Page 11 of Great Uncle Henry (Pride & Prejudice Vagary)
H enry missed being with Elizabeth. She had been the closest thing to his own child he had ever had.
The day after Lizzy was delivered to Longbourn, Henry made for London.
He needed to see Gardiner and his solicitor in Town.
One never knew what God’s plan would be, and he refused to wait to make changes to his will.
If Lizzy was proved to be not worthy as she matured—something he was sure would never come to pass—he could make adjustments to the documents later if he was granted the gift of continued life.
When his carriage departed Netherfield Park, it made the separation from Lizzy final. Of course he would see her, and he would receive regular updates of how she was being treated as well as her progress with her lessons.
But that was not the same as seeing her every day.
There was no substitute for experiencing her wit and quickness in person.
Even at the age of six, Henry had very little doubt she would be exceptional.
As he thought back on his life, at the age of eight and fifty, he regretted he had not found a woman he had been interested in as his wife, but at the same time, he could not regret not making a marriage of convenience.
With the one stop to rest the horses, it was a little less than five hours until his carriage stopped at 23 Gracechurch Street, where Gardiner resided with his new bride, Madeline.
He had not met her yet and had been sorry he had missed the wedding, which had been held in the town of Lambton in Derbyshire .
One of Gardiner’s letters had revealed his new bride to be from the Lambert family, her father owning and running the bookshop in the town with her older brother’s assistance.
She had been visiting an aunt and uncle in London when Gardiner met her.
Six months later, and after three trips north, Gardiner had married his Madeline.
Neither of his sisters had attended, thanks to Fanny being close to her lying in, Hattie’s desire to attend her sister’s delivery, and the wedding being on the final Friday of November 1796.
On their return to London as man and wife, Gardiner had purchased the much larger house on Gracechurch Street.
His previous abode had been considerably smaller.
He was still close to his main warehouse, but the former house had abutted it, so Gardiner had the home renovated and turned into his offices.
Thanks to being expected by Gardiner, and after relieving him of his outerwear, the butler showed Henry to a very comfortable-looking and well-appointed drawing room.
From what he could see, Gardiner’s house was designed to be a home and not a showpiece for his wealth.
Gardiner was standing next to a lady who looked to be around twenty years old.
She was pretty and pleasant looking, and with the looks which passed between her and Gardiner, Henry was convinced it had been a love match.
“Bennet, may I present my wife to you?” Gardiner requested.
“It would be my privilege to be introduced to your spouse,” Henry responded as he bowed to the lady who curtsied in return.
“It is my pleasure to make you known to my wife, Madeline. Maddie, Mr Henry Bennet, the partner I told you of. He is also uncle to my brother-in-law, Thomas Bennet of Longbourn, making my youngest sister his niece,” Gardiner said by way of introduction.
“Bennet, will you sit and take some refreshment with us, or would you prefer to conduct business first?”
“There is nothing so urgent that we cannot take tea with your wife,” Henry replied. He paused for a moment as he cogitated. “Am I correct that you two have a true partnership where you have no secrets from each other?”
“You are correct; we do not,” Gardiner responded without hesitation. “May I ask why?”
“In that case, after tea, unless Mrs Gardiner is otherwise engaged, she is welcome to join us, as we will be discussing one of our mutual nieces, or, in my case, a great-niece.” Henry looked from one Gardiner to the other.
“That is why I asked what I did. As you have a true partnership, it will save you having to repeat things to your wife later, and I am sure Mrs Gardiner will have a unique perspective which would be of benefit.”
Gardiner looked to his wife, who nodded. “Maddie will join us.”
“And if it is not too forward, as we are essentially family, please call me Madeline or Maddie,” Madeline allowed. “By the by, if both you and Thomas Bennet are present, who is called Bennet?”
Henry grinned. “I doubt that will come to pass, but if it does, you are welcome to call me Uncle Henry.”
A few minutes later, the housekeeper and a maid brought the tea service. While they drank their tea and sampled some of Cook’s fresh biscuits, nothing of substance was discussed. Once the tea service had been collected, the three stood, and Henry followed the Gardiners to the office.
Madeline seated herself, then the men sat as well. “You requested this meeting,” Gardiner stated.
“Indeed, I did. You are aware that my nephew demanded that I return Lizzy to Longbourn for purely selfish reasons, are you not?” Henry asked.
He saw Gardiner give a tight nod. “I had no legal leg to stand on to keep her, but I did get him to agree to and sign this document.” He handed a copy of the contract with Bennet to Gardiner so he and Maddie could read it.
Henry sat back and allowed the Gardiners the time they required to assimilate what was on the paper.
“This is very good. Either your nephew will comply or will lose custody of Lizzy,” Gardiner reacted as he blew some air out. “I like the clause that states he is in default of the agreement if he attempts to sack any of those you employed to look after Lizzy.”
“Do you have other ways to know how she is being treated?” Madeline enquired. “I assume the governess is not present all of the time?”
“Yes, I do. Other than the ladies who were Lizzy’s nursemaids, I have other eyes and ears in the house.
I am fully aware of my nephew’s propensity to give in to Fanny and make some excuse later.
If that happens, I will know of it very soon,” Henry revealed.
He did not mention who was keeping watch for him, and the Gardiners did not ask.
“I am sure there is more than just Lizzy’s safety and wellbeing, is there not?” Gardiner surmised.
“Yes, you have the right of it. I am to meet with Mr Crawley on the morrow in the morning. Gardiner, I would like you to accompany me. I intend to make Lizzy my primary beneficiary, and I will need you to make sure that if I am called home to God before she reaches her majority, her inheritance will be safe from her parents’ grasping hands,” Henry related.
“I understand. You want everything held in trust until she reaches her majority so that no one can take it from her, claiming it for themselves,” Gardiner realised.
“If by someone you mean her parents, then yes. Gardiner, none of this can be known, not even to Lizzy. If she grows into the estimable lady I believe she will, I will not make any serious changes to my will; however, I may do so if she turns out not to be who I believe she will be,” Henry clarified.
“Keeping your wealth secret and that Lizzy will be the heir to all of it is wise. Could you imagine the fortune hunters descending on her like a swarm of locusts? Very strong conditions should be written to guard against fortune hunters, a compromise, or an elopement,” Madeline suggested.
“Many women see the latter as romantic, not realising that unless provisions have been made beforehand, they have no protections.”
“I agree with Maddie,” Henry decided. “Remind me to discuss such protections with Crawley on the morrow.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It had taken about ten days until everything was prepared by his solicitor to Henry’s satisfaction. Ironclad protections were designed, both against grasping relatives and any man who would try to force Lizzy into marriage, whether motivated by knowledge of her wealth or not.
Henry took up residence at his house in Grosvenor Square.
There he found a black-edged letter which had been forwarded, first from Sherwood Dale, and then Netherfield Park.
Henry did not have many friends, so when he saw it was from Pemberley, he opened it nervously because he did not recognise the writing as being that of Robert Darcy’s.
He took a deep breath and began to read.
8 March 1797
Pemberley
Mr Bennet,
I am writing on behalf of my master, Mr Robert Darcy, to inform you that Lady Anne Darcy went to her final reward yesterday, three days after delivering a daughter who is named Georgiana Rebecca Darcy.
Her Ladyship will be laid to rest in about a sennight from the date of this letter, and Mr Darcy says he will understand if you are unable to arrive in time for the interment.
My master will mourn for at least one year, with the first 6 months of deep mourning to be held at this estate.
On behalf of Mr Robert Darcy, I am his secretary, P McCartney
Regardless of the aloof way Lady Anne had treated him, Henry was saddened to hear of her death. He was aware that Darcy loved his wife deeply, even when, thanks to her sister, she had changed.
With his will written and signed, all that remained was to have a celebratory meal at Gracechurch Street. Henry sent a note to cancel the dinner with an explanation. At daybreak the next day, Henry set off travelling north. His destination was Pemberley, even before stopping at Sherwood Dale.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On the third day of travel, Henry’s conveyance passed the black fabric draped gateposts at Pemberley. He was contemplative for the rest of the ride up the hill and down the other side as the drive wound down towards the house.