Chapter 21 #3
Elizabeth could not find a single word to say. She was appalled, though not surprised. Her father had been using her just as her grandfather had once used her aunt.
Eleanor told Elizabeth that Marcus had asked her father for permission to marry her before leaving, that both her father and her brother had hidden Marcus's letters, and that none of her own letters had ever reached his hands.
“But that was dreadful! How could they be so cruel?” Elizabeth exclaimed, filled with both anger and pity for her aunt and the General.
“The future of the Bennet family and their estate was considered more important than my happiness.”
Eleanor went on to tell her how a message from Marcus had finally reached her and how she had discovered the deception her father and brother had practised.
She explained that Captain Sinclair had been declared dead and spoke of the anguish she had suffered upon hearing the news.
She also told Elizabeth about her accident, omitting only the fact that she had been pregnant.
She then explained how, once she had recovered, she had resolved to leave home and seek employment.
“When I arrived in London, Lady Margaret engaged me as her companion, and I accompanied her to Canada. You already know what happened after that.”
“And the General—did he not look for you when he finally returned?”
“Yes. It was the very first thing he did. But my father told him that I had died in the accident.”
Elizabeth was on the verge of tears. She could scarcely believe such cruelty and selfishness. “Poor General! After everything he had already endured, he had to suffer that as well. Such dreadful selfishness and wickedness!”
Eleanor embraced Elizabeth and said, “All that belongs to the past. Marcus and I are together at last, and tomorrow we shall be married. Let us leave those sorrowful days behind us, Lizzy. I am convinced that this wretched entail has been the cause of it all. The Bennet men believe themselves superior to women merely because they were born men, when in truth men are no wiser than we women are. Do you not think so, Lizzy?” Eleanor asked with a laugh.
“Worse, men keep us women from acquiring an education or employment, and then they claim we women can’t do anything because we are uneducated and inexperienced, as if those faults were derived from our gender and not, rather, because we were denied, by men, equality in our opportunity to achieve those very things. It is so frustrating!”
“Indeed, Aunt,” Elizabeth replied in the same tone.
She understood that Eleanor no longer wished to dwell upon the past or unfairness but to enjoy the happiness of the present.
So she changed the subject. “Thank you, Aunt, for trusting me,” she added softly.
“Although we have known one another for only a few months, I love you very much. Thank you for helping my sisters and me despite all the harm my father caused you.”
“My dear Lizzy, you and your sisters have been a beautiful light that has brightened my life.”
Eleanor embraced her daughter once more and kissed her forehead and cheeks. “Would you like to sleep beside me tonight?”
“I should love to, Aunt. It is nice to have company again. Jane and I would often talk long into the night, but now she is to be a wife.”
Eleanor arranged the bedclothes and extinguished the candles.
“Sweet dreams, my dear girl.”
Elizabeth smiled when her aunt addressed her as the General did, and she thought there was a reason they were about to be married.
“Sweet dreams, my beloved Aunt.”
Eleanor fell asleep with her daughter in her arms, dreaming of the day when Elizabeth might call her Mother.
◆◆◆
“I cannot believe it, Marcus. That old bastard and his son have stolen twenty years of Elizabeth's life from us. You cannot imagine how desperately I want to meet her. She is a true Sinclair, not like Claire,” Lord Rockwell said bitterly.
“Reginald, you cannot know that for certain,” Marcus said, trying to calm his brother.
“Marcus, when Emma conceived, I had not touched her for more than a year.
Please do not tell me again that Claire is my daughter.
I know that story only too well. I am well aware that Claire is a fine young woman, probably the sort of daughter any father would be proud of, but I am sorry—I cannot love someone else's child as though she were my own. I gave her my name and a generous dowry. I have done more than enough for her.” Reginald gave a bitter laugh before adding, “You know, she bears a striking resemblance to one of the footmen, the strong young fellow who worked at my house twenty-five years ago. Who would have imagined that the beautiful and perfect Emma would take a servant as her lover? At least she gave me an heir, and David is a good and honourable man, and he married a good woman.”
“You know better than anyone what happened in your marriage all those years ago. But in my heart, Claire is my niece, and she always shall be.”
Marcus felt sorry for both his brother and his niece, though nothing about a woman as vain and superficial as Emma surprised him.
She had resented him because he had never paid her any attention.
Their fathers had forced them to marry, and they had been miserable together ever since.
There had never been either love nor friendship between them.
After telling Reginald everything Mr Gardiner had told Eleanor, Marcus also related what had happened in Kent with Lady Catherine. He shared his suspicions regarding Mr Darcy's less-than-honourable interest in Elizabeth.
“I shall spend the next few days with Eleanor. Afterwards, I shall speak to Lord Matlock about his sister, and then I shall have a word with Darcy,” Marcus explained.
“Leave Matlock to me, Marcus. I shall make it crystal clear that Elizabeth is now a member of my family, and that any attack upon her is an attack upon the Sinclairs. Matlock has always thought himself more important than he truly is.”
“Thank you, brother. I shall deal with Darcy.”
“One more thing. You know that His Majesty is considering granting you a title. He wishes to use your popularity to his advantage, and honouring a celebrated war hero is an excellent way of gaining public favour. I believe I have found a way to make Elizabeth a Sinclair without creating a scandal, and receiving the title of Baron or Earl will undoubtedly make it much easier.”
Marcus listened carefully to his brother’s plans and thanked him for all his support and advice.
“Thank you, Reginald. You are the best brother I could ever have wished for. I know very well that it was you who persuaded Eleanor to give me another chance,” Marcus said warmly.
“My dear brother, you are my family and my own hero. You may always count on me, whatever you need. But I believe we ought to retire now. Tomorrow, many wonderful things await you.”
The brothers embraced before retiring for the night, eager to be well rested for the following day. At last, after so many years, Marcus would fulfil his dream of marrying Eleanor Bennet.
◆◆◆
Eleanor felt as though she were dreaming as she entered the church on the arm of her longtime friend, Edward Gardiner. Marcus, dressed in his finest uniform, was waiting for her at the altar.
Elizabeth watched with great emotion as Marcus and Eleanor pledged their eternal love to one another in the beautifully decorated church. Jane and Aunt Gardiner had outdone themselves.
After the clergyman declared them husband and wife, Marcus gently kissed Ella upon the lips and said with delight, “At last, my love.”
“At last!” replied Eleanor.
Marcus and Eleanor then left the church, Eleanor on Marcus's arm, as all the guests applauded joyfully.
Everyone who had attended the ceremony proceeded to the wedding breakfast. It was an intimate gathering, attended only by the bride and groom's closest family and friends.
On Eleanor's side were her four nieces, Matthew Andrews de la Garza, the Gardiners and their children, and Captain Christian Campbell.
On Marcus's side were his brother and Claire.
His nephew, the Viscount, lived in Scotland with his wife and had therefore been unable to attend, and Marcus would never have invited his sister-in-law.
As the most distinguished gentleman present, Lord Rockwell proposed the toast. Lord Rockwell rose from his seat and lifted his glass.
“My dear friends, if I may have your attention for a moment. It is my great honour to propose a toast to the happy couple.”
The conversations ceased at once, and every eye turned towards him.
“Marcus, my dear brother, and Eleanor, my dear sister, after so many years of trials and separation, Providence has at last granted you the happiness you have long deserved. May your marriage be blessed with many years of love, peace, and contentment. May every sorrow of the past be forgotten in the joy of the future.”
Lord Rockwell raised his glass a little higher.
“To Marcus and Eleanor.”
“To Marcus and Eleanor!” the guests echoed, raising their glasses.
The newlyweds smiled gratefully as everyone drank to their happiness, and the celebration continued in a cheerful and affectionate spirit.
“My dear Matthew, before my wife and Jane come to join us, I should like to speak to you about a business matter. A gentleman named Henry Parker wishes to invest in my business. More than twenty years ago, he left England to make his fortune in India and has only recently returned. He has sold all his interests there and told me that he intends to purchase an estate and invest the remainder of his fortune in profitable businesses such as mine. I should be grateful if you would look into the matter.”
“Certainly. Please send his information to the office, and I shall ask my assistant to begin making enquiries. As soon as I learn anything, I shall let you know.”
Just then, Mrs Gardiner, Laura, and Jane approached them. They immediately changed the subject and began discussing Jane and Matthew's wedding.