Page 62 of The Next Mrs Bennet

A fter Philips related the special clauses Elizabeth had demanded to be added to her settlement, there was silence from those who had been told.

“Lizzy, do you have any idea how wealthy you are?” Gardiner asked once he recovered the power of speech.

“Not really. I know he settled a large amount on me, but according to the younger Mr. Wickham, everything he agreed to was done believing he would murder me before any of the clauses would be enforced,” Elizabeth responded.

“That makes the one about the guardianship of your sisters very risky,” Madeline pointed out.

“When I demanded that specific clause, I knew not what he planned to do once he had an heir, and being that I am fifty years younger than he was, I never imagined a scenario where he would have survived me,” Elizabeth explained. “With the advantage of the knowledge I have now, I can see why he agreed to all of what I demanded without hesitation.”

“What may have been is neither here nor there, he is the one in hell and by God’s providence Lady Elizabeth is very much well and alive,” William stated warmly as he looked at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s heart swelled at William’s desire to defend her. There was much to do now, but soon she would be able to think about her future.

“Lizzy, you need to travel to London,” Philips opined. “Everything needs to be formalised and all of the deeds to your estates need to be changed to reflect your name as owner in the Court of Chancery. We must, I believe, call on the late Duke’s solicitor in Town.” He turned to his brother. “Believing Lizzy would be disposed of before he passed away explains why he agreed to the added terms so quickly.”

“Now I am aware of his dastardly plans for me, his agreeing to you and Uncle Edward as possible guardians when he had a complete disdain for anyone in trade is understandable,” Elizabeth stated.

“Hopefully he will be burning in hell when he realises his Duchess is now the ward of two tradesmen,” Philips grinned.

“Yes,” Gardiner looked at William Darcy, “unless she marries before her majority.”

Elizabeth was about to protest she would never marry again when she realised it would be a lie. If William proposed after she had Her Majesty’s permission to forgo any mourning, she would accept and this time it would be for love. Her love of him, not her love for Jane.

“Lady Lucas and I will return to Lucas Lodge,” Sir William decided after conferring with his wife. “However, after missing Eliza for so long, I know Charlotte is loath to be separated from her so soon. If agreeable to Eliza and Charlotte desires to, she is welcome to remain.”

“Of course Charlotte should remain with us,” Elizabeth enthused. “It seems I have a few homes in Town, so accommodation will not be an issue.”

“The Darcys will accompany you to Town,” Darcy stated after a nod from his wife.

“As will the Fitzwilliams,” Lord Matlock added. He was fully aware regardless of what he decided to do that Andrew would be going to London if Miss Bennet was as well.

“I will be in London after a stop at Rivington,” Barrington informed the family.

“We will make for our estate,” Edith Portnoy stated, “however, it seems Lawrence has decided to join the group making for Town.”

“In that case, all of us need to see to our packing as I assume we will depart on the morrow with the first light,” Lady Anne guessed.

“Will I only see the castle when we return to Derbyshire?” Lydia asked disappointedly.

“No Lyddie, you will see it today,” Elizabeth responded. “I need to speak to the senior staff and apprise them of the change in ownership and regarding our travel plans.”

It was decided that in addition to Elizabeth and her sisters, Charlotte, Anna, Maria, Andrew, Lawrence, Richard, and William would join her for the short ride to Castlemere. John Biggs and Brian Johns would be part of the party as wherever Her Grace went, so did they.

“Jane,” Elizabeth placed her hand on her older sister’s arm to hold her back as the rest of those travelling to her estate went to make themselves ready. Jane turned to face her sister. “You remember I promised I would one day tell you what made me change my mind and marry him ?” Jane nodded. “Once I have spoken to my senior staff, I would like you to join me in my chambers at Castlemere so we may speak.”

Jane nodded again.

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

“It really is a castle!” Lydia exclaimed, bouncing up and down on the coach’s seat when the structure came into view.

The coach they were riding in was, thankfully, large enough for all eight ladies, none of whom were very large, riding within while the men were on horses alongside. Of course, Biggs and Johns were in their usual places.

“Did you think all of us were imagining it?” Elizabeth smiled at her youngest sister’s enthusiasm.

“My goodness Eliza, it is exactly as you described it in the one letter that I received from you while you were here,” Charlotte remarked.

“Why are any of you surprised my descriptions were accurate?” Elizabeth teased.

Not two minutes later they arrived at the entrance. By the time the carriage halted, the butler and several of his footmen were waiting. The riders dismounted from their horses before the coach came to a halt.

Once the door was opened, the butler signalled to the footman to stand back when he noticed the one gentleman reaching in to hand out the Duchess. Two other men handed two unknown ladies out, and then the other gentleman did the same for five more young ladies of varying ages.

Elizabeth introduced her guests to the butler. “Mr. Toppin, I would like my sisters and friends to have a tour of the castle and the new wing, but before we do, please have Mr. Mason and Mrs. Bannister summoned and then all three of you please attend me in the study as soon as may be.”

The butler bowed and went to execute Her Grace’s orders.

Elizabeth led everyone into the castle. “It is one big room,” Kate noted.

“Yes, some of the Chamberlain ancestors restored the castle and kept it as a great hall when they built the wing you saw between it and the lake. I am told it functions as a ballroom, although I know not when it was used to host one previously,” Elizabeth related. “There is one tower remaining to be explored.”

Mr. Toppin entered the great hall after some minutes and nodded to the Duchess. “Jane, will you join me?” Elizabeth requested. “We will speak after the meeting which will be brief.” Jane nodded her agreement. She turned to the rest of her guests. “Please explore in here; Mrs. Bannister will join you shortly and conduct a tour.”

Jane followed Elizabeth towards what she assumed was the study in the newer wing. She noticed that one of Lizzy’s huge guards followed behind them. She thought it was the one named Brian Johns. Even in her home, Elizabeth was never far from someone willing to protect her.

The sisters entered the study where the three senior staff members were standing in front of the desk. Johns pulled the door closed behind them and took up station in the hallway. Elizabeth introduced her dearest sister to the housekeeper and steward.

“Thank you for meeting with me,” Elizabeth began. “There is no easy way to say this, so I will not beat around the bush. The Duke is dead.” None of the three showed any emotion having never met the man, only knowing him by his terrible reputation. Elizabeth gave a brief recounting of how the late duke had been killed when he had been caught trying to harm a lady in her own home. “Under the terms of the marriage settlement, all non-ducal properties are mine. I have two uncles who will act as guardians until I reach my majority.

“As I am very happy with all of you, as well as those below you, I will not be making any changes unless you feel I need to consider some.” Elizabeth looked at all three in turn. She received three shaken heads. “In that case, we will continue as you have before. The main difference is I will not be an absentee landlord. Mr. Mason.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the steward responded.

“I will make funds available to you for any repairs and improvements you deem needed to the tenants’ homes and any other structures on the estate. The same is true for you two as well. Anything you feel is needed to repair or improve, please inform me. Before you ask, this house and estate will not go into mourning. We depart for London on the morrow and I will be requesting a decree from the Monarchs stating that due to his evil, there will be no mourning for the late Duke.”

Not a word was said in question of Her Grace’s statement. “What do you require of us right now?” Mason asked.

“Nothing, other than your regular duties” Elizabeth replied. “Mrs. Bannister, I do have a request for you. You will find a group of my family and friends in the great hall, please conduct a tour of the house for them.”

With a curtsy and two bows, the senior staff departed the study. Elizabeth stood and took Jane by the hand to lead her to the bedchamber.

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

“Lizzy, what a magnificent view from your bedchamber and sitting room,” Jane enthused. “May I go out on the balcony?”

“Of course you may, silly. You are my sister, you can do anything you want here without my say so,” Elizabeth returned playfully.

How much lighter Elizabeth felt in one of his former properties now she was free of him. There was no more putting off the conversation to come. Nevertheless, she would try to gain a few minutes. Having Jane come to the bedchamber had the intended effect of relaxing her sister.

“Jane, should I ring for some refreshments?”

“Lizzy! I have waited many long months to know why you changed your mind. Please do not procrastinate now.”

“It was me who told you of your need to see the world as it is, but I am not sure I enjoy this new tough Jane,” Elizabeth jested. “Come let us take a seat on the chairs there.” Elizabeth pointed to a few chairs positioned on the balcony which allowed a glorious view across the lakes and the hills in the distance.

Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Janey, I did not marry him because I loved him, not even like, but I did marry for the deepest, truest love.”

“What do you…Lizzy, did you marry him to protect me?”

“Primarily you, but our younger sisters as well. You remember that afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Bennet forced me to meet with him, do you not?” Jane nodded. “His offer of dowries for you and my sisters, as well as to break the entail—I know it may sound selfish—did not move me to change my mind. When I still refused, he wanted to speak to me without Mr. and Mrs. Bennet present. They both stood and left the room with no thought for me remaining alone with that lecherous, ancient man.” Elizabeth paused and took a series of very deep breaths. “He made me an offer I could not refuse…” Elizabeth told Jane all.

The more Elizabeth reported what had been said, the more the tears fell from Jane’s eyes. “It is all my fault!” Jane wailed.

“ NO ! No Jane, it was his fault, and only his. He was the vile one who made the threat and at that point, he was aware I would do anything to protect you, as you would have done for me if the roles were reversed. As much as I detest Mr. and Mrs. Bennet for not upholding their duty as parents, it was not in their power to force me to marry. It had to be, and was, my decision alone.” Elizabeth paused and handed Jane a large silk handkerchief. “Did I not tell you I married for the deepest love?”

“I know in my heart it is that dastardly man’s fault. I am angry at Mr. Wickham for discovering your Achilles’ heel and then telling that evil man. Even though in the end, he did move to protect you. None of that mitigates the feelings of guilt I have that it was your love for me which was exploited.”

“If it were not for him being the architect of my freedom, I too would feel that way about Mr. George Wickham. I do, however, believe in the power of redemption, as all of us Christians must. Still, I hope he finds a good life far from us and across the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.” Elizabeth hugged her Janey. “I understand the feelings you are having. As long as you do not allow them to overpower you.”

Elizabeth rang and had a maid summoned—Loretta was at Pemberley supervising her mistress’s packing—to help Jane set herself to rights.

A quarter of an hour later, arm in arm the sisters made their way downstairs to find the group touring the house with Mrs. Bannister.

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

Lord Jersey had been true to his word.

Wickham had ridden to Liverpool in style. How he had enjoyed the comfort of one of the Earl’s travelling coaches! The rooms at the inns were reserved ahead of time with the cost for board and lodging having been paid by the Earl of Jersey.

He had arrived in Liverpool with two days to spare, again sleeping at a comfortable inn, paid for by the largess of the Earl.

On the morning of the sailing, Wickham, with his valise and the special pouches containing his banknotes sewn into the inside lining of his coat, was one of the first passengers to board.

The Dennington Line ship, the Rose IX , was to set sail from Liverpool on the tide that day. Not long before midday, the ship had slipped its moorings and they were shortly under sail travelling west. Wickham waited, leaning against the railing, until the coastline had become barely distinguishable. He then made his way to his first class accommodations to rest for a while before their first meal on board the ship.

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

Hill found himself having to make all of the arrangements for the late master’s funeral. Mr. Bennet had no family who would acknowledge him, and even had they been willing to, Hill was aware the Philipses were away from Meryton.

Mr. Philips’s clerk had assured Hill he would send an express to Mr. Philips and Mr. Gardiner to notify them of Mr. Bennet’s passing. That was in addition to the one he sent to Clem Collins.

From there Hill had made his way to the church at Longbourn village and met with Mr. Pierce. As it was a warm spring and none were interested in condoling with the mistress—she was heavily dosed with laudanum—the interment would be the day after the death.

Other than the rector, Hill, and the one male servant from Longbourn no one else was present for the service and subsequent interment.

Thomas Bennet was buried much like he lived—almost alone.

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

By the time the expresses reached Lambton, those headed for London had been gone for a day. The missives were redirected to Town.