“What may have been is neither here nor there, he is the one in hell and by God’s providence Lady Elizabeth is very much well and alive,” William stated warmly as he looked at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s heart swelled at William’s desire to defend her. There was much to do now, but soon she would be able to think about her future.
“Lizzy, you need to travel to London,” Philips opined. “Everything needs to be formalised and all of the deeds to your estates need to be changed to reflect your name as owner in the Court of Chancery. We must, I believe, call on the late Duke’s solicitor in Town.” He turned to his brother. “Believing Lizzy would be disposed of beforehepassed away explains why he agreed to the added terms so quickly.”
“Now I am aware of his dastardly plans for me, his agreeing to you and Uncle Edward as possible guardians when he had a complete disdain for anyone in trade is understandable,” Elizabeth stated.
“Hopefully he will be burning in hell when he realises his Duchess is now the ward of two tradesmen,” Philips grinned.
“Yes,” Gardiner looked at William Darcy, “unless she marries before her majority.”
Elizabeth was about to protest she would never marry again when she realised it would be a lie. If William proposed after she had Her Majesty’s permission to forgo any mourning, she would accept and this time it would be for love. Her love of him, not her love for Jane.
“Lady Lucas and I will return to Lucas Lodge,” Sir William decided after conferring with his wife. “However, after missing Eliza for so long, I know Charlotte is loath to be separated from her so soon. If agreeable to Eliza and Charlotte desires to, she is welcome to remain.”
“Of course Charlotte should remain with us,” Elizabeth enthused. “It seems I have a few homes in Town, so accommodation will not be an issue.”
“The Darcys will accompany you to Town,” Darcy stated after a nod from his wife.
“As will the Fitzwilliams,” Lord Matlock added. He was fully aware regardless of what he decided to do that Andrew would be going to London if Miss Bennet was as well.
“I will be in London after a stop at Rivington,” Barrington informed the family.
“We will make for our estate,” Edith Portnoy stated, “however, it seems Lawrence has decided to join the group making for Town.”
“In that case, all of us need to see to our packing as I assume we will depart on the morrow with the first light,” Lady Anne guessed.
“Will I only see the castle when we return to Derbyshire?” Lydia asked disappointedly.
“No Lyddie, you will see it today,” Elizabeth responded. “I need to speak to the senior staff and apprise them of the change in ownership and regarding our travel plans.”
It was decided that in addition to Elizabeth and her sisters, Charlotte, Anna, Maria, Andrew, Lawrence, Richard, and William would join her for the short ride to Castlemere. John Biggs and Brian Johns would be part of the party as wherever Her Grace went, so did they.
“Jane,” Elizabeth placed her hand on her older sister’s arm to hold her back as the rest of those travelling to her estate went to make themselves ready. Jane turned to face her sister. “You remember I promised I would one day tell you what made me change my mind and marryhim?” Jane nodded. “Once I have spoken to my senior staff, I would like you to join me in my chambers at Castlemere so we may speak.”
Jane nodded again.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“It really is a castle!” Lydia exclaimed, bouncing up and down on the coach’s seat when the structure came into view.
The coach they were riding in was, thankfully, large enough for all eight ladies, none of whom were very large, riding within while the men were on horses alongside. Of course, Biggs and Johns were in their usual places.
“Did you think all of us were imagining it?” Elizabeth smiled at her youngest sister’s enthusiasm.
“My goodness Eliza, it is exactly as you described it in the one letter that I received from you while you were here,” Charlotte remarked.
“Why are any of you surprised my descriptions were accurate?” Elizabeth teased.
Not two minutes later they arrived at the entrance. By the time the carriage halted, the butler and several of his footmen were waiting. The riders dismounted from their horses before the coach came to a halt.
Once the door was opened, the butler signalled to the footman to stand back when he noticed the one gentleman reaching in to hand out the Duchess. Two other men handed two unknown ladies out, and then the other gentleman did the same for five more young ladies of varying ages.
Elizabeth introduced her guests to the butler. “Mr. Toppin, I would like my sisters and friends to have a tour of the castle and the new wing, but before we do, please have Mr. Mason and Mrs. Bannister summoned and then all three of you please attend me in the study as soon as may be.”
The butler bowed and went to execute Her Grace’s orders.
Elizabeth led everyone into the castle. “It is one big room,” Kate noted.
