Chapter 3 #2
As her time to deliver her babe approached, Fanny Bennet’s worries that she was not carrying a son were heightened.
As she drove herself to worry, she ignored the fact that when she had carried Lizzy, she had been larger, and the girl had been far more active than Jane.
She forgot that she had been convinced that because of the difference to when she carried Jane, she had firmly believed she now carried a son.
Had she been a rational thinker, she would have realised that the amount of activity while she carried the babe did not portend anything. But Fanny was anything but sensible, so she drove herself to distraction with worry.
Her husband had shared the letters he had received from Cousin Collins after first Jane’s and then Lizzy’s births.
He had gloated that God had not granted his cousin a son as, in his words, it was right and just that Longbourn devolved to his line.
He adjured them not to have any more children.
Even with her worries that she carried another daughter, Fanny was pleased that contrary to Mr Collins’s instructions they were soon to have another child, and how she prayed that no matter what, it would be the son and heir they needed.
Surely God could not be so cruel as to force her to endure Mr Bennet’s attentions again after this babe was born and not a son, was He?
Her worries notwithstanding, until the babe was born, there was still a chance it would be the son for which she prayed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bennet was sitting in his study, trying to ignore the worsening symptoms which pointed to his impending end. He heard a knock on his door and called out, “Enter,” as he rubbed his chest.
Hill opened the door and proffered the salver which held a letter. Bennet waved the butler away with his thanks.
Identifying Gardiner’s writing, he broke the seal and unfolded the paper.
17 December 1791
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Bennet:
I should have written sooner, but I have been making sure all is in place for me to be away from the businesses for a few days.
I received a letter from a man I befriended when he and his family were visiting London a few months back. In it he invited me to spend as much of Christmastide with his family as possible. As Mr Lambert is also in trade, he knows I cannot leave my concern for an unlimited amount of time.
Even though winter in Derbyshire (they live in the town of Lambton) is far harsher than where we live, I have an ulterior motive for going.
The reason has a name: Miss Madeline Lambert.
She is 19 and I believe that she and I are compatible in all ways.
She is, I am sure, the lady who meets all of the criteria you laid out in your letter to me.
I know if I do not go, I will regret it forever.
As unlikely as it sounds, I knew almost from the instant I met her; she is the one for me.
That means I will not be with you for Christmastide at Longbourn. However, you may tell Lizzy, if she understands this, that I will arrive the Friday before her birthday and remain at Longbourn until Monday, the 6th day of February, the day after she turns 1.
You know I love my nieces too well to allow too much time to pass since I was last in their company. By then, I am sure I will also be able to meet my newest niece or nephew.
Rest assured that I stand ready to assume guardianship if, or in your words, when, the worst happens.
I pray that you are wrong and your end is far off.
Enjoy the Lord’s birthday and kiss my nieces for me. When I come, I will be bearing gifts, and I mean more than just for Lizzy’s birthday.
Regards,
Gardiner
As much as he appreciated his brother-in-law’s words about the longevity of his life, Bennet knew that Gardiner’s prayers would not be answered.
Bennet was pleased that Gardiner had discovered the partner of his future life. His silent wishes were for his friend and brother-in-law to find that which he was seeking and have what Bennet never would: a love match.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Gardiner arrived in Lambton on the Thursday before Christmas.
He was welcomed with open arms to the Lamberts’ house.
They did not live above the book emporium.
Rather, they owned a house in the town not far from the village green—now covered in a layer of snow—and All Saint’s Church, across from the green.
Back in Meryton, the same day Gardiner reached Lambton, Phillips was at Netherfield Park on one knee before Miss Agatha Morris, proposing to her. He was very happily accepted.
The next day, before they set the date, an express arrived telling them that the uncle who owned Beech Hill in Devonshire was at death’s door and would be gone by the time the missive reached Netherfield Park.
To honour the three months the Morrises would mourn, Agatha and Phillips set the date of the wedding for the penultimate day of March in 1792.
In Lambton, Gardiner and Maddie Lambert spent as much time in each other’s company as propriety allowed. On his final day in the town, Gardiner asked Maddie to walk with him. Patrick agreed to act as the chaperone. It was a cold day, but the weak sun was shining and the sky was clear.
They walked around the green, and then they reached the big chestnut tree—all stark and uncovered except for some snow—in the centre of the snow-covered green, Gardiner stopped and asked if they could stand under Maddie’s favourite tree.
It was there he requested a courtship. Maddie replied in the affirmative, of course, pending her father’s approval.
Lambert gave his blessing and permission, which included writing to each other.
It was a very happy man who began his journey back to London.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Fanny’s labours began close to midnight on the first day of January 1792. It was the shortest time she laboured; hence, before two in the morning of the second day of the new year, the midwife told Fanny to push.
A few pushes later and Fanny delivered her third child. The newest Bennet did cry, but not with the volume and vigour of Lizzy.
Fanny looked at Hill and the midwife expectantly. Even with her doubts, she still hoped this was the son and heir she needed. Those dreams were shattered the instant she heard Mrs Hill speak.
“A healthy lass, Mrs Bennet,” Hill announced.
Her first instinct was to reject the girl and refuse to feed her, but the memories of what her husband would do intruded on her consciousness.
It would not do to be sent out to a broken-down cottage for making her displeasure with the child known.
As much as she hated the prospect, she would have to lie with her husband again in a few months.
She would not try having him back in her bed too soon this time.
After all, it did not help when she had done so.
As far as she was concerned, the fault for the lack of a son was to be laid at her husband’s door.
She knew not why, but it could not be her fault.
When Mrs Hill brought his newest daughter to him, Bennet became resigned to the fact he would go to his final reward and his estate would have Clem Collins as the master. He thanked God he had the foresight to plan for his children.
“What shall we name her, Master?” the housekeeper asked. “Mrs Bennet said you will give the mite a name.”
“She will be Mary Eloise for my late grandmothers. Mary was Mother’s mater’s name,” Bennet decided. “Please let me know if Mrs Bennet is able to suckle Mary; if not, we will find a wet nurse.”
As it happened, Fanny did not have any issues feeding Mary.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The letters flew between Lambton and Gracechurch Street, and towards the end of January, Gardiner was sure Maddie was the only woman he would ever marry. As much as he hated to propose via the post, there was no choice.
He held his breath, and the day before he was to leave to attend Lizzy’s first birthday at Longbourn, letters from Maddie and Lambert were received. Hers accepted his proposal with love in her heart, and Lambert bestowed his consent and blessing.
Floating in the clouds before he left for Hertfordshire, Gardiner wrote a letter to Maddie and her mother in which he informed them he would be able to be in Lambton the week before Easter so they could chuse the date.
He also related that he would have the banns read for the next three weeks at the church he attended in London if they would do the same in Lambton.
It was an overjoyed and deeply in love man who began the twenty-mile journey to Bennet’s estate.