Kitty and Lydia both gave shy nods.
“Uncle Edward was our late birth mother’s older brother, and he told me that Lydia and I look most like her,” Jane responded.
“Did you know Mamma Fanny?” Kitty asked barely audibly.
“No, we did not. We do not remember her because we were all too young the last time we saw her. Mary was but a few months old,” Elizabeth replied. Mamma had told her, Janey, and Mary not to say anything about being left in Hyde Park by the woman her sisters called Mamma Fanny, so she said nothing more.
Slowly, as her daughters began to feel comfortable with their sisters and Miss Darcy, Agatha was able to relax. As she looked at them, she was thankful that as Kitty grew, any likeness she used to have to the brute who was her birth father had all but disappeared. She was not pretty like her four sisters, but she was not homely either.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
With the tour of the house and parts of the home farm which fell under the purview of the mistress completed, Mrs Samuelson guided the ladies back to the drawing room.
“I thought that everything we saw was in good repair and well maintained,” Lady Anne opined. “What think you, Edith?”
“You have the right of it, Anne, I agree,” Edith responded.
“As do I,” Lady Elaine agreed. “If you and Paul purchase the estate, all you will need to do is a little light updating in a few bed chambers and sitting rooms. Other than that, I saw nothing I would change.”
“Lady Edith,” Agatha stated as she entered the room, “my girls have convinced Miss Mary to exhibit on the pianoforte. Do you object if your daughters accompany us to the music room so that when your husbands return, you will be able to discuss the estate without our presence?” She turned to Lady Anne. “Miss Darcy will accompany us with your permission.”
“Not at all,” Edith permitted. “As you are mother to their sisters, please address them by their familiar names, and if you and Mr Phillips agree, they may call you ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’.”
“Anna would not be happy if she were not allowed to join you, so yes, Mrs Phillips, please include her,” Lady Anne replied.
“Thank you,” Agatha said and then departed to go collect the girls in the parlour.
It was not long before the tones of Mary’s playing were heard wafting through the hallways of the manor house. Soon enough the harp joined in. It seemed that Jane had been convinced to play as well.
Not very much time passed before the three husbands who had been looking over the estate joined their wives in the drawing room.
“Well?” Edith queried as her Paul sat.
“It is a well-run estate. None of us saw drainage issues, and we spoke to some of the nine tenants. They are all very satisfied, and Phillips, through Jessop, the steward, never allows small problems to become large ones. From my perspective, this would be a sound investment even without the fact our daughters were born three miles from here,” Holder reported. “What of the house? Did you ladies see anything concerning?”
All three ladies expressed their positive opinions about the house and home farm.
“I think you should make Mr and Mrs Phillips an offer. Now what of the staff and servants?” Edith asked. “Some of them are quite new, as I understand it, most of those who used to be employed at Longbourn returned after the objectionable presence had been removed.”
“For my part, I see no reason to replace the steward, butler, stable master, grooms, or male servants,” Holder related. “What of the housekeeper and maids?”
“The same, they are all diligent in their work, and Mrs Samuelson is very efficient,” Edith replied.
“Unless any of you have anything to add,” Holder looked at his friends, both of whom shook their heads, “then, I will open negotiations to purchase the estate.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The amount Phillips proposed for the purchase was, in Holder’s opinion, more than fair, so he agreed without having to counter with a lower offer. It was resolved that as soon as the funds were deposited in Phillips’s bank account, he would notify the Court of Chancery of the sale, allowing for a new deed in Lord Holder’s name to be issued.
The two men had adjourned to Netherfield Park’s study.
After they agreed on the price, Holder had a request for Phillips. “May we accompany you to Longbourn to see where my daughters began their lives?” he enquired.
“Of course, Holder, you and your party are welcome.” Phillips cogitated for a few moments. “I assume that Gardiner told you that Jane, Lizzy, and Mary are the owners of Longbourn, and the estate is being held in trust for them.” He saw the earl nod. “As their legal guardian, the trust would fall to you so if you prefer that we vacate the estate…”
“Not in the least!” Holder exclaimed. “My daughters do not know Longbourn as their home, while it is the only home their sisters, your daughters, have ever known. The same way Gardiner refused to harm my girls by rending them from the only parents they had ever known, I will not deprive your daughters of their home.”
‘Gardiner was correct; this man is honourable above all else,’ Phillips thought. “Should we shake to firm our agreement and go to inform the rest?” he asked aloud.
