Page 97 of New World Tea Company
“His Grace would give you the same reply. Sir Louis de Bourgh’s will did not allow anyone to sell off the estate.”
“My daughter’s estate is not being sold. These were two Fitzwilliam properties that I brought to the marriage. I wish to make an… I have need of the gold,” the older woman explained.
“Ten days is not a suitable amount of time to advertise and receive bids,” the attorney replied. “Perhaps we could arrange mortgages?”
“I do not wish to deal with the bankers,” growled Lady Catherine. “Mortgages take at a month or more to arrange. The properties are valuable and earn income each year. Find a buyer or buyers.”
“The properties are in good shape and together they are worth at least another five thousand pounds,” Hastings stated to begin another argument for delay.
“Then you will have no problem finding a buyer with ready gold. Perhaps you should seek individuals within your own firm,” Lady Catherine stated. “What problems do you foresee with following my direction?”
Perplexed Hastings said, “Your marriage settlement is not clear on your rights to dispose of those properties, Lady Catherine. Perhaps we should speak with your nephew.”
Her voice filled with anger, Lady Catherine shouted, “No, Darcy refuses to obey me! This is my choice!”
After more pressure from Lady Catherine, Mr Hastings admitted that Fitzwilliam Darcy had visited the firm and relinquished all oversight and control over Rosings Park. Following the will of her late husband, Lady Catherine could do as she pleased until Miss de Bourgh married.
“You men should have the funds I require between yourselves. Or you must know individuals who will purchase the buildings. Arrange a private sale from Rosings Park and yourselves this week.”
Seeing the man no longer argued but seemed to be considering who would have the gold and interest in an investment, Lady Catherine continued, “I shall sign all necessary papers when you hand over the gold.”
Mr Hastings agreed to follow Lady Catherine’s directions and left Matlock House to travel to his club. There were three individuals he wished to speak to about the sudden opportunity. Gilbert would document the particulars of the meeting so that no one could claim he was taking advantage of the widowed Lady Catherine. He had no care about the woman’s sudden need for fifteen thousand pounds.
It took Hastings three days to secure two acquaintances who were interested in the purchases with readily available funds. The two men were not partners in the legal firm and no one would claim any conflict of interest after the transaction was complete.
Upon receipt of a letter from Mr Hastings that confirmed preliminary agreements by reputable men to purchase the two properties within the time frame specified, Lady Catherine sent one of her footmen to the Sleeping Dog with a note addressed to George Wickham to call on her the next day at ten of the clock at Matlock House.
~~~
Chapter 45.A Marriage Proposal
At Rosings Park, Miss Anne de Bourgh walked each day. With her lady’s companion as chaperone, the young woman strolled through the lovely gardens that surrounded her manor house. With Lady Catherine’s departure for London, no one came looking for the young woman during her walks and consequently, she spent more than an hour each day in the company of Mr Clarence Fredericks.
Anne blushed prettily when the gentleman knelt on one knee to propose marriage. Without hesitation, the woman accepted and added, “Mr Fredericks, we must marry quickly – before my mother returns from London. Can you obtain a special license? When Mother returns, she will order the footmen to throw you from the house and lock me in my room. She will never permit us to marry.”
Clarence replied, “I believe we need a common license, my dear. A special license is difficult to obtain because the His Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury must investigate our situation and grant the license. That requires an excessive amount of time and money.”
“However, the common license can be obtained from any bishop, and we provide sworn statements that there are no reasons we cannot marry. The banns do not have to be called for three weeks. Once I have this common license, any clergyman can perform the sacrament of holy matrimony that will unite us as man and wife.”
Anne urged her fiancé to act saying, “Then obtain the license tomorrow! Where shall we find a clergyman who will marry us?”
“Will your parson not perform the sacrament?” asked Clarence, the question evident in his voice.
Her face turning away for a moment, Anne took a breath and then explained, “Mr Collins is my mother’s toad. On any afternoon, if she told him to jump from the roof of Rosings, the man would gladly agree and ask how many times he should bounce upon landing on the lawn.”
Mr Fredericks chuckled and reached out to pull Anne’s chin up and around. “My dear, you know your mother and her minion best. Will the housekeeper or butler write to warn her of our impending marriage?”
“They dare not! My father’s testament is explicit, and I have made certain the servants know what I shall do – what my husband will do – if anyone betrays my secrets during Mother’s absence.”
Smiling with pleasure at his determined fiancée, Clarence asked, “Anne, may I kiss you? You are full of life, and I am glad that I found you.”
In the moments that followed, the couple had their first kiss and Anne found herself clinging to Clarence’s arms when he finally stepped away from her. The man took the young woman’s hand and brought it to his lips for another kiss.
Anne glanced toward Mrs Jefferson who was not watching but bore a kind smile on her face. The lady’s companion had conspired with her employer to provide the young couple with the privacy required for a courtship and proposal of marriage.
The young woman squeezed the man’s hand as she said, “Mr Fredericks, please obtain the common license as soon as possible. I shall pack a small bag, and Mrs Jefferson will travel with us.”
“Are you certain? There might be gossip with an elopement,” Clarence asked, and the man was pleased to see his future wife frown.
