Page 105 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“Lady Barrington, you should be more diligent in your duty towards your mother-in-law and the memory of your husband,” Mr. Lambert said, overbearingly. “After all, their tragedy brought you a fortune! Your first concern should be to assure a comfortable living to your mother-in-law– wherever she chooses. This would be the behaviour of an honourable lady.”

A wave of vexation enveloped Elizabeth again but the effrontery was more ridiculous than offensive and deserved no consideration. She slowly stretched her hand out across the table and noticed the astonished stare of the two men.

“Mr. Lambert, your audacity is extraordinary. You have observed my ring, I assume? You must be surprised that I retrieved it after Lord Barrington stole it and sold it. I see a habit here—selling everything and then wasting the money. And now you have come with a naive attempt at further fraud, like I am a simpleton. You are disrespectful towards me and all these gentlemen here!”

“I have no knowledge about any theft or fraud! I know nothing about any ring! You accuse us, instead of searching your own conscience, to pay the due debts!” Lambert declared.

“I doubt it very much. Mr. Lambert, do not take me for a fool! We both know too well about the deception, the abuse, the terror inflicted upon the servants, about the tortured maids, abandoned when they were with child, about how you threw Cece out of the house, about the scheme that would have left Lord Barrington a widower and the possessor of the entire fortune. I know that you, Mr. St. Claire and several others should share the guilt and the shame if you have any. I am certain you will draw Lady Augusta into your schemes and will abandon her soon, lonely and lost!”

“Lady Barrington, you cannot...!!”

“I can do whatever I wish to! Now please excuse me—I see no reason to continue this meeting,” she declared with perfect calmness. “Whatever other requirements you may have, please address them to my solicitor. I told you as much two months ago and somehow you have persisted in error. I expect to never be bothered again. You are not welcome in this house any longer, gentlemen.”

She rose to leave, but St. Claire hurried to her and grabbed her arm, trying to stop her. “Lady Barrington, we must find a way…”

In a moment, Darcy was there and wrenched his hand away, throwing him against the wall. “I could kill you this moment, St. Claire! And I might do just that!” he said in a cutting, furious voice, his eyes darkened by anger.

“You see?! I knew there was something suspicious about Darcy! He has an interest in you, can you not see? Your value is nothing without this fortune! You are a country nobody! I am sure he intends to marry you so he can gain control of all your wealth! This is his plan, I am sure!” Lady Augusta shouted.

Elizabeth looked at her, then at Darcy, then at the other two men and said, with an elegant, self-confident posture and in the same mocking tone Mr. Bennet used for Mr. Collins.

“I had not considered marrying Mr. Darcy, but now that you mention it, I might. And if that is the case, you should be more polite to him. You might depend on him one day.”

Chapter 31

Lady Augusta and her party soon left. The gentlemen of the law remained for another half an hour to clarify some of Elizabeth’s questions in a private meeting with her. As Darcy had assured her earlier, they confirmed that there could not be any other interpretation of the documents. Lady Augusta and anyone else’s claims could not touch her or Lady Sedgewick’s legacy.

“Lady Barrington, I beg your forgiveness for such a delicate enquiry but it is important for the legal outcomes. Is your ladyship certain that you ar e not with child?” Mr. Thorn asked.

“Most certainly. But there is another delicate matter. It has come to my attention that there could be more than one illegitimate child of Lord Barrington.”

“Oh, you must not worry—they cannot affect you either. Illegitimate children have no rights at all,” Mr. Reeves declared. “They do not matter.”

“Forgive me, sir, but they do affect me and they do matter. I intend to take the children and their mothers under my protection. I wish to assure them a proper education, to secure them a good living. I know they cannot inherit, but I will use my own money for this.”

The three men stared at her in disbelief.

“This is...I never...Of course… As you wish,” Mr. Reeves concluded.

“Also, Mr. Hoskins may testify that, with Mr. Darcy’s advice and Miss Cecilia’s support, I have made some plans to increase the annual income of the trust, by using the complete agriculture potential of the properties. The supplementary capital will be partially invested and with the rest, I wish to extend the Brighton cottage and improve the schools’ accommodation. Even more urgently, the London clinic for the poor requires our immediate attention in terms of living conditions. Also we need to hire more doctors and nurses. I asked Mr. Hoskins to employ two more solicitors to work with him in accomplishing the required tasks, which will certainly double at least.”

The two trustees watched her, incredulous and doubtful. Mr. Hoskins, who had been at her side for the last few weeks, only nodded in approval.

“But… Lady Barrington, I must ask—how will you accomplish all this alone?” Mr. Thorn asked.

“Your concern is much appreciated, but I am not alone. I have you two to advise me in the most important legal matters. I have Mr. Hoskins, whose work has been excellent until now. In addition, there are some remarkable, honest and hard-working people who have been in the Sedgewicks’ service for years. I also have my family and my friends. In truth, I would say my own effort is small, compared to everyone else’s.”

“Your ladyship’s actions are most commendable and I shall not refrain from expressing my appreciation publicly, Lady Barrington,” Mr. Reeves said.

“One more thing, my lady,” Mr. Thorn interjected. “If your ladyship intends to marry, as you said, there are other issues that need attention. You must be aware that all your possessions will become your husband’s property. We must examine the law carefully and see if some arrangements might be made to protect Lady Sedgewick’s fortune. We must consider all the possibilities.”

“The marriage statement was mostly meant to upset our visitors. I am still in the mourning period and another marriage is far from my thoughts presently. Mr. Darcy is a close family friend and his support all these months has been invaluable and indispensable. He is the most honourable man I know, and I trust him with my life. If I were to marry him, it would certainly be to the benefit of the people under my care.”

She paused a little, feeling her voice sounded a bit too emotional, then continued.

“However, life has recently taught me some harsh lessons and I know no possibility should be dismissed. I must know that Lady Sedgewick’s wishes have been fulfilled, regardless of what might occur in the future. Please examine all circumstances—if I marry or not, if I pass away, if my new husband passes away, every possible situation—and find a way to protect the charities.”

“Very well, madam. If there is a way, we will find it,” Mr. Reeves assured her.