A Life Diverted

Elizabeth Elaine Wendell is the daughter Priscilla and Joseph Wendell, owners of the estate of Willowmere in Derbyshire, never thought they would have. They have two sons, David, almost 10 years older than Ellie as she is called by all, and Barnabas, close to 6 years her senior.

Pricilla, called Cilla, is the younger sister of Elaine and older sister to Stephan Granger. Their father was a minor country squire, but Elaine married the then Viscount Hilldale, Reginald Fitzwilliam and not too much after, Cilla marries Joseph, who although not titled—not something she cares about—has an estate which has a good...

Elizabeth Elaine Wendell is the daughter Priscilla and Joseph Wendell, owners of the estate of Willowmere in Derbyshire, never thought they would have. They have two sons, David, almost 10 years older than Ellie as she is called by all, and Barnabas, close to 6 years her senior.

Pricilla, called Cilla, is the younger sister of Elaine and older sister to Stephan Granger. Their father was a minor country squire, but Elaine married the then Viscount Hilldale, Reginald Fitzwilliam and not too much after, Cilla marries Joseph, who although not titled—not something she cares about—has an estate which has a good annual income.

By the time Ellie is close to 3 she is a much loved daughter, sister, and niece. She loves hiding away, especially first thing in the morning before nurse wakes her. The little sprite is also enthralled with faeries and pixies.

One morning in January 1794 Nurse finds Ellie’s bed empty, but is initially unconcerned based on the little mite’s tendencies. When she notices the bed was not slept in, and her warm robe is still there, she raises the alarm. Ellie is not found. A number of possibilities to explain her disappearance are discovered.

Thomas Bennet had made a love match to Fanny Gardiner. He is a second son and chooses the church as his profession. He obtains a living in north-eastern Derbyshire, and he and his wife take up residence at the parsonage. About a year later, Jane is born. Their life is very good until a black edged express arrives from Hattie Phillips in January 1794. Fanny thinks it is her father who has passed, but it is Bennet’s father and brother who have perished, leaving his mother at Longbourn.

As soon as may be, they begin to travel south. On the evening of the penultimate day, the coachman discovers Ellie tied up and gagged, below the one bench of the carriage, thankfully placed between the blankets which provided a measure of warmth.

The next morning Bennet makes inquiries at the local church, but no one has reported a missing child. Rather than turn the beautiful girl over to the parish, Fanny insists they take her with them. Due to the circumstances and being worried about Beth Bennet, they cannot remain at the inn longer. They can see from her nightgown she is gently born. At first she does not say much other than her name is Elizabeth.

They do what they can to have the coachman stop along the way back and make enquiries.

Over the story the who and why questions are answered, although not right away. We also look at the impact on the lives of those Elizabeth is with, and those who don’t know what happened to her.

When is she discovered and by who? Once she is discovered, is the one responsible for her having been removed from her home, planning to make sure she cannot identify her abductor?