Extract from chapter 12

1817: unnoticed

Peer over the shoulders of Jane Austen and her mother as they learn the contents of Mr Leigh-Perrot's will.

It was James who alerted them to Mr Leigh-Perrot’s final wishes in a letter, and, sitting together on the sofa, the two women read it together.

‘He has left his houses and his lands to Mrs Leigh-Perrot and her heirs,’ wrote James.

This was to be expected.

‘He also leaves his wife an additional sum of £10,000.’

This was more than adequate, decided Jane and her mother - a very generous sum.

Photo: Mr Leigh-Perrot's home in Bath

‘The remainder of his property, except for £6000, is left to James Austen (I) in trust.’

This was getting closer to home and not a big surprise. As her eldest son, Mrs Austen had always known that James would be given the highest favour. She did not doubt that James would do the right thing by her and his sisters when the money was in his name.

But why was it in trust? That was confusing.

Photo: Arlington Court, Devon

‘The income from this trust is to go to Mrs Leigh-Perrot for life’

Mrs Austen was taken aback. So it was not to be James’s money after all. He must look after it as a living trust fund for his aunt.

And that was to be in addition to the aforementioned £10,000!

Jane and her mother were shocked. Why would any woman need such a huge sum? It was obscene.

They calmed themselves down, knowing there was still the detail around the unaccounted £6000 to come. Mrs Austen felt certain it would be granted to her.

‘The remaining sum of six thousand pounds is to be divided equally amongst Mr Leigh-Perrots six nephews and nieces, (namely Edward, Henry, Frank, Charles, Cassandra and Jane).’

Mrs Austen could not breathe. Where was her name?

And the biggest blow was yet to come.

‘This shared sum shall only be paid out if the recipients are still alive at the time of Mrs Leigh-Perrot’s death.’

Image: Mr Leigh-Perrot's will (ancestry.co.uk)

James must have been well aware of the distress his words would cause when he wrote them down, and he offered no comfort or clarification. He was embittered by the terms as much as anyone.

Jane stared at her mother in disbelief.