a father.” Her lower lip trembled.
I fought the inclination to take her in my arms. “I am sorry to have been the bearer of this disquieting information.”
“You need not apologise. I should rather know the truth, however unpleasant it may be.” She folded my handkerchief into a square. “Since I grew up believing myself to be penniless, I have wondered whether I might one day seek employment as a companion or a governess.”
The cursed man!Mr. Barton had caused her to needlessly fret for her financial future. “Your uncle has abused his position as your guardian.” My voice had a raspy sound.
She shuddered through her exhalation. “I cannot reconcile his actions. He maintained he had sold Lily for my sake, and the one thousand pounds you paid him would be set aside for me. That was the first time I ever argued with my uncle. I told him I did not want the money, but he said the deal could not be undone.”
