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Henry and Lizzy were at Sherwood Dale for a fortnight, during which time Elizabeth became familiar with the running of the house and the estate. The three senior staff members were informed that Miss Bennet was the master’s heir.
Although Elizabeth missed Aphrodite, there were good stables at Sherwood Dale, containing well-maintained and well-behaved riding horses, some of which were trained for the side-saddle. Elizabeth rode out several times. On one ride, she rode to the dower house, which she discovered was about the same size as the house at Longbourn.
The day before they were to depart the area, Henry took his great-niece into Lambton for a few reasons. He wanted her to see the town where her Aunt Maddie had lived. They visited the Lambert bookstore, now run by Maddie’s brother since their father passed away almost two years previously. Lastly,Henry and Elizabeth went to see the schools he funded in the town.
Elizabeth was pleased that they were open to anyone who wanted to attend and that no one was turned away because of an inability to pay. She promised Uncle Henry that in the future when she inherited, she would keep funding all of the schools and open even more of them if and when needed.
The last stop was at Mr Harrison’s house. Henry explained to Lizzy how he had provided the funds for Lambton to afford a physician in the town. He pointed out that it had been a few years since he had needed to subsidise the doctor thanks to patronage from Pemberley, Snowhaven, and some of the other estates in the area. On the way back to Sherwood Dale after the calls, Henry explained all of his charitable endeavours to Lizzy, including his bringing Mr Jones to Meryton and adding to his annual income to make sure he remained and did not need to take money from all of those he treated.
Being well aware that having Mr Jones in Meryton had saved many lives which would have otherwise been lost, Elizabeth began to think about all of the good she could do and how many people in need she would be able to help with the vast amount of capital Uncle Henry planned to bequeath to her.
Two days after their visit to Lambton, Henry and Lizzy were on their way south. This time, the maid and valet were in a second, smaller carriage which had been kept at the estate. It was done this way to allow for open discussion between uncle and great-niece. On the final day of travel, they would all be in one conveyance again, and the second one would make for London. Henry was sure Lizzy still had much she wanted to discuss. It did not take long for him to be proved right.
A few miles after their departure, before the first rest stop, Elizabeth looked across at Uncle Henry. “I may not tell my father, mother, or sisters about your wealth and property, may I?”
“No, Lizzy. I ask that you do not. Can you imagine the noise that will be generated if they had an inkling—well not Mary and Kitty—of what I have and will one day, for the most part, be yours?”
“But I do not want to prevaricate to my parents, or sisters, for that matter,” Elizabeth lamented.
“And I am not asking that of you. For instance, if you are asked if you saw my house, what will your answer be? Before you reply, think of how you can answer without telling more than you want them to know.”
Elizabeth cogitated. “The simplest answer would be, yes, I saw the house.”
“Exactly. Your mother and father believe that I have little or no funds and a cottage, so you can use their prejudices against them without prevaricating. For instance, if asked, ‘was the house the size you expected?’ A yes will suffice.”
“And if they ask intrusive questions I do not desire to respond to, I will tell them to come speak to you.”
“You have it. Your father is too indolent to do so, and your mother will not allow herself to come to the house she considers apeasant’s hovel. From now on, when we travel to London, I want you to sit with your Uncle Gardiner to begin learning all about the investments I have made.”
“I remember now; when we were in the inn that night, you mentioned you are Uncle Edward’s partner. You provided the funds for the ships, did you not?”
“You are right. That investment has paid off many times over since Gardiner and I began to work together. Did you know he is the largest single provider of fabrics to the modistes and mantua makers in London?”
“I have much to learn, do I not?”
“Yes, Lizzy, my dear great-niece, you do. However, you have the ability to learn all you need to know and more. On adifferent subject, you know Luke has two more years at Oxford, do you not?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Mrs Bellamy mentioned he would like to become a barrister. I, and if I am not living at that point, you, will sponsor him in that endeavour.”
“Of course, I will, but I will not need to; you will be here, Uncle Henry.”
“You know that in May I will be seventy, do you not? I am not a young man anymore. But I too hope I will be around in the mortal world long enough to see you find a man worthy of you and see you marry him.”
“Enough maudlin conversation; what do you think of the family renting Netherfield Park?” Elizabeth enquired.
“The Deacons are a good family. They have kept their five sons away from your mother and her machinations. I have met them; John and Veronica, are very good people, if quiet. Their lease expires in July; I believe they have purchased some land in Putney, just outside of London, and are building a home. Their new house will be ready in June, so moving in at the end of July when the lease is over will be perfect for them.”
“Mama attempted to throw Jane in the path of Mr Robert Deacon, the eldest son, at the first assembly they attended. Neither he nor his parents wanted the connection, and since then, the Deacons have not attended any other assemblies. It is sad that Janey does not see that Mama hurts her chances much more than she helps them with men in whom she might have an interest.” Elizabeth could only shake her head.
“Your Uncle Phillips will begin to send the notices about the estate being available once the Deacons have left, and we have made sure all is as it should be at the house.”
After the first stop for refreshments, while the horses were well rested, the talk was of more banal subjects.
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