The End of Volume 1 #3
“As I said, there is a little to go over,” the Duke said sardonically.
“Would you and your wife like to discuss all of this tonight, and, if agreeable to you both, we can meet at Bedford House at the same time as today on the morrow? With my difficulty travelling, that would conserve my energy.” the Duke requested.
Bennet looked at his wife who gave a nod.
“We will be there, Lord Sed. We ask that, until we decide about how we want this information disseminated, not a word is mentioned outside of this group. We will ask for advice from some family members, but we are assured of their discretion,” Bennet asked. The request was agreed to by all.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Thomas, until we have made some final decisions, can we not tell the children? This news will change their lives forever and curtail much of their freedoms,” Priscilla stated in the carriage on the return to Gardiner House.
“Absolutely, my love. I want you to know with you at my side as my marchioness and then duchess, I know that all will be well,” Bennet told his beaming wife just before he kissed her soundly.
On their return to Gardiner House, the Bennets requested that the Gardiners invite the Jerseys and Matlocks to dinner, telling them that their attendance was urgently needed.
Maddie Gardiner sent the notes without prying as to the reason for the urgency, surmising when the Bennets were ready to tell them, they would.
Priscilla sent a note to her sister to request that she invite her children for dinner and to stay the night with their aunt and uncle.
Both the Countesses of Jersey and Matlock accepted on their husband’s behalf, and Lady Marie issued the invitation, sending one of her carriages to bring the Bennet siblings to Holder House.
For the first time, the eight parents alone sat in the drawing room together. Once the butler served aperitifs to all, he left and closed the door securely after himself.
“I am going to read a letter that we were given at Norman and James today. Please hold comments and questions until I have read all of it,” Priscilla requested and received nods from the six who were unaware of its contents.
The more she read, the more obvious was the shock which grew to amazement for their family, or soon to be family, in the case of the Fitzwilliams. When Priscilla finished, Bennet took advantage of the quiet to hand a list of assets to each of the other three couples.
The stories about the third duke and his avarice and pride were legendary, so neither the De Melvilles nor the Fitzwilliams were overly surprised at the revelations of his cruelty.
As the new information was digested, there was silence until Gardiner spoke first.
“You are the Marquess of Birchington?” Gardiner confirmed.
“Yes, except I am also the Earl of Meryton, and Mark is Viscount Netherfield,” Bennett added.
“Prinny has revived the Earldom and allowed Mark to inherit, he will be the earl one day,” Lord Cyril stated, still trying to assimilate all of the revelations.
“Actually, Papa, Mark will be an earl sooner rather than later.” Priscilla proceeded to explain the health of the current Duke of Bedford, and how Mark would become the Earl when Lord Sed passed, and her husband became the new Duke.
“And before our nephew woke up, he thought you were so far beneath him!” Lady Elaine smiled at the irony. “I would give anything to see William’s face when he finds out.”
“You know we are here to assist you with whatever you need do you not, Thomas?” His father-in-law assured him. “Do not forget that we can enlist Wes and Issy, and Marie and Holder. They will be more than willing to lend their hands.”
“Lady Rose will be with us as well,” Priscilla pointed out. “When I saw her today, Mama, she looked familiar, but it was not until we were introduced that I remembered her.”
“She will be bereft when her husband passes; and I want to add that she will have as much support from me as she will take as well,” Lady Sarah stated fervently.
“Gardiner and Maddie, may we impose on you for the foreseeable future? Both of our townhouses are being leased. If it is an imposition, I am sure there is room for us at Jersey House.” Bennet looked to the Gardiners.
“You know you are welcome as long as you desire to stay, my Lord,” Maddie offered with a tease.
“That will take some getting used to. Cilla and I discussed it on the way back. Unless Lord Sed passes before Easter we would like to keep this news private until the term break when Tom returns from Oxford,” Bennet informed the group.
One and all concurred with the Bennets’ decision and agreed they would not break their confidence.
The next day, after their four offspring returned from their Aunt Marie’s, Bennet and Pricilla explained that there was far more business in town than they first anticipated, and they would be residing with the Gardiners until everything was completed to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
It was not a lie but rather an omission.
The End of Volume 1