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Instead of answering, Jane glanced to Richard nervously. Realising that she might be reluctant to talk candidly in front of his cousin, William said, “Lady Morgan, my cousin can be trusted with whatever you wish to tell me. In fact, he will likely be of great help because he handles matters concerning highwaymen throughout England and Wales under the authority of General Lassiter.”
“Forgive me, Colonel,” Jane replied. “I am uneasy speaking of personal matters, even to Mr. Darcy.”
“I understand completely,” Richard interrupted. “And I hope that in time you will come to know that you can trust me, just as you do my cousin.”
Hesitantly, Jane turned back to William. “First.” She stopped to reach into a pocket of her gown and brought out a handkerchief to blot the tears slipping from her eyes. “I ask your forgiveness for bursting into tears at the least provocation. I find that at times I can do naught but cry.”
“You owe no one an apology for that,” William hurried to say. “Grief is not something one can simply turn off.”
Jane offered a wan smile. “I forgot that you are still grieving your wife. You, of all people, would understand.”
William exchanged a meaningful look with Richard but said nothing to correct her assumption. Instead, he said, “Forgive me if I offend, but I must say that you look as though you could use a good night’s sleep. Would it help if we all rest today and begin tomorrow?”
“I take no offense,” Jane said. “It is very kind of you to suggest we wait. Alice had an upset stomach last night, and I was up with her until the early hours. Still, I found myself unable to sleep once I lay down. Awful dreams have tormented me since … since David was murdered.”
“I pray that knowing we are here to help will allow you some relief from that torment,” William replied.
“Thank you.” Jane stood. “I believe I will act on your suggestion. A maid will return shortly to show you to your rooms. There should be a tray with tea and refreshments awaiting each of you, but if not, ask the maid. Dinner will be sent up in the same manner this evening around eight o’clock, so unless you have need of anything, I shall see you both in the morning.”
When nothing more was said, Jane murmured, “Good night, gentlemen,” and quit the room.
After Jane had left, Richard said quietly, “Do you think Lady Morgan shall be able to survive if her source of income disappears? She does not impress me as a strong woman … at least not as strong as her sister Elizabeth.”
William pictured his spirited Elizabeth as she looked when she declared she could ‘never be prevailed upon to marry him.’ Despite the pain that image evoked, he strove not to let Richard see it.
“I am hopeful that Lady Morgan will rise to the challenge. After all, she has a daughter to raise.”
“And you may have the child to raise should something happen to her mother.”
“I need no reminders, Cousin.”
The next morning
Lord Morgan’s study
Having enjoyed the dinner sent up the evening before, William and Richard were looking forward to breaking their fast this morning, and they were not disappointed with the fare. Netherfield might have few servants left, but whoever was left to do the cooking had worked wonders with what they had been given.
After eating, they went down the grand staircase and were met in the foyer by the butler, Mr. Dowd, an elderly man who got around slowly with the help of a cane. He showed them to the master’s study, which was already open, and since Jane was nowhere to be seen, they began browsing through the papers on the desk.
William, who was sitting behind the desk, had just finished reading the letter James Morgan had hand-delivered to Jane when, extremely annoyed, he tossed it across the desk to his cousin. “What do you make of this?”
To Jane Morgan, and any and all survivors of Lord David Walker Morgan,
Now that said gentleman has expired, my solicitor informed me that I am the sole heir of Morgan Manor according to the terms of Lord Howard Russell Morgan’s will. Furthermore, the requirement that the bank pay Lord David Morgan an allowance from the estate’s account each month is null and void.
Please consider this your notification that you will not be receiving said payments in the future.
Yours truly,
James R. Morgan
Proprietor of Morgan Warehouses
in London and Wales
“This is preposterous!” Richard declared, flinging the letter back across the desk. “What kind of heartless bastard does this to his brother’s widow practically on the day of the funeral? And even if his solicitor is correct, could he not have discussed it with Lady Morgan in a compassionate manner instead of stating it so starkly in a letter?”
“Apparently, he is as cold-hearted as David said.”
