Whoever she and her sister went to work for would expect them to be dowdy and plainly dressed. Wealthy young ladies didn't have to work. Laycock was a small village, more a hamlet really, and only the poorer members of society lived in their vicinity. This made them the most important family, but as there were no others to compare with, she doubted this was actually true. She knew they were from a good family, they didn't speak like the villagers and lived in a substantial house with a few acres of land attached.
As she perused the contents of the ledgers her very worst fears were realised. Hilltop House was heavily mortgaged; there appeared to be very little income apart from a small annuity. Her stomach turned. The annuity would cease now that her father was dead and then the bank would no doubt call in the mortgage and the house and grounds would be snatched from under them.
Something she hadn't shared with her sisters was the fact that there could be a relative who was now their legal guardian and might step in and take charge of their affairs. Before she'd looked at the appalling state of their financial affairs, she'd thought the interference of an outside person would be an absolute disaster. Now, she prayed there might indeed be a benefactor, a gentleman who might offer financial support.
Was there something in the study that might lead her to this possible family saviour? She remained where she was at the desk for a few moments and then smiled grimly. The will – there must be one and that was what she would search for. Possibly Aunt Jemina could tell her more, but her great-aunt had married young to a wealthy aristocratic gentleman and only joined the family when her husband had died four years ago leaving her destitute. He'd spent every penny of his family fortune, and the estate belonged to the banks.
Lucille came to find her at suppertime. 'This is a very boring room; I wonder why our father wouldn't allow us to come in.'
'I thought the same. I'm sorry I've been absent all afternoon, dearest, but I've been looking for our parents' last will and testament. Not only have I not located it, I can find no mention anywhere of the lawyers who might have it in their possession.'
'I'm sure things will seem less fraught after you've eaten. You can't afford to lose any weight, you're already far too thin.'
'I eat as much as either of you, it's just that I'm far more active. I ride, walk every day and swim when the weather's fine.'
Lucille, who was somewhat plump, giggled. 'Don't look so prune faced, sister, I know I should join you in your exercise regimen. However, I abhor anything of that sort and much prefer to remain stationary and do my embroidery.'
Sofia laughed. 'Read your ridiculous books, you mean. I'll eat my hat if you can show me anything you've ever embroidered.'
Tonight's meal was in the way of celebration, Mrs C was well aware that none of them, and especially their aunt, was in the slightest bit dismayed about the passing of the master of the house.
Everything they ate came from their own small estate. They had chickens, ducks and geese so there was a plentiful supply of eggs and meat from them. They also kept a house cow and there were always a couple of piglets being fattened up for ham and bacon. Sam Smith, who looked after the livestock, was also an excellent shot and provided game for the larder when in season.
The kitchen garden supplied everything else and not only did they eat well so did the staff and their families. Mama had once showed her a periodical in which it explained that wealthy families sat down to a dozen or more dishes all laid out on the table at once, not to mention side dishes, desserts, fruit, and nuts as well.
The carriage horses had gone when Mama had died, as had the three ponies she and her sisters had loved to ride. There were still two riding horses in the depleted stable, and since her father had become unwell a few months ago, Sofia had taken it upon herself to exercise them every day.
In this house they had three courses in the evening, just one at breakfast and at luncheon. Tonight, there was a delicious vegetable broth, followed by chicken pie and fresh garden vegetables. For dessert they had strawberries, and cream from their own dairy.
'I think it gluttony that rich families expect to eat a royal banquet every night. I can't imagine that their elaborate and wasteful dinner will be as delicious as our simple fare,' Sofia suddenly announced.
'My dear girl,' Aunt Jemima said sharply. 'Do not pronounce judgement upon something about which you know absolutely nothing.'
'I beg your pardon, ma'am, for demonstrating my ignorance about such matters.' It was always wise to apologise to their aunt even when not in the wrong. Sofia waited until the maid who served their meal had left the dining room before continuing.
'Forgive me, there are things that I must share with all of you.'
She then proceeded to tell them about the dire state of the family finances and then continued with what she intended to do to remedy the situation.
'I've asked Mrs Chalmers to open all the drapes as soon as the coffin is removed first thing tomorrow morning. As ladies are not encouraged to attend a funeral our father will be buried without mourners. The vicar has agreed to say a few words over the grave and then we must continue as if he is still with us.'
She waited for Lucille to protest – if anyone was going to object to this unusual set of circumstances it would be her youngest sister. To her surprise they all agreed, even their aunt.
'As we haven't contacted the undertakers or sent notice to the newspaper, I think it might be some time before the outside world is aware of his demise,' Aunt Jemima said. 'Eventually the bank will discover the true state of affairs here, but it should give us a few weeks, maybe months, grace before we are destitute.'
'Thank you, it might seem callous, but my concern is for the living not the dead. They no longer need our help. Colette and I will start looking in earnest for employment in Bath. I shall continue my search for the missing will – if I could find this document then we might discover that our father appointed a guardian, a gentleman who can pay off the debts and allow us to live our lives in comfort.'
Aunt Jemima snorted inelegantly. 'I think that highly unlikely, Sofia, but I do dimly recall there having been a wealthy branch of this Brotherton family. My nephew cut himself off from his family when he married your mother so there's been no interaction over the past years.'
Lucille clapped her hands. 'A wealthy Brotherton? How are we to discover him without alerting those that we owe money to?'
'There is one simple solution, but I doubt that you will agree with me, Sofia,' Colette said. 'If we announce the death, of course the bank will contact us, but so should the legal firm who deals with Brotherton affairs. Then, if there is such a gentleman he will eventually hear that he now has distant relatives to take care of.'
Her sister had made a valid point. 'There's a distinct possibility that the bank could step in immediately and evict us, sell the house from under us before this wealthy relative could step in and stop this.'
There was a murmur of agreement around the table. Even their argumentative aunt was nodding vigorously.
'Then we're in agreement. Remember, it's not just us who will be homeless but the people we employ and their families. Better the sword of Damocles remains dangling overhead than it drops immediately.'
