Chapter 15 #2
At sixteen, William Bennet would be going into his final year at Eton in August. John Manning, fourteen, would enter Eton for his first year.
At eleven James Bennet was a small copy of his father in both looks and mannerisms. Like his father he loved books and had learnt to play chess and was a good player for his age.
He was in awe of the girl that his father played against via the post; she was not many years older than him, and she had just beaten his father again!
Bennet never threw a game against anyone as he wanted his opponent to learn, and winning when it was not earned taught them nothing, so James knew that when Lady Elizabeth beat his father, she beat him.
The twins would be ten in December. Kitty was, much to Tom’s chagrin, almost a head taller than him and no matter how many times he was told that boys started getting taller after girls, he was not happy at being shorter than his twin, no matter how much he loved her.
Later that day the twins would be taken to Longmeadow under Jane’s supervision to join the Long daughters, now thirteen and eleven, and their cousin Franny Phillips, who was almost twelve.
Bennet realised something strange, since he had started playing his chess matches against Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam a feeling had come over him that told him that his Lizzy was well, loved, and cared for.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Martha Bingley loved being a grandmother, almost as much as Oscar was enamoured of being a grandfather.
Little Mary had been crawling for some months and now she was pulling herself up on tables, or a person’s leg, whatever was closest to her at the time.
Louisa and Harold were doting parents. Mary had dark hair and brown eyes which according to the besotted father was just like his mother had looked as babe.
The Bingleys were looking forward to the little season as it would be the first time that their friends the Darcys and the Fitzwilliam family would be back in town since the Earl was murdered.
They had been in contact via correspondence and Martha knew from Anne Darcy that although the Fitzwilliams were healing, there was still a long way to go.
Charles Bingley had enjoyed his grand tour, taking a similar path that his friend Darcy had.
He, too, did not go into French territory as the Terror was still ongoing; it seemed that the murder of the King, Queen, and most of their children had not been enough to slake the bloodlust that had been unleashed in that country.
Charles believed that he was very much in love with the angel that was Jane Bennet, but he had been disappointed at her tepid reaction to his return.
Her welcome had been that of a sister, not someone who looked on him as a potential mate.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jane had been with the Gardiners for just over a week when one morning she took Lilly and Eddy for a walk to Hyde Park, accompanied by the nursemaid and two footmen.
As Jane stepped out of the house, Lilly called her, and she turned her head and did not notice the gentleman who himself seemed distracted until she bumped into him.
“Excuse me sir, I was not paying attention. I beg your pardon,” Jane curtsied and then looked up into the greenest eyes she had ever seen surrounded by the most handsome face she had ever beheld.
“I am at fault, madam,” the gentleman bowed to her. “Business drew me to Town at this time of the year and I was preoccupied; I should have been looking,” he stated as looked at the most beautiful women that he had ever had the pleasure of viewing.
“If you will excuse us sir, I am taking my cousins to Hyde Park and we will be on our way,” Jane curtsied again and started to turn when she felt a gentle touch on her arm.
“I am walking that way as well madam; if you will allow it, I would walk with you and your cousins,” he said as he smiled at Lilly and Eddy.
“We have not been introduced sir, it would not be proper,” she returned with a challenging look.
“I suppose that society would fall if we introduced ourselves without a third party to do the honours,” he challenged her right back.
“Possibly it would,” was Jane’s impertinent response.
He was becoming fascinated by the beauty as she seemed so much more than just her looks.
“Let us test and see if we cause the end of society as we know it. That young lady is Miss Lilly Gardiner,” Lilly curtsied, “next to her is Master Edward Gardiner, Junior,” Eddy did his best impression of a bow, and I am Miss Jane Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.
With whom do we have the honour of speaking? ”
“Well met Miss Gardiner, Master Gardiner, and Miss Bennet,” he bowed to each in turn. I am Lord Peregrine Rhys-Davies, the Duke of Bedford.” Jane received a deep bow. “Now that we are introduced, may I accompany you until we reach the park?”
“Your Grace, I have no objection, but you must know that my Uncle Gardiner is in trade in case you do not desire to associate with those connected to trade,” Jane said with her head down not wanting to see the look of derision that she expected.
Hearing the man laugh was not what she expected.
“Do you mock me, your Grace?” she shot at him her steely resolve coming to the fore.
“Not at all, Miss Bennet,” Perry said as he dried his eyes, “Not only am I in business with Mr Gardiner, but I am myself in trade. We own ships.”
“The Duke of Bedford!” It hit Jane. “You own Dennington Lines and are in partnership with Uncle Edward.” The Duke nodded; his mirth still evident on his face.
“Please accept my apologies, your Grace, I am used to the way that many in the Ton disdain anyone connected to trade, and I assumed that would be true for you as well,” Jane responded contritely.
“Does that mean that I am a suitable candidate to walk with you and your cousins?” Perry asked with raised eyebrows.
“Yes, your Grace, I believe that you are.” Jane blushed just a little and it was not missed by Perry, who was finding the young lady more and more fascinating.
She had not fawned when she found out she was addressing a duke; she had challenged him.
He would have to visit his business partner more often until he returned to Longfield Meadows in a fortnight.
“Have you been to Drury Lane to see a show since you have been in Town, Miss Bennet?” he inquired.
“No, your Grace, I am not out for another year or so,” she responded blushing a little more than before.
“If I invite your Aunt and Uncle there would be no issue with them bringing their niece now would there?” Perry asked with a boyish grin on his face.
“No, I suppose that there would not,” Jane returned. She had a feeling that this man was fascinating, but he would never be interested in the untitled daughter of a gentleman that spent most of his time in the country, could he?
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
October 1805
“I do not feel ready to face London society yet,” Elaine told her son and daughters one evening after dinner.
“I am still in full mourning and although I would not attend any soirees or balls, it is just too early for me. So Andrew, you and Marie take Anne and Lizzy and go with the Darcys; I will be well here at Snowhaven.”
“If mama is not going, then neither will I,” Elizabeth stated emphatically.
“That goes for me as well,” Anne said.
“Anne you are to come out!” Elaine exclaimed.
“Not without you, mother, I would rather wait and have all of my family with me. I would not be the first debutante who was twenty,” Anne replied and from her tone no one doubted her sincerity and resolve.
“Just because I do not feel ready to face society it does not mean that you should not. Lizzy, you were looking forward to going to see the new exhibit from Egypt at Montagu House, and you were to finally play a game against Mr Bennet in the flesh,” Elaine protested.
“As the head of the family, I have decided that we will all stay and when we go to London, we will go as a family!” Andrew stated earning a nod of agreement from Marie.
“But…” Elaine weakly got out. She was most touched that her family rallied around her as it did. She should not have been surprised, but she had hoped that they would go without her.
“But nothing, Mother Elaine,” her daughter in law added, “none of us will miss the intrigues of Town. We will be at Snowhaven together!” Marie would not allow her mother-in-law to gainsay her, no matter how much she respected her.
“Thank you, all of you, for your care and love,” Elaine said with tears of appreciation in her eyes.
“Mr Bennet is to send me the first move of our new match; when I reply I will inform him that it will be a little longer before we play in person,” Elizabeth informed her family.
The next day the Darcys arrived for a scheduled visit.
When Andrew informed his Aunt and Uncle of their decision, they understood and respected the Fitzwilliams decision.
They would still go to Town and make their long overdue visit with the Bingleys.
William was disappointed that Lizzy would not be able to join them at the British Museum at Montague House, but if he were honest, his regret was that he would not see his cousin until Christmastide.
He was almost certain that he was in love with his cousin, but he was also cognisant of the fact that he had to wait until after she came out to declare himself and he had to first ascertain her feelings for himself.
When Georgiana heard that her Fitzwilliam cousins would not be going to London with them, she begged her patents to leave her at Snowhaven when they departed for their journey to the south so she could stay with her cousins.
After Anne and George conferred with Andrew, Marie, and Elaine, to her great delight Georgiana’s wish was granted.
Later that night in their suite, Marie shared news of a letter that she had received from her brother.
“Our brother has been very coy. It seems that he believes that he has found the next Duchess of Bedford and is waiting for her to come out a year from now in the little season of ’96.
Her name is Miss Jane Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire,” Marie relayed, not making the connection with Lizzy’s chess partner.
“Now that is a coincidence if I have ever heard of one,” Andrew responded as he snickered.
“What is, Andrew?” Marie was confused.
“Mr Thomas Bennet, the one that Lizzy plays chess by post with, is the master of Longbourn, and other estates, and will be Perry’s father-in-law if he ever marries Miss Bennet!” The two had a good laugh at just how small the world actually was.