“Pray, inform us of the present state of our affairs.”
The solicitor opened his portfolio and began arranging papers with methodical precision. Sebastian watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. He had transferred the funds weeks ago, had received confirmations from each creditor, but he had not yet seen the full picture of how those payments had affected the estate.
"I am pleased to report," Mr. Thornton began, "that the Fordshire estate is now entirely free of debt. All outstanding obligations have been settled in full, including the rather substantial sum owed to Lord Davies."
Sebastian felt Harriet's hand tighten on his. He covered it with his own, a silent reassurance.
"How did Davies receive the payment?" he asked. He had half-expected the man to refuse it out of spite, to find some way to continue tormenting the family that had rejected him.
"With ill grace, I'm afraid." Mr. Thornton's tone conveyed exactly what he thought of such behaviour. "His solicitors initially attempted to delay acceptance, citing various technical objections that were, frankly, spurious. They questioned the transfer method, raised concerns about the source of funds, and even suggested that the payment might be contested on grounds of undue influence."
"Undue influence?" Harriet's voice was sharp. "What does that mean?"
"Lord Davies's representatives implied that Lord Vane might have pressured the family into accepting his assistance." Mr. Thornton's expression suggested he found this theory as ridiculous as it sounded. "However, once it became clear that we would not be deterred and that pursuing such claims would only embarrass Lord Davies publicly, they relented. I received final confirmation of the settlement three days ago."
He produced a letter from his portfolio and handed it to Sebastian. The handwriting was unfamiliar, Davies’s solicitor, presumably,but the message was clear: all debts discharged, no further claims pending, the matter concluded.
Sebastian felt a weight lift from his shoulders that he hadn't realised he'd been carrying.
"There was also this," Mr. Thornton added, producing a second letter. "Addressed to Lady Vane. It arrived with the settlement confirmation."
Harriet took the letter with evident reluctance, as though it might bite her. Sebastian watched her break the seal and scan the contents, her expression shifting from wariness to something that might have been amusement.
"What does it say?" Lady Fordshire asked.
"Lord Davies wishes me joy in my matrimony." Harriet's voice was dry as dust.
"He expresses hope that I will find the happiness I so clearly sought when I rejected his generous offer. He notes that he bears me no ill will and trusts that our paths may cross again in more pleasant circumstances. He signs himself my 'humble servant,' which is perhaps the least accurate description I have ever encountered."
"Magnanimous of him," Sebastian murmured.
"Isn't it?" Harriet folded the letter with precise, deliberate movements. "I shall treasure it always."
"In the fireplace?" Sebastian suggested.
"Where else?"
Lady Fordshire made a sound that might have been a suppressed laugh. "Well, at least he had the grace to pretend at civility. That's more than I expected."
"Davies has always been concerned with appearances," Sebastian said. "A gracious letter costs him nothing and allows him to claim the moral high ground. He can tell everyone he wished us well, and if we don't respond in kind, we look churlish."
"Then we shall respond in kind," Harriet said. "I'll write a perfectly polite note thanking him for his good wishes. Three sentences. No more."
"That seems appropriate."
"And then I shall burn his letter."
"Also appropriate."
Mr. Thornton cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to the matter at hand. "If I may continue? There are several other items of note."
He proceeded to outline the estate's current financial position, which was considerably healthier than Sebastian had expected. With the debts cleared, the income from tenantrents was now sufficient to cover operating expenses with a comfortable margin. The back wages owed to servants had been paid and the most urgent repairs to the tenant cottages had been completed. There was even a modest surplus that could be directed toward improvements.
"The estate accounts show a net positive balance for the first time in three years," Mr. Thornton said, a note of something almost like satisfaction in his dry voice. "If current income levels hold, the Fordshire estate should be entirely self-sustaining within the year."
"That's wonderful news," Harriet said, her voice slightly unsteady. "I hadn't dared to hope…"
"There's more." Mr. Thornton permitted himself a small smile, remarkable, given his usual demeanour. "The matter of the mining rights."
