Page 75 of A Life Diverted
The Fitzwilliams went directly to their chambers to wash and change. Andrew, who was fifteen, went to join his brother, cousin, and Jamey, while the Earl and Countess of Matlock joined the rest of the adults in the drawing room for afternoon tea and were introduced to the Bennets.
The Bennet sisters were in the nursery playing dolls with Cassie. The latter normally only had Jamey as a playmate, and he never wanted to play dolls with her—just as she had no interest in playing with his toy soldiers.
As much as it was killing Lady Anne not to mention anything regarding Priscilla to Elaine, she bit her tongue and honoured her friend’s dying wishes, just as Fanny did.
If Elaine said anything about Priscilla, or noticed anything about Elizabeth, then she would ask Fanny to join them for an enlightening talk.
When Lady Elaine learned that the Bennets lived in Hertfordshire, she asked if they had ever met Priscilla, and was truly surprised when she realised the Bennets had been introduced as being from Netherfield Park, and that Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were from the same shire.
“Is that not the estate of Priscilla De Melville, so named before marrying the Duke of York and Albany—Prince Frederick?” Lady Elaine asked, not missing the small, sad smile that passed between her sister Anne and Mrs. Bennet.
“How is Priscilla, and can you tell me why she stopped communicating with those of us who refused to cut her because of a divorce in which she had no say?”
“Elaine, our friend passed in childbirth some five years ago,” Lady Anne said gently as she took her sister’s hands in her own. “Her son was stillborn.”
“No! How can that be? She was so healthy and vibrant. What happened to her? And why are the Bennets living at her estate?” Lady Elaine asked, feeling the shock of the news washing over her.
“Your Ladyship, you may know my name as Francine from Cilla’s letters. For her own reasons, she always used my formal name when writing about me to her friends,” Fanny shared.
“You are the one she had a sisterly bond with?” Fanny nodded.
“Please tell me all,” Lady Elaine asked as her husband replaced his sister sitting next to his wife and held her hands in his to ease her obvious distress.
He needed to understand if there were actions which should be taken on behalf of his wife for their friend, as this was had makings of a scandal if there ever was one.
“Bad business, that whole forced divorce and the way the De Melvilles cut her to try and protect their place in society, very badly done,” Lord Matlock opined, watching the Bennets carefully, and confused as to why neither of the Darcys seemed angry; he intended to follow their lead until given cause to act otherwise.
“It pained Cilla no end that her parents cut her and kept her sister and brother from having a relationship with her, your Lordship. Through it all she loved her parents until she drew her final breath,” Fanny informed the Fitzwilliams.
“Please, Mrs. Bennet, share what you are able,” Lady Elaine beseeched. She quietly cried, accepting her husband’s handkerchief to dry her eyes.
“As you know, Cilla and I became the closest of friends…” Then Fanny told all, right up to and including the devastated Prince attending his beloved’s and son’s funerals.
She explained how, as an afterthought , the clause had been added to the will in case Priscilla passed with no heir.
When she was done, silence encompassed the room for a few moments.
“So, you are telling me that when she reaches her majority at one and twenty, your second daughter will be the wealthiest person in the land outside of the Royals?” Lord Matlock asked in wonder.
“Yes, Matlock,” Lord Holder confirmed, “which is why Lady Priscilla exacted the promise of secrecy regarding Lizzy’s wealth.
Could you imagine the line of fortune hunters if they had any inkling of it?
” Lord Holder looked to his friend and his friend’s brother.
“Bennet and Phillips, you have things structured to protect Lizzy from any such horror, have you not?”
“Very much so, Carrington. Not only that, but when Lizzy chooses a husband, the marriage settlement will be ironclad, leaving control of her fortune in her own hands,” Bennet confirmed.
“At least I know she did not want to cut our friendship,” Lady Elaine stated softly.
“As sorry as I was when Fanny told me about her death, I was relieved to know Priscilla was surrounded by love when she left this world. It helped when Fanny told me Priscilla fully intended to establish communication with those of us who had remained true to her after her child was born,” Lady Anne added.
“You two do not yet know what happened at Pemberley last week,” Darcy told his brother and sister-in-law.
“What happened; is everything well?” Lord Matlock frowned, certain that whatever it was, this was not the time to discuss it during such a conversation as they were having.
“The Bennets were, by chance, touring the house the day Anne and I were with you at Snowhaven. William heard the pianoforte and assumed it was his mother…” Darcy told the story fully.
“He called them riffraff?” Lord Matlock asked in surprise and was met with multiple amused nods.
“Wait, your five-year-old daughter plays so well that William thought my sister was home and playing the instrument?” Lady Elaine enquired in disbelief.
“The Bennets’ music master is none other than Signore Alberto da Funti,” Lady Anne informed her sister.
“Gracious me, when will we hear this prodigy play?” Lady Elaine wanted to know.
“ Prodigies , Elaine,” Lady Edith interjected. “The older sister Jane, who is a whole seven years of age, or is it eight now Fanny?”
“She will be eight in September, Edith,” Fanny confirmed.
“Jane is as good, if not better than Lizzy on the pianoforte, and well on her way to becoming a virtuoso on the harp. The youngest daughter here with the Bennets, Mary, who is three, has just begun to take lessons from the Signore . Am I still correct, Fanny?” Lady Edith informed her friends.
“Yes, Edith, that is still all true. Mary has started catching on so fast that the Signore feels she may exceed her two older sisters in musical talent,” Fanny offered calmly, used to the astonishment such words brought, so she allowed them some time to grasp it.
“Will I meet these wonders who are your daughters, Mrs. Bennet?” Lady Elaine asked hopefully.
“I was about to go see how they are doing in the nursery playing with Cassie. You are welcome to join me, your Ladyship,” Fanny offered.
“It is Elaine if you please, Mrs. Bennet,” the Countess allowed.
“Then please call me Fanny,” she replied, seeing easily why her Cilla had so loved these ladies and missed their company.
“May I join you two?” Lady Anne asked, knowing she needed to be present when Elaine saw Elizabeth for the first time.
“Of course, Anne. Edith, gentlemen, please excuse us,” Fanny intoned as the three ladies stood and started up to the nursery.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When the three ladies entered the nursery, the girls were having a tea party with their respective dolls. Mary and Jane were facing the doorway; Elizabeth and Cassie had their backs facing that direction. Kitty and Lydia were being entertained by their nursemaid.
“Girls, there is someone here who would like to meet you,” Fanny said, claiming the older girls’ attention.
After making sure their dolls were seated securely, all four girls stood and lined up in order of age.
“My oldest is Jane.” Jane gave a most creditable curtsey.
“You know Cassie, I am sure?” Elaine nodded.
“Next is my Lizzy, the one from the tale at Pemberley.”
Lady Elaine had been looking at Fanny when she said the last; as she turned, the petite girl with mahogany tresses was in a curtsey, and then stood and looked at the Countess with the greenest eyes—eyes that green and large she had only seen once before, on Priscilla De Melville.
“Last,” Fanny carried on as if she had not seen the reaction to Lizzy, “this is Mary, who is but three years old. Over with the nursemaid are Kitty, who is two, and Lydia, not yet one.”
“Your daughters are very pretty,” Lady Elaine offered, but her eyes were locked onto Elizabeth. It was as if she were looking at Priscilla at a young age.
“Girls, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Lady Elaine Fitzwilliam, Countess of Matlock,” Fanny completed the introductions.
Lady Elaine turned to Fanny. “Elizabeth is your daughter, a daughter of your body?” she asked quietly.
“Come, Elaine; you need to join Fanny and me for a talk,” Lady Anne suggested in such a tone that let her sister know it was not a request.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As soon as the door to the sitting room was closed, Lady Elaine turned to the other two ladies. “Elizabeth is not your daughter by blood, is she?”
“She is not. Let us sit. Read this first and then I—we—will answer any questions you have.” Fanny handed Elaine the letter. Both she and Anne sat in silence while Elaine read the letter twice over.
“Goodness gracious. Elizabeth is Priscilla's and the Prince’s legitimate daughter. She is a Princess. Why did Priscilla not want her to be raised by the royals?” Lady Elaine asked.
“Because Cilla’s dying wish was for Elizabeth to be raised in a regular family with love.
She was afraid if her existence as a Princess was known earlier than eighteen, her daughter would have been taken from her and cloistered in some palace or country house belonging to the monarchs and raised by governesses, nursemaids, and fawning attendants.
She wanted Elizabeth to know the love of a mother and father, unconditional love.
” Fanny sat back and allowed the Countess to assimilate the information.
“What if she is seen in society?” Lady Elaine asked.
“She will not be, not for many years, at least. My Thomas has no time for the hypocrisy and debauchery of many in the Ton , so until Elizabeth is much older, there is no worry on that front. I know your families are members of the Ton, so I am sorry if my words offend,” Fanny stated contritely.
“No apologies are needed; we happen to agree with you. It is that hypocrisy which caused Priscilla’s family to cut her and lose contact with their granddaughter,” Lady Anne stated emphatically.
“You know I will not be able to keep this from Reggie, as Anne was not able to keep the news from Robert,” Lady Elaine explained. “I have a suggestion Fanny.” Lady Elaine took Fanny’s hand.
“What is it, Elaine?” Fanny asked although she felt she knew what was coming.
“Is it not unfair to your husband not to know the truth of his daughter’s parentage? Do you worry he will love Elizabeth less if he knows the truth?” Lady Elaine asked softly as she looked at Fanny.
“No, I cannot see anything that would cause Thomas to love her any less. But I promised Cilla.” Fanny was conflicted between her vow and the knowledge Elaine was correct.
“You have honoured Priscilla’s wishes more than any other would have; I am sure that if she were here, she would be the first one to tell you she understood the need to be completely honest with your husband. Do not forget he has been denied the right of mourning his son,” Lady Anne soothed.
“You are both correct. I will inform him when we return to Longbourn, as Priscilla’s letter is there.
I want to be able to have him read it when I make the full disclosure to him.
Thank you; this will lift a great weight I have been carrying.
” Fanny felt relief now that Cilla’s friends had allowed her fears and concerns to be discussed, and she could finally tell her Thomas all of the truth.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Lord Reginald Fitzwilliam was very seldom—if ever—so at a loss for words as he was after his wife told him the truth about Priscilla’s daughter and gave him the letter to read.
“She is not the wealthiest non-royal, she is a royal! She is a Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Elaine,” Lord Matlock stated as he emerged from his stupor.
“That she is, Reggie, and we will honour Priscilla’s wishes and allow Elizabeth to be raised with love and family,” Lady Elaine stated not brooking any opposition.
“You have my word, Elaine; I will not breathe a word of this to anyone,” Lord Matlock raised his hands in mock surrender.
He would honour Priscilla’s wishes anyway, but he also would not gainsay his wife.
“Your suggestion that Mrs. Bennet inform Bennet is a good one. Did you see his pride and love for them when she and her older sister exhibited for us after dinner?”
“It was hard to miss. There was no exaggeration of those girls’ musical talent,” Elaine averred. “I loved the story of how Elizabeth kicked William’s shin. It pleases me that our brother is making him learn humility; one Catherine in the family is more than enough, thank you very much.”
“We must do anything we can to assist the Bennets if they ever need it. Mayhap one of our boys will have the good sense to fall in love with Elizabeth,” Lord Matlock stated. “Do not look at me so, Elaine; I will not interfere. I want our sons to marry for love as their father did.”
“Can you remember ever seeing more strikingly beautiful girls? All the Bennet sisters are gorgeous in their own way. I wonder if the two youngest will have the musical and language talents of their older sisters,” Elaine wondered.
“Given the talent of the two older daughters by blood, I would assume it will be so,” Lord Matlock opined.
Lady Elaine returned the letter to Fanny. On her return to her chambers, Lady Elaine felt drained from the day of disclosures, so fairly soon after that she and her husband climbed into bed.
The time at Holder Heights flew by, and before each family departed to their own estate, invitations were proffered and accepted. The Darcys and Fitzwilliams would stop at Netherfield on their way to Town after Andrew and Richard were dropped off at Eton.