Page 79 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“And I must add that Ramsgate, as a town, is not concerned specifically about Lady Barry’s will,” added Sir Dudley Nibsby, the magistrate. “There has certainly been gossip, but that is not at all the same thing. No one in Ramsgate gives a fig who she leaves her fortune to. There has only been idle speculation, which reached London, as gossip does. How Sir Rupert heard of it, I have no idea, but he came running to do something about it quickly enough. That is what is at the root of the matter here. Money. Lady Barry has never displayed the least sign of madness or vulnerability.”

“I cannot agree.” Reverend Stanley rose from his chair. “Lady Barry has been showing signs of insanity for years.”

“No amount of insanity on my part could be the cause of your son attempting to force himself upon a farmer’s young daughter, Stanley,” Lady Barry shot back. “I would have to be insane to give that man a living, no matter what you believe he had a right to do to the thirteen-year-old girls in your parish.”

“And Lady Barry did not invite us all here,” Mr Bennet observed. “My daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, was here reading to Lady Barry as she does twice every week since we arrived in Ramsgate. My daughter, in fear for our friend, sent a footman for every man she could think of, for Lady Barry’s protection. Well done, Lizzy.”

“Dear me, there are quite a lot of opinions in the room.” Dr Klein coughed. “It is obvious that money is at the bottom of all of this.”

“Money is usually at the root of any accusation of insanity,” Dr Sturt replied, unconcerned. “No family wants to see their fortune lost when their relations become old and vulnerable to those who would manipulate their affection. We will examine this case thoroughly. But first, we must perform a physical examination of the patient. Lady Barry, I am certain that you would prefer to remove to a private room?”

“You will not touch Lady Barry upon pain of death.” Colonel Fitzwilliam boomed as he put a hand upon his sword menacingly, and moved before her with his brother and his cousin Darcy. “She will not be taken from our sight in your company, not for an instant.”

“It is customary for the patient to undergo a physical examination. We must listen to her heart, evaluate her humours, even bleed her a little,” objected Dr Sturt.

“You will make your determination upon the statements of those present, and your opinion of any answers that Lady Barry condescends to give to your questions,” Darcy spoke with as much authority as his uncle and as much intimidation as his cousin.

“Or we shall bleed you, and thoroughly.” Viscount Fitzwilliam examined his fingernails idly. “I assure you that none of us present will allow a physical examination of the lady in question.”

“It is not surprising that Sir Rupert is concerned about his aunt’s will, with such intimidation as this all about her.” Dr Sturt seemed disgusted and completely prepared to declare Lady Barry insane on the slightest provocation. “No wonder her family is concerned.”

“Rupert has never been my family, and my fortune has never been his right to expect.” Lady Barry thumped her cane. “It was held in trust for me throughout my marriage. Even my husband was not the master of my fortune, only the income that came from it. Upon his death, that income has reverted to me, but the right to leave it to whom I choose after his death, if we had no living children, has always been mine. It was in my marriage articles.”

“First, allow us to hear the case of Sir Rupert,” said Dr Sturt. “Then, I would like to hear what Reverend Stanley has to say.”

Sir Rupert stood. “My aunt has always been half mad. She loathes people and has never shown a shred of affection for any person except for the strange young woman beside her, who I must assume to be some sort of witch, considering the hold she keeps on my aunt.”

“Sir Rupert, we do not charge people with witchcraft any longer,” warned Sir Dudley. “This is 1812, please do not offend us with antiquated fearmongering.”

“Indeed,” said Dr Klein.

“Hear, hear,” Lord Matlock grumbled. “Is this the best you can do?”

“Please continue, Sir Rupert.” Dr Sturt gestured.

“I have done my best to be kind to my aunt since I inherited from my uncle.” Sir Rupert continued.

“Cousin!” Lady Barry barked. “Do not pretend a close familial relation to my husband or me. You were only his third cousin once removed. You never met me, nor Sir Charles in his lifetime, and he could not have given a tinker’s damn about you. In fact, he neglected his estate due to his disappointment at having no sons. He would have left the entailed estate to the church or to a perfect stranger before you, if he could have.”

“Lady Barry, you will not interrupt.” Dr Sturt frowned at her in disapproval. “Outbursts like this will not help you.”

Sir Rupert cleared his throat. “In spite of the distant connection, my sister and I did everything we could to create a close connection with Lady Barry. Here was our relation, distant perhaps, but ageing. Widowed, and quite alone, her only child long dead. She ought to have been grateful for relations who wished to care for her. Instead, she left Derbyshire before we even arrived. I have visited her as often as I could, but she prefers to remain reclusive. Even in Hertfordshire, where she resided for some years, and here in Ramsgate, she admits no callers. She refuses to attend church in her own parish, and she never stirred herself from this house until she did so for the benefit of this chit.”

“You will be respectful when you speak of my daughter!” Mr Bennet barked.

“Indeed,” Darcy said. “Miss Bennet is a gentlewoman of good family. We will not hear her disparaged.”

“Recently, a friend wrote to me from London, informing me that Lady Barry has lately altered her will in favour of this young woman, who has nothing whatsoever to do with her. Why would she do something so irrational? What is this gentlewoman to do with her? Only madness, or the vulnerability of age could explain it. My sister and I rushed to her aid at once, but were immediately rebuffed. Not even offered the hospitality of the house. It is highly irregular to live her life in seclusion, on the very precipice of insane behaviour, and then suddenly develop a preference for one young woman without explanation. I hope you will agree.”

Elizabeth knew that such claims were often accepted as truth by society and by physicians. People of fortune, women especially, could be declared insane by their relations if there was disapproval of their decisions or worry about inheritances. She was glad that she had called the men. She had no notion of Priscilla’s father arriving in Ramsgate today, but she was grateful for his appearance. Sir Dudley and Lord Matlock obviously respected Lady Barry. The Darcy family cared for her welfare. They would never allow this to happen.

“It is not uncommon to hear of those who have always been eccentric to submit to insanity when they age.” Dr Sturt was grave. “These concerns are not without merit. Reverend Stanley, you say that you have harboured concerns for some years?”

“Stanley, you cannot have a woman declared insane for refusing to give your son a living.” Sir Dudley shook his head. “It is for Lady Barry to decide who she will honour with that distinction.”

“Sir Dudley, you will have your moment to speak,” Dr Sturt admonished. “I wish to hear Reverend Stanley now.”

Reverend Stanley stood again. “Five years ago, Lady Barry heard a scurrilous lie created by malicious tenant farmers who took exception to my son’s refusal to marry their daughter. Though it had been long expected that she would distinguish him with a living when he received ordination, she suddenly became difficult. Not only did she refuse to fulfil the expectation, but she also wrote to the bishop. She prevented my son from being ordained as a minister and ruined his future. It took funds from my other children to educate him for the law so that he might find employment. Worse, because I defended my own son, she attempted to revoke my living. She has travelled for miles to attend services in a parish farther away ever since, damaging my reputation in my own church. For a year, her madness was openly apparent as she interfered in the future of my son and myself. What kind of lady meddles in affairs such as these, which are not her business? Only insanity could be the cause of such vicious and unladylike behaviour.”