was about to reply when the housekeeper announced the arrival of their family lawyer. He was early, but being a punctilious man had no doubt set out early lest the roads were bad.
‘Well, at least we shall know the truth now,’ Selina said, but her heart sank as the lawyer was announced, and she saw from his face that the news was far from good.
‘Good morning, Mr Breck,’ she said, and went forward to meet him with outstretched hands. No matter how heavy her heart, she would not forget her good manners. ‘It was so very kind of you to come out on such a cold day, sir.’
‘It is cold for the time of year, though we have less than two months until Christmas, Miss Searles. I must tell you at once that I have been looking into your dear mama’s affairs, and the outlook is not good—but I think I may have solved one of your problems at least temporarily.’
‘Oh … I think you must tell us what you mean,’ Selina said. ‘Please, come and sit by the fire, sir. You have been a good friend to Mama, and we shall not stand on ceremony, even if you are the bearer of bad news.’
Mr Breck flicked out his coattails and sat on a substantial chair close to the hearth. He had chosen their late father’s chair, and the sight of a man sitting there brought a lump to the girls’ throats, but neither of them said a word. They were breathless, their eyes betraying their fear as they waited.
‘As you know, your father had secured the house to your mother for her lifetime, but he was never able to break the entail, which would have cost him too much of his slender capital. That part of the estate which was entailed bears a mortgage, and all the land your father owned personally was sold before his death to pay his debts.’
‘Yes, sir. You told Mama when Papa died,’ Selina said. ‘But Mama’s jointure was safe, and we think she had a little money of her own—is that not so?’
‘Yes, she did have a little of her own, and she was left a thousand pounds by her aunt, but most of that has been spent. The dear lady honoured me with the care of her slender funds, as you know, and I did manage to invest a small amount, which will bring you in two hundred pounds a year, but besides that you have only seventy-five pounds in capital …’
Selina gave a little gasp. ‘So little …’ She swallowed hard as she saw her sister’s stricken expression. ‘We had hoped it might be two hundred pounds or so.’
‘Your dear mama spent quite a bit on clothes and the things she wanted to give you and your sisters. Of course all her furniture and jewels belong to you, and I daresay they may fetch a thousand or two—if you care to sell them.’
‘We may have to if we are to find ourselves a new home,’ Selina said, and glanced at her cousin, who had the grace to look ashamed. ‘We are determined to be independent of Cousin Joshua, even though he has kindly offered us a home in his house.’
‘Well, I thought you would say that, Miss Searles,’ the lawyer said, and looked pleased with himself. ‘Which is why I have taken the liberty of arranging something—if you could bring yourself to accept?’
‘Anything,’ Selina said fervently, and then realised how rude she sounded. ‘Within reason, of course. I feel we must not be a burden on others.’
‘I’ve told you—’ her cousin began but swiftly closed his mouth as the lawyer began to speak again.
‘Well, this might suit you. I have an elderly client who owns an estate. He recently became ill and has gone abroad for his health. He is hoping that his nephew will take over the estate, for it is entailed on him. However, the nephew currently lives in Italy, and though I have told him his duty is to return to the estate, he has informed me that he is content for now to leave it entirely in my hands. I am to manage the estate—and to install a housekeeper in the house, with a few servants to keep it in reasonable condition. However, the nephew does not wish it to be let to a tenant because he may one day choose to live there—though he thinks not for some years yet.’
‘Are you offering me the position of housekeeper?’ Selina stared at him in surprise.
‘Well, yes, in a way,’ her lawyer said. ‘What I thought was that you and your family could live there—and take with you the servants you intend to keep. I shall pay their wages and make you some small remuneration—say three hundred pounds a year.’
‘Nonsense!’ Cousin Joshua was outraged. ‘How dare you suggest that my cousin become a paid servant? She and her sisters will live with me, as I told them right from the start.’
‘No, cousin, we shall not.’ Selina’s voice was cold and proud, and all eyes turned on her. ‘I am three and twenty, and you are not my guardian. Mama left the care of my sisters to me, because she trusted me to care for them—and I shall.’
‘You will not consider becoming a housekeeper?’ He looked shocked.
‘I think it may be the perfect solution,’ Selina said, and turned with considerable relief to the lawyer. ‘However, I could not accept the wage, Mr Breck. What I can accept is that you allow us to live there as your client’s tenants in return for keeping the house in good order. I shall undertake to help you with the estate, for I was used to helping Papa, as you know. I am well able to do bookwork, and to supervise the maintenance of property—and if you have good bailiffs and farm managers, I can liase with them and report to you.’
‘Well … it is not exactly what I intended … but I see no reason why it should not work. However, I must insist that you allow me to pay the wages of the resident servants at least. It is a big house, and you could not afford to keep enough staff unless I contribute—as my client’s agent, of course.’
‘How many servants are there?’
‘Just two outside men and an elderly butler, Trent, who was too old to travel with my client. He wishes to remain at the house until he can no longer work. You will need at least two maids and a cook if you are to live there comfortably.’
‘Yes, I think we shall,’ Selina said. ‘Mama’s maid, Jane, Betty, our maid of all work, and Cook all wish to come with us and have declared they will work for nothing but their board. Also Papa’s groom, Jeremiah. He says nothing shall make him leave us but death, and I cannot kill him, so I must keep him. I shall, of course, pay them something—but you must leave that to me, Mr Breck. I shall contrive somehow—even if I have to sell Aunt Mabel’s pearls. Mama gave them to me, and if need be I shall sell them.’
‘Oh, Selina, you love those pearls,’ Amy protested tearfully.
‘Yes, I do, but this is a solution for us, dearest. Do you not see how perfect it is? We shall live quietly but we shall still be ladies, even if we have very little money. We may entertain occasionally—and we shall meet people living nearby. It is possible that one of us might—’
‘You cannot possibly live on two hundred pounds a year,’ Cousin Joshua cut in rudely, looking annoyed. ‘If you refuse my offer of a home, I shall wash my hands of you. You will get nothing from me—not a penny.’
‘Sir, that is not necessary,’ Mr Breck remonstrated. ‘I am more than willing to pay Miss Searles a retainer for looking after the house if she wishes.’
‘I shall remember that, and if I become desperate, I may reconsider,’ Selina said with a smile. ‘You have been very kind, Cousin Joshua—however, I must decline your offer of a home. We shall be packed and ready to leave within three days. I should appreciate it
