“I am no seer, but I think one will be keen to go while the other will use everything at his disposal to convince you not to do so.” Matlock sank back into the squabs satisfied he was able to break through the wilful blindness Darcy had when it came to the young Wickham.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Sir Lewis had made an appointment to see Mr. Philips to assist him in drawing up a new last will and testament.
Before riding into Meryton on Bennet’s stallion Plato, he met with Anne and explained what the changes to his will were going to be. When he had laid out everything, he asked his daughter, “What do you think, Annie?”
“Papa, that is perfect. I…could not be happier,” Anne responded before she had a coughing fit. “I am fully aware that most…girls of ten do not have to contemplate…their leaving the mortal…world too soon, but,” she took some deep breaths, “it is something I cannot…ignore.”
“How I wish it was not so my sweet girl,” Sir Lewis said, his voice gruff and his eyes suspiciously moist. “But I will always give thanks in my prayers for the joy meeting Lizzy and her sisters has brought you. Never have I seen you happier. When we were alone at Oak Hollow, we were content, but I have always known you needed friends close to your age. Gigi has been your only friend to date, but no longer; you now have five new friends as well, not to mention the Lucas sisters and others you have met in the neighbourhood.”
“When will Aunt Anne and…Uncle Robert inform us…if Gigi will be joining us at Oak Hollow?” Anne queried.
“Your uncles should arrive home on the morrow, so I would expect to see a Darcy courier by the end of the week.”
“Papa, may I invite…Jane, Lizzy, and Mary to Oak Hollow…to reside with us?” Anne enthused.
“Of course, you may, Annie my dearest girl,” Sir Lewis allowed. “Now I must away to see Mr. Philips.”
He kissed his daughter on the crown of her head, collected his beaver and gloves from Mr. Hill, and made his way out to the drive where Plato was being held by a groom.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“My clerk will scribe your new last will and testament exactly as you desire, but are you sure this is how you want it written?” Philips verified. “This is an accurate listing of the bequests?” Philips pointed to the page on his desk.
“Positive, and yes, everything is in order regarding who receives what,” Sir Lewis confirmed. “I have sent an express to my solicitor, Mr. Rumpole, in London. In the letter, I used a phrase he expects from me to know what I am instructing him is being done by my free will. When two copies of the signedwill are delivered to him, he will keep one replacing the former will, and the other will be lodged with the courts.”
“A very secure way of making sure a forgery can never be claimed to be legitimate. Not to mention all the copies which will be distributed to those on the list,” Philips applauded as he lifted said list. “Each copy will be witnessed and certified as genuine, per your instructions.”
“One of which will remain here with you,” Sir Lewis reminded Philips. “Knowing my wife was willing to kill my daughter and me to gain what she desires; I will not chance her being able to try and use a forgery.”
Philips clarified some points. As soon as he was certain of everything Sir Lewis required, the two men shook hands. The instructions were in the clerk’s hands within moments of Sir Lewis exiting the office.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As soon as Matlock and Darcy washed and changed after arriving at Snowhaven, they met their wives in the private sitting room between the mistress’s and master’s chambers.
“Is there no doubt it was Catherine who was responsible?” Lady Anne questioned.
“If we had any doubts, as soon as we saw her reaction on identifying de Bourgh’s script on the letter, that would have convinced us,” Matlock asserted. “The anger she attempted to hide when she realised he and Anne were very much alive was easy to see.”
“Catherine has always fancied herself able to fool everyone around her,” Lady Matlock shook her head.
“And the family with whom our brother and niece are being hosted? How is the little heroine?” Lady Anne queried.
“A delightful family and such a girl Lizzy is,” Matlock responded. “Not only is she brave, but very beautiful and intelligent in the extreme. Remember our brother mentioned Mr. Bennet’s chess prowess?” Both ladies nodded. “Lizzy, whois the second of five daughters, started to learn the game when she was five or six. She beat Darcy once and he beat her the second time.”
“Robert, a girl of ten bested you in chess?” Lady Anne’s eyebrows shot up.
“Yes, and I played as I would against anyone else,” Darcy admitted. “The best change is in Annie. She has made deep and genuine friends with all of the Bennet sisters, who range in age from twelve to four as well as some other girls in the neighbourhood. However, the bond between Lizzy and Anne is more like the one Richard and William share.”
“Robert, you know William is still very hurt, do you not? You never believe him when young Wickham is involved,” Lady Anne related sadly at her husband mentioning their son.
“I will address that soon. Allow us to tell you what has been done with Catherine,” Darcy requested. Both ladies nodded.
The men explained the steps their brother had taken.
“My sister does not deserve to be in Bath, she should be in prison,” Lady Anne stated.
