Page 59 of Lady of Providence
Mr. Bates cleared his throat, looking slightly uncomfortable. "This could cause some discord, Lady Elizabeth. In no way do I mean to question your decision; however, I simply want to ensure you are aware that it could have some unfortunate questions come upon the bank."
"I understand that, Mr. Bates," she said with a nod of her head. But no longer would Elizabeth be afraid, be unwilling to do what she knew was the right action because of what others may think. She had done what she thought was right for the bank, had stayed true to the course and been the woman all expected her to be, and look where that had gotten her — rid of two clients whose business she sorely needed. "This must go ahead regardless."
"Understood."
"Very well," she said, rising. "Thank you all for your attendance this afternoon, and for your wise counsel as always. Mr. Brant," she looked over to her secretary, who had been sitting to the side of the meeting, taking notes for her — which was actually quite helpful, she realized, to not have to make notes for herself, allowing her to concentrate on the meeting at hand. "Please arrange two meetings for me. One with Mr. Clarke, and the other with the Duke of Clarence."
This time she actually heard audible gasps resound around the room.
"My lady..." she heard one of the clerks say, but she refused to provide any explanation. She was the senior partner, was she not? Therefore, she could make the decision without having to explain herself.
"Are you able to do so, Mr. Brant?"
The young employee had turned very white, but he nodded mutely.
"Very good," she said, gathering her papers in hand and striding to the door. "And a good day to you all."
* * *
Henry came that very day.Gabriel, it seemed, was far too busy to speak with her.
"Thank you for coming, Henry," she said as he took a seat.
"Of course, Elizabeth," he smiled. "I hope the news I shared with you the other day was not too distressing. I felt it was important that you were aware."
"Yes, I am sure that was the case," she said, picking up her quill pen and looking down at the paper in front of her, in effect to tell Henry that her conversation with him did hold significant importance to her. "Henry, I asked you here for another reason, entirely, however. As you know, I am the senior partner of the bank, which affords me some powers and responsibilities which are over and above those of the other partners."
"I am aware," he said, his voice and his smile dropping.
"One of those powers is the ability to name or dismiss partners," she said. "And so, I am effectively dismissing you as one of the bank's partners. Immediately. Here is the letter of confirmation. Your dismissal will be become official upon the next partners’ meeting.”
He stared at her in shock.
"I would ask you now to leave," she said with the slightest of smiles, as though she were sending him away him after a congenial tea together.
"You cannot be rid of me!" he said, his face distorting to one of anger.
"Actually," she returned, maintaining calm, "I can."
Rage stretched across his face, but instead of feeling any sort of threat or fear, it was as though a great weight had been lifted off of Elizabeth's shoulders and was now floating away, up over the bookshelves, to the ceiling, and out of the room completely. She should have done this ages ago.
"If you do this, Elizabeth," Henry seethed. "You will be ruined. Ruined, I tell you! You, and this damn bank."
"I do not think it is appropriate to swear in front of ladies, Henry," Elizabeth said, the smile across her face real now. "You were raised better than that."
"Were you not raised to be a genteel lady, one who knew her place?" He asked, standing now, spittle flying from his mouth as he spoke.
"I was," she confirmed, standing herself but taking a step backward to put space between them. "I do know my place. It is here, in this bank, where our grandfather believed I would fit. Where you certainly do not."
"You do not want all to know of Mr. Mortimer's condition, do you?"
"I do not," she confirmed. "But nor do you — for then others would know how dishonestly you came by your partnership. It would only show how prudent and protective we are of those we consider to be like family."
"I shall tell your mother!"
"Go ahead and do so, if you choose."
"Who are you, Elizabeth?"
