Chapter 3
Twenty years earlier...
“Marcus, where are you?... No, please... Marcus!” Eleanor murmured deliriously.
“Poor Miss Ella. Even on her deathbed, she still calls for the gentleman who caused her so much misery,” said the maid to her friend, Mrs Hill.
“Mind your tongue, Daisy. You know nothing of the matter, and such talk could get you into trouble,” replied the young Mrs Hill.
A week earlier, Eleanor had suffered a serious accident whose consequences had proved grave.
A stubborn infection had taken hold, and the apothecary had been unable to bring it under control.
Days later, she remained unconscious, drifting between fever and delirium, whilst those around her feared she had little chance of recovery.
Eleanor Bennet was twenty years old when she met Marcus, a gentleman from one of London's most distinguished families.
She had never before been in love, nor had the handsome young Marcus.
Their attachment was swift and intense. When Marcus was obliged to leave Hertfordshire, he promised to return as soon as possible and claim Eleanor as his bride.
He never did.
At least, that was what Eleanor had been led to believe.
“Father, I am worried about Ella. I truly do not think she will survive,” said Thomas Bennet anxiously. “I regret having lied to her. It was cruel of us to hide that man's letters.”
“Please, Thomas. Much of this is your doing. You know perfectly well that Eleanor must never leave Longbourn. Given everything that has happened, I am now certain she never shall.”
“My doing? You cannot be serious, Father,” Thomas replied indignantly.
“Yes, your doing. Have you forgotten that I was forced to use Eleanor's dowry to settle your debts at Oxford and arrange your marriage to Fanny? And what do you know of managing Longbourn? What do you know of accounts? It is your sister who does all those things.”
Eustace paused before continuing.
“I have not many years left, Thomas. When I am gone, Eleanor will continue administering this estate. You will be master of Longbourn in name only, whilst she carries the burden of its management. And do not look at me in that manner. You know as well as I do that it is true. You will continue spending your days reading philosophy, history, and all the other subjects that interest you, whilst your sister does the work.”
When Marcus sought Eustace Bennet's permission to court his daughter, the gentleman had little choice but to consent. Marcus departed shortly afterwards, promising to return and marry Eleanor.
It was then that Eustace devised a plan to separate them.
With Thomas's assistance, he intercepted every letter exchanged between the lovers. Eleanor received nothing from Marcus, and Marcus received nothing from her.
As Eustace had anticipated, Eleanor felt abandoned and forgotten. Already burdened by disappointment and uncertainty, she gradually sank into despair.
“Do not worry, sister. Longbourn will always be your home, and I shall always protect you,” Thomas would often tell her in an attempt to cheer her spirits.
“Thank you, Tommy. I shall always be grateful for everything you have done for me. You and Father are the only people I trust. I shall always do whatever I can to help you, and I shall never forget your kindness during these difficult months.”
Eleanor was sincerely grateful for her family's support after Marcus's departure.
Six months later, she was walking in the garden when a horseman arrived carrying an express message. Curious, she accepted the letter and immediately recognised that it was addressed to her.
It was from Marcus.
With trembling hands, she broke the seal and began to read.
Marcus repeatedly asked why she had never answered his letters. He wrote that he was desperate for news of her and that he loved her more than ever. Although circumstances still prevented him from returning to England, he assured her that he hoped to do so very soon.
Eleanor immediately questioned the servants. They all loved and respected her and, after some hesitation, revealed that Mr Bennet had ordered all correspondence addressed to Miss Bennet to be delivered directly to him or to his son.
Without her father or brother's knowledge, Eleanor replied to Marcus's letter. She told him everything that had happened since his departure and begged him to come for her. She preferred not to confront her family immediately. When Marcus returned, everything could be explained.
For the first time, however, she understood the true reason for her father's sudden kindness. He intended her to remain at Longbourn forever.
She would become the unmarried daughter who managed the estate, kept the accounts, and performed all the duties her brother neither understood nor wished to undertake. In return, she would be granted a home and expected to feel grateful for it.
The servants, moved by her situation, agreed to help her. They did everything possible to ensure that any future letters from Marcus would not fall into the hands of her father or brother.
Yet no more letters arrived.
Two months later, Eleanor received a message from Marcus's brother.
In it, he informed her, with great sorrow, that Marcus had died.
The shock was almost more than she could bear.
After receiving the dreadful news, Eleanor confronted her father and brother. At first, they denied everything. Eventually, however, they admitted the truth.
They claimed they had acted only to protect her.
Eleanor no longer believed a word they said.
Filled with grief, anger, and disgust, she fled the house without knowing where she was going. Blinded by tears and despair, she failed to see the ditch beside the road. Losing her footing, she fell heavily into it.
Fortunately, several tenants happened to be passing nearby. After considerable effort, they managed to pull her out, but she was badly injured.
Three weeks after her accident, Eleanor finally regained consciousness. Her father and brother scarcely spoke to her, whilst Fanny, who was expecting her second child, remained confined to her room.
One morning before dawn, taking with her the few savings she possessed, Eleanor left Longbourn and travelled to London.
There, she sought refuge with her aunt, one of her mother's sisters.
Although the lady received her reluctantly and made it clear that she could remain only a few days, Eleanor was grateful for the temporary shelter.
Determined to support herself, she applied to an employment agency and soon obtained a position as companion to Lady Margaret Campbell.
One month later, she sailed for Canada with Lady Margaret, who wished to be reunited with her younger son, Daniel Campbell.
As Eleanor travelled towards London after her meeting with Thomas, she reflected upon those painful events.
She had survived, rebuilt her life, and found purpose through Daniel's friendship and unwavering support.
Yet the wound had never fully healed. The betrayal of her father and brother had left a scar that time could not erase.
Perhaps, she thought, when she was reunited with her nieces, she might finally feel that she belonged to a family once more.
After Daniel's death, she had felt as alone as she had twenty years earlier when she left Longbourn. Yet she was no longer the frightened young woman she had once been. She was mature, influential, and wealthy.
She had returned to England less than a month earlier. Although numerous obligations demanded her attention, she had yielded to the irresistible desire to visit Meryton and discover what had become of the place she once called home.
She did not regret it.
She had seen Jane again and met Elizabeth. That alone had made the journey worthwhile.
Once she reached London, she intended to rest for a few days before travelling north to settle several outstanding matters connected with her late husband's company, which now belonged entirely to her. Daniel had expressly asked her not to allow his family to interfere in its management.
He had been very fond of his brother, Lord Westcliff, but he also knew his limitations.
Financial matters had never been Lord Westcliff's strength, and his wife was inclined towards extravagance.
It would therefore be better for Eleanor to oversee the business herself and continue supporting the family, just as Daniel had always done.
The month she expected to spend resolving these affairs would give Thomas sufficient time to explain everything to his family.
Eleanor hoped to spend Christmas with her nieces and shower them with gifts.
She cared little what explanation Thomas chose to give his daughters. All she wanted was for them to know that they had an aunt who wished to help, protect, and support them.
She never wanted any of them to endure the kind of misery she herself had suffered.
Looking back, Eleanor had come to understand many things.
Marcus had never loved her as deeply as she had loved him.
His family, his ambitions, and his responsibilities had always come first. For her part, she had once believed that love alone was enough to secure happiness. Life had taught her otherwise.
Now she hoped to find a new purpose in helping her nieces.
Comforted by that thought, Eleanor left Meryton behind, knowing she would soon return.
◆◆◆
Elizabeth hurried from the house towards Oakham Mount, unaware that a gentleman was watching her from behind a tree.
Mr Darcy had already taken breakfast, and after Mr Bingley departed for London, he and his friend's sisters had likewise resolved to leave Netherfield.
Charles was too easily influenced, and after everything that had occurred at the Netherfield ball, it was painfully clear that he was on the verge of making a most imprudent decision.
Mr Darcy could not allow his friend to bind himself to a woman who did not love him and to a family so unsuitable and vulgar.