Page 23

“Thank you for explaining that. Some veiled comments I have overheard in the past make more sense now. You have given me a code to decipher some newspaper articles as well.”

“A good way of looking at it.”

The Doctor signed the certificate of competence, Mrs. Williams being called in as a witness, and Mr. Lawrence carefully placed it in a file. Both the doctor and Elizabeth’s chaperone then left. It was just the three of them that remained. Keeping the financial details secret overrode propriety. And she would be married to Peter Napier within days.

“What we are about to discuss is normally not the province of women. However, you will be in control of a significant fortune and you need to understand all of the arrangements.”

Elizabeth subconsciously leaned forward in her seat.

“The first part is straightforward. I do not mean to be rude, but you bring nothing to the marriage. There is no need to deal with dowry payments or anything of that sort. The Baron’s new will, signed in my presence with the doctor as a witness leaves his entire estate to you. The only exceptions are bequests of generous amounts to his valet and to his two butlers and two housekeepers.

“Upon the death of Baron Napier his entire estate, other than these few bequests I mentioned, will be put into a Trust with you as the sole beneficiary. The reason for this is that it gives you security and control. Even if you should remarry, your husband would not automatically get any of your fortune. Instead, you would have to agree. It would need to be part of any subsequent marriage settlement. This structure saves you from the rakes, knaves and other fortune hunters. Even as a widow the Trust still has to be administered by a man. There will be three trustees, although I will be your sole point of contact.

“My Lord has instructed me to design the Trust with the following security feature. I think this to be an excellent suggestion and I can see this feature becoming commonplace. As Trustee I am unable to spend any of your money without your written permission. Within a week you will be given a unique seal which must be attached to any letter purporting to be from you.

“You will be a target. There is no way to avoid that. You will be a young widow with an extensive fortune. We are doing everything possible to protect you and ensure that you live a comfortable life on your own terms. I will guide you, I will make recommendations, I will advise caution if I disagree with your proposed action, but ultimately I will obey your instructions.”

Elizabeth was overwhelmed. They had not even talked of the amounts of money. This level of caution suggested that it was more than just a few thousand pounds. She looked at the lawyer, did he see her as a goose waiting to be plucked? With the Baron sitting right there she decided to ask him directly. Apparently being blunt was catching!

“May I ask your thoughts on this? You are putting in place significant barriers of control.”

Rather than be offended he glanced at the Baron with a smile.

“There are several things, most of them professional although one is deeply personal. Let me deal with that first. In my youth I knew a young woman who I was close to. There was no arrangement between us but we had talked about the possibility. Her fall was different than yours but two things were identical. She was innocent of the charge and it did not matter. She was banished and to where I do not know. To this day I hope that she survived and thrived but I know that the odds were against her. Like I said, when the Baron told me of your circumstances my thoughts went to my childhood friend.

“The rest is mostly doing the right thing for my client, my longest standing client, Baron Napier. I will not lie, the chance to continue to assist in managing the estate, and being paid to do so, is better than the estate being forfeited to the Crown, and the rest willed away. Additionally, Baron Napier is confident that you will do well, and are a true guardian of the Napier name and fortune. The title will die with the Baron but the name will live on with you as Baroness Napier.”

Elizabeth nodded as she took this in. Her husband to be raised the next, and final, question.

“Your name.”

She understood what he was asking.”

“As part of my answer can you answer a question? Did I lose the name Bennet when I was disowned?”

“Disownment does not change your name. You are presently still Elizabeth Bennet. Do you have a middle name?”

“Rose.”

“The parish registry at Waltham Abbey Church does not list a middle name. If you agree today is the last day you will be known as Elizabeth Rose Bennet. When you leave this house for the church to be married it will be as Elizabeth Harris. What happened to Elizabeth Bennet? She disappeared, sadly just like my childhood friend.”

“You think it necessary?”

“Yes. It is one more level of security. The curate has decided to spread the word of God in Canada. If anyone ever challenges you, claims you were on a ship that sank, you merely claim you were not able to travel with your family. That family is gone, truly lost; the curate is gone, although still alive in Canada; yes there is nothing to say that you are Elizabeth Harris, but much more importantly, there is nothing and no one to say that you are not.”

Elizabeth was not going to spurn all this effort. Six months earlier she could not have imagined that she would throw away the surname Bennet without a thought. It is amazing how things had changed.

“I am Elizabeth Harris. Elizabeth Bennet did not survive the injuries she received that day.

“A good way to think of it. The ceremony and the subsequent signing of the registry will be your only acts as Elizabeth Harris. You will henceforth be Elizabeth, Baroness Napier. When you are introduced you will just be Lady Napier. You will remember on the first morning you were able to manage the stairs that I asked you to call me Baron but in my day to day existence the title is rarely mentioned. I am Lord Napier when introduced or addressed. The other peers know that I am merely a Baron but it is not normally spoken of. It will be the same with you. You are formally Baroness Napier, but in day to day usage will be Lady Napier.”

“Is there any other issue?”

“No, but I did wonder if you wished to no longer be called Elizabeth? Our marriage would give you the opportunity to consign it to the past. You have the chance to be known as Rose, if you wish.”

Elizabeth shaking her head was instinctive.

“No, I will remain Elizabeth. I cannot imagine myself as anything else.”