Chapter 28
Charles Bingley returned to London for only a few days to settle some unfinished business.
With Mr Darcy’s assistance, he had found an estate in Derbyshire and needed only to complete a few documents to finalise the purchase.
Then he could at last fulfil his father’s dream and become a landowner.
However, he did not intend to abandon the world of trade and business; he knew very well that investing his money in different areas was the wisest means of securing financial stability.
As for his personal affairs, he had not yet forgotten Jane Bennet. Still, he had come to accept that it had all been his own fault, owing to his lack of firmness, and had resolved never again to allow anyone to interfere in such matters.
“Charles, have you seen Darcy lately?” asked Mr Hurst.
“No, but I sent him a note and mean to call on him tomorrow,” replied Mr Bingley, reading the newspaper with some curiosity. It was past ten in the morning, and he and his brother-in-law were taking breakfast together.
Caroline and Louisa had risen earlier than usual and were on their way to breakfast when they heard the two men conversing.
“Charles, I think Louisa and I should accompany you to visit Mr Darcy. Perhaps he can help us dispel this wave of unfair rumours,” Caroline said in distress.
“Caroline, these are not rumours. Mrs Sinclair—or rather, Lady Sinclair—heard you speaking ill of her niece. What did you expect her to do? Besides, everyone knows that the Campbells depend upon the money Daniel Campbell inherited through his wife. I hope you have learnt to measure your words and, above all, to think before you speak,” said Charles, without taking his eyes from the newspaper.
“How fortunate those Bennet chits are! They have found a rich aunt with connections to the first circles, who also married a famous general, the son of an earl, and whom His Majesty has likewise made an earl. Yet we, meanwhile, are social outcasts,” Louisa concluded with resignation.
Caroline, visibly upset, added, “I only wished to alert the Marquesa de la Pena to how unsuitable a woman like Jane Bennet was for a man like her grandson; that was all. But you are right; I should not meddle in other people’s affairs.
Besides, I do not think it was necessary.
A family from the first circles of Europe will never accept a woman like Jane Bennet.
I am sure the Marquesa de la Pena will force Mr Andrews de la Garza to annul that marriage if he wishes to be the Marqués de la Pena one day. ”
“You are right, Caroline,” Louisa added.
Charles Bingley could not help laughing upon hearing Caroline and Louisa, and Caroline asked angrily, “What are you laughing at, Charles? Not all men are as foolish as you, nor are they willing to ruin their future for a woman like Jane Bennet. Mr Andrews de la Garza was probably bored and decided to play the role of a solicitor for a while. This is how rich and powerful men like him sometimes amuse themselves.”
Charles folded the newspaper, laid it upon the table, and replied to his sister.
“My dear Caroline, the first thing you must understand is that Jane is no longer Jane Bennet.” He reopened the newspaper to verify the information and continued, “Her name is now Jane Andrews de la Garza, Condesa de la Carrera. However, as soon as Don Pedro de la Garza recovers, the de la Pena family will return to Spain, where Matthew Andrews de la Garza and his wife shall assume their new responsibilities as Marqués and Marquesa de la Pena.”
Caroline took the newspaper from Charles and, together with Louisa, read the article, which recounted the history of the de la Pena family and that of the future Marqués.
Neither sister could conceal her anger at the news.
They spent hours convincing themselves that Jane would only make a fool of herself in her new life, believing such thoughts would ease their resentment.
In truth, however, they were consumed with envy.
For his part, Charles was sincerely glad that Jane had found a husband who loved her and could give her everything she deserved.
◆◆◆
Matthew and Jane had gone to dine with the Gardiners to share their plans with them.
“As soon as Don Pedro is a little better, we shall travel to Spain to settle everything.
We shall remain there for only a few months.
I explained to Don Pedro and Dona María that I intended to spend only part of each year in Spain.
I plan to contact Don Rodrigo, an old friend of my mother's, to help me engage a capable steward to manage the estate during the months we shall be in England.”
Mr and Mrs Gardiner knew it had not been easy for Matthew to embrace his new life. Still, they also knew that Jane was delighted by the prospect of living in another country and of giving her future children the opportunities their father had enjoyed.
“I am taking Spanish lessons, and I hope to learn enough to communicate with all the people who depend upon my husband.”
“Cousin Jane, I hope your Spanish is better than Lizzy’s. Do you remember, Matthew, when she tried to surprise you by speaking in an unknown language which, according to her, was Spanish?” John said, laughing.
“I remember it perfectly,” Matthew replied cheerfully. “But I must be fair and say that Lizzy had received only a single hour of instruction, so she did not do too badly after all.”
Jane and Matthew exchanged a glance with Mr Gardiner, silently indicating that it was time to share the news with the children.
Mr Gardiner understood at once and said, “John, Laura, we have some news that I believe will delight you. Matthew and Jane have invited us to Spain to attend the ceremony at which they shall be officially invested as the Marqués and Marquesa de la Pena. What do you think of the idea?”
Laura could scarcely believe it. She could only ask, “Is it true, Mama?” while John exclaimed, “Are we truly going to Spain?”
“Yes, my dears.”
Unable to contain their excitement, both children rose from the table and embraced Jane and Matthew with heartfelt gratitude.
Once the first excitement had subsided, they began asking Matthew countless questions about Spain and declared that they wished to join Jane in her Spanish lessons.
It was a delightful evening for everyone, and the children's enthusiasm soon became contagious.
◆◆◆
Mary and Kitty were not surprised when Eleanor told them the truth about Elizabeth's birth. They had seen how the general treated Elizabeth and had long suspected the truth. Jane was the most astonished by the revelation, especially when she learned why Elizabeth had not been raised by her parents.
After the initial surprise, the four sisters spoke at length on the subject and agreed that they would always think of one another as sisters.
They also decided not to tell Lydia the truth, and Jane undertook to ask Mrs Bennet to do the same.
None of them trusted their younger sister; despite the months she had spent at boarding school, they had seen no change in her character, only in the way she conducted herself.
Jane did take Elizabeth aside, a look of concern creasing her brow, and asked pointedly, “Does this mean you are no longer my sister?”
“Oh, Jane! Do not be silly! Of course you are my sister.
“We are two girls, living in the same family. That is pretty much the dictionary definition of a sister. Who our actual parents are matters not at all to me. Besides, nothing can erase the countless hours we have spent talking together late at night, talking about things, clothes, books, friends… even boys,” said Elizabeth earnestly.
“I love you ever so much, Jane, for the kind and dear person that you are. No worldly changes could ever change my feelings and my sisterhood with you.”
“Just as my becoming a marquesa shall never affect my friendship with you, my dear sister.”
“Which is as it should be, Marquesa de la Pena. Oh, I fear I shall never tire of calling you that!” Elizabeth laughed. “Why, I feel more important simply sitting here next to you! Should I have scheduled an appointment?”
“Lizzy! Of course not. Sisters don’t need appointments because we are family.”
“Precisely,” said Elizabeth, “And blood considerations have so very little to do with who is family and who is not. It really comes down to how close you are to those you live with.”
“Elizabeth, you are so wise,” said Jane.
“As are you, my dearest Jane. As are you. Perhaps that is why we get along so well!” Lizzy laughed.
Elizabeth spent almost a week in the company of her parents, sisters, and Uncle Reginald.
Lady Claire occasionally joined them, but unfortunately she was busy with the preparations for her wedding.
Claire told Elizabeth about the close relationship she had always shared with Marcus and how kind he had been to her.
Elizabeth felt immensely proud that her father had loved and protected a young girl who had felt so alone.
She knew he had done so in her memory, believing he was giving Claire all the love he could never bestow upon the daughter he believed to be dead.
Elizabeth's twenty-first birthday was approaching. Eleanor knew that the day would change the course of her daughter's life, so she decided to organise a birthday celebration to share their happiness with their family and those closest to them.
Elizabeth and Lady Sinclair went to Darcy House to visit Georgiana and Mr Darcy and invite them to the celebration.
“Thank you very much, Lady Sinclair, for inviting me to Miss Bennet's birthday celebration.
I should also dearly love to attend the ball at Lord Rockwell's house, but I still cannot take part in social events of that kind as I am still too young,” said Georgiana.
“However, Kitty is coming to stay with me that day, and I am delighted to know that we may talk for as long as we please.”