Chapter 17 Thomas Bennet reveals their fortune to the Ladies Jane and Elizabeth. #2
“Though I asked Mr. Darcy to be present today merely due to his legal responsibility as the manager of the Shelton assets, this morning I gave my consent and blessing to his marriage to Elizabeth. I assure you that, in light of his knowledge of Lady Elizabeth’s fortune, I did not grant this permission lightly.
Had I not already suspected his particular regard and had assurance of his intention to propose prior to knowledge of Lizzy’s situation, I would have been suspicious of his motives.
However, I am persuaded that Darcy is no fortune hunter.
” Bennet smiled at his jest. He then addressed his future sons-in-law.
“Up until now, Jane and Lizzy have been known as the wards of a country gentleman of no importance. From now on, their heritage will be known to everyone, and they will become persons of particular interest. You will have to stand by my daughters to make their passage into the next level of society more comfortable, and please try to ensure that they are not importuned by those seeking to gain notoriety by obtaining their friendship and attention.”
“If I may speak for Mr. Bingley, we shall do all we can to ensure the comfort of your daughters, Bennet,” Darcy said, and Bingley nodded his assent. Bennet acknowledged this with a bow of his head.
Voices were heard from outside the window, and Bennet pulled aside the light fabric.
His steward was nearby speaking to his wife.
Even though he could trust Akuete with his life, he would have a word with him later.
When they turned about the corner of the house that led to the servants’ door, his sense of confidentiality was somewhat recovered.
He considered closing the window, but since the Akuetes were no longer in earshot of the discussion and the breeze was making the small room more comfortable, he decided to leave it open.
The momentary distraction left him unprepared for Elizabeth’s next question.
“What were our parents like, Papa?”
Bennet swallowed hard.
“They loved you and Jane very much,” he said quietly, “and did their best to protect you from harm. You were the most cherished of babes.”
Overwhelmed by his emotions, he was barely able to hold back his tears. “Your father would give his life for you.”
Bennet was torn by his dilemma. As he observed his daughters’ concerned expressions, he knew they deserved more than the deceit and fear that had been his life.
Suddenly, he realized Fanny was correct to urge him to tell the whole story to Elizabeth and Jane.
He took one more look at their beautiful, beloved faces and spoke haltingly.
“What I am about to say is in the strictest confidence. Until now, the Gardiners were the only other persons besides your mother and me to know all of this, and it has remained so all these years because we exercised great caution in our actions and words.”
Bennet paused and drew a long breath, then took a deep draught of brandy before continuing his speech.
“Thomas Bennet is not the name I have had all my life.
I took that name when I married your mother, Mrs. Frances Bennet, upon the death of the real Thomas Bennet in 1792.
I was born Miles Lydon, Viscount Westley, heir to the title of Earl of Shelton.
I was originally married to the woman who gave birth to you, Olivia, Lady Shelton.
I am not only your guardian as Mr. Bennet, but I have always been your father.
The real Mr. Bennet and I agreed on the transfer of our identities when he was on his deathbed.
I agreed to take care of Mrs. Bennet and your sister Mary, and she became your mother as a result.
“I had not decided until just now whether to divulge my own identity to you when I unveiled your true identities and fortune. I could easily have kept it hidden for the rest of your lives.”
Dead silence prevailed. Bennet regarded all in the room and wished he could know what was going through their minds.
From Darcy’s expression, his friend felt for his agony in wondering whether his revelation would be well received.
Bingley looked flabbergasted, opened his mouth as if to say something, and then closed it again, appearing as if he was searching for an answer to a question that had not been spoken.
But Bennet was most concerned about the reactions of his daughters.
He looked to Jane. As far as he could tell, she was filled with bewilderment; she seemed unsure as to what she had just heard.
Elizabeth was teary-eyed but obviously curious about the revelation.
She was the first to respond and spoke with a clarity that surprised him.
“But why, Papa? Why would you hide who you are and have Mr. Darcy and his father manage your estate for nearly twenty years? Could you not have just married Mama and made her Lady Shelton?”
“This part of the story is difficult for me, my dears, so please be patient.” He sighed and wiped a tear from his face.
“I was in exile. I fought a duel and fled the country rather than be held up for a murder charge. The other duellist was the murderer of Lady Shelton.” Bennet’s mouth was in a grim line.
Jane gasped and her tears flowed freely.
He crossed the room, lowered himself beside her chair, and held her in his arms.
“He was a vicious man, Jane,” he said with passion as his daughter wept.
“It is difficult for me to relate this to your gentle ears, but it must be said. His intrigues, all honoured with the title of seduction, had been extended to every county. He attacked both Lady Shelton and Mrs. Bennet, leaving Lady Shelton to die from her injuries, and your mother with painful memories. There is no one who deserves your hatred more than Lord Malcolm.”
With a fury that defied his character, Bingley spoke. “Am I clear that you killed the miscreant?”
Bennet nodded to affirm. “It was not my intent to do so; I merely wanted to injure him to show that there were consequences to such bad actions. But G-d help me, I have no remorse.”
Jane, still in her father’s arms, appeared to be in shock.
Bennet decided to cease the ghastly recollection and speak of things more palatable to her tender sensibilities.
He then described the true circumstances of his meeting the real Thomas Bennet on board the ship to Bermuda and their agreement to exchange identities, and that he and Mrs. Bennet enter into a marriage of convenience.
“Jane and Elizabeth, know that my marriage to Mrs. Bennet soon evolved into a love match, much like yours will be.
“Lizzy, you asked about your parents. I believe that you already know me, so there is little to tell there. I hope I have not disappointed you in your lives. You must know that I love you very much, as does the mother you have known since you were small children.” Bennet’s voice broke, but he smiled.
“Lady Shelton was a beautiful woman. She looked much like both of you.
Jane has her fair hair and blue eyes, and Lizzy, you resemble her in face and figure.
In nature, you both also take traits from her.
Just like you, she was intelligent beyond most women and always challenging me intellectually.
She loved nature and rode almost every day.
She was also confident and gregarious, the belle of the ball, always causing a stir wherever she went.
“Each one of you was anticipated with joy. She doted on you both; she said you were her little angels sent from heaven. She planned your come-outs while you were still small, imagining the lively parties you would attend and all the hearts you would break as men lined up to be your beaux. She would be very proud of the young women you have become.”
Jane’s breathing became more even as she returned her father’s smile. Shuddering, she wiped away her tears, and her father released her to continue his recitation.
“You have some connections that I would like you to meet. Jane’s godparents are Lord and Lady Matlock. Lady Matlock was your mother’s sister, and I intend to ask her to sponsor you in your introduction to higher society. As you all know, the Matlocks are Mr. Darcy’s uncle and aunt.
“Elizabeth, your godparents are both deceased. They were none other than Mr. Darcy’s parents.” Elizabeth’s eyes once again widened in surprise, and she looked to Darcy, whose smile showed that he shared in her joy at the connection.
Bennet spoke specifically to Darcy in a gentle voice.
“I apologise to you, Fitzwilliam, in your good father’s stead.
He never would have understood the reason I did not divulge the name of the guardian for my daughters and kept his and Lady Anne’s goddaughter away from their lives.
It was hurtful to me also, but I had to do it to ensure my concealment. ”
“I accept your apology on behalf of my father.”
“You may have surmised that Mary is actually my stepdaughter, and that Catherine and Lydia are Mrs. Bennet’s and my birth children. But in my mind, as in Mrs. Bennet’s, all of you belong to both of us, no matter who your birth parents are.”
A short time later, Elizabeth was walking alone in the gardens, pondering her father’s words.
She had left the gentlemen in the library while Jane was quietly talking to Mrs. Bennet in the drawing room.
She was pensive, excited, confused, amused, agitated, and pleased all at once, in contrast to Jane, who had been quiet and contemplative and was likely pondering all aspects of the future with the clarity and common sense that were in her nature.
Elizabeth recalled her conversation with Jane and Mrs. Bennet immediately after her father’s news.
“When Jane and I received the fateful letters,” said she to her mother, “we had suspected that the meeting Papa called us home for had to do with Jane’s and Bingley’s marriage.”