Page 2 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

“I see,” Elizabeth said. “That is sad, to be sure, but how can it affect us? I do not believe I have ever heard of Mr Sinclair in my life.”

“Nor I. As to how it may affect us, it seems that it may do so considerably. He had no direct heirs, and his will said that his estate should go to his nearest living relative.” Her father sighed and leant forward.

“Though I had no knowledge of this person until this afternoon, it seems we are cousins once removed. Mr Campbell says I may be his closest living relative.”

Elizabeth’s heart fluttered with excitement. “And so, you might be the heir to this house in Scotland?” she finished.

“Well, it is not that simple. I am only one of two possible heirs. Mr Campbell writes that there is another relative whom he previously informed of this strange case. We are hearing of it only rather late, for I was discovered at the last moment.”

Elizabeth quickly scanned the letter, then handed it back to her father. “Well, what is to be done? I am sure you will have to provide some sort of documentation.”

“Yes, that is just so. As you see, Mr Campbell has asked me to come to Strathalt House to settle the matter. I am to bring evidence of the genealogical connection to see if I will inherit.” Her father sat back with a thoughtful expression.

“Despite the length of the journey, I really think I must go. If I do inherit, it will solve the problem of Longbourn’s entail and give you girls something to live on when I am gone. ”

“Of course you must go!” Elizabeth exclaimed. She gave her father a sympathetic look. “I know how you dislike travel, though. It is a shame, for I am sure the journey must take a considerable time, not to mention the days you will spend in Scotland.”

“It is true, I do not much care for the discomfort and inconvenience of travel. But I think I can make the sacrifice if it would mean security for you and your sisters.” He rose and went to look over a board that held a fine collection of butterflies.

“Two weeks. It will take us only two weeks to get to Strathalt.”

“Us?” Elizabeth said, astonished. She turned to find her father grinning at her, clearly pleased at having given her such a surprise. It was almost too much to take in. “Me? You want me to go with you?”

“Why not? I should very much like your company on a trip of this magnitude, and you will enjoy yourself. You will be invaluable to me in navigating matters in Scotland.”

Though it was nothing she could have imagined, Elizabeth was at no loss to know how she ought to react.

The prospect of such a trip, such an adventure, was altogether delightful, for Elizabeth had never been farther from Longbourn than London.

“Oh, Papa, I would be delighted! Really, I would! Are you sure you want me and not Mama?”

Her father shook his head. “Your mother has many matters to take care of here at Longbourn. There are the servants to be managed and the food to be ordered, not to mention marrying off your sisters. You will not mind delaying that happy eventuality for a few months, will you?”

“Not in the slightest.” Elizabeth smiled. Though she would not say as much even to her father, it would be refreshing to have a respite from her mother’s constant warnings of how old she was growing and how she must find a husband at all costs.

“Very well, then. We must make our preparations in haste. I want to depart at week’s end.”

“So soon?” Elizabeth asked. It was all happening so quickly, though she had no intention of objecting.

“Yes. Already the other heir is on his way, I believe. We are all to meet Mr Campbell at Strathalt House as soon as may be.” He gave her a mischievous smile.

“And now, I believe it has been long enough that curiosity will have nearly consumed your mother. You had best return to the drawing room and satisfy it.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, I must put an end to her suspense.” She hurried away, eager to share the exciting news.

As she re-entered the drawing room, her sisters crowded around her.

“What has happened? Please do not tell me that someone has died!” Lydia said.

“We were just looking forward to seeing the militia when they come to town. You know they are due to arrive any minute, and if we have to go into mourning, we’ll miss all the excitement! ”

“Lady Lucas and her brood will get all the fun,” Kitty pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.

“No, no one has died,” Elizabeth said quickly.

She went to sit beside her mother and Jane.

“Papa has received a letter from a gentleman called Mr Campbell, all the way from Scotland. Apparently, he is the steward of Strathalt House, an estate in the Highlands, and the gentleman who owned it has died. Strathalt House is to pass to the gentleman who can prove the closest kinship to the late owner, and Papa is one of the potential heirs.”

“Heir to a house? In Scotland?” her mother exclaimed. “That wild country?”

“It is not so wild now, Mama. Scotland has been part of Great Britain for nearly a century.”

“And what of The Fifteen? Or The Forty-Five, when the Jacobites tried to invade England and make the Old Pretender king? They nearly succeeded with Prince Charles,” her mother shuddered.

Elizabeth wanted to roll her eyes but staved off the impulse. “Mama, the Jacobites have been quiet for a long time. There is nothing to fear,” she said soothingly. “Indeed, we should be grateful to Scotland, with so many of their men fighting alongside us against Napoleon.”

“Even so, it is a silly place for your father to inherit a house. Why could he not inherit a house here on our native shores, where it is safe?”

Elizabeth laughed, exchanging a glance with Jane. “Mama, he hardly has control over the location of the inheritance.” She resolved to give up arguing with her and tell them the rest of the news. “There is more. Papa has asked me to go along with him and keep him company on the journey.”

Mrs Bennet looked surprised only for a moment. “Well, he is your father, and I suppose he knows best. If you are to go along, it cannot be too dangerous,” she said.

Elizabeth turned to Jane, expecting her sister to share in her excitement. Oddly, Jane did not meet her gaze. She stood up from the settee, wringing her hands. “Papa has asked you to go along? Even though I am the eldest?” she asked.

Elizabeth was taken aback, her heart jumping into her throat. “I did not think you would want to go, Jane,” she said slowly. She had never seen her sister frown so deeply. “It may not be dangerous, but it will still be a difficult and uncomfortable journey.”

Jane frowned still more deeply, shifting from one foot to the other. She looked down at her dainty slippered feet, and when she looked back up, she had masked her emotions, giving a small smile. “Of course, you are right. You are much better suited than I for a journey to the ‘wild lands’.”

Elizabeth looked at her in surprise. Her tone still seemed oddly cold.

But no, surely she only imagined it. Jane would never resent someone else’s good fortune.

Her eldest sister brushed past her and walked out into the corridor, heading to the stairs that led up to the second and third story bedrooms. Lydia and Kitty chattered happily about all the adventures Elizabeth would likely have — and about how pleased they were that they were not to go themselves.

After all, the militia was to come to Meryton, not to Edinburgh.

Elizabeth could not regret the missed opportunity, at least not for her own sake.

The thought of travelling through the beautiful and mysterious Scottish Highlands was more exciting than a camp full of soldiers could ever be.

And better still, she could hope that they would return with Mr Bennet named the heir and their futures secured.