Chapter 17 #3
Lady Amelia Osborne, Dowager Duchess of Leeds
After reading the missive a final time, Amelia was satisfied that it was deferential to the crown while not fawning, yet conveying the information she needed to impart.
She folded the epistle, wrote the direction on the front, and when the ink was dry, she sealed it using the Leeds seal on Francis’s signet ring, which she wore on a chain around her neck.
It would be Bethie’s soon. She was certain Bethie would have to wear it in the same manner she did because Amelia was sure her daughter’s fingers were no thicker than her own.
Her personal courier had his horse saddled and was ready to depart as soon as the communication was put in his hand. Amelia had warned him that there would be a missive to carry to St James’s Palace at some point this day, one that needed to be delivered as soon as may be.
With the letter on its way, Amelia made her way to the drawing room to join the rest of the residents.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
That night before they went to their own suites, Ladies Elaine and Anne sat with Lady Amelia in the latter’s private sitting room.
Amelia shared what she had learnt during the time she had met with Fanny and Thomas, including that Thomas had begun to suspect who Lizzy was after reading about Francis’s passing.
Seeing that her friends looked a little outraged on her behalf, Amelia explained her thinking after she had learnt about Thomas’s suspicions and why it was better to find her now than then.
“Never forget that as far as Bethie was concerned, she was born a Bennet. Fanny and Thomas told her the truth of her not being a Bennet at an age when she could understand the implications and accept that it did not change how they loved her. If I or any other had attempted to sunder Bethie from the Bennet’s, it would have destroyed my daughter’s spirit.
I am sure you two will agree that is the last thing that would have been good for Bethie.
And besides, Francis was already with God.
“Had Francis been alive when Thomas suspected Lizzy was Bethie and not tried to contact us, then I would not be feeling so charitable towards him.”
“I suppose I understand to what you are referring,” Lady Elaine agreed. “I believe that Bethie would have had to have been discovered before Francis became reckless for there to have been a difference made that may have saved him.”
“It was like I was William for a few minutes and wanted to condemn Thomas before I knew all of the facts. Actually, from what I have seen, William is far less judgemental and not nearly as taciturn as he was before we came to Longbourn,” Lady Anne stated.
“Like Elaine, I agree with the conclusions you reached. Now, we have to wait for a response from Their Majesties.”
“My hope is it will not be long before I receive a reply,” Lady Amelia responded. Then she held up the blanket Bethie had been swaddled in and the gown she had worn that fateful day. “Fanny kept these and returned them to me.”
All three ladies shed some tears at seeing the blanket and gown.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Amelia was very generous,” Bennet opined.
The two were lying in their shared bed with only one candle left lit.
As they did each night before they fell asleep, they were speaking about any significant events of the day.
“She could have been very angry with me for costing her eight additional years without knowing Lizzy’s fate. ”
“Her reasoning was sound though. I spoke to her after dinner, and she opined that at eight Bethie, our Lizzy, would not have been able to understand the nuances, and she would have thought we wanted to be rid of her,” Fanny revealed.
“Over the next few days, we will discuss the future, but Amelia has pledged that she will never attempt to have Lizzy break with us.”
“It is wise not to force Lizzy to chuse,” Bennet mused as he caressed Fanny’s plait.
“However, shortly after meeting first the Darcys and Fitzwilliams, and then Amelia, I was certain their main concern was what is best for Lizzy.” He paused as he considered some things.
“This is all new and distant, but soon, our daughter will be prepared for her duties, and she will have to attend the king for her investiture. Once that happens, she will no longer be some unknown country miss.”
“In that case, I want to have John, Brian, and some of their men made Lizzy’s personal guards,” Fanny insisted. “They can select however many men are needed to keep our girl safe.”
“That is an excellent suggestion, my love. In the morning, I will speak to Amelia, the earls, and the two countesses. It is certain that none of them will object to Biggs, Johns, and their men keeping any danger away from Lizzy.” Bennet smiled.
“Both earls have spoken about needing men like them, and they have hinted they would not mind employing them away from us. I disabused them of that notion.”
Fanny’s eyelids began to close. Bennet kissed her and blew out the candle.