Chapter 17 Thomas Bennet reveals their fortune to the Ladies Jane and Elizabeth. #3
Jane added her own recollections. “When Mr. Bingley paid me court, my father had hinted in his letters that Lizzy and I had better fortunes and connections, and I was relieved that we would have something to offer to our husbands.”
“And how do you feel now that you are newly privy to this information?” Mrs. Bennet asked.
“I am astounded at the events of the morning,” Elizabeth replied. “In fact, my mind dwells on one thing and then another.” Her countenance was full of energy as she continued.
“I must admit that I am very excited and proud that Jane and I are titled heiresses with exceptional benefits to bring to our marriages. Had anyone else even hinted that I would have such increased worth, I would have been suspicious of their motives at the very least and curious of the source of the ridiculous rumour.”
Jane smiled and nodded. “I wonder how we are going to absorb all we have heard?”
“It is all so surprising! Since I can remember, I have known that Jane and I were not your natural children, but it mattered not to either of us. We were given the Bennet name and felt as cherished as our sisters. We have never had want for comfort or love in our lives.”
“You offered great filial affection in return,” said Mrs. Bennet.
“We both love you and Papa very much, Mama,” Jane said tenderly, glancing at her sister.
Elizabeth nodded and commented, “But we were certain that our sisters’ portions would be higher than ours.”
“Yes, we had discussed it and feared that because we were wards, Lizzy and I would have no rights to your marriage settlements.”
“Your father and I thought it would be best not to divulge your fortunes and connections,” Mrs. Bennet said, “but we assumed you believed your shares would be the same value as your sisters. Oftentimes when I was alone, my conscience would chastise me for intentionally misleading my friends and perhaps causing you to worry that you would bring so little to your marriage, but Mr. Bennet assured me it was for the best.”
“Papa’s other information was also such a surprise!” Elizabeth said. “Even though it must be kept only to ourselves, we can secretly take pride that our birth father was the man who raised us. It was also good to know a bit about our birth mother, since I had always wondered about her.”
“But you never asked!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, displaying some confusion. “Had I known you were curious, I would have had your father tell you about her. I would not be offended at your need to know.”
“But we did not want you to worry that we felt her more important than you,” said Elizabeth.
“You will always be our dearest Mama,” said Jane, “and we wanted you to know that.”
The three shared a tearful hug. At length, Mrs. Bennet suggested that each daughter take some time alone to work out her feelings.
“Thank you, Mama,” said Elizabeth. “I think a walk would suit me quite well under the circumstances. It will allow me to think about all I have learned today.” Mrs. Bennet and Jane expressed their agreement, and Elizabeth excused herself.
As she ambled around the grounds of her home, Elizabeth wished she could get a glimpse into the future, to see what it would hold for her.
She was already happily engaged to her beloved Fitzwilliam and anticipated their union with delight.
She had known she would have to adjust to a life of greater wealth as his wife, but she had no expectation of bringing more than a paltry sum to her husband.
Until now, she had felt a small amount of unworthiness to have so little to offer when Fitzwilliam could have married a woman with better connections and fortune, but she had brushed that away with his repeated declarations of love.
She supposed that she ought to worry, as Jane did, about such changes, and for a moment, she felt agitated but then thought with amusement about how the Miss Bingleys and Lady Catherines of the world would receive her and Jane now that they were women of some consequence—in fact, of significantly higher standing than Miss Bingley and equal to Lady Catherine.
She expected much more amiable acceptance from these ladies as well as from all others of her acquaintance, but hoped that she would not show excessive pride as she still considered herself Lizzy of Longbourn.
She heard a gentle voice behind her and found herself being pulled into the arms of her betrothed.
Laughing, she turned, snatched up his hand, and hastily led him to a bench hidden from view of most of the windows of the house.
Elizabeth was soon curled comfortably beside him, and she relished the contact.
She would have been happy to stay that way, but he lifted her chin with one finger, and Elizabeth closed her eyes to the touch.
He held her face in his hands as he kissed her eyes, her temples, and finally pulled her closer to him and lightly touched his lips against hers.
They had not been able to find even a brief opportunity to be alone since Darcy proposed, but concealed in the garden, they were able to renew their passion.
Elizabeth had not forgotten the deep kiss they shared that night; she relived that kiss every night in the privacy of her chambers and longed for the sensations within her body that his embrace had stimulated.
Instinctively, she showed her intentions by running her tongue along the seam of his lips.
Darcy deepened the kiss immediately. Her heart was racing as his hands moved along the curves of her body.
Even if Elizabeth had not been swept away with a profound sense of anticipation that was unfamiliar to her, she would never be able to sufficiently articulate what was happening to her body as it reacted to his attentions.
As Darcy ran his lips along her jawline to her ear, she struggled to catch her breath and collect her wits, but it was in vain.
The feel of his hot breath and soft lips on her sensitive skin resulted in a shudder running through her body, and a little choked moan came from her throat.
Embarrassed by her reaction, she pulled back and covered her mouth with her hand, but it only made Darcy more amorous.
He drew her hand away and returned his hungry lips to hers.
Some minutes later, he pulled away and just held her close to him. He tucked her head to his chest and, after a few moments, began to speak.
“Darling, I hope the news of this morning did not upset you,” he said hesitantly. She sensed his concern and wondered about it. She tried to reassure him that, although she had been surprised, she was not unhappy about the information.
“I admit I was not unaffected, but for the most part, it was pleasant to hear, was it not?”
“It was good news,” said Darcy.
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Are you discontent that I was aware of the particulars before you were?”
“Of course not, Fitzwilliam, how could I be?” she cried, and looked up at him.
“You inherited this as one of your many responsibilities, and you could not have possibly known that Jane and I were the Shelton ladies. You said you did not even know who our guardian was or that our names had been changed.”
“You do not understand. Your father said that he was assured by me that I had intended to propose prior to knowing your situation. This was not the first time I heard it, my love. I knew all of it on the day of our betrothal. The solicitors and your father disclosed your identity before I proposed.”
“When you proposed, you already knew I was Lady Elizabeth and had a substantial fortune?” She pulled back, attempting to make eye contact, but he had bowed his head and looked embarrassed.
“I did.”
“Was that the reason for that nonsense about my family’s low connections and marrying below your station?” she asked. “Did you not say that you had to overcome your pride before you offered for me?”
She was slightly disappointed with him for that part of the proposal, and it had been niggling at her. She knew enough of his character to understand his frankness and that he had not meant to be unkind, but it bothered her nonetheless.
“I am ashamed to admit that I did hesitate to offer for you because I thought it was my duty to meet my family’s expectations in my choice of marriage partner,” he said in a voice full of contrition.
She eyed him with suspicion while she reflected that she had not been, but was now, the perfect choice for his family and society’s prejudiced views on a match based on fortune and rank.
Still uncertain how she felt about this revelation, she was hopeful he might provide an acceptable explanation.
He raised his face and looked at her with pleading eyes.
“I have been in love with you for a long time; you must have seen it,” he continued in an earnest tone.
“I struggled for some time with this. While I was away from Hertfordshire last winter, not a day went by that I did not miss your intelligence, your wit, your vivacity. Our constant interactions in Kent made me realize my mistake, and I was dreadfully sorry not to have paid you proper court. Being with you convinced me that I wanted a marriage of affection, a marriage to you. You must have suspected my intentions the previous day when I almost declared myself before Mrs. Collins and Miss Lucas interrupted us. I had planned to propose to you properly at the next available opportunity, but I could not find a private time until after I received the letters.”
She had to admit that she had hoped, even expected, that he was intending to propose soon after that occasion. She allowed him to continue.
“As I told you in my proposal,” he said, “you are the most challenging and enchanting woman of my acquaintance, and my love has been eclipsed by the deepest passion I now feel for you. I offered for you—not Lady Elizabeth, not your fortune—just as I hope you accepted me with your love alone for the man that I am.”
The words were lovely and just the reassurance she needed.
She saw he was truly remorseful and realized that, since he loved her so very much, she could accept the effort he made to overcome his pride.
She thought it would make him easy if her forgiveness was presented with the type of repartee they had so enjoyed in the past.
“You are beginning to sound more like the latter part of your proposal,” she said archly, “especially where you said you found me challenging and enchanting. Now, if only you would admit that you are awed by my superior intelligence. That would be a perfect apology that I could easily accept.”
“I can continue in that regard,” he said with a wry smile. “My love has been deep and constant almost from the first time you won an argument with me.”
She laughed and snuggled back into his arms.
“Please forgive me, my love,” he said seriously.
“Fitzwilliam, I know your intentions were always honourable. You are the sort of man who would never allow yourself anything less, so I must forgive you for both of us.”
“You are not angry with me?”
“No, my love, all is well,” she said and tilted her head up for a kiss.