“Were it the case! Unfortunately, the Darcy solicitors, Asquith, Badeley and Chaffers of London, searched but wereunable to locate the share certificates. It was reckoned that old Mr. Darcy must have forgotten they had been sold, or some such. From a detailed reading of the will, they concluded I was unable to receive a cash legacy in lieu of the shares. Without the actual certificates, the shares could not be valued, or indeed, ownership established. I cannot repine, for one thousand pounds was more than I had anticipated—it was my inability to force my mind to memorise Latin declensions that had resolved me against taking orders.”
“You tell a strange tale, Mr. Wickham. For my first thoughts were that you had been deprived of the living by an action of the present Mr. Darcy. Whereas, in truth, it was your own inaction which deprived you of it.”
“Indeed, ma’am. You have the right of it.”
“And the thousand pounds, might I enquire of it?”
“Invested in consols, at the four percents. I am a cautious man, Mrs. Elizabeth, and would rather receive a sure ten pounds a quarter than a higher sum with risk of losing all.”
Near to the house, they encountered Georgiana, who looked at them with some puzzlement. She flushed and was about to turn away when Elizabeth, seeing distress etched on her face, called out to her.
“Forgive us, Georgiana, Mr. Wickham wished to apprise me of a little of his history, and his association with Pemberley. I am returning to the house, for I must attend Lady Catherine. I shall tell Mrs. Younge that Mr. Wickham is here, and perhaps you both could walk with Mr. Wickham to the lake, for I am sure our stroll in the rose garden, brief as it was, has not fatigued him too much. But he has very much angered me, for he should not have come to Pemberley—and now must also be quarantined.”
Georgiana paused. “Oh, Elizabeth, I thought you were seeking some privacy.” Her face lightened. “Indeed, I would bepleased to walk, if Mr. Wickham would indulge myself and Mrs. Younge. It will be exceedingly pleasant to take the air. Certainly, I shall chastise him for coming. But he is very welcome, nevertheless.”
* * *
Once returned to the study, Elizabeth sent a maid to attend Lady Catherine, then scanned the report on Wickham and Mrs. Younge. There was nothing to contradict Wickham’s narrative. She was intrigued, though, for surely Darcy knew the contents of the will and would have unearthed documents pertaining to the missing shares during his search of the house. Pemberley’s records were now orderly, with the more important ones placed in the strongroom, safe from fire and theft. She quickly located the will, written on vellum and placed alongside those of the Darcy forebears, going back multiple generations. Unusually, it was written in Latin.
Elizabeth read the terms and bequests, which were listed as an addendum to the main text. There were many of these—almost all the servants were mentioned by name, with bequests as little as a guinea. Mr. Wickham had been bequeathed the living at Kympton, as he had said. In lieu of taking orders, he was to be given title to shares to the value of three thousand pounds.
Clearly, the will had been translated from an earlier draft, likely by some clerk trained to copy but not to understand. The shares were recorded as being in the name ofSocietas Canalis Regii. Elizabeth had fluency in Latin; she could understand the meaning without translating first to English, but the translation chilled her—The Royal Canal Company. Those shares rightly belonged to Mr. Wickham, not Darcy. All of them, the original stock and those issued over time—partly paid. Certainly, Darcy,when reading the will some five years earlier, had not made the connection.
She would write to the solicitors, Asquith, Badeley, and Chaffers. There was a legal quagmire here that could swallow up Child & Co., Darcy, Wickham, and Pemberley. Ownership extended well beyond the shares. Was Darcy entitled to the return of the £184,500 on completion of the canal? Did it belong to Mr. Wickham? Did it belong to Child’s? Truly, she did not know.
* * *
Chapter 17
Pemberley, July 1813
There was little Elizabeth could do but wait until the quarantine was lifted, after which she would write to Asquith, Badeley, and Chaffers. The completion of the canal was indifferent as to who owned the shares, and there was little to be done beforehand. She took her copy of Cowper and went to relieve the maid who was sitting with Lady Catherine.
The lady was already propped up in bed, and the maid, when Elizabeth entered the room, bobbed a quick curtsey and hurriedly exited.
“Mrs. Bennet, I saw Georgiana walk across the lawn with Mrs. Younge and a strange man, who did have some familiarity for me. Pray, who is he, for I thought there were no other visitors at Pemberley?”
“It is Mr. Wickham, ma’am,” she replied, “the son of the late Mr. Darcy’s steward.”
“Oh, I cannot countenance it. Georgiana, the granddaughter of an earl, walking out with a mere servant—it is not to be borne!”
“Perhaps, your ladyship, but he was Mr. George Darcy’s godson, and has been raised as a gentleman. He took his degree at Cambridge with Mr. Darcy. Surely he is respectable enough. And they are well chaperoned by Mrs. Younge.”
“Hrmph, it is most displeasing.” The lady pursed her lips. “But I would learn more of you, Mrs. Elizabeth. You seem exceedingly young to be so high in Lady Jersey’s bank.”
“Indeed you are correct,” said Elizabeth. “I am quite astonished myself. But a year ago, I was plain Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of no consequence whatsoever.”
In her usual intrusive manner, Lady Catherine enquired into Elizabeth’s acquaintance with Lady Jersey.
“I am not well acquainted with Lady Jersey,” said Lady Catherine, after listening to Elizabeth’s narrative. “She is lucky to have George Villiers as a husband, for the man is more interested in fox hunting and horse racing than dabbling in commerce. Does it worry you, Mrs. Elizabeth, that you could be tainted by the association?”
Elizabeth was perplexed. “Whatever do you mean, Lady Catherine? It is true that Lady Jersey is involved in the supervision of the bank, as head partner; but I understand you manage Rosings when most of thetonwould say it was a task best suited to men.”
“Of course I should manage Rosings. It is my rank and consequence that entitle me to do so. Indeed, I am a most active magistrate in the parish; the minutest concerns are brought to my attention.”
“Is it not the same,” said Elizabeth, “that Lady Jersey also manages Child & Co.? That is her inheritance, just as Rosings is yours. In that, you are equal.”
“Upon my word, you continue to give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. A habit you have picked up from your sponsor, no doubt.”
