A Royal Bennet (11 page)

“So, after hearing your cousin’s description, am I
to assume you care for my Lizzy?” Mr Bennet decided
to tease the young man before him.

“It would be fair to say I care for Miss Elizabeth.
And it would also be fair to say that she is the most
handsome lady of my acquaintance. I have struggled
with my feelings for her, as we come from such
different stations in life. But, all that matters to me is
that she is such an amazing young lady.”

“I must admit that I am amazed to hear this, Mr
Darcy. Are you certain you feel this way? My
daughter is under the impression that you feel
obligated after her coming to your aid at Hyde Park. I
am not certain what happened at Hyde Park, but are
the feelings you claim stemming from some sense of
appreciation towards her?”

Darcy shook his head. “No, Mr Bennet, my feelings
are the same as they were when I visited Netherfield.
At the time I was visiting my friend, I was not willing
to accept my feelings and allow them to blossom. My
sister and Richard have told me to grab hold of my
chance for happiness, and not let go. They support
my decision to court your daughter, with the hopes
she will make me the happiest of men by accepting
me to be her husband.”

“Mr Bennet, I have a question to ask you. My
cousin believes I am incorrect, but I have seen the
emblem many times.” Richard began.

“Richard, now is not the time.”
“Yes, it is. I am curious, Wills.”

Mr Bennet frowned, unsure of what the men were
speaking of. Finally, Richard asked his question.

“The garnet cross which was stolen from your
daughter was recovered. On the back of the setting is
an emblem. Was the cross a gift to your family?”

Turning quite pale, Mr Bennet was forced to sit
down quickly. “You know the emblem?”

“I have been on the royal escort detail many times.
The emblem is from the family of the Duke of
Brunswick. Did you do some service to the family?
Was the cross a gift of appreciation?”

Darcy could see the elder gentleman was shocked.
“Mr Bennet, can my cousin bring you some sort of
relief for your current condition? A glass of port,
perhaps?”

“No, no, I will be fine. Forgive me, there are very
few people who know of the situation, and I have kept
my secret for many years.”

“You do not need to elaborate on the matter, Mr
Bennet. It was wrong of me to ask you.” Richard
apologized.

“No, perhaps it is time others know of the
situation. I will ask you to keep secret what I am
about to tell you. Lizzy does not know the truth.”

Richard glanced at his cousin, and then back to Mr
Bennet. “You have my word, as a trusted colonel in
His Majesty’s army, not a word of this will be spoken
without your permission.”

“And I can promise you to keep what you tell us a
secret.” Darcy agreed.

“Elizabeth is my natural daughter, but she is not
the daughter of my wife. Nor is she a twin with Jane.
They were born a few days apart. Elizabeth’s mother
was the cousin of the Duke of Brunswick and Princess
Augusta. She was cousin to Princess Caroline. I was
deeply in love with Constance, Elizabeth’s mother.
But before I could gain approval to marry Constance,
Fanny Gardiner caused a situation which forced me
into marrying her. You can ask Mr Gardiner, he will
testify to the situation. Constance and I had
anticipated our marriage, which did not come to be. I
learned of Elizabeth’s birth and her mother’s death,
when Elizabeth was brought to me. Fanny was
expecting Jane, and I was able to convince the world
that the girls are twins. They are both my daughters,
and there are some similarities. Unfortunately, Fanny
was far from pleased with the situation.”

“It was clear that Mrs Bennet was not fond of Miss
Elizabeth.” Darcy stated, thinking back on all he had
witnessed from his visit to their neighborhood.

“That is a huge understatement, Mr Darcy. My
wife despises Lizzy. She will do anything possible to
be rid of my beloved daughter. And that includes
trying to marry her off to a man who is not worthy of
Lizzy’s smiles, let alone her hand in marriage.”

“Has anything official been settled?” Darcy ask, his
concern clearly etched on his expression.

“No, but I would not be surprised to have my wife
arrive here with a man who is interested in marrying
my Lizzy. It is one of the reasons I sent Elizabeth to
the Gardiners, and then insisted she leave London as
quickly as she did. I would not put it past Fanny to set
up another compromise, with Elizabeth being the one
ruined in the process.”

Darcy thought for a few moments. “When your
daughter and I are able, I suggest we travel to my
estate. Once there, you can spend time with Miss
Elizabeth, as you must wish to explain this news to
her, before someone else does. If Mrs Bennet is
willing to compromise Elizabeth to force her into a
marriage, she would have no difficulties in telling her
the truth of her parentage.”

“You are correct. All the way here, I went over and
over how I should handle the situation. It is time
Lizzy knows the truth. She deserves to know her
mother’s family, and to be presented. Constance was
a delightful lady, and her family has been holding
many items for Elizabeth. Constance’s sister is still
alive, and she lives in Scotland. She has longed to see
Lizzy, and share her memories with my daughter.”

Richard looked at Darcy, seeing the determination
in the set of his brow. “I agree, when Wills and Miss
Elizabeth are able to travel, we should remove to
Pemberley. If you wish to keep your wife and the
suitor for Miss Elizabeth at bay, it is a perfect location.
And it would be an ideal setting for Miss Elizabeth’s
aunt to visit and make her acquaintance. The
Gardiners are welcome there, as I am certain my
cousin would tell you, if he were not in such deep
thought at the moment.”

“Yes, yes, forgive me, Mr Bennet. My sister was
already instructed to have the Gardiners stay at
Pemberley, should they have traveled to Lambton
rather than here. You and your daughters are
welcome, and we can keep Mrs Bennet and any
other…unwanted people from all of you.”

“It is a generous offer, Mr Darcy. I will speak with
Lizzy and the Gardiners. If we were to accept, would
you make me a promise?”

Darcy nodded his head. “If it is within my ability
to do so.”

“Elizabeth will be shocked when learning of her
true mother. I ask that you give her time to come to
terms with what she learns, before you make any
attempt to court her.”

“I can accept that condition, Mr Bennet. I make
you the promise to give Miss Elizabeth all the time she
needs to accept what she is to learn. If she believes
me to dislike her, perhaps seeing me at my home will
be an easier way to come to know me for who I am,
not the mask she has seen.”

Mr Bennet agreed. “You are correct. Allow her to
see the true Mr Darcy of Pemberley. I believe it is
time we all acted as the people we truly are. And that
includes my daughter being the beloved daughter of
Constance, rather than the despised daughter of
Fanny.”
Chapter 8

“I insist on speaking with my husband
immediately.” Mrs Bennet declared to the innkeeper.
“I have journeyed a great distance, and I demand on
speaking with Mr Bennet this very moment. There is
a wedding to arrange, and not a moment to delay.”

Mr Gardiner had been in the dining room when he
heard his sister’s screeching voice. He quickly made
his way into the lobby of the inn. “Fanny, what are
you doing here?”

“Mr Leland is here to marry Elizabeth, so, of
course, her sisters and I have come with him. You
would not expect me to leave my daughter to marry
without me.”

“Fanny, please, keep your voice down. It would be
best if you join me in the dining room. Thomas is
upstairs with Elizabeth, as she is injured. The
physician is with them, so you will have to wait for
them to finish before you can speak to him.”

“I should go up to the room, as I must insist the
physician do all that is necessary for Elizabeth to
marry Mr Leland today. He has even purchased a
special license to marry her. Is that not wonderful?”

“There will be no wedding today, nor for some
time to come. Elizabeth has been injured, and will
require time to recover. And, according to what
Thomas has told me, he did not approve a marriage to
Mr Leland.”

“Oh, Mr Bennet is being silly. Mr Leland is a fine
catch for Elizabeth.” Mrs Bennet took hold of Mr
Leland’s arm. “He has a fine estate, nearly as fine as
Longbourn. And he is wealthy. Quite a fine
arrangement for someone like Elizabeth.”

Mr Gardiner was in no mood to deal with his
sister’s foolishness. “Mr Leland, I am certain the inn is
filled, as our party has taken up most of the rooms.
You might wish to find one of the inns which is not
filled, to find a room for yourself. My sister and nieces
will remain here, with our family. I am certain Jane
will wish to be by her sister’s side.”

Mrs Bennet was not taking chances. “I am certain
there will be room for Mr Leland to remain here,
especially as he will wish to be near his bride.”

A voice bellowed out from the bottom of the stairs.
“THERE WILL BE NO MARRIAGE BETWEEN
ELIZABETH AND MR LELAND! I have told you
multiple times that you will not win this argument
and I mean it. You forced me into a marriage I did not
wish, and have made me miserable for all these years.
I will not allow you to do anything to destroy
Elizabeth’s life.” Mr Bennet was furious. After twenty
two years of enduring a loveless marriage to a woman
he could not tolerate, the Master of Longbourn
erupted with the force of a volcano.

“Mr Bennet, please, keep your voice down.” Mrs
Bennet attempted to calm the situation. “We can
speak in your room.”

“Elizabeth is resting in my room. I will not allow
you to disturb her. Mr Leland, I am afraid you will be
denied my daughter’s hand, and, if you were to ask for
Jane’s, I would deny you as well. You have a
reputation of being violent. My daughters are
precious to me, and I will not allow them to be forced
into a marriage to someone who will mistreat them.”

“I have never mistreated a lady, Sir. I resent you
for such an accusation.”

“Mr Leland, it matters not to me if you resent my
words. I have it on good authority that you are
abusive, and have been so with your previous wives.
Mrs Long is still convinced her cousin did not die from
falling down the flight of stairs, as you claimed.”

Mr Leland was furious. “I will not stand here and
be maligned by the likes of you. Everyone knows you
were a fool to be trapped into marrying this viper. It
is shocking you have not learned of her own secrets,
as most of the neighborhood is aware of her liaisons.”

Mrs Bennet was shocked. “How dare you malign
my good name? I will not tolerate such lies being said
about me.” She turned and walked into the dining
room, leaving a stunned group of people in the lobby.

Lydia looked at everyone curiously. “You did not
know? Good God, I saw her with Mr Jameson and
again with Mr Banks. What a good laugh this is.”

~~ ** ~~

After taking his wife into the dining room, which
was quickly vacated by the men who had traveled
with Darcy and Richard, allowing Mr and Mrs Bennet,
Mr Gardiner, Mr Leland, Jane and Lydia to have the
room. Lydia was still chuckling over her father’s
ignorance of the situation, for Lydia had known for
some time. Jane was pale from learning of her
mother’s behavior, and Mr Bennet was quick to move
to her side, aiding her to a nearby chair.

Turning his attention to Mr Leland, Mr Bennet
stood tall and proud. “What happens between my
wife and myself is our matter, not yours. You will
never be a member of my family, therefore, you are
not required to remain here. If I were you, I would
make myself scarce.”

“I have paid good money to bring your wife and
daughters here, and paid for a special license. I will
not leave here without my bride.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam had heard the uproar and
slipped inside the dining room. “Sir, I believe Mr
Bennet has given you his answer with regards to your
desire to marry his daughter. It will not come to be,
and you had best leave this establishment.”

“And who are you to make such decisions?” Mr
Leland turned his ire towards the unknown man.

“I am Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, and I will warn
you, as a friend of Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and Mr
Bennet and his daughter, I will not allow you to force
your presence upon them any longer. If you are not
willing to go on your own, I am more than happy to
assist you on your way.”

“You do not scare me.” Mr Leland stated. “I will
not be tossed away like a crust of moldy bread. I have
invested time and money into securing the hand of
Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and I will have her as my wife.”

“I beg to differ, Mr Leland.” Richard announced,
his hand on the hilt of his sword to further his
determination. “Mr Bennet has made his point clear,
and I will support his decision. If that requires me to
remove you from this inn, I will do so.”

Mr Leland looked amongst everyone gathered in
the room. Finally, disgusted and frustrated, Mr Leland
gathered his belongings, which had been brought
inside the lobby, and departed Liverpool. He was
determined to ruin the Bennet family as soon as he
arrived home. Everyone in the neighborhood would
soon learn of Fanny Bennet’s infidelity.

With Mr Leland gone, Mr Bennet turned on his
wife. “I may not be the best spouse, but, since our
marriage, I have never dishonored my wedding vows.
You forced me into this sham of a marriage, so you
have no one but yourself to blame if you are
unhappy.”

“You have treated me poorly, Mr Bennet, and I
wished for comfort, even if I was required to look
elsewhere. I will not accept any blame, you have been
a horrible husband, always looking towards your
precious Elizabeth, ignoring my beloved Lydia. You
even prefer Elizabeth to Jane, who is the sweetest
natured person in the world.”