Page 5 of The Next Mrs Bennet

O ver the next month there was much contact between the residents of Longbourn and Netherfield Park. That is not to say that the Devons did not meet and spend time with the other landed families in the area; they did. But there was no family they were closer to than the Bennets.

By the end of June, both Becca and Bennet were sure they were in love with each other. It had come to the point where Bennet was now certain that Becca—it had been some weeks since he had ceased thinking of her as Miss Devon—was the only woman in the world he would love in a romantic sense and with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. He was as positive as he could be without having her tell him so, but he was confident that Becca loved him as well.

The two relished spending time together. They would find any excuse to be in company one with the other even though the excuse of restoring Netherfield Park’s library was no longer legitimate as most of the shelves were full. Almost all of the duplicates Bennet had had in piles on the floor in his study now graced the shelves of the Devons’ estate’s library. Bennet introduced the Devons to Mr Sainsworth, the owner of Sainsworth’s Books, the bookstore in Meryton. The book shop was originally opened by the father of the current proprietor. Many of the titles had been found in his store. When he noted they were looking for more tomes, which he did not have in stock, he informed them he was able to order any they wanted and have them in the store within a week to ten days. With all the money which had been spent in his shop, Mr Sainsworth had his best month of sales in the shop’s history.

The previous night Bennet had consulted with his mother and told her of his deep feelings for Becca. Beth had agreed that now, after knowing her for more than a month, if Thomas was ready to declare himself, then that was what he should do.

Hence, Bennet arrived at Netherfield Park in his carriage the next day, just after eleven in the morning. This was one day he did not want the smell of horseflesh or sweat from riding on his person. When he was admitted by the butler, Bennet was relieved of his outerwear.

“Is Mr Devon in his study?” Bennet enquired.

“He is, Sir. He did not leave instructions not to disturb him, so if you will follow me please, Mr Bennet,” Nichols responded.

Bennet waited while the butler entered the study to verify that his master would receive him. It was not a long wait. The butler exited and held the door open, ushering the gentleman into the room.

“Bennet, did we have an appointment I have forgotten?” Devon asked as he came around his desk, extending his hand in greeting.

“No, we do not. I am here with a request I need to ask of you,” Bennet replied.

Devon indicated the chairs before his desk as he made his way back to his comfortable seat on the other side of the large desk. “What is it I can do for you, Bennet?” he asked, although he had a good idea what Bennet’s purpose was.

“I am sure that it has not gone unnoticed by either you or Mrs Devon that I am very interested in Miss Devon. In fact, it is far past interested now; I have fallen in love with her. My reason for calling on you is to request a private interview with your eldest daughter. I am aware she is of age. Notwithstanding that fact, if not your permission, I hope I will have your blessing to speak to your daughter.”

“What will you offer her? A courtship or an engagement?” Devon asked.

“For my part, the former is superfluous, as I know without a shadow of a doubt that I love her with all of my heart and respect her mind and abilities like none other I have met. That being said, I will ask her what her preference is. I suspect she feels for me as I do for her, but I may be off the mark,” Bennet revealed.

“You may speak to her, but after you meet with my Anna and Becca. There is information we need to disclose which may change your mind,” Devon stated evenly.

Bennet could not imagine anything which would divert him from his path, but he was curious because Devon was being rather cryptic. “I do not object to hearing what you have to reveal,” Bennet declared.

Devon rang for the butler and instructed him to have his wife and Miss Devon join them. It was not long before the two ladies entered the study. Becca lit up with pleasure when she saw the man she loved seated within. Greetings were exchanged, and the two ladies sat together on the settee against the one wall.

“Anna and Becca, it is time to reveal all to Bennet,” Devon stated plainly.

Becca was a little nervous, and all she could do was hope that Thomas…Mr Bennet would not hold the subterfuge against her or her family.

“Bennet, our family name is not Devon; it is in fact Cavendish,” Devonshire began. “I am the Duke of Devonshire; Anna is my duchess. My daughters are Ladies Rebecca and Constance. Our son, who has not been with us at this estate, is the Marquess of Hartington. Based on what I know of your time at Cambridge, I believe you played chess against my son, William, when you were in your final year there.” The Duke paused as he saw the shock on Bennet’s countenance.

“It was never our purpose to make fools of you or any other in the area; the reasons we are incognito are…” Lady Georgiana explained it all with some assistance from her husband.

“I understand why you wanted to have a more quiet life without everyone fawning over you or being hunted for no more than your wealth and connections,” Bennet mused after he had cogitated for some moments as he attempted to calm himself. “However, I wonder why you did not tell me sooner. I am sure that a country squire is not good enough for Lady Rebecca,” he managed bitterly.

“Thomas…Mr Bennet, all I have ever wanted was for someone to appreciate me for myself, not for my social position, wealth, or connections. You are that man. My parents only caveat when I accept a man is that he be a gentleman. You are, I believe, one, are you not?” Lady Rebecca smiled.

As Bennet was assimilating his beloved’s words, he heard the Duke speak. “Bennet, had Anna and I not thought you were Becca’s match in every way, we would have never allowed things to proceed to the point they have now,” the Duke related. “Could we have told you sooner? Yes of course we could have. I knew, given your request to speak to Becca in private today, that the disclosure could not wait any longer. From our perspective, nothing has changed; the only question is, have they changed for you?”

Before he spoke, Bennet considered his words very carefully. Had he not declared his ardent love for Becca? What kind of weak love would it be if he turned tail and abandoned her just because she was the daughter of a duke? As he cogitated, he heard the words just spoken, all of them and the intention behind them. It was clear to him that his social status was the last thing which would be considered when evaluating his suit.

“Nothing has changed, Your Grace. Everything I stated before is still true, so if you will permit it and she agrees to hear me, I would very much like to have the interview with Lady Rebecca,” Bennet insisted.

“Please continue to call me Devon here, and when we are using our titles, then Devonshire will suffice,” the Duke requested.

“Regardless of the result of your conference with Becca, other than your mother, please do not share the truth of who we are with any others in the neighbourhood,” Lady Georgiana requested. She looked at her daughter, who nodded while sporting a wide smile on her face. “In that case, William and I will leave you two alone. You have ten minutes. We will leave the door partially open, and there will be a footman in the hallway near the door.”

Both kissed their daughter on her forehead as they vacated the study. If they were not already impressed with Thomas Bennet, they would have been now. He asked nothing about their wealth or Becca’s dowry. The door was set, and a footman was instructed to take up his station next to the door.

“Before you speak, allow me to tell you how happy I am that you were not put off because of Papa being a duke. It is a title, not who we are,” Becca stated.

Bennet approached her and stopped in front of her. “I told your father I would offer you the choice of a courtship or a betrothal. For my part, I love you with my whole being, so I know what my preference is, but we will move at the speed with which you are comfortable,” he said as he looked deeply into her almost golden eyes. Her eyes entranced him.

“As I too love you, there is no need for a courtship, especially when that was what we have been doing the last month, is it not?” Becca responded.

As soon as Bennet heard her words, he dropped to one knee and reached for his beloved’s hands. “Lady Rebecca Cavendish, I love you more than I, a lover of the written word, can articulate adequately. My respect for you knows no bounds. I never imagined that I would find a lady who was my match in every way and exceeded me in intelligence. My heart will be empty without you always in my life. Becca, will you accept my hand and agree to marry me?”

“The only title I want or need is that of Mrs Bennet. Seeing that I love and respect you with all of me, the only answer I can give you is yes. Yes, Thomas, I will marry you,” Becca replied.

It took no time at all for Bennet to stand up. He looked into his fiancée’s eyes and received the permission he sought and gently brushed her lips with his own. Frissons of pleasure shot throughout his body. It was the first time he had kissed a woman romantically. She had put her lips on his when she entrapped him, but he most certainly never kissed her .

Becca loved the feelings coursing through her body when their lips touched. She watched as Thomas drew back. She arched an eyebrow, telling him one was not enough. He understood her message because his lips captured hers again, and the following kisses were not tentative in any way. They only pulled away from one another when there was a knock on the door. The ten-minute limit had been reached.

“As I am of age, you have my permission, but I will ask Papa to come see you and bestow his blessing,” Becca cooed happily.

Not trusting himself to speak yet, Bennet simply nodded. He did not realise he was still holding her hands until she gently pulled them away. Devon entered his study in less than five minutes. By then, Bennet felt he was able to speak once again.

“Based on the glow of pleasure I detected in Becca; I assume you two have come to an understanding?” Devon verified once he was again seated behind his desk.

“Indeed. Your daughter agreed to marry me, and we seek your blessing.”

“You have it. You have not asked about her dowry. Are you not interested to know what she will bring to the marriage?” Devon enquired.

“As long as I have her as my wife, I care not. Whatever it is may remain under her control,” Bennet replied. “Knowing you are more than likely rather wealthy has changed nothing for me. I would take Becca as my wife if she were penniless.”

“You have my unreserved blessing. We can see that you care for her for all of the right reasons,” Devon drawled. “To give you some context, my dukedom is the third wealthiest in the realm behind the ones of Bedford and Hertfordshire. I mentioned some of our estates and houses when we were informing you of who we really are. There are a few more. I did have you investigated, as I would have anyone in whom Becca was interested, and will do the same when Connie reaches that stage, so I am aware that your estate is entailed to the male line. In case you and Becca are not blessed with children, or if there are no sons, this estate will be a wedding gift to you. That way, your wife and future children will always have a home. As far as my daughter’s dowry goes, it is admirable you want to leave it in her control, but she will not want that. It is sixty thousand pounds by the by.”

The amount shocked Bennet. His future father-in-law was not done.

“I know Becca will accept Jane as a daughter without question and love her as well as any babe born of her body, and so will we accept her just as if she was born of your union with Becca. I will dower her and any other daughters you have with five and twenty thousand pounds. If you have sons, between Longbourn and Netherfield Park, your first two sons will have estates of their own. If you have more beyond that, I will supply a legacy equal to their sister’s dowry.”

Bennet was reeling as Devon reeled off huge numbers as if they were nothing. He supposed if the dukedom was the third wealthiest in the realm, he could afford such generosity. He did not mention that Jane would have an additional four thousand pounds as her birthmother’s dowry had become hers when Fanny Bennet died. “Where will we marry?” Bennet asked.

“Becca dislikes London, so not there. Yes, I know you also eschew the capital when you are able,” Devon replied. “I will suggest Hardwick Hall, one of our secondary estates in Derbyshire. If she were to marry from Chatsworth, it would attract too much attention, and the other estate is very close to Snowhaven, where Anna’s identical twin sister lives.”

“How long of an engagement do you require?” was Bennet’s next question.

“Allow me to speak to Anna, but I would say somewhere in the three to four week range. Also, I prefer we obtain a common licence in Derbyshire; that way our true names will not be called in Meryton.”

Bennet had no disagreement. The two men shook and made for the drawing room where the three ladies were waiting.

“I can see that Becca has shared her good news with you,” Devon stated on seeing the glows of happiness on his womenfolk. “I have, of course, added my blessing for them to marry.”

“I am well pleased I will have another brother,” Connie gushed.

“As I am to gain a sister and brother, I am more than pleased. I hope the Marquess’s abilities in chess have improved since we played at Cambridge,” Bennet ribbed.

“Do not forget Will is married so you will gain two sisters,” Connie corrected.

“Welcome to the family, Thomas,” Mrs Devon enthused. “And before you use my title or attempt to ‘your grace’ me, as you call Beth mother, use Mother Anna for me. I know you two will be very happy together. I only ask you two that when in company with those of us who do not speak Greek or Latin, that you would please keep to English.” She paused as she thought of something. “After you disclose what you learnt today, please make sure you tell Beth that I am still Anna to her.”

“I will do so, Your…Mother Anna,” Bennet jested. “I do have a favour to request.” Bennet looked at his soon-to-be in-laws. “May I have Becca accompany me to Longbourn so that we may share the news with Mother together?”

“As long as her maid accompanies her, she may go,” Devon allowed.

“Please invite Beth to return with you so we may have a celebratory meal as we join our families one to the other,” Mrs Devon invited.

“I am sure Mother and I have no prior engagements tonight,” Bennet stated.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

“I knew how it would be,” Beth enthused after she hugged first Becca and then her son. “You two could not be so compatible for no reason.” She had been somewhat shocked, but not as much as Thomas had been when he had learnt about the Cavendishes. Beth had always suspected there was more to them than met the eye. She turned to her soon to be daughter. “You call the Duchess…Anna, Mama, do you not?”

“I do, Mrs Bennet,” Becca confirmed.

“In that case, please address me as Mother,” Beth requested. “I have waited for so long for Thomas to bring a wife, and for me a daughter, into our home.”

Becca fully understood that her mother-in-law to be never counted Jane’s birth mother as a daughter. Even though she was to be the next Mrs Bennet, in Becca’s mind she would be Thomas’s first wife. “May we go and see Jane in the nursery?” she asked. Mayhap it was her imagination, but Becca believed Jane recognised her as she took every opportunity to hold her whenever she visited Longbourn.

“Of course we can,” Bennet stated and offered his fiancée his arm.

They knocked on the nursery door. Nurse requested they wait a few minutes as the wetnurse was at the end of a feeding for Miss Bennet. Not many minutes later, the nurse opened the door with an awake Jane being held with her head resting on the nurse’s shoulder.

Once inside, Becca sat in the rocker, and Nurse placed Jane into her waiting arms. She kissed each of Jane’s soft cheeks. “I am your mama, and you are my daughter,” Becca told Jane as she looked directly into her deep blue orbs. “Look Thomas, she smiled at me. I have never seen her do that before.”

“Of course she did. She knows you are her mama,” Bennet said softly. He was already positive Becca would be an excellent mother to Jane. What he was seeing only reinforced that opinion. He had not mentioned to his mother the financial arrangements Devon had laid out. He would tell her later when they returned home from the dinner.

The engaged couple sat cooing at Jane until she gave a great yawn and began to fall asleep.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

At Netherfield Park, Anna sat down to write to Elaine. She was aware that her sister, and Becca’s godmother, had despaired that Becca would ever find someone worthy of her. Anna stressed that her daughter’s fiancé was perfect for Becca in every way.

William had shared his idea of Becca marrying Thomas from Hardwick Hall. Anna approved wholeheartedly. The estate was of similar size to Netherfield Park and very close to Snowhaven, Elaine’s and Reggie’s estate. Thinking of the estate they were at reminded Anna of the wedding present they would give to Becca and Thomas; she approved wholeheartedly.

Once the letter was written, sanded, dried, and the direction added, Anna sent it with one of the couriers. With that done, she went to see Mrs Nichols and Cook to discuss that evening’s menu for the meal to celebrate the engagement.