Vol 1, Chapter 10 #3
Jane’s expression was deeply apologetic.
“That, coupled with your request for a courtship, is why I must disclose all to you now. I thought it would be cruel to allow you and your family to arrive at my grandparents’ estate and be caught unaware.
There is more; my dowry is slightly more than what is reported; it is around fifty thousand pounds.
” Her smile brightened when she watched the Viscount’s mouth drop open.
Jane continued, explaining why her family hid their wealth, her father’s antipathy to the Ton, and their true position.
She left nothing out, not the estates or the town homes.
She watched him school his features as she had talked, fearing she had lost his regard because of the deception she and her family had felt the need to employ.
“What of the request not to share our connection with my cousin Darcy? It was hard to comply with as his sister was being hosted at our house, but she moved back to Darcy House yesterday,” he shared.
Jane related the tale of his slight and the Viscount’s cousin’s behaviour in Hertfordshire.
“We do not tell people of our wealth and connections as we prefer to be accepted for who we are and not for what we have. Hence our request to keep the connection from your cousin for now. At some point, I am sure it will become public knowledge, but until then…” Jane turned serious as she gathered her courage to make the following statement.
“If you choose to withdraw your request because of our decision to hide our true position from society, I will understand.”
“Darcy was hosted at an estate that he has no clue belongs to your family!” The Viscount chuckled at the irony.
“Miss Bennet, may I call you Jane?” She nodded.
“Please call me Andrew, and no more of this lordship nonsense when we are not in society. Your connections and fortune did not have a bearing on my decision to request a courtship, and they still do not. I understand your family’s position more than you can guess.
How I have wished to be able to do the same!
You never lied to me and revealed the facts before accepting a courtship and offered me the chance to withdraw without my honour engaged if that were my choice,” Andrew gave Jane a smile of reassurance.
“The salient fact is who you are is unchanged. My request for a courtship is unchanged. It will be my honour to have the opportunity to woo you.” He grinned at winning her smile.
“My uncle did tell you falsehoods about me,” Jane insisted.
“Not really,” Andrew replied. “He omitted information, but never stated that your dowry was the lower amount. He said ‘reported,’ and that is the truth. The question is simple. Will you, Jane Bennet, accept a courtship with me, Andrew Fitzwilliam, regardless of fortune or title?” Andrew asked hopefully, thinking that if she intended to deny his request, she would not have disclosed all to him.
“Absolutely, Andrew. Yes!” Jane replied, the pleasure of saying so lighting up her blue eyes to a shade almost too beautiful to describe. “You have my promise of compete transparency from my side.”
“And mine,” He vowed. “Do I need to ride to your father’s estate to request his consent?”
“No, there is no need, Andrew. My father wrote and gave Uncle Edward leave to act in his stead, although it will not hurt to speak to my father when we are all at Broadhurst,” Jane related conspiratorially.
Receiving Mr. Gardiner’s consent was but a matter of a few minutes. When a joyous Andrew Fitzwilliam took his leave, he was half of a hopeful and happy, officially courting couple.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As Jane had given him leave to disclose all to his parents and brother, Andrew did so after informing them he was courting the lady.
His family sat in surprised silence for some minutes.
“William is going to kick himself in that arrogant arse of his. Sorry, Mother, when he finds out who they are and how much wealth they have,” the Colonel broke the silence.
“You are not to mention anything to him,” the Earl cautioned his younger son.
“I know, Father,” Richard threw his hands up in surrender. “No one allows me to have any fun,” he added with mock petulance.
“She is my friend’s granddaughter,” the Countess repeated.
“Not by blood, but fully accepted as one by the De Melvilles, and do not forget her Uncle Wes and Aunt Marie,” Andrew pointed out.
“Why can I not fall in love with such an heiress!” Richard asked rhetorically.
“All I want for you, son, is that you fall in love with a good woman, regardless of fortune,” the Countess told her younger son.
“Miss Bennet has four siblings?” the Earl confirmed.
“Yes Father. Miss Elizabeth is next in age, the one our cousin slighted, then Longbourn’s heir Tom, Esther, and the baby is Mark, who will have Netherfield one day,” Andrew informed his father.
“They are the owners of the two town houses to the right of Matlock House that are leased out?” the Earl asked in wonder.
“Right opposite Darcy House,” Richard smirked. “It is my dream to see William be taken down a peg or two. I love my cousin as well as a brother, but some of his notions are decidedly snobbish, and this from a man who treats his servants and tenants so well!”
“When do we meet the lady?” the Countess asked.
“My apologies, Mother. In my excitement I very nearly forgot. Mrs. Gardiner invited all of us to join them for dinner on the morrow,” Andrew relayed apologetically.
“I will send a note over now with our acceptance,” his mother responded with alacrity, and made her way to her study to pen the missive.
After the brothers departed, the Earl sat next to his countess. “I have heard from the heir to Brookfield. His uncle passed recently, and he is keeping his word to us as far as the sale goes. Out of respect for his uncle’s passing we will finalise the sale after Easter.”
“Reggie, that is the best news! I cannot wait for the day when our Richard never has to return to war!” a gleeful mother stated. The Earl kissed his wife before taking his leave of her as he had correspondence to attend to in his study.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Caroline, I cannot believe that you were insensible enough to try and compromise Darcy, and I still do not know why you are here and not at Netherfield. If word gets out that you were in bed with a servant, you will never be able to show your face in society again. What were you thinking?” Bingley demanded.
“He only danced with that Bennet nobody, and I want Pemberley,” Miss Bingley stamped her foot like a petulant child.
“I should have told you this long ago, Caroline. Mr. Darcy will never offer for you. If word of an attempted compromise gets out, you will be ruined, and he will still not marry you. As it is, if you approach him again, he will cut you; I am to inform you that you are not to call at any of his homes! It is time you accept reality and move on. Now again I ask, why are you, Louisa, and Hurst in Town? You know I plan to return to ask Miss Bennet, my angel, for a courtship, do you not?” Bingley stated.
“She has ties to trade and an inconsequential family! She will do nothing to raise me, I mean you, in society, and she does not love you. She will accept you for your fortune only,” Miss Bingley related spitefully.
“What do you know of the lady’s feelings; you hardly spent any time with her?” Bingley asked.
“If you do not believe me, ask Mr. Darcy, for I heard him say the same!” Miss Bingley turned on her heel and stormed out of the study.
Deep down, Miss Bingley knew that once her attempted compromise failed it was the end of her dream of becoming Mrs. Darcy, but to hear what her brother related still made her blood boil.
She slammed her chamber door with as much force as she could muster then proceeded to throw a tantrum of epic proportions. Nothing breakable survived her snit.