“As do I Miss Lizzy,” Mrs. Jenkinson agreed as she dried her tears. “You know what Miss Anne asked of you, do you not?” Even had she not been the one to scribe the letter for her charge, Miss Anne would have told her about the contents as, like Miss Lizzy and Miss Anne, there were no secrets between them.
“I have not been able to read the letter from Anne yet,” Elizabeth admitted. “Yes, and I will keep my word to Annie.”
“As far as the letter goes, I would suggest you read it after the reading of the will. Mr. Rumpole will be here on the morrow and it will answer many questions I am sure you may have. I always told Miss Anne you would never go back on your word.”
“Was she at peace in the end?” Elizabeth wondered.
“Yes, I believe both she and the master were,” Mrs. Jenkinson opined. “After everyone departed, the master entered Miss Anne’s bedchamber. I said my goodbyes and left them. When I checked on them a little while later, they were lying on the bed, next to one another, hand in hand, both smiling. They will deny it if you ask them, but it was the only time I have seen either Biggs or Johns shed a tear.”
“Do you know why they remained at Longbourn and accompanied us here today?” Elizabeth queried.
“When the master’s will is read your questions will be answered, Miss Lizzy, and any that are not, the letter will.” Mrs. Jenkinson hugged Elizabeth again.
“I have no expectation for myself, but I did hear my father and Lord Matlock state that Uncle Lewis told them not to inform Lady Catherine of his and Anne’s death until his last will and testament is read,” Elizabeth puzzled.
Mrs. Jenkinson repeated that all would be made clear to Miss Lizzy soon enough. Thereafter, they headed to the drawing room
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When it was her turn to enter the parlour where the two coffins were side by side just as Jenki had described when she had found them, Elizabeth felt a little trepidation. Not at seeing Anne and Uncle Lewis, but regarding her ability to maintain her composure. Before she entered the room she had been told there was no right or wrong way to express her grief in private, so whatever felt right to her here on her own with the remains of father and daughter, was not wrong.
She went to the side of the casket holding Uncle Lewis first. Other than his colouring not looking as it should, he just looked like he was sleeping, and as Jenki had told her, he did have a ghost of a smile on his lips.
“Look after Anne in heaven, please Uncle Lewis,” Elizabeth beseeched.
Next, she walked around to the other side to stand next to the coffin containing Anne’s body. She too looked like she was asleep. Just like her father, she had a slight smile on her face, and best of all, Anne looked like she was at peace.
“Annie, my dearest, best friend, I renew my vows to you. You were, and will forever be my best friend in the world and I will always miss you. May I share a secret with you?” Elizabeth waited as if expecting an answer. There was a ripple in the curtains from a movement of air which Elizabeth decided to take as a yes. “I think I like your cousin William Darcy quite a lot. You had the right of it Annie, I believe we will suit well one to the other. Once we have both completed our respectivemourning periods, then I hope we will get to know one another and see if there is more than an infatuation there.”
Elizabeth’s face turned melancholy. “My life will not be the same without seeing you any longer. Rest well my friend and sister, and take care of your father for eternity.” As a few tears rolled down her cheeks, Elizabeth reached in and took Anne’s hand closest to her. It was cold like ice, but she squeezed it as a final goodbye.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth flatly refused to return to Longbourn with her family. She was determined to remain in the house until Anne and Uncle Lewis were moved to Rosings Park for burial.
As they would all be returning in the morning for the reading of the will, her parents did not try and convince her to come home with them. The only thing they insisted upon was that Mrs. Annesley would be sent to spend the night knowing that Mrs. Jenkinson would want to keep her vigil over Anne’s body.
In addition, Biggs, Johns, and the rest of the guards, not to mention the staff and servants were all present.
Hence, when the three coaches departed, it was without Elizabeth.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Mr. Horace Rumpole arrived at Oak Hollow in the morning, two days after the death of his client and Miss de Bourgh. He had arrived in the area the previous late afternoon and had taken a room in the local inn.
By the time the solicitor arrived at the estate a little before midday, all of those whom he expected to see present were awaiting him.
He first verbally verified, even though he knew them by sight, the two executors were present. There were two wills he withdrew. One was labelled “If Anne survives me,” while the other “If both Anne and I are no longer alive.”
“As I have death certificates attesting that both Sir Lewis de Bourgh and Miss Anne de Bourgh are not living, this document,” Rumpole lifted the former, “is null and void, while this one,” he lifted the latter, “Is the onlyvalidlast will and testament of Sir Lewis de Bourgh which will be executed. Do the executors agree?”
“Yes,” Lord Matlock responded.
“I agree,” Bennet added.
Rumpole began to read the will breezing past the legal parts of the will attesting to the late baronet being of sound mind, and others. He cleared his throat. “Now we reach the bequests.” There were small amounts left to faithful retainers like his valet and others. Rumpole read:
To Mrs. JenkinsonI leave the sum of £7,500 and the lifelong use of a cottage at either Rosings Park or Oak Hollow, whichever she chooses.
