Page 67 of The Next Mrs Bennet
I n the coach on the return to London the morning after the party, Elizabeth could see Lydia mulling something over. A few times her youngest sister seemed like she was on the verge of asking a question, but each time she seemed to think better of it.
“Lyddie, you know there is no embargo on asking questions,” Elizabeth told her sister gently. “If you have a query, go ahead and ask it. If it is not something I am able to, or choose not to answer, I will inform you.”
“It is the change of your name and the ending of the Chamberlain line which has had me cogitating,” Lydia shared.
“Let me guess, you are wondering why I asked Her Majesty to remove that name from the line, are you not?” Elizabeth conjectured.
“Yes, it is. I know how evil your late husband was,” Lydia responded, “however, did I not hear that his parents and those before him were honourable and good, Godly people?”
Elizabeth considered her sister’s words. Lydia was but eleven but was showing much thoughtfulness in what she said. “It is something which was canvassed with Her Majesty,” Elizabeth began to explain. “What you alluded to is true about all those who came before him being good people.” Elizabeth paused to consider how to explain it to Lydia. “You like to ride, do you not Lyddie?”
“Very much,” Lydia responded confusedly.
“Let us suppose there was a bloodline which had produced good animals who were much sought after to ride.” Lydia nodded still not quite sure where Lizzy was headed with her analogy. “Something happens to corrupt the line producing unrideable horses who only desire to hurt their riders. Due to the corruption, regardless of the past, the line must be ended and a new one begun.”
Understanding dawned for Lydia as well as the other three sisters who had been listening intently. “Your late husband is the corruption of the line, and starting anew does not negate the goodness of those who came before him.”
“That is it exactly! Even though he is with the devil, where he richly deserves to be, I am denying him the fondest wish he had.” Elizabeth further explained, “the main objective by enslaving me and making me his brood mare was so that his line, his name would continue on after him. With the royals’ help, it will be made known in the realm that the change of name in no way sullies those who came before the deplorable ancient man.”
“I am happy Lyddie asked you this Lizzy,” Jane stated. “I too wondered about the same thing, but I did not want to raise something you may have found distasteful.”
Mary and Kate nodded indicating they were of similar minds.
“Please take what I said to Lyddie about asking what you desire to heart. You are my dearest sisters, my closest family, my flesh and blood. I will never be upset at a question from any of you,” Elizabeth stated. “You should know if I bear a female child, I will, thankfully, not be the dowager duchess any longer. The title will transfer to my daughter and her son will be the next duke. In the case I am blessed with a son, I will have to keep the title, little that I want it.”
“If you marry again. Let us say the son of a gentleman farmer,” Mary smiled at her sister slyly, “the most you will be called is Lady Elizabeth unless the occasion is extremely formal.”
Mary was lucky she was sitting across the coach from Elizabeth else the latter would have swatted her, albeit playfully.
“It will be your time to look at men as more than big brothers in two or three years, Mary,” Kate pointed out.
“It is a long time off,” Mary waved her younger sister’s comment away. As she did the visions of a certain captain danced in her mind.
For the remainder of the ride to London, less weighty subjects were discussed. When they were not occupied with their younger sisters, the two eldest sisters’ minds would contemplate the virtues and visages of the man each loved.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Not an hour after arriving at Hertfordshire House, Peter, the Gardiner footman (the same one who had delivered the letter to Elizabeth at Castlemere), arrived to deliver a note informing the residents that Madeline Gardiner had been taken to bed for her lying-in.
The coaches were ordered made ready again and soon the newly arrived residents of the house were on their way to Gracechurch Street.
On arriving, Philips went to keep his brother company, the four maiden Bennet sisters went to entertain their cousins, and Aunt Hattie with Elizabeth made their way up to the birthing chamber.
“Lizzy dear, as one who is no longer a maiden, you are welcome here, but are you sure you want to witness the travails of childbirth before it is your time?” Madeline asked between pains.
“Yes, Aunt Maddie. It will help prepare me,” Elizabeth replied firmly. “And I remember what Mrs. Medford told me, no two births are quite the same.”
“In that case…” Madeline winced as another, bigger pain than those before, hit. “As I was saying, you are welcome to remain.”
Even though Hattie Philips had never been blessed with a child of her own, she had attended all five lying-ins of her younger sister as well as being present when Maddie birthed Lilly. Hence, she was a great help to the midwife.
As was often the case for a lady who had born more than one child previously, the labours were not very long and two hours later, the squalling of a newborn babe was heard.
Elizabeth had the pleasure of assisting the housekeeper to clean and swaddle the newborn. In the meanwhile, a maid was changing the bedding and another helping the mistress to change.
The housekeeper handed the precious bundle to the Duchess. “You hand him to his mother, Your Grace.”
She gingerly took the babe who was asleep, and handed him to his proud mamma. “Have you and Uncle Edward considered names yet?” Elizabeth asked as she placed the slumbering babe in his mother’s welcoming arms.
The newest Gardiner squirmed a little when he was transferred, but soon settled, with his little lips making a sucking noise. “We did select both a girl’s and a boy’s name. If it had been a girl, she would have been named Bethany after her brave cousin, but this little one is Peter for my late father,” Madeline revealed. “Lizzy, will you please go tell Edward to come meet his son.”
Elizabeth did not need to be asked twice. She found her uncles in the drawing room with her sisters and young cousins. Everyone was looking at her expectantly.
“It is a boy, both mother and Peter are doing very well,” Elizabeth reported.
Gardiner sprang out of his chair like a young man, kissed his niece on her forehead and was up the stairs before anyone could move.
It was rather late that night when the coaches returned to Hertfordshire House. The only one who was missing was Hattie Philips who would remain with her sister for a few days.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Even though she had not had many hours of sleep, Elizabeth was up and dressed not long after dawn. As was her habit, she did not ring for Loretta, but her maid had an uncanny knack for knowing when she was needed. Hence, she had been ready to assist Her Grace to change into a walking dress. Now that the morning illness had abated, rather than ginger tea, a steaming cup of hot chocolate was waiting for Elizabeth.
As much as she missed Jamil , not being able to ride until after she delivered, Elizabeth had decided to leave her beloved mare—she was truly her mare now—in Derbyshire.
After her drink, Elizabeth made her way downstairs where the butler was ready with her gloves, light pelisse, and bonnet.
Unsurprisingly, Brian and John were waiting for her as well. Being that they were in London and not the country John had suggested, and Elizabeth had agreed that a third man join them when she walked out in Town.
The newer man, Albert Smith, was waiting for them on the steps just past the front door of the house. Brian Johns walked ahead of her—she had accepted her guards needed to be aware of where she wanted to walk ahead of time—John Biggs to one side of her and, Albert behind.
In less than a half mile they entered the park and headed for the wide end of the Serpentine.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
William had debated whether to walk or ride in Hyde Park that morning. With the excitement of seeing Elizabeth later in the day, he had woken even earlier than was his wont. In the end, he decided to take Zeus out for a ride.
By the time he reached the stables in the mews, word had reached the grooms he wanted to ride so his stallion was saddled and waiting for him when he arrived. He pulled a large, red apple from his pocket and placed it on his palm to offer to the horse. Zeus nickered in anticipation of his treat. The apple was soon no more.
Once mounted, William headed to the park and entered via the Grosvenor Gate. First, he gave his horse his head as he galloped along Rotten Row. At that time of the morning it was practically deserted. As soon as he judged Zeus had been worked out sufficiently, William slowed to a canter and headed to the narrow end of the Serpentine to ride along the path paralleling its banks to the other end.
About half way along, he slowed to a trot. When he looked up, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. There ahead of him, about a hundred yards away was Elizabeth, walking toward him. He did not miss the two giant guards as well as it seemed one more.
The added security made good sense to William. He was not sure if word of her wealth was known in broader society yet, but rather safe than sorry.
He dismounted and began walking with Zeus trailing him towards the lady he loved. She was a vision in the early morning light, even before the sun had risen. If it were not for her guards, looking at her, one would not know she was a person of rank, especially not a duchess, and an extremely wealthy one at that.
She never dressed in too fine a dress, and unless it was a special occasion, the only jewellery she wore was a garnet cross her late grandmother had gifted her.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth had seen the man on the horse riding towards them. She had wished it would be William and when he was close enough to see, she could see her wish had been granted.
Her heart sped up and she missed a breath at the excitement generated by seeing his handsome form as he vaulted from his horse’s back and began to walk towards her, beaming a smile which although she could not see at the distance, Elizabeth was sure displayed his dimples in full.
Biggs and Johns knew exactly who the man approaching Her Grace was so they relaxed. Biggs gave a signal to Albert Smith to let him know all was well.
“Good morning, Lady Elizabeth,” William greeted. He took one of her dainty hands, bowed over it, and kissed it.
Even though she was wearing gloves—thankfully light ones for the warmer weather—Elizabeth felt a frisson of pleasure when William kissed her hand. She could not help wishing it was not only her hand he was kissing.
“Master William,” Elizabeth returned. “I did not think I would meet someone I knew so early in the morning.”
“Neither did I,” William averred. “However, I hope our meeting by chance like this is not unpleasant.”
“Anything but,” Elizabeth responded with a becoming blush.
“Would you mind if Zeus and I join you on your walk?” William requested.
“You are both most welcome Sir,” Elizabeth granted. “Do one of the men need to lead your horse?”
“No, thank you, Lady Elizabeth,” William replied. “He will follow me unless I tell him otherwise.” He offered his arm and she rested her hand on it gently.
“Mayhap one day he will meet Jamil ,” Elizabeth said shyly knowing full well what she was implying.
“ Jamil ?” William questioned.
“You did not meet my mare at Castlemere as I was already with child and chose not to ride until after I deliver,” Elizabeth explained. “She is an Arabian and her name means beautiful in that language.”
“I doubt she is close to as beautiful as you,” William stated with a rasp in his voice.
William heard the tinkling laugh he so much loved. “My mare may have something to say about that. Before her, I have never seen a horse preen the way she does.”
“Elizabeth, I would like to speak to you privately more than anything, but I will remain silent if you think it is too soon.”
He did not notice he had used her familiar name and she did not object at all.
“No William, it is not too soon,” Elizabeth stated as she blushed scarlet from the roots of her hair to where her body was covered by her clothing.
“In that case, may I call on you at Hertfordshire House at eleven?”
“You may, I will be very pleased to see you.”
William knew he was grinning like a fool, but he could not help himself. He had hoped for a subtle sign she was receptive to hear what he wanted to say, but the message in her response had been as clear as day.
The first question he would ask during the interview was if she desired him to request a courtship or engagement.
He knew her situation was more complicated than most men would expect in the woman they hoped to marry. William however, was sensitive to the challenges of her carrying a child of a man she reviled. He cared not she was not a maiden, or that she was in the family way. Above all, he wanted to support her through the months ahead and for the rest of her life. All he cared about was he would be able to call her his.
Elizabeth was glad she was holding onto William’s arm. She felt positively giddy.
She had her choice stolen from her when she married before, but this time, it was, and would be her decision. As long as William did not care she was no longer considered pure, she could see no impediment to their union.
Her free hand went to her belly as one of them always did when she talked about or thought about the child—the life growing within her—she was carrying.
From her conversations with the Greaves at Falconwood, she had learnt through the anecdotes the butler’s father and mother had related what the big mistake the previous master and mistress had made. It had been to relentlessly indulge and spoil their son. He had been an only child and after waiting many years to conceive, his mother had had a very hard, almost life ending, birth.
Were William to propose, she was sure he would agree with her that, son or daughter, this child would be raised with limits and never spoilt. Rather, he or she would have a loving father in William and would be raised to be honourable.
Revelling in one another’s company, there was not much more conversation until they returned to Hertfordshire House. “Until eleven,” William stated as he bowed over her hand and then kissed it.
"Until eleven,” Elizabeth repeated dreamily.
She stood and watched until William rode out of her field of vision and then floated into her house passing a bemused butler who had been holding the front door open for some minutes.