Page 74 of The Mistress of All & Torn

Another deep breath and a sip of tea helped Elizabeth to keep her composure.

“For the debts that can be legally proven, I assume,” Darcy intervened severely. “Am I correct? Otherwise, I may declare that Lord Barrington owned me one hundred thousand pounds and demand his widow to repay me. Bingley here could be my witness.”

“Of course,” Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Finch replied at the same time. “Any claim must be proven.”

“I shall disregard any requests unless they are validated by you or a judge, gentlemen. But in such a case, do I have the liberty to sell the Barrington properties to pay the debts?”

“Nothing connected to the earldom, Lady Barrington. You must wait nine months after Lord Barrington’s death, in case you provide an heir. If it is a boy, he will inherit the title and the estate. If there is a girl or no heir, the earldom will be returned to the Crown in its entirety,” Mr. Reeves explained.

“But you may sell the Barrington townhouse,” Mr. Hoskins added. “In such a case, Lady Augusta would become homeless.”

“Yes, that would be a misfortune indeed. We cannot allow it,” Elizabeth replied coldly, with a trace of irony.

“It is a delicate situation, one that I have never encountered in my five and twenty years in the field of law,” Mr. Thorn said.

A sharp headache gripped Elizabeth’s temples.

“So gentlemen, please explain to me very clearly what I am allowed to do, with or without your permission, regarding the Barrington and the Sedgewick estates. From what I see, the greatest amount of income from the Sedgewick fortune is in bank interest.”

“Yes,” Mr. Reeves replied. “There is significant capital in two bank accounts under the trustees’ supervision that produces around seven thousand pounds in annual interest.”

“And another two thousand pounds from rents,” Mr. Hoskins added.

“To answer your ladyship’s question,” Mr. Thorn explained, “you have free use of monthly pin money—promised to you by Lady Sedgewick. With that, you may do whatever you please. You also have free use of the entire annual income, as long as you use it for purposes mentioned in the legal agreements you have signed. There is a special fund for any children that may result from your marriage to Lord Barrington. If there is no child, that sum will be added to the main capital.”

“However, you may not sell any property without our consent,” Mr. Reeves continued. “But you are allowed to sell any jewels offered to you personally and use that money as you choose.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth responded. “Please have a drink and I will have some tea. To conclude, all the expenses for the Sedgewick properties, including the two schools, are paid for by the annual bank interest.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Very well...But the expenses are significant and they might exceed the income. Mr. Darcy believes we might increase our annual income by better using the rental potential of each estate. Do I have the liberty to make decisions on this matter? Including who I may employ, to whom I may rent and under what conditions?”

The legal representatives were now dumbfounded. “Of course, ma’am, but...this would be an enormous undertaking for you! Such an endeavour would be difficult even for a man! It is unlikely you will exceed your income anytime soon. If it does eventually happen, you may reduce the costs accordingly at any time,” Mr. Finch voiced everyone’s opinion.

“I realise it is a huge undertaking, and I know I may live a comfortable life doing nothing further. But this is not what Lady Sedgewick expected from me, I am sure. If we do have to decrease costs, this would mean reducing our staff or, even worse, abandoning some of the charities. This would be a painful failure on my part and a betrayal of her ladyship’s trust. She expected me to take on the demands and to be involved in difficult endeavours. And this is what I shall do.”

Her speech—filled with emotion—made an apparent impression on the gentlemen. Elizabeth’s reaction was like nothing they had seen from any other lady in her situation, just as her circumstances were nothing like they had seen before.

“Lady Barrington, we wish you the utmost success. You have taken very much upon yourself, more than any other lady we know. We would be honoured to assist you in any way we can,” Mr. Reeves declared.

“Mr. Finch and I will be at your disposal anytime,” Mr. Hoskins added.

“Your loyalty is much appreciated. The first thing I intend to do is to visit each of the Sedgewick properties this autumn. You will be informed of any decisions I make. Mr. Hoskins, please send another letter to Mr. Wood and Lady Augusta. They are obliged to answer and to provide us with the required information. I do not wish to take advantage of my authority as the mistress, but I shall, if it is needed!

∞∞∞

A fortnight after she moved into Lady Sedgewick’s house, Elizabeth slowly returned to life. Busy acquiring new knowledge and taking on her new duties, the days passed quickly and the nights, although still restless, became bearable.

She ordered more mourning gowns, as elegant and expensive as her position demanded, although she loathed to pretend sadness and to waste money that could be better used otherwise. She understood her situation required particular attention to details that society valued, even if she despised them. As Cece politely mentioned, her success in continuing Lady Sedgewick’s charities depended on Elizabeth’s image in the eyes of influential people. As much as she disliked being Lady Barrington, the paths back to the former Miss Bennet were closing one by one.

To compensate for such disturbing thoughts, inside the house, tranquillity and harmony settled.

Sarah had fully recovered and requested new responsibilities in the household. Elizabeth agreed only after gaining the doctor’s approval and insisted that the girl remained in the upper rooms, near her. Sarah and Libby became Elizabeth’s personal maids and Mrs. Gilford trained them for the privileged position.

The housekeeper had a particular and efficient method of running the household. She demanded dedication, discipline and diligence and offered fairness, kindness and sympathy in return to each servant. Elizabeth had the clearest evidence of the servants’ comfort when one day she went downstairs unexpectedly and heard the servants—together with Mrs. Gilford—talking and laughing out loud. She withdrew in silence, content with that small yet significant change in those who had escaped from terror.

While Bingley and Jane enjoyed their blissful marriage with their own daily routine, Elizabeth spent most of the time in the library with Cece, sometimes with Mr. Gardiner and the trustees, and often with Darcy.