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In short order, the earl explained that Lady Catherine’s letter from her son-in-law and daughter contained additional information.

As soon as ever the woman returned to Rosings, she would find her personal belongings moved to the dower house.

Per Anne’s understanding of her father’s will, the estate would provide servants to keep house, and this would include a cook, a pair of scullery maids and a footman.

The staff had been selected from among the excess staff at Rosings Park.

The current housekeeper at the manor house would promote a senior maid to be the housekeeper of Lady Catherine’s new residence.

It was explicitly stated in the letter that Mr Fredericks retained the right to hire all of the servants since it was his purse that would pay for the servants.

Furthermore, if Lady Catherine fired any servant, a replacement would not be hired until Fredericks investigated the situation and had time to attend a hiring fair.

Most surprising, Mr Frederick wrote that his wife had no desire to live in Rosings Park and once the current staff provided a complete cleaning and new arrangements of furniture and portraits, the house would be rented to any rich merchant from London who sought a quiet country home for his retirement.

Reading from the letter, the earl explained, “Mr Frederick believes the income from renting the house will see to its upkeep while the full income of the estate is used to rebuild the wealth that was once Rosings Park.”

From her chair in the office, Lady Catherine cried out, “It is unsupportable! Strangers sleeping in my bedchamber! Eating at my dining table!”

Threating to become hysterical, Lady Catherine calmed herself rather than be forced to take another dose of laudanum. Then the earl continued, “Nephew, I asked for your assistance this morning to understand the last will and testament of Sir Louis de Bourgh regarding these matters.”

Motioning toward the attorneys, Earl Matlock explained, “And I summoned the attorney to consult about the will of my late brother-in-law.”

Gilbert Hastings was immune to Lady Catherine’s tantrums and Mr Darcy’s tendency to glare at him; the man had worked on legal matters for the de Bourgh family for more than twenty years.

Hastings stated, “Your Grace, I appreciate the inclusion of Mr Darcy in this conversation; he is as well versed as any living man in the wishes and requirements in the will of Sir Louis de Bourgh.”

The earl asked, “Did Sir Louis make his wishes known regarding his estate’s management after his daughter marries?”

“He did sir,” replied Mr Hastings. “As soon as ever Miss de Bourgh married, her husband is to be master of the estate and if his widow still lived, she was to be provided the dower house with servants, fuel and food for the remainder of her life. The widow’s portion of the income from the estate was to be provided to her on a quarterly basis. ”

“What is that income?” asked the earl.

The younger attorney spoke up, “With the loss of income from the properties in Gravesend, the widow’s portion is only four hundred pounds per year.”

“A hundred pounds each quarter? I shall starve! What am I to eat? What of the servants?” demanded Lady Catherine.

Darcy joined the conversation at that point.

“Madam, you will not starve. The estate will provide you with corn, meat, fruits, and vegetables. The servants will grind grain for your bread, and they will brew your beer and ale. Your income will pay for tea, sugar, and other items from the mercantile such as cloth, buttons, ribbons and shoes.”

Aghast, Lady Catherine exclaimed, “Am I to count pennies to be able to afford fresh tea? What am I to wear?”

Again, Darcy spoke, “I suggest that you retain the services of a competent lady’s maid who knows how to properly care for your wardrobe and to sew new gowns. Or perhaps you can hire a lady’s companion who can sew.”

Catherine de Bourgh growled, “There are no such creatures in existence.”

The earl referenced the letter in his hand and said, “Mr Frederick did mention that the estate would pay the salary for a lady’s companion who he and his wife thought suitable.

However, Lady Catherine would not be permitted the liberty of firing this paid companion; only Mr Frederick would be allowed to do so. ”

In the lull of conversation, Gilbert Hastings mentioned, “In the letter our firm received, the new master of Rosings Park wishes to know the current location and condition of the coach-and-four that Lady Catherine took to London a fortnight in the past.”

Darcy explained, “I shall write to Mr Frederick and inform him that the coach and team of horses are under the care of his coachman and a competent blacksmith in Hertfordshire where I left them. One of the horses went lame and I used my own vehicle and team to return Lady Catherine to Matlock House yesterday. I shall send them directly Mr Frederick once the coachman believes the horse can travel the distance from Meryton to Hunsford.”

The earl asked, “What is that distance?”

“Just over seventy miles, sir,” replied Darcy.

The Earl of Matlock moved his head to stare at his sister for a long minute. Then he said, “Cathy, I shall not offer you houseroom here or at Matlock except for visits in the future that may last no longer than a fortnight.”

He glanced at his wife who looked very relieved to hear her husband’s words.

Then the earl stated, “My lady wife has withstood your disdain for all the years of our marriage, and I shall no longer force this upon her. Lady Marie must find a husband for our daughter and bring a wife into the house for our eldest son. There must be peace in Matlock House for such happy events to occur.”

“Return to Rosings Park and settle into the dower house,” the earl commanded. “My butler will hire a coach-and-four to carry you there this afternoon. We shall invite you to join us in Derbyshire for the hunting season this autumn, but only for a set time. Then you shall return to Rosings Park.”

Displeased to be dismissed so completely, Lady Catherine was tempted to protest but knew that she had no allies in the room – not her sister-in-law, her nephew, or the attorneys.

Without any further farewells to his relatives, Fitzwilliam Darcy left the office and returned to the entry hall where he took his hat and gloves from the table by the door.

Opening the front door himself, the gentleman departed Matlock House.

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