Mr Seymour’s lips smirked just a bit. “Led us right to Mr Haversham.”
A slight wave of Mr Graham’s hand silenced Mr Seymour. “It then took us time to find an individual who would,” he coughed, “Share your current address-”
“And that you bore a son, rather than a daughter,” interpolated Mr Seymour.
“Yes. You see, while we were able to ascertain you were in expectation of a happy event in Plymouth, no one there knew what had become of you and your unborn child after you left the area.” Mr Graham told his story with little emotion, sharing facts one by one like ticking them off a list.
Mr Gardiner shifted in his seat. His attention focused completely on the two men’s recitations.
“As you may now be aware, Lord Carrington the elder, is deceased. The information you may not yet be privy to is, the viscount is also dead. Both perished in a fire on the estate.”
Gasps and sharp intakes of breaths mingled from the group listening to the recitation.
“His poor daughters.” breathed Elizabeth. “They are so young.”
“Indeed. However, they are well cared for by way of their mother’s family and her marriage settlement. The estate had some damage from the fire, so the viscountess and her daughters have returned to live with her family.”
“Was anyone else harmed in the fire? The servants?” Darcy’s voice cut over the details about the viscount’s family.
“Fortunately, the fire did not spread far. The earl and his son were together in the billiards room. We suspected they imbibed too much and were not careful while smoking. The servants worked diligently to put out the fire. There is some damage to adjacent rooms and rooms on the floor directly above. The smell of smoke, I am told, still lingers.”
“So one of the men accidentally started the fire?” Mrs Gardiner’s lips pinched.
“That was the supposition. Initially.” Mr Seymour’s tone was gruff.
“Initially?” barked out Mr Gardiner, his brow furrowed, and a glare was aimed at the two men.
Mr Graham placed the tips of his fingers together, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “Initially, it was presumed to be an unfortunate mistake. A sad one, to lose two men in one tragedy; both the earl and his heir. However, evidence of the doors being locked came to light, inhibiting help to reach them in a timely manner. Furthermore, word reached our office of a third death, which occurred not long before the earl’s and viscount’s. This required us to proceed with a more in-depth examination.”
His audience was completely silent, hanging on his every word. So Elizabeth’s soft, ‘Gregory’s brother’ was heard clearly by all.
“Gregory’s brother,” he echoed her words. “Apparently, Major Carrington perished in a skirmish against the French a little after word reached Lord Carrington of your husband’s passing.”
“I wrote to him, to let him know about Gregory.” Jane took hold of one of Elizabeth’s hands to stop her from crushing the fabric of her skirt in her fist. Georgiana, seeing the gesture, laid her hand on top of the other one, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“You are presuming someone wanted the earl and viscount dead. What could this person achieve by wiping out the earl’s lineage?” Darcy was not facing the solicitor as he spoke, he was pacing the length of the floor behind the settee where the three young ladies were seated.
“We have found no possible motive. This is another reason it took so long to put the pieces together. There is no one else to inherit if the Carrington line should die out. At least, as far as we are aware.”
Darcy felt his chest restrict. His eyes pivoted to land on the young woman who so intrigued him.
“Madam,” leaning forward in his seat, Mr Graham spoke directly to Elizabeth. “Might we see your child to confirm he is indeed male born?”
Mr Gardiner stood. “Are you implying my great nephew is the next-”
“Not the next, sir. Is.”
Georgiana and Jane gasped. Elizabeth was completely still, her hands, held by Jane and Georgiana, now gripped at theirs, seeking the comfort they had tried to provide.
Mrs Gardiner stood and approached Elizabeth, leaning over to lay a trembling hand on her arm. “Lizzy, let us go and fetch Alex.” She took both of Elizabeth’s hands in hers and gently tugged them. In a daze, Elizabeth rose and followed her aunt out of the room.
When the two women stood, so did the men. As Elizabeth walked by them Mr Graham and Mr Seymour offered brief bows. “Mrs Carrington.”
Out in the hall Elizabeth stopped, her hand clenching her aunt’s arm. “Aunt, this is incomprehensible.”
“Patience, Lizzy, let us enter the parlour and speak privately there.”
It took but a moment until they were alone with a sleeping Alex and his nurse. Elizabeth walked over to the bassinet and stared down at her two-month-old infant. Her aunt came to stand beside her and spoke softly. “It is indeed overwhelming, but if I understand correctly,” she swallowed, “your son is the new earl of Carrington.”
