Authors: Melanie Schertz
“They will spend the rest of their lives in Scotland,
as Hurst and I have made the arrangements. Once the
payments for their supplies is settled, the solicitors
and the bank can handle the payments. I have told
them I will not be writing to them, and that I do not
wish to hear from them.”
Bingley looked down at his hands, intertwined
with Jane’s. “I will not open any letters from them.
They will go directly into the fire. Once all the
paperwork is through, I am completely rid of them.
To my way of thinking, I will be an only child.”
Jane reached out a hand and caressed the side of
his face. Fat tears began to overflow from Bingley’s
eyes as the pain from the past days took hold of him.
Bingley’s head lowered, until it was on Jane’s lap.
Tears flowed freely as Bingley let them rid him of the
shame and fears he had felt. “I do not deserve you,
Jane. Not after all that has happened. But I count
myself fortunate to have your heart. I could not live if
I thought I had lost you forever. You are the other half
of my heart, and I would be empty without you.”
Over and over, Jane’s hand flowed over his hair.
“Charles, we all make mistakes. It is what we learn
from our mistakes that makes us who we are. If you
did nothing to correct the mistakes, then I would have
no alternative but to break our betrothal. You have
learned of what your sisters are truly capable, and
you are making the appropriate steps to be rid of their
horrid behavior from your life. I love you more for
having gone through this. Suffering is a part of life.
Allow it to aid you in growing wiser and stronger.”
“Thank you, my dearest love. I will make you
proud, I promise you will not regret your decision.”
Bingley said, wiping his eyes. Lifting his head, Bingley
looked at his fiancé. “I am truly the most fortunate
man in the world. I love you Jane Bennet. And I
always will.”
Elizabeth rested the remainder of the day, after
informing her father she had accepted Darcy’s
proposal. Sadie had climbed up onto the bed beside
Elizabeth, and the two slept peacefully, with
Elizabeth’s fingers buried in the dog’s beautiful, long
fur of tan, cream and black. When Mrs Reynolds came
to check on Elizabeth, she smiled at the sight before
her. Both of the patients had their injured leg
positioned for protection, but their bodies snuggled
together, bringing each other comfort.
The men had left Elizabeth to sleep, while they
went to Darcy’s study to discuss details of the
marriage contract.
Unknown to any of the ladies in his family, Mr
Bennet had a bank account for Elizabeth, which had
been set up by Constance, before her death. Her sister
had seen to it that the account was available, in case
Mr Bennet had needed anything for Elizabeth, but he
had never touched a penny. In the account was more
than forty thousand pounds. He had always planned
on the funds being his daughter’s dowry.
Darcy was determined to settle forty thousand on
Elizabeth, even before he knew she had any money
saved for her. Learning the sum was so high, he spoke
his mind to Mr Bennet.
“Sir, I wish to speak with Lady Elizabeth on the
matter, but I do not see the need for her to have the
entire sum settled upon her for a dowry. As you
know, I am financially sound and my annual income is
far higher than was estimated when I was in
Hertfordshire. I believe I heard tell that I had ten
thousand per annum. In truth, it is more than double
that. The estate produces at least ten thousand per
annum, but I am invested in many other areas. Not to
mention the other properties I own. If your daughter
does not mind, I would suggest dividing the savings
between Lady Elizabeth and Miss Jane. The added
funds would be of benefit to the Bingleys, allowing
them a better start in their life. Bingley’s wealth is
comfortable, but having a twenty thousand pound
dowry added would be a blessing.”
“That is quite generous of you, Darcy. I have no
doubt Lizzy would wish to give the money to her
beloved sister. Though they are half-sisters, they
were brought up as twins, and they love each other as
such. Lizzy would do everything she could for Jane.
We may have to speak with Lady Margaret, as the
funds came from her family’s trust for Constance, but
I do not see any harm in dividing the wealth.”
Mr Bennet smiled. “As you are engaged to my
daughter, you are within your rights to refer to her as
Elizabeth, or Lizzy. You do not have to be so formal
any longer, as to call her by her title.”
“It is difficult to believe she has agreed to be my
wife. I have dreamed of this moment for so many
months now, to have her truly agree to marry me
seems as if I am still in my dreams.”
“A most beautiful dream, indeed. It pleases me to
know my Lizzy will have the love match I wished to
have had with her mother. And Jane will also have a
love match. I could not be happier for them. They
were both witness to the terrible marriage I had with
Fanny, and neither of the girls wished to have such.”
Mr Bennet wiped a tear which had escaped his eye.
“They are amazing young ladies, Mr Bennet. It is
clear that you love them, and they love you. Nothing
Mrs Bennet did could change that fact, or perhaps, it is
due to her behavior they grew as strong as they have.”
Mr Bennet nodded his head in agreement. “They
have always been loved, by me, by the Gardiners, and
most of the people who have known them. Only
Fanny could not love Elizabeth, and look where her
hatred has gotten her. Well, no more thinking of the
past. We have a bright future ahead of us and I look
forward to visiting your home many times in the
years to come.”
“Ah, yes, and I believe you should have a bed
moved into the library. It would make my stay with
you more comfortable if I did not have to go down the
hall at the end of the day.” Mr Bennet smirked. “I
grow tired of sleeping on your sofa.”
After receiving Elizabeth’s enthusiastic approval
to share her wealth with her dear sister, a letter was
sent to Scotland to her aunt, announcing her
engagement and asking approval to divide her
inheritance.
“Lizzy, the funds were left for you by your mother.
I have no rights to them.” Jane argued. “I do not need
a dowry. Charles wishes to marry me, even without a
dowry.”
“My you are my sister. We share the same father,
and we have shared a life together. I beg of you, Jane,
allow me to share this gift with you. My mother
would have approved, I am certain of it. From what
Papa and Aunt Maggie have told me of her, I know my
mother would have loved you. Your happiness is
important to me, and giving you half of my money
would make you happy, I know it will.”
“Lady Elizabeth, as Jane told you, I asked for her
hand when she had no dowry. I love her, and we will
be well off enough without the dowry.” Bingley stated.
“I appreciate the offer, but we will be comfortable.”
Elizabeth was frustrated. “My dearest sister, you
must take the gift I am offering. If you do not, I will…I
will…oh, I do not know yet, but I will think of
something. Something ridiculous, that will make you
regret not taking the money.”
Jane laughed at her sister’s silliness. “But Lizzy, it
is your inheritance. I could not possibly take your
inheritance from you. It is a gift from your mother.”
“And you are a gift from my father. It is natural to
combine the two. Please, Jane, please take this gift. I
beg you.” Elizabeth took hold of her sister’s hands as
she pleaded.
After several moments of listening to her sister’s
constant pleas, Jane could not hold out any longer.
“Very well, I will do as you ask. But I will only accept
ten thousand. We could take the other ten thousand
and put it to good use.”
Elizabeth’s eyes grew as she thought of potential
recipients for donations. After her experience in
Liverpool, she would be pleased to be able to thank
those who had come to her aid, with no thought of
financial gain for themselves.
“Then it is settled. Unless there is any problem
from stipulations as to how the inheritance is used,
we will donate ten thousand pounds to charity.
Perhaps we can begin a foundation in my mother’s
name. In Liverpool.”
Darcy knew where her thoughts had turned. “You
wish to assist Mr Miller and the Walker sisters in their
efforts of freeing those who have been sold into
slavery?”
Elizabeth nodded her head. “After all they did, I
feel it would be a proper way of repaying them, as
well as honor my mother. Perhaps a house where
freed slaves could receive care until they could find
employment and places to live. It could be
Constance’s House.”
Mr Bennet nodded his head. “It would be a fitting
way to honor your mother, Lizzy. And I have
something I wish to suggest. Now that Lizzy will be
marrying Mr Darcy, and will move here, and with
Fanny and Lydia no longer living at Longbourn, I wish
to invite Jane and Mr Bingley to reside at Longbourn
with me. I will set aside some funds each year, and
when I die, the money will come to you to purchase
your own estate. Perhaps, by then, there will be an
estate near Pemberley for you to purchase.”
Darcy smiled as he realized his future father was
aware of Bingley searching Derbyshire for property
he could purchase. “Bingley, I think you would learn
from working beside Mr Bennet, seeing how to run a
smaller estate. Then, it will not be so overwhelming
when you purchase a larger estate later.”
Jane and Bingley looked at each other. Bingley
was surprised, as Jane had, just recently, discussed
their living at Longbourn. He knew it would make her
happy, and he was well aware of how much he had to
learn of being the master of an estate. It did not seem
as daunting an experience as he thought of accepting
Mr Bennet’s offer. “I believe my betrothed would be
pleased by my words, as I will accept your offer, Mr
Bennet.”
“Oh, yes, Charles. I wish to be of assistance to
Papa and it would be a better way of learning what is
needed to run an estate.” Jane declared, joyfully.
The Gardiners were ready to leave for their home,
which was a sad time indeed. The children were not
wishing to leave their favorite cousins, Mrs Gardiner
knew she would miss Elizabeth and Jane immensely,
and Mr Gardiner stated he would miss the fishing
opportunities he had enjoyed, though it was well
known that he would miss his nieces very much.
It was decided that the weddings would be held in
a joint ceremony at Longbourn, in one month. This
would allow Elizabeth more time to recover from her
fall, as her ankle was still tender.
And it would allow the young ladies to shop in
London for their trousseaus. They had received a
letter from Margaret stating there were no
stipulations on the inheritance, and she felt Constance
would have approved of Elizabeth’s decision.
Margaret also sent her approval of her niece’s choice
of husband. She would be in attendance for the
weddings, as would her entire family.
A letter arrived from Elizabeth’s uncle, Albert,
who planned to make the journey to Longbourn for
the wedding.
A letter of congratulations was received from the
palace, from Queen Charlotte. She had also decided to
hire an artist to take Elizabeth’s likeness on canvas.
She requested the artist make several copies of the
portrait, as it would be a wedding gift to the couple, as
well as an addition to the family portraits hung in the
house in Brunswick. Mr Bennet and Margaret each
wished to have smaller copies of the portrait for their
own homes. Elizabeth was surprised by the gift from
the queen. She felt a sense of acceptance by the family
she had known for such a short time.
Lord and Lady Matlock had sent word from Town
that they expected the couple to attend a ball they
were giving in Darcy and Elizabeth’s honor, just a few
days prior to the wedding. Lady Matlock was well
known in society, and she planned to pave the way for
her future niece to be accepted. Knowing his aunt and
uncle supported his decision was a great relief to
Darcy. He knew his aunt, Lady Catherine, would not
approve of his bride, so having Lord and Lady
Matlock’s support was a blessing in his eyes.
Princess Augusta sent a letter and a gift to
Elizabeth, in honor of her engagement. She had
commissioned a necklace and earbobs made of
sapphires and diamonds. Sapphires were the color of
Constance’s eyes, and Princess Augusta had the most
exquisite set made. The center stone was sapphire,
cut in the shape of a heart. The silver setting was
made to look as if the diamonds were flower petals,
with smaller sapphires in the center of each cluster of
petals. The flowers grew smaller as they moved
upwards, until they were extremely small upon
reaching the back of her neck, near the clasp.
Elizabeth was elated with the gifts she had received,
and she was extremely grateful for the acceptance and
love which was being freely given to her.
Mr Hurst returned to Pemberley two days before
the party was to remove to London. He had made all
the arrangements and had the information needed for
the solicitors to take charge of Caroline’s dowry and
the settlement for Louisa, and pay their bills.
He stated that the trip was eventful, with Caroline
protesting every mile of the journey. She had even
tried to escape twice. But she soon discovered it was
foolishness.