“Gentlemen, good morning. Pray be seated.” After offering refreshments, which they turned down, she waited for Mr Graham to speak.
“We are attempting to move the investigation along or rather, to seek answers from a different direction,” he simply stated, then looked to Mr Seymour to elaborate.
“We have questions for your staff, beginning with your housekeeper.”
“Surely you do not-”
Graham explained. “Our investigations have found nothing. Mr Seymour merely wishes to look into a more personal line of inquiry. These servants, especially those who have worked for the Carringtons for many years may know something without being aware of it.”
“Or, perhaps there are servants recently hired, who embedded themselves here under false pretences.” Mr Seymour’s gruffer tones added.
Elizabeth stiffened at the thought, her eyes darting between the two men. “So not greed then, but a grudge?”
“Indeed, madam. I shall wish to question the housekeeper and butler to begin with. The others can wait, depending on answers to questions I receive.”
Silence fell on the room as Elizabeth took time to think on their suggestion. Loath though she was to insult any of the men and women employed in Carrington House, Alex had to be her first priority. “I agree to your request. I only ask they be treated with respect - unless you find one of the servants is hiding something, threatening my Alex’s safety. Where would you wish to question them?”
Mr Seymour responded swiftly. “Your housekeeper and butler, I will see in their own offices.” He held up a hand as she seemed to want to object. “I do not think they are culpable or involved in any way, but between them they are in contact with all of the servants. Some pertinent piece of information might come to mind if they feel relaxed sitting in the privacy of their own domain. Not to mention, be more forthcoming with confidential family information.”
Wishing to begin immediately, they went to seek out their first interviews. After making the introductions Elizabeth returned to her work. Mr Gardiner had sent over a positive response from his contact regarding the artifacts for sale. Writing a note in response to convey he was welcome to pick everything up at his earliest convenience.
‘You will be pleased to know he has high hopes of selling it all quickly. There is much demand for these items. It seems the wholeof England is filled with citizens with too much money and little taste. Still, it works in your favour.’
She laid down her uncle’s letter feeling a sense of relief. Any income will pay a salary for a steward-overseer. The sooner she can have a man touring the estates, the sooner she can begin work on making them prosperous again.
A couple of hours later a knock on her door announced the two men wishing to make their farewells. “Mr Graham, did you learn anything from your interviews?”
Mr Graham looked to his associate to answer. Mr Seymour looked at his notes before replying. “There are no new servants, not for several years. Some have left as the… the financial situation here became unstable. No one has been asking invasive questions about the household or the family. There were no rumours of inappropriate behaviour from the lords towards the young maids. The earl sought his comforts in exclusive arrangements. The viscount did come home late from frequenting the bawdy houses, but the viscountess, whilst cold imperious to the servants, made herself available to the viscount.”
He noticed Elizabeth’s high colour of embarrassment. “Forgive me, madam. A jealous husband can have a strong motive.”
“Indeed,” was Elizabeth’s faint response. She cleared her throat, “What of the gambling debts?”
“Ah, yes.” Mr Graham interjected, “Both men gambled hard and lost more often than won. They did, however, pay their debts. Which explains why there was little in the bank, and nothing put back into the estates.”
“At least that is one worry I do not have.” She shot a look to her desk piled with the papers she had been going over. It was apparent Elizabeth’s concerns were many.
“Well, unfortunately we found no answers here. Mr Seymour shall begin tentative enquiries with the Carrington’s acquaintances and friends.”
“I appreciate your continuing to seek answers.” Elizabeth motioned to the door and accompanied the men to the foyer.
“Keeping Lord Carrington safe is of grave importance to us all.” Bowing, Mr Graham and Mr Seymour took their leave.
When a footman opened the door to usher the two men out, Mr and Miss Darcy were standing on the threshold ready to knock.
So startled was she, Elizabeth could only utter, “You have arrived.” She blushed at her ridiculous remark and curtseyed to hide her hot face.
Darcy ushered his sister inside, before speaking, “Gentlemen.” He greeted them as they exited the home. He turned an inquiring eye on Elizabeth. “As you see.” His lips twitched into a smile and his eyes skimmed her prettily blushing face.
“Forgive me. Welcome, it is kind of you to call.” The footman stepped up to take the sibling’s outerwear. “Thank you, Harry. Please have tea sent up to the drawing room. I shall escort our guests there.”
Jane was sewing near the window when they entered. She put her work away and rose to greet them. “Good morning. Miss Darcy, thank you again for arranging the picnic. The children enjoyed it very much.” She guided Miss Darcy to a settee, giving Elizabeth the opportunity to speak privately with Darcy.
“Mrs Carrington, you mentioned a question you have concerning the estates.”
“It is less a question and more like drowning, Mr Darcy. There are eight estates, all badly run with little money to invest in them at the moment. The most complicated aspect is not being able to see for myself the situation of each estate. So, yes, I believe I do have a question. I was hoping for your advice on hiring a man who would be my eyes. Someone to travel to each property, speak to the stewards and servants, make lists of the improvements required. The tenants, those remaining, need to be reassured and...” She stopped and took a breath. “Goodness, forgive me, Mr Darcy. I am finding it overwhelming especially since it is not possible for me to travel myself. I am used to managing on my own, but this is beyond my capabilities, and it is all very frustrating.”
Her hands were fisted in her lap so tightly the knuckles were white. He reached over and lightly touched one, before quickly pulling his hand back. “When my father passed unexpectedly, I had barely reached my majority. Even after being raised by him on Pemberley’s lands and guided though my whole childhood to carefor the land and its people, I was overwhelmed. It felt at times like a burden, to take on all at once, and I had been prepared for the role.” His eyes maintained contact with hers, his deep voice soft, revealing a distressing part of his past. “I eventually learned to handle things myself, but also to know when to delegate.” He gave a small grimace, “And harder still to accept it did not mean I was a failure.”
