Chapter 27 #3
James Andrews used all his influence, and ten days after that unpleasant interview, the magistrate, accompanied by several officers, seized all the de Bourgh jewels to satisfy the outstanding debt.
Lady Catherine was so enraged that even her servants avoided her.
Mr Collins and Charlotte likewise took advantage of the opportunity to visit their family in Hertfordshire.
◆◆◆
Marcus knocked on the door of Longbourn, impatient to see Elizabeth. The journey from London had seemed endless, even though his brother had assured him that everything would be well.
Mr Hill opened the door and showed them into the parlour. Mr Bennet was not at home, having gone to Meryton to purchase a new saddle for his horse. Elizabeth and Mrs Bennet were embroidering tablecloths when the butler announced the gentlemen.
“Father, Uncle Reginald, it is so good to see you,” Elizabeth said, embracing Marcus and her uncle.
“My dear girl, you cannot imagine how much I have missed you,” Marcus said, embracing his daughter.
“Although we have scarcely had the opportunity to know one another, my dear niece, I have missed you as well,” Reginald said, taking Elizabeth's hand and kissing it gently.
She introduced Reginald to Mrs Bennet and explained to the gentlemen that Mrs Bennet knew everything.
“You cannot imagine how pleased I am to meet you, Lord Rockwell. Lizzy, tomorrow I shall tell Lady Lucas that an Earl visited us,” Mrs Bennet said, greatly excited.
“Fanny, you have given your love and kindness to our daughter for the past twenty years and helped her to become the excellent young woman that she is now. I want you to know that my wife and I shall be forever in your debt. Whatever you may need, you have only to tell us. We shall always be there to support you,” Marcus said, smiling with his sincere, earnest gratitude.
“Very soon, my brother will be made an Earl by His Majesty. You, Mrs Bennet, will be the guest of honour at the ball I intend to give in celebration of Lord Sinclair,” Reginald said, kissing Mrs Bennet's hand. “And you must promise me at least one dance.”
“Of course, my Lord. The honour would be entirely mine,” Mrs Bennet replied, scarcely able to contain her excitement. “I believe you have a great deal to discuss. I shall leave you alone so that you may speak without interruption,” Mrs Bennet said.
Fanny could not believe her good fortune and longed to go to Meryton at once and tell everyone what Lord Rockwell had just said.
At the same time, however, she realised that Elizabeth needed to speak to her father, so she excused herself and went to her bedchamber to plan what she would wear the following day.
She also looked through some fashion magazines, preparing herself for the gown she would wear to the ball at Lord Rockwell's mansion.
Surely Eleanor would give her a new dress for the occasion.
As soon as Mrs Bennet had left the room, Elizabeth asked, “Father, what will happen now?”
“My dear daughter, do not trouble yourself about anything. Today, you shall leave this house—”
At that moment, Mr Bennet entered the parlour, visibly angry upon noticing Marcus Sinclair and his brother.
“What is this man doing here?” Mr Bennet demanded, looking at Elizabeth. “Get out of my house if you do not wish me to tell my daughter what you did to Eleanor twenty years ago. This man is a scoundrel who took advantage of my foolish sister and then abandoned her.”
“Be very careful what you say, Bennet. My brother is an honourable man and has endured your schemes and lies for far too long. Unfortunately for you, I am not as honourable as he is, so do not provoke me,” Reginald said.
“And who are you?” Mr Bennet asked scornfully.
“I am Reginald Sinclair, Seventh Earl of Rockwell, and Marcus's elder brother,” he replied threateningly.
“I am sorry, but I have lost all patience. Get out of my house and do not return. I never wish to see you near my daughter again. Elizabeth, allow me to tell you who this supposed hero truly is—”
“I know everything I need to know about my father, General Marcus Sinclair,” Elizabeth said, unable to hold back a few tears.
“I am very proud of my parents, and I thank you, Uncle, and your wife for giving me a home for so many years. But, Mr Bennet, you know very well that, had you and your father not concealed everything you knew, none of this would ever have happened, and I should have grown up with my father and mother. I have nothing more to say. For now, I wish only to leave this house.”
Marcus immediately went to Elizabeth, and she took his arm.
“I shall never allow that, Lizzy. You are the only daughter capable of helping and accompanying me.
I am sorry, but if you go, I shall be forced to destroy Eleanor's reputation and that of this wretched gentleman. Daughter, I know you will not understand it now, but in time you will realise that it was for your own good.”
Mr Bennet was prepared for anything. Eleanor would not win this game.
“You miserable scoundrel,” Marcus said, attempting to spring towards Mr Bennet, but Elizabeth and Reginald managed to restrain him.
“I have evidence of a great many of your unpaid debts, Bennet. If you do anything against my brother or his family, I shall see you sent to prison. Moreover, thanks to His Majesty, as soon as Elizabeth turns one-and-twenty, she will be adopted by her parents and officially become a Sinclair. Think carefully before you act, or you will end your days bankrupt and alone.”
Mr Bennet flushed scarlet with rage and shouted, “I am not afraid of you. Do whatever you wish. But if Elizabeth leaves this house, I shall tell everyone what happened between this man and my sister twenty years ago, even if I must go to prison for it. I do not care!”
Elizabeth was in despair. She could not allow her parents' lives to be ruined in such a manner.
“Enough! Very well, I shall remain in this house. Father, Uncle Reginald, you had better leave. We can settle this another time.”
“No, my dear girl. I cannot leave you here with this man,” Marcus said desperately. Mr Bennet is blackmailing you to your face into being his servant. I cannot believe his audacity!”
“How much do you want, Bennet? I am a wealthy man, and I am prepared to pay whatever you ask, provided you leave my brother and his family in peace,” Lord Rockwell said earnestly.
“Typical of men like you, who believe everything can be bought with money. Elizabeth is my daughter! I raised her to remain by my side and keep me company in my old age. Now, for the last time, leave my house.”
"Only because you deceived me! You lied to your sister. You lied to me. You have stolen our child! Just because you have gotten away with kidnapping a child for twenty years does not make it right. Nor does it make you Elizabeth’s rightful father.”
“Please,” Elizabeth pleaded through her tears, “I beg both of you to go. We cannot resolve this today.”
“My dear girl, I cannot leave you here,” Marcus replied desperately.
“You must, Father. If you remain, everything will only grow worse.” Elizabeth clasped his hands tightly.
“Please trust me. Perhaps, in time, I shall be able to persuade Mr Bennet to let me leave. And if not, perhaps he will at least allow me to spend some time with you and Mother from time to time.”
“Good choice, Elizabeth,” interjected Mr Bennet.
She turned to him and said venomously, “Not another word from you, fa… Mr Bennet. I am appalled and hurt by both your behaviour twenty years ago and your behaviour today. I am simply doing this for the sake of peace amongst my own family!”
Reginald looked anxiously at his brother.
“Marcus, Elizabeth may be right. We must not force matters.”
Marcus shook his head.
“I cannot bear the thought of leaving you in this house,” said Marcus.
“It has been my home these past twenty years; I shall be fine,” Elizabeth reassured Marcus as she embraced him. Besides, it is only for a little while, Father. I promise I shall not give up, and neither must you. We shall find another way.”
Marcus looked at his daughter for several moments before lowering his head in reluctant resignation.
Mr Bennet was pleased. His sister Eleanor had become wealthier and more important than he, despite being only a woman.
Yet, so long as he lived, Elizabeth would remain at his side, and for that reason, Eleanor and her hero would never be happy.
He was the winner because he was always willing to do whatever was required to win.
“I have nothing more to say, nor do I wish to hear anything further. I shall retire to my study, and I trust you will leave at once.”
“You are not going anywhere, Mr Bennet,” Mrs Bennet said firmly.
“Lizzy, go and pack your belongings so that you may leave with your father and your kind and generous uncle. Do not concern yourself with anything except being happy with your family.”
“How dare you interfere in my affairs, Fanny? You forget your pin money—and ever seeing your daughters again,” Mr Bennet said, on the verge of losing all self-control.
Fanny handed a bundle of papers to Lord Rockwell.
“My Lord, these letters tell the whole story. They explain how my father-in-law was forced to spend Ella's dowry to pay Thomas's debts. They also contain letters in which he tells Thomas how industrious his sister was and urges him to follow her example.”