The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner Page 0,106
supposed to live?” Adeline sat back down on one of the crates and looked at Frances glumly.
“What did Mr. Forrester say?” asked Adam.
“He said that my father’s will made it extremely clear that my rent-free accommodation was not legally binding upon any future owners after Colin. Andrew had hoped I might acquire some kind of easement over time instead, but unfortunately my not yet living there precludes any common law entitlement to reside.”
Adam and Adeline stared at Miss Frances, still confused by the complex legalities of her present situation.
“Basically,” she sighed, “if I had been living there long enough, we might have been able to argue that I had a right to stay.” She gave what, to them, seemed the first overt look of displeasure with the whole debacle. “I had wondered why Mr. Knatchbull and his lawyer were so accommodating about my staying in the Great House until after the wedding.”
Adam looked down at the book in his lap, unable to face Frances as he said, “It’s all my fault. I just had to say the word.”
Frances put her hand out and touched his shoulder. “Don’t even think it, Adam, please? I know I’m not, and I’m not the only one—after all, that’s why we held the vote.”
“Still, this is just terrible for you, Frances,” Adeline was saying.
Miss Frances took the letter from Adeline and folded it back into the pocket of her skirt. “It will somehow work out—it always does. But I do feel for everyone in the society. I think Evie in particular will be devastated. She’s worked so hard. And to find all this out on Mimi’s wedding day no less.”
Adam looked at his watch. “Mr. Sinclair’s at the station by half past ten.” He stood up from the upturned crate and swept the dust from the books off his knees.
Frances looked over at Adeline and explained, “I’m lending the Rolls to Adam today, to go get Yardley in style.”
Adam reached down to help Adeline up from her own crate. She stood looking glumly at Frances before reluctantly asking, “So what do we do now? Do we wait, until after the wedding, to say anything about the cottage? I know I had jitters enough on my big day and my groom was a peach.”
Miss Frances sighed. “Mimi is usually so smart. I think she is at an interesting time in her career, and Jack Leonard presented a strange exit plan of sorts.”
“Well, I can certainly relate to that,” replied Adeline. “Still, it would take some nerve to tell anyone this just minutes before their wedding. Besides, outside of all things Jane Austen, we none of us know each other that well.”
“Perhaps,” replied Frances. “But it’s never the wrong time—or too late—to show someone you care.”
They heard a cough from the doorway, and all three turned to see Andrew Forrester standing there. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s best we all get going to the church.”
Frances looked back at the room, filled with the books she had grown up with.
“It must be hard,” Andrew added, “seeing all this here.”
“No, not at all. In fact it’s quite the opposite. They’re so much more appreciated right where they are. The important thing is that they are being loved, and preserved, and taken note of.”
Adam saw Andrew give Frances a curious look, but decided it was best to keep everyone moving. He turned to Adeline to ask, “Do you want a pick-up when I get back from the station, to take you to the church?”
“No,” she said with an annoyed sigh. “I got roped into walking over with Dr. Gray and Liberty, God help me. She’ll talk our heads off.”
“Dr. Gray seems to like that,” Frances said, as the three of them joined Andrew on the upstairs landing and then headed downstairs together. “The high spirits, I mean.”
Adeline turned around when she reached the bottom of the staircase to stare back up at her. “What are you saying?”
Frances gave an innocent smile. “Benjamin Gray has been lonely long enough. I think Liberty could be quite a good match for him.”
“Liberty Pascal!” exclaimed Adeline so loudly that Adam, Andrew, and Frances all looked at her in surprise.
“Liberty’s mighty pretty,” added Adam with a wink.
“Don’t you start.” Adeline gave him a playful swat. “You never talk, and then you come out with that?”
Adam held the front door open to let Frances and Andrew pass, then turned back to Adeline, standing arms crossed in the hallway.