Page 102 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“No…”

“Sarah, I need your help, my dear. Please trust my word and my secrecy. I imagine Peggy wishes to keep her situation secret and so it will be. But please try to find out from the others and let me know. I wish nothing else but to help them if they need it.”

“The other servants know about Peggy, ma’am. We all knew how things happened. The word spread. She only feared that, if you knew, you would throw her out.”

Elizabeth covered her mouth with trembling hands.

“Oh, my dear. How could she imagine that? The fright in her eyes...How will I be able to ever alleviate so much dread, so much suffering…?”

It was Sarah’s turn to comfort her.

“Do not worry, Lady Barrington. All will be well…you said that and you always keep your promises. I will speak to Peggy. She is scared because she never met a mistress like you.”

“Please do so…”

“Shall I ask about the others?”

“Yes, please. You may leave now.”

Alone in her room, Elizabeth was caught in a tumult of anger, repugnance, disgust—and hate. Dark, powerful hate that defeated her reason and her senses and could only be soothed by revenge.

She could not reveal to anyone the horror she had just discovered, except for Darcy. He was the only one she could trust to be strong enough to share the horror with her if she would only dare to confess it to him.

She cleaned her face, arranged her appearance and rang for the housekeeper, who came in a hurry.

“Mrs. Gilford, I need your help,” she said with a coldness that stunned the woman. “Tomorrow we will have a very important meeting.”

“You have informed me, ma’am.”

“I wish Lady Sedgewick and Lord Sedgewick’s portraits to be hung in the drawing-room.”

“The portraits? But...” The housekeeper was stunned and puzzled.

“Please do as I ask. The guests will sit at the table, opposite the wall. I want them to look straight at the portraits!”

“Ohhh…. I see! I understand now. Very well, ma’am! We will do it this evening!”

“Please inform the entire staff that Lady Augusta, Mr. St. Claire and Mr. Lambert will be here. I do not wish anyone to be frightened or to assume that they might be in any danger. It is nothing but a business meeting, with no connection to the staff.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And Mrs. Gilford, please do not send any refreshments unless I specifically ask for them. We will serve those who arrive before the encounter only. There will be no courtesy during the meeting.”

The housekeeper struggled to conceal her satisfied smile.

“Very well, Lady Barrington. Everything will be as you have requested.”

∞∞∞

Darcy arrived at Elizabeth’s house earlier than the established hour. The meeting was fixed for noon and she had asked him to participate, together with Mr. Gardiner and Bingley.

He was invited into the drawing-room and was stunned to see two large portraits of the late Sedgewicks scrutinising the room. On one side of the table, sat Elizabeth, Cece, Mr. Gardiner and Bingley. They stood to greet him.

“Mr. Darcy.”

“Lady Barrington.”

“Thank you for coming, sir. May I have a word with you, please?”