Page 71 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“And we will do everything to ensure that your ladyship feels safe with us,” Cece assured her. “Your ladyship may trust us, too!”

Elizabeth knew this to be true. She was relieved to have Cece’s friendship and the housekeeper's loyal support. She needed as many allies as possible to win her battles.

Late in the afternoon, Bingley and Jane returned and, although it was still early, everyone changed for dinner, waiting for their guest.

Darcy arrived at the agreed hour and, although she expected him, his entrance took Elizabeth’s breath away. Puzzled and embarrassed, wondering about her reaction and this feeling she had never known before, she forced a polite smile as she welcomed him.

For his part, Darcy did not appear any more composed either. He greeted them all, but his eyes seemed reluctant to leave Elizabeth.

“Darcy, how lovely to have you here! You have been missed!” Bingley declared joyfully. “Did I mention that Jane and I have moved in here?”

“Yes, you did, in your note. I believe it was an excellent idea. I hope you all have settled in comfortably,” he said, looking mostly at Elizabeth.

“Very comfortably,” she replied, chills running along her skin while their eyes locked.

“The house is stunning,” Bingley continued.

“It looks very elegant,” Darcy offered. “I am glad you have found everything to your liking.”

While Bingley offered Darcy a drink, Elizabeth gained enough composure to say, “Mr. Darcy, I confess that, besides enjoying your company for dinner, I invited you today with another purpose. As much as I am embarrassed to ask for your help again, I am afraid I must.”

A frown of worry changed his expression. “Please remember I am always at your disposal. How may I assist you?”

“While discussing matters with Cece, I realised there is even more to this inheritance than I expected. Apparently, there are a total of six properties in the Sedgewick trust, not including this one. I have requested a meeting with the solicitors and Mr. Finch to establish what is the best way to take it forward.”

He breathed in relief, as he feared something awful had occurred. He sipped from his glass and nodded. “Such a large fortune might easily become a burden. A meeting at this early stage would be very useful.”

“I believe so too. I would kindly ask you, if you have no previous engagements, to join us. Your opinion and advice are valuable to me.”

“Of course, I would be honoured.”

“And I hope you have a little spare time to examine Lady Sedgewick's business ledgers before dinner. Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Finch, as the solicitor and executor, must know the current state of the finances. But before we meet them, I would be grateful to know what you think.”

“Certainly, I would be happy to.”

They all moved into the library. The Bingleys sat on the sofa, Darcy at the large wooden desk, with Elizabeth next to him and Cece at his other side, offering explanations.

“This one is related to the schools. As you can see, the sums from the contributors have diminished in the last year, since Lady Sedgewick’s health declined.”

“Yes,” Darcy said. “Very likely the knowledge that Lord Barrington would be the heir damaged people’s trust in the future of those charities.”

“I imagined as much. And here are the books for each estate, and the expenses for the houses.”

Cece hesitated a moment, then she added. “Lady Sedgewick wished to keep it secret, but I feel I can confide in you all. There is also the small estate that I own—the one where I lived for the last month. Those costs are not in the papers.”

“They should not be, since the cottage is yours,” Elizabeth said. “Does the house have any means to support itself?”

“Yes. There is a housekeeper, a butler, three maids and a gardener that live there permanently. There is an amount of money in my account that produces enough annual income in interest to cover their salaries. For the rest, they support themselves quite well, by growing fruit and vegetables, keeping chickens, pigs and goats. I have a regular correspondence with my housekeeper—they are all loyal and hardworking people.”

“Quite impressive. This would be the ideal way of supporting any household,” Darcy approved. “As Lady Barrington said, anything that belongs to you, Miss Cecilia, is not the subject of our discussion. Now, ladies, please allow me a few moments to look at these figures.”

Half an hour passed in silence. Elizabeth watched Darcy’s face from the side, the changes in his expression betraying his preoccupation. From such a short distance, his handsome features were exposed to her scrutiny. Lost in his thoughts and unguarded in his movements, he ran his fingers through his hair, rubbed his chin, then his forehead, then loosened his neckcloth, his eyebrows knitted, his lips pressed together revealing dimples in his cheeks. She was mesmerised by his gestures and intoxicated by his scent, abashed by the sensations she experienced.

“Lizzy?” she heard Jane’s voice and startled.

‘Yes?”

“Should I ring for some tea?”