The sound of rustling fabric caught their attention. “Ah, here is Mrs Fletcher.” A plump woman, in her fifties reached them and she curtseyed. “Mrs Carrington, we are honoured to welcome you to Carrington House.”
“Thank you. This is my aunt, Mrs Gardiner and my sister, Miss Bennet. We wish to take a tour of the premises, and perhaps discuss outstanding issues?”
“Of course, I shall call for Lucy to help us.”
“I am afraid I came unprepared. Might paper and pencil be possible, so I may make notes or any questions we might have for the solicitor?”
“Certainly.” The housekeeper had a cheerful demeanour. The lines on her face indicated smiling was something she did often. “Where shall we begin?”
“I believe with the first-floor public rooms and the family wing. It may be best to know what changes are necessary for immediate occupancy.” She looked to her aunt and sister for their agreement.
“Mr Pikewell, send Lucy along when she arrives. We shall begin just through here.” With a hand to show the direction, the group moved through the foyer to a side door.
As she went, Elizabeth attempted to take in as much as she could. There was a distinct contrast between the artwork they passed. Some were very fine and obvious heirlooms. Others seemed out of place by comparison, by their gaudy appearance.
Mrs Fletcher opened the door, “This is a small ante chamber for visitors waiting to be greeted. It was also used for guests who the earl did not wish to spend time with. There is also a small parlour on this floor and one large drawing room.
The ante room was cold in temperature, but also cold in decoration, “It is a very uninviting room.” Mrs Gardiner’s voice bounced off the austere walls.
Elizabeth stepped to the window and pulled the curtain open a bit to get a better look at the uninviting decor. “Let us continue.”
As they exited the small antechamber, her aunt whispered, “You may wish to keep that room as it is. It will be a convenient place to deal with unwelcome visitors.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Indeed.”
The tour continued to include a music room, with doors which opened to the large drawing room.
Lucy joined them, and she curtseyed on being introduced. Mrs Fletcher put her in charge of pushing back or holding open the drapes when they entered each room.
A large study was on the first floor which looked like it was used more for entertaining gentlemen, than any real work being done. The housekeeper informed her a small study was on the second floor and was used by past countesses. “There is also a parlour there where Gregory’s mother visited with her friends. Theviscountess was more enamoured of the larger receiving room, so this one has remained untouched for many years.”
“My husband’s mother died shortly after he joined the navy, did she not?”
“Aye, she was unwell for several years and we knew she would not last long. Young Master Gregory said his goodbyes when he left,” she shook her head sadly.
Elizabeth nodded but said nothing more. Her husband had not spoken much of his mother, but when he had, the memories had clearly been painful ones.
Soon they were viewing the family wing, examining the different rooms and the quality of the furnishings. Even here there was a contrast between the bedrooms lately used by the family, and the ones which had laid dormant for many years.
“Jane, do you see a room to your liking?”
“Oh, well… I am not sure.”
“Jane, do not look at the furniture or decorations, choose for the lighting and views. Decor can be altered or swapped out.” She turned to Mrs Fletcher, “Are some of these furnishings new?”
At her nod, she questioned further, “Might the pieces they were changed out with be kept somewhere, perhaps in the attic or a storage room of some kind?”
Mrs Fletcher was nodding faster and smiling, “Yes, indeed. When Master Gregory’s mother married, the earl gave her leave to redecorate and freshen up the furnishings. When the viscountess married, she asked to do the same, but was given permission only for the rooms they would be using, not the entire house. Everything was stored away in the attic.”
“That certainly explains the differences in style from room to room.”
“Lizzy, if some of these pieces are new and you will not be using them, they might be sold, if they do not fall under the entail of the earldom.”
“Do you think they would be of interest to anyone?”
Mrs Gardiner laughed, “Oh yes, there will always be someone wishing to show their status conspicuously. Remember this, girls—simple elegance gives a better impression than shiny baubles. Itwill also be a way to bring in some capital to help you in other areas.”
“If I am to be permitted by the guardian to even make those kinds of decisions, I must remember to ask Mr Graham.” The bite of sarcasm in her words made it clear she was still uneasy about an unknown man having control over her son’s life, and consequently her own.
