Franny sniffled in response, but still she said nothing.
Rising, Mattie offered a look of appreciation to Mrs. Watson before she headed into the cottage. Her father’s study was in the front and was a small, square room barely able to fit a desk and two chairs. Despite its size, he had managed to fill it with piles of books in nearly every corner.
Mattie approached the study and saw the door was partially closed. She could hear hushed voices coming from within.
She stopped just outside the door and knocked, making her presence known.
The voices stopped.
“Enter,” her father ordered.
Mattie pushed the door open and stepped inside. Her father, a stout figure behind the desk, seemed worn down, burdened by the weight of responsibilities. His slumped shoulders betrayed his fatigue, his weariness evident in every line of his face.
A tall, lanky man stood near the window, his expression solemn as he watched Mattie enter the room.
“You wished to see me, Father?” Mattie said, feeling a palpable tension in the room.
With a gentle sweep of his hand, her father gestured towards one of the chairs that faced his cluttered desk. “Yes, please sit. We have much to discuss.” His voice was cordial, but a slight inflection at the end of his words gave her pause.
Mattie did as she was told and sat down, giving her father anexpectant look.
Her father returned to his seat and sighed. “I’m afraid I have some awful news to share with you.” He hesitated. “Your uncle and aunt have succumbed to the fever while visiting India.”
She sucked in a breath at that horrific news. “They are dead?” she asked. “What of Grandfather? Was he not with them?”
A pained look came into her father’s eyes. “He is still alive, for now,” he shared, “but he has grown increasingly weak from the effects of the fever. The doctors are worried if he attempts to travel home, he will die on the ship.”
The tears started flooding her eyes as she attempted to blink them back. She had heard her father’s words, but they seemed so wrong. So unbelievable. Her uncle was the strongest man that she knew. How had he succumbed to the fever?
Her father’s eyes were moist, and she had little doubt he was trying to be strong for her sake. “I know this is a shock, but I think it is best that we give Franny some time to recover before we travel to Darlington Abbey. Furthermore, it will give the parish some time to find a new vicar. I do not wish to leave them without one.”
Mattie’s gaze remained fixed on her father as he delivered the unexpected news. “We are leaving our home?” she inquired, her words heavy with disbelief. This had been the only home she had ever known.
His eyes softened with understanding. “I am now my father’s heir, and I am expected to ensure the estate is profitable in his absence. This is not what I had envisioned for us, but it is my duty,” he explained, his voice resigned.
The weight of his words settled heavily on Mattie’s shoulders, her chest tightening with the realization of the implications. She was no longer just a vicar’s daughter. Her father was a viscount and heir to an earldom. One day she would become a titled lady.
Mattie didn’t know what to feel at this precise moment. It most definitely wasn’t joy for her elevation in status. She cared little about that. All she could think about was how devastated her cousin must be at losing her parents.
Her father continued, “I have sent for Emma at her boarding school, and I do hope she will return shortly.”
Mattie’s mind started racing with all of the things that needed to be done. “We should go into mourning at once.”
“Yes, we should,” her father agreed. “As the lady of the house, I will expect you to handle such things.”
This wasn’t the first time that her father had called her that. Her mother had died during childbirth and Mattie had been taking care of the household from a young age. Although it was not overly complicated since her father was a vicar and they lived in a modest cottage next to the chapel.
Mattie rose and clasped her hands together. She was determined to remain strong and not fall apart. Her whole life had just been upended but her father needed her now more than ever. “Do we have the funds to purchase new gowns?”
The tall man, who had been quiet the entire time, spoke up. “Lord Wythburn will have access to whatever funds he deems necessary.”
Her father gestured towards the man. “Forgive me, but I failed to mention that Mr. Johnson is your grandfather’s solicitor. He traveled with Francesca since I am now her appointed guardian.”
Mr. Johnson nodded respectfully at her father. “I was instructed to assist in any way that I could during this difficult time, my lord.”
“Thank you,” her father acknowledged before redirecting his attention to Mattie. “I know I am asking a lot from you…”
Mattie put her hand up, halting his words. “I am more than capable, Father.”
