Chapter 13 #2
“If I am a duchess, is it not for me to request the introductions?” Feeling rather uncomfortable Elizabeth allowed her impertinence to come to the fore. She found that jesting when she felt uncomfortable helped her relax.
“I did warn you that the girl we have always known as Elizabeth can be impertinent at times,” Collins stated.
“Bethie is so much like Amelia was at that age,” Lady Anne said as she dried her eyes.
“However, as she is, in fact, Her Grace the suo jure Duchess of Leeds, Lady Bethany is correct regarding the protocols,” Matlock acknowledged. “As the highest-ranked person here, it is for you to request an introduction.”
“Please excuse my ill-timed joke; I do that when I am nervous. Cousin Clem, please proceed as you were requested to do.”
Collins did so and made the introductions.
“My Lords and Ladies, I suggest we repair inside rather than conduct this reunion in the drive. As we are all to be family through Lizzy, or Bethany as you know her, please call me Bennet.”
“I am Matlock; this is Holderness, my older son is Hilldale, my younger son Richard, and my daughter Anne. Conyers there, is Holderness’s son, and Lady Georgiana is his daughter.
I agree; let us all repair inside.” He took his wife’s arm while Holderness did the same with Anne; however, neither lady wanted to release Bethie now that they had seen her again.
Hill and two footmen were on hand to take charge of any outerwear as everyone entered the house. None of the arriving guests missed the size of the two footmen on duty in the drive near the front door or the way they watched Bethie.
Fanny and Bennet led their guests into the drawing room, where Beth Bennet, Penelope, Ophelia, and the four Bennet siblings were introduced. The Gardiners were visiting the Phillipses to allow those at Longbourn some time alone. William Collins had made his way to Netherfield Park.
“Well?” James asked. “Is our Lizzy this Lady Bethany?”
“She is, Master Bennet,” Lady Anne said gently. “She has a rather unique birthmark behind her left ear, one which is exclusive to members of the Osborne family.” She remembered something. “Reggie, Robert, we need to send a courier to intercept Amelia.”
When the Bennets and Amelia’s daughter all looked at her questioningly, Lady Anne explained.
“My birthmother is on her way here?” Elizabeth repeated.
“She is on her way to visit us at our house near Brighton. Bethie, or Lizzy, is what you are used to; you must know that every day since you were stolen from her, your mother has been praying and dreaming of the day when she would see you again,” Lady Anne revealed.
“After your father was called home to God, Amelia was ready to give up. The chance that she may see you again one day was the reason she did not.” She looked around the room at the Bennets, who were listening with rapt attention.
“Neither she nor any of us will blame you for how you reacted when you read the vile words the late Mrs de Bourgh wrote. You knew not who made the threat, and all you wanted to do was to protect an innocent babe.” She looked at her son, challenging him to gainsay her.
“Your Grace, I must beg your pardon,” Anne Fitzwilliam blurted out.
“Please do not ‘grace’ me to death. That will take much getting used to. For now, I am Lizzy. And what do you have to apologise for, Miss Fitzwilliam? We only met today.” Elizabeth returned.
“The late Mr and Mrs de Bourgh were my birth parents. I feel some…” Anne Fitzwilliam closed her mouth when Lady Bethany raised her hand.
“Miss Fitzwilliam, did you conspire with them to harm me?” Elizabeth asked.
“No, of course not, I was four at the time, locked in the nursery to keep me out of the way,” Anne Fitzwilliam replied.
“And there you have the reason why you have nothing for which to beg my pardon. I understand that all those who were actually responsible for what happened to me as a babe have met their ends. You have no more blame than I do for what happened,” Elizabeth insisted.
Anne Fitzwilliam looked a little sheepish seeing the ‘I told you so’ looks from her parents.
“Whoever desires to scribe the epistle to the dowager duchess, please feel free to use the desk in my study,” Bennet offered.
“It should be one of us,” Lady Anne suggested.
“Elaine and Anne, you should compose the letter together.” Matlock turned to his host. “Bennet, will you please show the ladies to your study?”
“My wife will,” Bennet replied. “Fanny?”
“Please follow me,” Fanny said as she led the countesses out of the drawing room.
Once Mamma and the ladies who had said they were her godmothers left the drawing room, Elizabeth turned to the remaining guests. “Other than Lady Amelia, do I have more family?” she asked.
“Your mother is the only one left on the Osborne side. Her parents are gone, and Amelia was the only child who survived to adulthood. You do have some more distant family. We are your cousins, Anne, who left the room; William; Giana; and me,” Holderness indicated his son and daughter.
“I inherited the Holderness title when your grandfather, who also happened to be named Robert Darcy, went to his final reward. We had a common great-grandfather for whom we were both named.” He looked at his daughter.
“Giana will enjoy having another female relation.”