Chapter 17 Thomas Bennet reveals their fortune to the Ladies Jane and Elizabeth.
Thomas Bennet reveals their fortune to the Ladies Jane and Elizabeth.
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
It was mid-afternoon on an unusually glorious day for early spring.
Every so often, the wind caused the light draperies to flutter at the open window, and Mr. Bennet was grateful for the relief from the stuffiness of the room.
The unexpectedly warm weather had caused nearly everyone to escape to the outdoors, but Bennet remained in his study.
He absentmindedly reached out and ran his fingers across the backs of books filed on the many shelves and continued his reflections. The day he had long anticipated had come upon him, and he knew not what he planned to say.
Understandably, Bennet was anxious for the disclosure of Jane and Elizabeth’s heritage to be taken in a positive light.
Although he could have decided to tell the world about Lady Jane and Lady Elizabeth at any time in their lives, he had been resolute against it, and per the conditions of the will that he had written as Shelton, he was not at liberty to enumerate their fortunes.
Somehow, over the years, he had managed to hold off disclosing their connections to the girls—until now.
They were content with their position in life and would likely greet the news with more pleasure than disappointment, yet he could not help but worry that they might wish some of the information had been theirs to consider much earlier in life.
When the participants gathered in his study, he was seated behind his desk in anticipation of perhaps the most challenging interview of his life.
He had poured brandy for the gentlemen and claret for the ladies as they faced him.
He studied his glass intently before looking up at his audience of four seated in front of him.
He drew in a deep breath before he spoke in a solemn tone.
“Mr. Darcy, I thank you for interrupting your sojourn in Kent with your family for this meeting.
Likewise, Lizzy and Jane, you have cut short your pleasure trips, but I had good reason to ask for your attendance.
The information I have to disclose will be important to your lives and will change your situations significantly.
“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, my dear children, I have called you here today to describe a situation which you may not have anticipated, but if you bear with me, you will find it all to your satisfaction. It concerns the inheritance for the ladies. Firstly, Jane and Elizabeth have known for much of their lives that they are wards, but little else except that their parents died when they were very young. Mrs. Bennet and I have treated them as part of our family, including having the Bennet name. Until now, they have not known the identity of their parents because it was the dear wish of their father that they be protected until they were old enough to manage the attention that comes to ladies of their station and fortune.”
This statement resulted in many more questions than it did answers.
Four sets of eyes were fastened on him, awaiting his next words.
He paused and took a sip of brandy, then turned his regard to Jane and Elizabeth.
He feared the knowledge he was about to impart would place distance between him and his beloved daughters, but he was determined not to show his nervousness.
“My darling girls, your real names are Lady Jane Lydon and Lady Elizabeth Lydon, and you are the only children of the Earl and Countess of Shelton in Derbyshire,” Thomas Bennet said, earning a gasp from both Jane and Elizabeth.
He observed that Elizabeth, sensing the tension in her sister, took Jane’s hand between hers.
Bingley looked as if he were about to ask a question, but Bennet held up his hand to indicate he wanted to continue speaking without interruption.
Taking care not to disclose his true identity, Bennet commenced describing the circumstances under which Lord Shelton and Thomas Bennet met.
He spoke of Shelton’s death at sea and his request for the Bennets to be guardians of Lord Shelton’s daughters, of the family circumstances that left Lord Shelton as the sole heir of his line, of the will that was carefully worded to divide the full fortune equally between Jane and Elizabeth, and of Shelton’s very specific request to keep secret his daughters’ substantial inheritance until one of them married or reached the age of five-and-twenty.
Bennet faltered but continued on, trying to appear casual in relating the story while his heart was beating frantically within his breast. His face was hot, and he was certain he betrayed his tension.
Observing the silent interest of his audience, he went on despite his uneasiness.
He indicated that Shelton’s closest friend, Mr. George Darcy, was tasked with overseeing the Shelton estates and ensuring the instructions of Lord Shelton’s will were carried out.
Any communication regarding the Shelton heiresses was through London solicitors.
When George Darcy died, his son was notified of the situation; he then took on the responsibility.
Bennet looked to Darcy, who inclined his head in agreement with the statement.
Darcy looked directly into Elizabeth’s eyes when he said, “I was never told the name of your guardian, and I met you and your sister without any suspicion that it was you whose future had been entrusted to my care. You must know how surprised I was by the circumstances.”
Bennet knew why Darcy felt this so important to say; he was apologising for his blunder in the timing of the marriage proposal.
Elizabeth was oblivious and gave him a loving look that portrayed her gratitude for the efforts Darcy had made on behalf of her and Jane.
Bennet smiled to himself. The expression on Elizabeth’s face was all he needed to see to know that Darcy need not have any fears regarding her acceptance of an apology.
“Mr. Bingley’s marriage proposal to Jane—and my consent and blessing—has brought about a series of events that Mr. Darcy and I have known about for some years now.
” Bennet then listed multiple assets, properties, interests in shipping and timber companies, and specific jewels that would be released from trust to the shared ownership of the two daughters.
The mechanical act of reciting a list helped to settle him; however, the information caused his daughters to appear a bit overwhelmed.
He also indicated that, unusually, the title of the Earl of Shelton could be passed through the female line.
“Jane, your eldest son will become the next earl and, upon his majority, will inherit all properties belonging to the Earl of Shelton. Should you have no sons, or should your sons die without issue, then Elizabeth’s eldest son will inherit the title and properties.”
“Then I could be the father of an earl?” Bingley asked, and Bennet nodded.
Although disquieted, Jane managed thus far to look composed.
She caught Bingley’s eye, but he was too stunned to return her smile.
He shook his head in bewilderment as he absorbed the fact that he was marrying a woman of great fortune and circumstance and that he would no longer be compelled to buckle to Miss Bingley’s ambition to shed his roots in trade.
“Your mother, Lady Shelton, brought a considerable fortune to the marriage,” said Bennet, “worth over ￡70,000 in today’s funds. Her settlement is part of the inheritance, to pass on to your own children.”
As Bennet recited the wealth and consequence of his daughters, Jane and Elizabeth continued to be affected to a greater degree, but at this last piece of information, their eyes widened dramatically.
Elizabeth opened and closed her mouth and swallowed hard.
She looked at Jane, whose astonishment was now obvious.
“Seventy thousand pounds?” Jane asked in disbelief.
“Indeed,” said Bennet. “Thirty-five thousand pounds each, plus an equal share in the other assets I have listed, with the exception of the properties related to the earldom, which will go to Jane’s, and ultimately Mr. Bingley’s, care in anticipation of an heir.
” He looked at Jane and added, “This is why it was so important for you to learn about estate management, my love.
“Mr. Darcy informs me that the interest from the investments will provide at least ￡1500 a year to each of you.”
Elizabeth was rendered as speechless as Jane.
This was not what they had imagined. Usually one not prone to nerves, Elizabeth could feel a constriction in her throat and palpitations in her breast. She looked again at her sister, who was pale.
Elizabeth wondered whether this was how women felt when they requested salts.
As she took a deep breath in an effort to control the sensation of weakness that was overcoming her, her father continued speaking.
“Mrs. Bennet and I decided long ago not to tell anyone about the portions that Jane and Elizabeth have from their birth mother or about the Shelton titles and estates. We allowed rumours to circulate that all the girls have substantially less fortunes than is true.
“Jane and Elizabeth, yours are not the only fortunes greater than assumed. You have known all along that Mary will inherit the Gloucestershire properties, but what your mother and I have kept hidden is that the Bennet assets are such that your younger sisters’ shares are closer to ￡12,000 each.
They will be informed of their fortunes as you have been at the time of a formal courtship or betrothal.