“Yes, some of the Chamberlain ancestors restored the castle and kept it as a great hall when they built the wing you saw between it and the lake. I am told it functions as a ballroom, although I know not when it was used to host one previously,” Elizabeth related. “There is one tower remaining to be explored.”
Mr. Toppin entered the great hall after some minutes and nodded to the Duchess. “Jane, will you join me?” Elizabeth requested. “We will speak after the meeting which will be brief.” Jane nodded her agreement. She turned to the rest of her guests. “Please explore in here; Mrs. Bannister will join you shortly and conduct a tour.”
Jane followed Elizabeth towards what she assumed was the study in the newer wing. She noticed that one of Lizzy’s huge guards followed behind them. She thought it was the one named Brian Johns. Even in her home, Elizabeth was never far from someone willing to protect her.
The sisters entered the study where the three senior staff members were standing in front of the desk. Johns pulled the door closed behind them and took up station in the hallway. Elizabeth introduced her dearest sister to the housekeeper and steward.
“Thank you for meeting with me,” Elizabeth began. “There is no easy way to say this, so I will not beat around the bush. The Duke is dead.” None of the three showed any emotion having never met the man, only knowing him by his terrible reputation. Elizabeth gave a brief recounting of how the late duke had been killed when he had been caught trying to harm a lady in her own home. “Under the terms of the marriage settlement, all non-ducal properties are mine. I have two uncles who will act as guardians until I reach my majority.
“As I am very happy with all of you, as well as those below you, I will not be making any changes unless you feel Ineed to consider some.” Elizabeth looked at all three in turn. She received three shaken heads. “In that case, we will continue as you have before. The main difference is I will not be an absentee landlord. Mr. Mason.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the steward responded.
“I will make funds available to you for any repairs and improvements you deem needed to the tenants’ homes and any other structures on the estate. The same is true for you two as well. Anything you feel is needed to repair or improve, please inform me. Before you ask, this house and estatewill notgo into mourning. We depart for London on the morrow and I will be requesting a decree from the Monarchs stating that due to his evil, there will be no mourning for the late Duke.”
Not a word was said in question of Her Grace’s statement. “What do you require of us right now?” Mason asked.
“Nothing, other than your regular duties” Elizabeth replied. “Mrs. Bannister, I do have a request for you. You will find a group of my family and friends in the great hall, please conduct a tour of the house for them.”
With a curtsy and two bows, the senior staff departed the study. Elizabeth stood and took Jane by the hand to lead her to the bedchamber.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Lizzy, what a magnificent view from your bedchamber and sitting room,” Jane enthused. “May I go out on the balcony?”
“Of course you may, silly. You are my sister, you can do anything you want here without my say so,” Elizabeth returned playfully.
How much lighter Elizabeth felt in one ofhisformer properties now she was free of him. There was no more puttingoff the conversation to come. Nevertheless, she would try to gain a few minutes. Having Jane come to the bedchamber had the intended effect of relaxing her sister.
“Jane, should I ring for some refreshments?”
“Lizzy! I have waited many long months to know why you changed your mind. Please do not procrastinate now.”
“It was me who told you of your need to see the world as it is, but I am not sure I enjoy this new tough Jane,” Elizabeth jested. “Come let us take a seat on the chairs there.” Elizabeth pointed to a few chairs positioned on the balcony which allowed a glorious view across the lakes and the hills in the distance.
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Janey, I did not marryhimbecause I loved him, not even like, but I did marry for the deepest, truest love.”
“What do you…Lizzy, did you marry him to protect me?”
“Primarily you, but our younger sisters as well. You remember that afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Bennet forced me to meet with him, do you not?” Jane nodded. “His offer of dowries for you and my sisters, as well as to break the entail—I know it may sound selfish—did not move me to change my mind. When I still refused,hewanted to speak to me without Mr. and Mrs. Bennet present. They both stood and left the room with no thought for me remaining alone with that lecherous, ancient man.” Elizabeth paused and took a series of very deep breaths. “He made me an offer I could not refuse…” Elizabeth told Jane all.
The more Elizabeth reported what had been said, the more the tears fell from Jane’s eyes. “It is all my fault!” Jane wailed.
“NO! No Jane, it washisfault, and only his. He was the vile one who made the threat and at that point, he was awareI would doanythingto protect you, as you would have done for me if the roles were reversed. As much as I detest Mr. and Mrs. Bennet for not upholding their duty as parents, it was not in their power to force me to marry. It had to be, and was, my decision alone.” Elizabeth paused and handed Jane a large silk handkerchief. “Did I not tell you I married for the deepest love?”
“I know in my heart it is that dastardly man’s fault. I am angry at Mr. Wickham for discovering your Achilles’ heel and then telling that evil man. Even though in the end, he did move to protect you. None of that mitigates the feelings of guilt I have that it was your love for me which was exploited.”
“If it were not for him being the architect of my freedom, I too would feel that way about Mr. George Wickham. I do, however, believe in the power of redemption, as all of us Christians must. Still, I hope he finds a good life far from us and across the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.” Elizabeth hugged her Janey. “I understand the feelings you are having. As long as you do not allow them to overpower you.”
Elizabeth rang and had a maid summoned—Loretta was at Pemberley supervising her mistress’s packing—to help Jane set herself to rights.
A quarter of an hour later, arm in arm the sisters made their way downstairs to find the group touring the house with Mrs. Bannister.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Lord Jersey had been true to his word.
Wickham had ridden to Liverpool in style. How he had enjoyed the comfort of one of the Earl’s travelling coaches! The rooms at the inns were reserved ahead of time with the cost for board and lodging having been paid by the Earl of Jersey.
