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."In short," he said, pouring himself a glass of sherry, "there will be an account set up for my sisters.They will be able to live off the returns.I am taking an amount with me, and I warn you—it's not a small amount.A few objects will be removed from the house and taken to my sister in London, mostly things which were my mother's or that have particular significance.Three paintings will be taken as well, and I'll be boxing no small amount of books."But for the most part, what you see is yours.And you may do with it as you wish." His eyes shone with sincerity, and once again, I found myself overcome with his gift.This time, however, it was not fear or social terror that robbed me of my voice; it was the amount of care he must have had for me, for my father.For Granger.I signed a sheaf of papers, and then Barrett took up his pen as well.The signing seemed to go on for a long time, with the solicitors making minute corrections to phrases, each one needing our initials.At one point, I took my own solicitor aside and gave him directives for my own will, which I suddenly felt to be a most pressing matter.He could not, of course, simply draw it up right then and there, but he was made aware of my wishes.In the event of my early demise, the Hall and the rest would go into a trust for my brother's children.An account would be set up for Barrett, another for his sisters, if they were still alive.I would not have them wanting, if I could stop it.There would, of course, be passages for specific items and a sum for Griffith, but until I was settled in the Hall and could take my bearings, it would suffice.***Finally, the guests left.It happened in a flurry, it seemed.When Barrett and I had returned from the library there had been congratulations and toasts, and we'd spent more time than I liked dodging direct questions.Barrett would give neither his reasons nor his intended destination, and I really could not give answers to questions of my intentions.By the time the evening was over, I was losing patience with the gentle encouragements about varied and assorted prospective brides, and I fled to my room, pleading exhaustion.Griffith, at least, did not press me for anything, simply telling me that the situation below stairs seemed to have solidified as I'd expressed no desire to replace any of the staff.There were those, however, who were feeling bound to Barrett and resented me.It would bear watching.The next morning, the men took breakfast as usual, and the ladies came down shortly before luncheon.Once the meals were done, I was surprised to find the entry hall full of boxes and cases and the drive lined with carriages.Within an hour they were gone, the excitement over.Mine was just about to begin.Chapter ElevenIn the end, Barrett left almost as quickly as the houseguests had.It wasn't that same day, nor even the week after, but it was far sooner than the month he'd mentioned at the ball.He came to me one evening after supper and asked me to join him in the library.I had assumed he meant the smaller one, but I found him in the big room, seated in a broad club chair.He had brandy ready for us both, and the air seemed heavy with anticipation and something else."It's time," he said quietly.I raised an eyebrow and eased myself into a chair, watching him.He looked almost calm, but his eyes were alight, like a young child about to go on a trip."For what?" I asked.Barrett shifted forward slightly."Tomorrow, the boxes will be sent to London, my cases will be packed, and I'll be going to the city to see my sister, Martha.And then I have someone to meet at the docks.""Tomorrow?" I admit I was taken aback.I had no real idea of when Barrett would go, but I had expected slightly more than a few hours notice."Tomorrow," he agreed.I drained my brandy far more quickly than I should have.We spoke quietly for some time, and he finally told me that he and Granger were going to France.He was so eager, so alive and happy.So very sure that he was doing the right thing.I could no longer find it in my heart to begrudge him his happiness, even though it left me with an uncertain future.When he left the house the next day, the staff turned out in main force, lining the steps to bid him farewell [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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."In short," he said, pouring himself a glass of sherry, "there will be an account set up for my sisters.They will be able to live off the returns.I am taking an amount with me, and I warn you—it's not a small amount.A few objects will be removed from the house and taken to my sister in London, mostly things which were my mother's or that have particular significance.Three paintings will be taken as well, and I'll be boxing no small amount of books."But for the most part, what you see is yours.And you may do with it as you wish." His eyes shone with sincerity, and once again, I found myself overcome with his gift.This time, however, it was not fear or social terror that robbed me of my voice; it was the amount of care he must have had for me, for my father.For Granger.I signed a sheaf of papers, and then Barrett took up his pen as well.The signing seemed to go on for a long time, with the solicitors making minute corrections to phrases, each one needing our initials.At one point, I took my own solicitor aside and gave him directives for my own will, which I suddenly felt to be a most pressing matter.He could not, of course, simply draw it up right then and there, but he was made aware of my wishes.In the event of my early demise, the Hall and the rest would go into a trust for my brother's children.An account would be set up for Barrett, another for his sisters, if they were still alive.I would not have them wanting, if I could stop it.There would, of course, be passages for specific items and a sum for Griffith, but until I was settled in the Hall and could take my bearings, it would suffice.***Finally, the guests left.It happened in a flurry, it seemed.When Barrett and I had returned from the library there had been congratulations and toasts, and we'd spent more time than I liked dodging direct questions.Barrett would give neither his reasons nor his intended destination, and I really could not give answers to questions of my intentions.By the time the evening was over, I was losing patience with the gentle encouragements about varied and assorted prospective brides, and I fled to my room, pleading exhaustion.Griffith, at least, did not press me for anything, simply telling me that the situation below stairs seemed to have solidified as I'd expressed no desire to replace any of the staff.There were those, however, who were feeling bound to Barrett and resented me.It would bear watching.The next morning, the men took breakfast as usual, and the ladies came down shortly before luncheon.Once the meals were done, I was surprised to find the entry hall full of boxes and cases and the drive lined with carriages.Within an hour they were gone, the excitement over.Mine was just about to begin.Chapter ElevenIn the end, Barrett left almost as quickly as the houseguests had.It wasn't that same day, nor even the week after, but it was far sooner than the month he'd mentioned at the ball.He came to me one evening after supper and asked me to join him in the library.I had assumed he meant the smaller one, but I found him in the big room, seated in a broad club chair.He had brandy ready for us both, and the air seemed heavy with anticipation and something else."It's time," he said quietly.I raised an eyebrow and eased myself into a chair, watching him.He looked almost calm, but his eyes were alight, like a young child about to go on a trip."For what?" I asked.Barrett shifted forward slightly."Tomorrow, the boxes will be sent to London, my cases will be packed, and I'll be going to the city to see my sister, Martha.And then I have someone to meet at the docks.""Tomorrow?" I admit I was taken aback.I had no real idea of when Barrett would go, but I had expected slightly more than a few hours notice."Tomorrow," he agreed.I drained my brandy far more quickly than I should have.We spoke quietly for some time, and he finally told me that he and Granger were going to France.He was so eager, so alive and happy.So very sure that he was doing the right thing.I could no longer find it in my heart to begrudge him his happiness, even though it left me with an uncertain future.When he left the house the next day, the staff turned out in main force, lining the steps to bid him farewell [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]