“Raised in the early seventeenth century,” Mr Rotherdam replied. “Repaired at intervals. The stone is sound. The lenses have been replaced more than once.”
Elizabeth frowned thoughtfully. “How extensive is the property?”
Rotherdam gestured to an aged map already laid on his desk and pointed to parts of it with a dry quill. “I thought you might ask. Here, you see its situation along the coast. And here—” he shifted another paper on top with what looked like an architect’s sketch of the buildings. “—you see the tower, the keeper’s dwelling adjoining, a private cottage for auxiliary use, and a narrow tract of cliff land sufficient to secure its approach. The endowment supports its maintenance, supplies for the lighthouse, and wages for its upkeep.”
She hesitated only slightly before asking, “How many are required to operate it?”
Mr Rotherdam folded his hands. “At present, one.”
“Only one?” Elizabeth repeated.
“Yes.”
There was something in the way he said it—neither defensive nor explanatory—that made her aware she would not be furnished with further particulars.
She regarded them each in turn, then said, “And you consider its oversight by myself urgent? I know nothing of such structures.”
“That is immaterial,” he answered. “But the stewardship has remained unsettled longer than the instrument intended.”
“You expected my sister to assume it.”
“We had every reason to hope she would,” the second Trustee replied. “Her letter to us suggested as much.”
Elizabeth’s head lifted sharply. “Then you know she did not refuse.”
“We know only that the period allowed for her acknowledgment elapsed without formal assent,” Mr Rotherdam said.
Mr Gardiner’s hand moved to rest lightly over hers upon the arm of the chair. She spoke anyway.
“She isnotknown to be deceased. If she were to present herself—”
“Whatever her intention may have been, the settlement cannot remain indefinitely suspended. The instrument required her declaration within the prescribed period,” he replied, not unkindly. “That period passed more than a year ago. We have, Miss Bennet, waited with as much patience as prudence allowed, but there are certain necessary measures which must soon be undertaken.”
Her throat closed. She swallowed against it — once, hard — and her fingers tightened on the arm of the chair until the wood grain pressed ridges into her skin.
“The trust requires oversight,” Rotherdam continued gently. “The intent being that the next sister in succession would be disposed to accept what the elder sister could not.”
Her uncle’s hand tightened over hers, but Elizabeth pulled away, folding her hands in her lap. She did not want his comfort or his restraint just now. Outside the window, a carriage rolled across the square, its wheels muted against the damp. She watched it pass. When she turned back, her voice was level.
“A moment ago, you said 'necessary measures.' What do you mean by that, precisely?”
“Construction of another structure to replace the old one, if required. There are funds held in reserve,” Mr Rotherdam said, selecting his words with care. “The original settlement provided for the maintenance, repairs, and eventual reconstruction of the Lantern, should it become unsafe or obsolete.”
Elizabeth’s brows drew together. “Then why has this not been done?”
“Because the funds are conditional,” he replied. “They may not be released absent formal alteration of the stewardship.”
“What sort of alteration?”
“A modification of the instrument,” said the third Trustee. “One requiring either the assent of the current steward with the support of the current keeper — which has proved... difficult to procure — or the formal lapse of the female line. As Francine Gardiner produced five daughters... I see you understand the importance one of you may have.”
“So long as the charge remains unclaimed,” Elizabeth said slowly, “you may neither replace nor substantially amend the structure.”
“That is correct, Miss Bennet. And we cannot indefinitely preserve a seventeenth-century tower upon a nineteenth-century coast without authority to act.”
“Well,” she said. “What question can there be? Of course, I will accept. I am not certain of travel at this time of year—Uncle, do you suppose—”
“There is one further provision,” Mr Rotherdam interrupted.
