Jocelyn and her uncle had retired to bed. The house was empty with candles casting shadows around the library.
After Olivia opened the letter, she spent many minutes staring at the candle flames around her, unable to move.
There was a gentle rap on the door, and she called to enter. Mrs. Jennings smiled and asked if she needed anything, before she retired for the night.
“I know not,” said Olivia. “I am in a state of total confusion. I’m glad you’re here Mrs. Jennings because I don’t particularly want to be alone.”
Mrs. Jennings came over and took a seat across from Olivia. “What on earth is the matter?” she asked. “Olivia, I’ve known you for many years and I can only say that you are behaving very oddly.”
“Here,” said Olivia and handed the torn envelope and its contents to Mrs. Jennings.
“Oh, my dear. This must be the arrangements that your papa talked about. He always stipulated that he had made very specific arrangements for your future. He said there would be a sizable settlement. That’s why we were all so confused when your uncle said that you were penniless.”
“I know. I was surprised too. I even wondered at times, if uncle were mistaken or had absorbed the money into his own purse.”
“It looks as though you have a sizeable fortune, which has been left in trust, until you are twenty-four years of age.”
“And why twenty-four? It’s so strange. Why did Papa and Frederick cloak this in secrecy?”
“You look exhausted,” said Mrs. Jennings. “I shall send a footman tomorrow to summon Mr. Rawlings here as soon as he can.”
“Now go to bed and get some rest. There’s a hot brick in your bed so you should sleep well.”
***
Olivia stared in disbelief as Mr. Rawlings went through the details of her inheritance.
“But Mr. Rawlings. I’ve been under the impression for the last three years that I am penniless. Does Uncle Harold know about this?”
“No, Lady Olivia. The instructions were very specific. No one was to know about this bequest, except your brother Frederick. I don’t believe your father ever thought that Frederick would die so young. When your family perished, I wanted to tell you about the settlement, but the terms were legally watertight, and I could not reassure you about your future.”
“Why the secrecy?” asked Olivia.
“It seems your father was a romantic. Yes, I know, it seems strange to believe that such a successful businessman should believe in love. It seems he did though. He had loved your mother and felt strongly that love was the most important thing in life.
He was concerned that, if it was known that you were an heiress, you might attract suitors who were only interested in your money. He believed that the inheritance should be shrouded in secrecy until you were twenty-four, or you were married. He trusted Frederick to ensure you were protected until then.”
He paused and shuffled through various papers. “If you had married Sir Jonathan Ellington then you would have received your inheritance after your wedding day.”
“I see,” she said faintly.
“If you reached the age of twenty-four without marrying and that will happen in a few weeks’ time, then you would receive the full settlement at that point. It seems your father didn’t want you to have to rely on a husband and you should have enough money to live a comfortable, and independent life, should you choose to do that.”
“I truly don’t know what to say. I’m stunned by this news and this amount of money.”
“You’re a very wealthy woman,” said Mr. Rawlings.
“Yesterday I thought I was penniless, and totally dependent on my Uncle Harold. Today I’m an heiress.”
“If you don’t mind me saying Lady Olivia, you will know that I am fully aware of this gossip, this cruel scandalmongering. I set the enquiries in motion which located the printer and prevented the second sheet from being circulated.”
“I am aware, and indeed, I am truly grateful for your efforts.”
“I hope this inheritance means that the gossip no longer has the same impact,” Mr. Rawlings continued. “In my experience those in high society put money before most things. I believe you will find that some of those who cut you from their acquaintance will be keen to include you in their circles again.”
“I suspect you are right Mr. Rawlings. However, I may not be quite so keen to admit them to my circle of friends and acquaintances,” replied Olivia.
Soon after this meeting Jocelyn—who had also now returned to London—Uncle Harold, and Marianne gathered in the drawing room at Swanbourne Place to listen to the news and celebrate together.
