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“I was told this is her last week as housekeeper. Presently, she is upstairs in the study with his lordship. Would you like me to take you there?”

Irritation filled Elizabeth instantly. Apparently, Lady Cargile’s study is now Lord Addison’s study. Keeping that observation to herself, she said, “I will speak to his lordship, but I also wish to talk with Mrs. Grant before I leave. Will you arrange that?”

“I will see what I can do, but I cannot promise anything.”

Lady Cargile’s Study

As Elizabeth and Mrs. Cartwright approached the study, the door opened and a teary-eyed Mrs. Grant came out and turned to close it. Startled to see Elizabeth, she instantly embraced her, and both began to weep.

“The countess is dead,” Mrs. Grant whispered so that Lord Addison might not hear. “I cannot believe she is gone. Not only that, but I have been given notice that I am no longer needed. After twenty years of service, I am dismissed without a care.”

“I am so sorry,” Elizabeth replied. “Mrs. Cartwright informed me this was your last week. Please know that I shall never forget your kindness towards me. Moreover, I would like to know where you go from here. If I write down an address where you can write to me, will you keep in touch?”

“Of course. I would be glad to know where you end up, as well. I shall be in the kitchen if you wish to give me the address before you leave.”

Resigned to the fact that this was likely her last day, too, Elizabeth replied, “I will.” Then, drying her eyes as best she could, she pulled back to look into the old housekeeper’s eyes. “I am ready to face the dragon now.”

As was her hope, the remark made Mrs. Grant smile. “I shall say a prayer that he is more benevolent with you than he was with me.”

Elizabeth nodded and turned to the study door. She knocked once and heard Lord Addison say, “Come!”

Lifting her chin, she opened the door and walked inside.

Glancing about the room, Elizabeth was thankful that it appeared nothing in the room had changed since she and the countess had last met there. Finally, she fixed her eyes on Lady Cargile’s nephew, whose expression showed him arrogantly awaiting her attention.

“Please do sit down, Miss Bennet,” he said, gesturing to a chair in front of the desk. “I am pleased that you came so quickly.” Opening a drawer, he retrieved a small black bag and slid it across the desk. “This is your last month’s salary, as well as a hundred pounds my aunt left you in her will.”

Elizabeth’s spirits rose. A hundred pounds will be enough to hire a Bow Street Runner! Taking the bag, she said, “I do not appreciate disguise of any sort, Lord Addison. You should have told me in your letter that Lady Cargile had already passed away.”

“I see you have spoken to Mrs. Grant,” he answered with a loud sigh. Then he stood and walked around the desk to sit on the edge of it near Elizabeth. “I was not trying to disguise anything. I am simply not in the habit of passing along alarming news to fragile young ladies by means of a letter. I thought it better to inform you of my aunt’s passing in person.”

One of Elizabeth’s eyebrows raised. “Fragile? That is the last word I would expect someone to use when describing me.”

“Your bravado may fool others, Miss Bennet, but I can see through it. You are not as independent or as confident as you wish everyone to believe. According to my aunt, you have no connections, no money and nothing to recommend you but your beauty and your wit.”

“And you, sir, are not as clever as you think. I suppose you are used to women acting as though they cannot manage in order to gain your sympathy, but I assure you that doubting my abilities is not in my character.”

To her chagrin, Lord Addison laughed aloud. “What a delicious sense of humour you have Miss Bennet. Yes, you and I would do well together.”

“Sir, I am in no mood to discuss—”

Raising a hand, Lord Addison interrupted. “Surely, you must now reconsider your future with more prudence. My aunt is dead, and you may not find another companion position that pays so well. Moreover, I imagine that Lord Morgan’s death is bearing heavily on his widow. Surely, she will wish you to stay close by since she is with child again, and if you were to find another position as a companion, that would make it impossible.” Seeing that Elizabeth’s brows had furrowed under his questioning, he added. “Moreover, with Lord Morgan dead, who will be able to step in and support his family?”

Seeing her puzzled expression, he rushed to say, “It is common knowledge among the ton that his situation was not the best even before he was killed.” Elizabeth became quieter as he added, “Just think! Were you to marry me, I could take care of you—all of your family— since I have now inherited my aunt’s estate.”

Finally, Elizabeth spoke. “I find it strange that you know so much about my brother’s situation or had even heard of his death. He was killed in Derbyshire, and it has barely been reported in the London papers. I assume you were in Brighton when Lady Cargile died so how did you hear of it?”

“You will learn, Miss Bennet, that I have sources who keep me informed about anyone I desire.” His smile warped into a roguish expression. “And you are someone I wished to keep an eye on.”

A chill ran down Elizabeth’s spine and she rose to her feet. Rising to her full height, she said, “I neither want, nor do I appreciate, your interest in me, sir. As I have told you often enough, I am not attracted by anything you have to offer, and what I choose to do in the future does not concern you.”

“Come now. You really cannot blame me for taking an interest in your wellbeing or trying to convince you to accept my hand by any means possible.” From the expression on his face, Elizabeth knew he was enjoying provoking her. “Remember, all is fair in love and war, and to that end, I intend to order some of my associates to join the search for those responsible for Lord Morgan’s death. Perhaps if I can find the culprits who did this dastardly deed, your opinion of me may change.”

“I thank you to remember that I have all the help I need!!”

“So, you have said often enough. Do you mind telling me where you plan to go now?”

“It is none of your business!”