Page 40 of A Life Diverted
Cilla had to fight the urge to cry as she was once again reminded of all of the years she had missed with Ellie.
At the same time, she had no doubt that if Ellie could not have been with her birth family, she had been raised by the next best thing.
Her daughter had been surrounded by love and acceptance.
More importantly, she had friends who wanted nothing more than to give and receive friendship.
Sir William was a little self-important; however, not nearly as bad as Catherine used to be, but he was a genial man in whom Cilla saw no harm. Sarah Lucas seemed to be a very good sort, and she knew that Sarah had been friends with Fanny since before either married their husbands.
Hattie Phillips entered the drawing room just then and went to sit next to her sister. “Frank has some documents for Thomas to sign regarding the girls’ dowries,” Hattie explained.
Fanny nodded. Thomas had told her what was being done with regards to the dowries, thanks to Lizzy having a massive dowry from her birth family.
“If I see Sir William and Sarah here, am I to understand that we are beginning to speak of Lizzy’s family being located?
” Hattie asked. She saw Fanny nod. “In that case, much as I do not like to gossip, I will make sure it is accurately known in the town. I already spoke of the fact that Janie is to have a three-month engagement when I heard someone comment on the supposed reasons for the need for the speed of her engagement to David.”
“Thank you, Hattie,” Fanny said gratefully, “that will put any speculation about the engagement being a patched-up affair to bed. Also, anyone who knows Janie would know she would never behave in such a wanton way outside of the bounds of wedlock. Let me guess, it was Mrs Ravenclaw—who had wanted Jane to marry her lecherous son—trying to cast aspersions on Janie’s character. ”
“The very same,” Hattie confirmed.
“I care not how much their estate earns. The son has a bad character, and Janie wanted nothing to do with him. Mrs Ravenclaw mistook my character badly if she thought a healthy bank account was all that was needed for me to push Janie at some man,” Fanny huffed.
“Did I hear Lizzy’s Wendell mother mention a ball to Sarah?” Hattie queried.
“You did…” Fanny told her sister all about the upcoming ball and what was to be celebrated.
“That is why you are making free with the information about Lizzy’s birth family now.
By the time of the ball, you are ensuring it will not be a surprise any longer,” Hattie guessed.
She saw her younger sister nod. “I agree it is a good way to do it. Any negative comments will be put to rest, as there will be time to refute them.”
Before either sister could say anything more, the younger people entered the drawing room to partake in some restorative tea. It was not the cold of the middle of winter, but it had been cold enough for a cloudless, windless day.
Jane looked at the bell pull and back at Mama, who nodded. She rang for tea.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~ ~
Barney was in great anticipation of discovering why he had been summoned to Hertfordshire.
He had the use of the older, smallest carriage from Glenmeade, which was pulled by a team of two horses.
Until he married, he did not need more than that.
It could seat two comfortably, and so far, he had never had the need for more space.
Whenever there were more than two travelling, it would be in the coach of one of his friends.
So far, Barney had not met a woman who had caused him to want to know her better.
It was late afternoon when he arrived at Netherfield Park, and he was hoping he would know what prompted the change from London to this location in short order. He was disappointed that none of his family members were waiting for him to arrive.
A footman placed a step and opened the door for him. Barney alighted and climbed the broad stone steps, which took him to a veranda before the double front doors. A couple were waiting for him, and he correctly assumed they were the butler and housekeeper.
“Welcome, Mr Wendell,” Nichols said as he bowed after he introduced his wife and himself to the arriving gentleman.
“Your family is at the neighbouring estate, but they request you join them there as soon as you have washed, changed, and refreshed yourself. My wife will show you to your suite, which shares a sitting room with your brother.”
“Thank you,” Barney replied. He was somewhat put out that now he had to travel again after journeying most of the day. This had to be about David and the woman he was courting.
As he searched his memories, he remembered David had written that the lady was from an estate in this part of the country. He hoped it was not too much further.
Within an hour he was on his way. The butler had spoken to his coachman and given him the direction to the other estate.
Barney was grateful it was a short ride.
As his carriage trundled down the gravel-covered drive he assessed the estate he had reached.
From what he could see, it looked reasonably prosperous.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
David had wanted to surprise Barney and lead him into the drawing room with Ellie seated between Mother and Aunt Elaine, but he had been overruled…by everyone.
It had been decided that Mother, Father, and David would meet Barney and lead him to Bennet’s study so they could prepare him for the shock of seeing Ellie alive and well.
David had understood that this was neither the time nor the place to prank his brother—something they liked to do to one another.
When Hill informed them a carriage was arriving, the three stood and made for the front door.
“Welcome to Longbourn, Barney,” Cilla said as she hugged her second son.
“What is this all about?” Barney demanded. “Has David been compromised or some such thing?” He was not proud of his pique, but Barney was tired and just wanted to know what was going on.
“Nothing like that. You should know your brother better than to think such a thing,” Wendell admonished. “Follow us, and you will know it all in minutes.”
“Yes, Sir. Pardon me, David,” Barney stated contritely.
Once they were in the study, they all sat. Wendell and Cilla sat in armchairs facing the settee where their sons were seated.
“Barney, there is no gentle way to say this, so I will just tell you straight out,” Cilla said softly. “Ellie is alive; we have seen her. In fact, she is in this house, and as soon as we have spoken, she would like to meet you. ”
“Please tell me you have not been worked on by some charlatan who has finally fooled you,” Barney bit out. “You never wanted to accept it, but we all know Ellie was murdered more than seventeen years past. I too would love it if it were not true, but…”
“Barnabas Joseph Wendell, close your mouth and listen,” Wendell commanded, which had the effect of silencing his youngest son.
“It is no hoax. Not only does Ellie look like a younger version of your mother and Aunt Elaine, but she has the birthmark, something which was never published all those years ago when we offered the reward.”
“How?” Barney asked as the tears began to fall. He had not wanted to allow himself to believe it was true; his defences had screamed it could not be, but it seemed he was wrong.
“For more than seventeen years, Ellie was known as Lizzy Bennet. She was loved and treated as one of the family in every way. We thought it would be better for you to meet her here before you join everyone in the drawing room,” Cilla told her younger son.
All Barney could do was nod; he watched his mother leave the study.
“Once you have seen Ellie, then we will have time to tell you all,” Wendell promised.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Cilla, holding Ellie’s hand, entered. She was not surprised Barney was struck dumb.
The instant he saw her; any doubt Barney had flew from his mind. She was a younger version of his mother. Had he seen her before this, Barney believed he would have known who she was right away.
“Hello, Bawny,” Elizabeth said softly.
On hearing Ellie call him that, Barney exploded off the settee and pulled his sister into a tight embrace. “Ellie, it is you,” Barney exclaimed as the tears fell freely at the reunion of the siblings.