Page 86 of May I Have the Pleasure
“Your assistance is very much appreciated. I am estranged from my first family due to their actions, and my second family due to my own stubbornness. I believe it is time to try to offer an olive branch to some parts of both, and see if Lady Catherine de Bourgh or my Uncle Gardiner will advise me. Lady Catherine and my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner have been the only people in my life to ever give me any good advice, though I know not if they will accept me back into their confidence.”
“I know Lady Catherine. She is a sensible woman, and if you had a falling-out, I cannot imagine she will not welcome you back. How may I assist?”
“You have done all that was required, and far more than required by honour or any other inclination already, and I thank you, my lord.”
“Perhaps all that is required, but it would be my privilege to assist you further. Simply name the service. My Emma would approve, and my departed wife, Julia, would as well. I am at my leisure at the moment and am not needed anywhere in my estates for the next month or two. Becoming friends with you will hardly be a punishment.”
“Very well. If you would be so kind as to escort my person and my assets to my uncle in town, he will assist me in at least securing them with a more reputable banker. Then I believe I can afford to engage a man of business to help me sort this mess out. I thank you for your kindness and for looking after me, my lord. It was most generously done, but I do not wish to trouble you overly much.”
“It was not especially generous. Honour and inclination demand no less.”
“Nevertheless, it was well done, and I owe you my thanks. By the way, did you ever find your nephew.”
“I did, and I wish I had not.”
“My condolences, sir. It appears we both have family to be ashamed of.”
“Indeed, we do. I am curious. Will you do the full year of mourning, Mrs Wickham… ah… Bennet.”
“I suppose so. I am accustomed to it by now, and I must learn to manage my new estate—after I learn where it is, of course. I have found that mourning clothes are somewhat effective in slowing down unwanted suitors, and for the foreseeable future, all suitors will be unwanted. As an estate owner though, I believe the number and ferocity of them are likely to be more than previously encountered, so I may do full mourning for a decade.”
“It would be my privilege to assist you in securing your estate. I have been to Sweetwater, and it needs a master very badly, but could be an excellent property eventually with the proper care. It has a good steward, but he is old as the hills and ready for a pension. He is all that has held it together these two decades.”
“I thank you, but while I appreciate the offer, I believe I must ask advice from people I know better. I mean no offence, but I cannot possibly impugn on very much more of your time. You must have your own estates to take care of.”
“No offence taken. It is a sensible argument, but I am at your disposal should you ever require assistance.”
“I thank you.”
“Might you be ready to leave at first light? If your relatives are away from home or not inclined to reconcile, I will escort you to Kent. Should that not suit for any reason, I will take you to Sweetwater and lend my assistance.”
“I will be ready, my lord. You are too good to me, but I will accept your assistance with thanks.”
“Very good, madam. I shall see you at first light.”
-------------
Rosings—February 1814
-------------
“ELIZABETH! WELCOMEHOME!”
“I thank you Lady Catherine. How are you, and how is Anne’s new husband?”
“Both in excellent health. She is on her wedding trip, but she will return in three months. I miss her dreadfully, but all is well now that you are back, at least for a while.”
“I am sorry to have missed her wedding, and even sorrier I ignored both of you for a year. It may be the worst thing I have ever done…. well… the second or third worst, at least.”
“I am sorry to have driven you away, so no apologies on your part are required. As Anne said, it is not your fault my nephew is such a lunkhead, and I am short tempered and inconstant.”
“You did not drive me out. It was time for me to leave the nest, though I splatted on the ground spectacularly, rather than learning how to fly, so I fear I am once again sheepishly back for advice.”
“I am happy to help. I understand from your letter you inherited Sweetwater. It is a reasonably good estate. It should be an exceptionally fine one, but I understand the former family has neglected it for at least two decades and it is in dire need of attention.”
“That is what Lord Mawbry indicated.”
“Did your husband really steal your entire fortune?”
