Question E

[Jonetta]

Phoebe had ceded management of the Clare land and tenant estate to Henry’s cousin Edward Larson and hadn’t demanded any oversight. Was this out of grief, trust or a bit of both? Should Sebastian have “meddled” more on her behalf? How was West able to awaken her sensibilities?

[Sharon]

It was both. Dealing with death and grief often has people ignoring life. She trusted Larson because Henry trusted him. Also Phoebe has known him most of her life. My sense is Henry's mother would block any attempt by Sebastian to meddle, and I'm not sure Phoebe would listen either.

[Anita]

I agree, it was both. Phoebe was caught up in her grief and caring for her sons and running and estate is not the providence of a woman. West challenged her to take control of estate matters and when Phoebe looked around herself, she saw that things could be a whole lot better than they were. Sebastian should have taken more of an interest, but I think he believed that Henry had left things in vetter shape than they actually were.

[Robin]

Both. When Henry died, Phoebe had a lot of things going on. The estate wasn't high on her list at that time. Henry wanted his cousin to take over the management to help out Phoebe. She didn't know anything about how the estate worked, so she probably assumed everything was running smoothly.

[Jonetta]

I also think it was a bit of both for the reasons you all state. She had no reason to doubt Larson and Henry trusted him. I am surprised, however, that Sebastian didn’t get a whiff about Larson’s duplicity (the mistress). That would have made him meddle.

[Sharon]

I wonder if it is because family tend to return to their parents' house instead of the parents visiting their children. Maybe Sebastian wasn't at her home enough to notice that something was wrong. Although he is very clear that he doesn't like Larson.

[Jonetta]

I was thinking more that there would have been gossip at Sebastian’s club.

[Robin]

The fact that Larson built a house for his mistress was probably an open secret among the men at the clubs. Sebastian or Gabriel should have got wind of it.

[Jonetta]

That’s what I thought.

[Sharon]

I'm not sure it would have gotten to Sebastian. I didn't think the house was in London.West had to hire an investigator to get the information. I'm trying to remember life before the internet. Life before mass transit, all news traveled slowly.

[Jonetta]

But gossip? Like wildfire.

But I get your point.