Prologue #3
He had gone to the Gardiners’ home, a house attached to Gardiner Law Practice in Meryton, and requested a private audience with Miss Gardiner. Her father had granted his request and led him to the study, where he fell on one knee before Fanny and had professed his deep and ardent love.
He had asked her to join him on life’s journey by becoming his wife.
She had said yes with tears of happiness in her eyes, then told him of her love for him.
Her father had given his consent and blessing with an admonition to make his girl happy, which Bennet had vowed to do.
Remembering his promise to Fanny’s father, he was ashamed and embarrassed by what he had become and admitted to himself that he had broken his word.
As he snapped himself out of his remembrances of the past and Bennet’s thoughts returned to the present, he surveyed his children sleeping in the nursery. He had not made Fanny happy by teasing her about her legitimate concerns.
He had made things worse with his indolence. Even though Fanny’s nerves drove him away, he knew if he had chosen to address her concerns, he could have provided a secure future for his wife and daughters. He was ashamed of how he had used Fanny’s worries as an excuse for his bad behaviour.
He resolved to do better, but he did not know if he could keep to his resolve after the birth of a fifth daughter.
He did something he had not done for a long time; he lifted his eyes to the heavens in fervent prayer: God of all creation, who created us and this world, please protect my Fanny.
If you bless us with a son, I will be forever grateful, Lord.
I promise to change my ways; I will become a better father and husband.
In Jesus’s name, I pledge to do this. With no hope his prayer would be answered, Thomas drifted into a restless sleep.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It was still pitch-black night outside when Thomas Bennet’s valet woke him and told him Mrs. Hill wished him to come to the mistress’s chambers. Bennet looked at his fob watch and saw that it was just after two o’clock.
He had fallen asleep in the nursery armchair and was stiff and sore. Bennet cocked his ear and heard only silence. There was no more screaming coming from the birthing chamber on the floor below, and his girls were sleeping peacefully. Had Fanny survived? Was their new daughter well?
Once he blinked the sleep from his eyes, he rose gingerly and, as silently as he could, made his way to his wife’s chambers.
Bennet was surprised to see Mrs. Hill waiting for him outside the door, beaming like the rising sun.
He was reasonably sure it portended his Fanny had survived the birthing of their newest daughter.
“Is Mrs. Bennet well?” Thomas asked with no little trepidation. Mrs. Hill simply nodded. He noted an unreadable expression on her countenance; one he had never seen before. She was smiling in a manner that reached all the way to her eyes.
He followed her into his beloved Fanny’s bedchamber, which was bathed in the light of many candles and the blazing fire in the hearth.
He was reticent because he did not wish to see Fanny’s disappointment and shame at not birthing a son—something he had seen with each birth after Jane’s.
He and Fanny had been sure this babe would be another girl.
In fact, they were so sure they had even settled on the name Lydia, after his wife’s late Great Aunt Lydia Gardiner.
He hesitated before approaching. Despite the way he behaved to her, Bennet still loved her to distraction; he did not wish her to see his disappointment. Bennet turned to look at Mrs. Hill with a resigned look.
That unreadable expression was evident again; her mouth was still upturned in a smile.
“You had best go in and meet the newest members of your family, Master,” she stated, as her smile seemed to glow like the rays of the sun as she inclined her head towards the bed where his wife was propped up by pillows, then the housekeeper left the mistress’s chambers.
His disappointment about being unable to father an heir to save Longbourn, home to Bennets since the signing of the Magna Carta, welled up in his chest.
Shame burned within him. He imagined how disappointed his forefathers must be with him. The despair he felt to be the last Bennet at Longbourn overwhelmed him. He almost fled back to his study.
He was positive it was another girl. He did not need confirmation; he knew it. It would be the same this time as it always had been.
Preparing himself for the disappointment of meeting another new daughter, he forced himself to approach the bed. Fanny greeted him, showing no trace of disappointment on her countenance.
His wife was reclining on a great mound of pillows the look of a cat that had gotten into the cream. She appeared as serene as Jane, and he was confused by it.
As Fanny Bennet noticed her husband’s approach, she beamed happily at him. “My love, my Thomas, God heard me! I went to His house this afternoon and I prayed. I did not just pray, I begged Him for a son. He has granted my prayers. He has been so very good to our family!” Fanny cried out.
He was still confused as he had not really listened to what Fanny said. He noted his wife was holding two babes, one on each side.
Now he recalled that Hill had said members. Twin girls—what had he done for God to punish him so? How could Fanny say God has been good to our family? How could she say that? Six daughters and Fanny’s nerves would drive him to distraction.
Before he could open his mouth to make a sarcastic comment at Fanny’s expense, his wife looked up at him, the excitement in her eyes staying his words: “It is a miracle from God, Thomas!
I knew how it would be if I prayed to God.
He heard me and answered my prayers. I have told Mrs. Hill to tell Mr. Hill to share the wonderful news with the rest of the servants so everyone can participate in our joy.
“I instructed her to give all of the staff punch and cake. What a great happening! We have four daughters, and now we have two strong, healthy sons to go with our sweet girls,” Fanny gushed.
Bennet thought perhaps his wife had become addlepated after giving birth to twins until he heard the midwife speak.
“Your sons are fine, Sir. What a thing! It is not every day I deliver healthy twin boys, all pink and crying their little lungs out. Such strong little lads! This is such a blessing for you and your wife, and for all of Longbourn,” the midwife said, offering her congratulations.
“Master, I know it is the middle of the night, but would you like some refreshment?” Mrs. Hill said as she walked back into the chamber.
Thomas Bennet was struck mute when the truth permeated his consciousness as to why Fanny was beaming up at him as she was, and why she said God had been good to them. Suddenly, he understood Hill’s joy.
He grasped the meaning behind what his wife and the midwife had said to him.
This was not another daughter but a son.
No, two sons! God had answered his prayer.
Perhaps he was not being punished for some offence.
It seems I am not the only one who prayed to God; he answered our combined prayers, he thought just before he was consumed by elation.
Bennet turned to Mrs. Hill, who was patiently waiting for his response.
“Thank you, Hill. This miracle calls for port! Please ask Mr. Hill to bring me a large glass. I will break my fast later this morning. No matter the time, I need fortification now. It is not every day my wife gifts me with twin sons. I want to stay here and meet my boys, and make sure my wife is healthy,” he replied with a joy he had not experienced since the day he married his Fanny.
Curtsying and withdrawing from the chambers and closing the door as she departed, Mrs. Hill left to convey the master’s request to her husband.
As he looked at his wife’s beaming, happy face and both precious babes in her arms, it occurred to him the dreaded entail could be ended when his sons reached the age of ten.
I have two sons and Fanny is safe. Thank you, God of the universe, for hearing and answering my prayer, our prayers.
That miserly… Bennet paused and stopped himself from thinking of Collins; one did not insult others when giving thanks to God.
Cousin Collins will not be happy when my boys reach the age of ten.
As he silently thanked his creator his smile grew larger. Yes, he had most definitely heard and understood correctly! This was not a dream; Longbourn had its long-awaited heir—an heir and a spare!
Full of joy after becoming the father of sons, he looked at his wife lovingly. “My dearest Fanny, I love you so very much. You have done us proud and saved Longbourn for the Bennets for generations to come.” He was now a father of sons and daughters. Perhaps he should pray more often.
“I love you too, Thomas! Stop staring at me with that befuddled look on your countenance and let me introduce you to your heir and his brother. Had I not just given birth to them, I would not believe that we have twin boys myself! I am so proud and happy. I have done my duty to you and Longbourn at last. God has answered all my prayers! Thank you, God, for there will be no more infernal entail,” Fanny stated, all the while beaming up at her husband.
Agreeing wholeheartedly with his ecstatic wife, he pulled a chair next to the bed and seated himself as close to Fanny as possible.
“This is your firstborn son,” Fanny revealed as she handed him one of the sleeping babes.
“When you open his swaddling, you will notice the blue ribbon that Mrs. Richardson tied on his ankle so that there will be no confusion about the order of the births.” He was passed his heir gently.
This tiny, swaddled bundle which held his firstborn son had just changed their lives.