The Settling of Scores

Chapter 18

            The trip to Warrick House passed with mostly idle chitchat about the changes in London since Priscilla was last here. About how much change the Duchess of Warrick noticed after her twelve-year absence.

            Warrick House was beyond anything Priscilla ever saw or imagined. Murphy House would fit into Warrick House two possibly three times, it was that large.

            Priscilla knew about the Mayfair section of London, of course, but never visited there to see any of the beautiful large homes. After her move to her aunt and uncle's house Priscilla never ventured far from where they lived. With very little spending money, her half-days off were spent looking in shop windows wishing for some of the items like hats and dresses she saw in them. Her favorite place to visit was of course the bookshops. Books allowed her to escape from the world she was living in then.

            Upon entering Warrick House Priscilla was shown directly to her bedchamber, which was really a suite of rooms similar to what she had at Murphy House only much larger and grander.

            Once she freshened up, she went to joined Amanda and Devlyn in his study. Upon entering, she noticed another man present in the room.

            "Priscilla, I would like you to meet Lord Oliver Wainwright," Devlyn said making the introductions. "Oliver this is Avery's wife, Priscilla Murphy."

            "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Wainwright," Priscilla told him. "I've heard much about you and had planned on seeking you out about my situation."

            "I'm very pleased to meet you. I'm sure Amanda and Devlyn already told you I have started looking into a few things on your behalf. I came today to up date Devlyn about what I've learned so far."

            "Farnsworth should be bringing tea soon," Amanda interrupted. "Why don't we all sit over by the fire and then, Oliver, you can inform us what you've found out so far."

            "Yes, and I have a few questions for Mrs. Murphy now that she's here to answer them," Oliver said as they all went to sit in chairs and sofa near the fireplace. Once everyone took his or her seats, he started his questioning of Priscilla. "After you went to live with the Reid's when did you learn about your father's estate and that there was no money left after his debts had been paid?"

            "When…when my father…died I collapsed when I entered his study and saw him dead. The doctor was called and he gave me something to sleep and later something to calm my nerves. My aunt and uncle continued giving me the medication for many months after his death. For almost a year, I was in what I call a fog. Unaware of what was happening around me. That was why I didn't know the name of the man who shot my father until just a short time ago when I wrote my cousin, Marigold, and asked her.

            "About the time my year of mourning was over I was told to go see my uncle in his study. When I arrived Aunt Lavina was with him and they sat me down and told me father was deeply in debt when…when he died and the house along with what ever else he owned had been sold to pay the debts off and there was nothing left. I was a penniless relative that they could not afford to raise. I would have to help around the house for my room and board which I did for almost the next ten years."

            "At no time did your father's solicitor speak with you or later when you reached your majority gave you any accounting of your father's estate?"

            "No. Just that one day in my uncle's study was the only time we spoke about my father's estate. I…I felt once more as if my whole world crashed around me. Jason, my first husband, asked me that once when we were first married and I told him the same as I just told you. I never knew Jason had written to Mr. Pottersfield about father's estate until I read the missive from Pottersfield. I keep wondering if that action is what caused his death and later the attempt on my life. That attempt came after my letters to Marigold and Vicar Dunston, a local vicar where we used to live."