Alias Thomas Bennet (27 page)

“I believe that, while spying on us in Kent, he may have noticed my regard for Lady Elizabeth and was trying to hurt me. As you know, he and I have a long history of disagreements, and I would not be surprised if he once again would covet something so dear to me. I wish she had not been the target for his grievances, but I can see no other reason.”

“I am just as concerned for the welfare of the rest of my family. He is a rake of the worst kind if you recall.”

“Yes, I am all too aware of his history, knowing him as I did as a youth and at university.”

“Do you believe he will be caught?”

“I will do my best to see that he is. It is as much in my interest as it is yours that he is caught; your family will soon be mine.” Darcy expressed a further apprehension. “Wickham also knew Lord Shelton in Derbyshire. Have you no concern that he will recognize you?”

“I did consider it, but since you knew me well when you were a child and did not recognize me, I had little concern that Wickham would. Due to the disparity in our circumstances, he had no reason to have contact with me.”

“But I recall introducing him to you the day you saved me from drowning.”

“That was a long time ago, and I had not seen him again until last autumn. Although I am not sure how he evaded the introduction, we had no personal interaction in Hertfordshire. If he has not exposed me by now, I am certain he has no reason to suspect anything.”

Chapter 17:
Thomas Bennet reveals their fortune to the Ladies Jane and Elizabeth.

13 April 1812
Longbourn, Hertfordshire

It was mid-afternoon on an unusually glorious day for early spring. Every so often, the wind caused the light draperies to flutter at the open window, and Mr. Bennet was grateful for the relief from the stuffiness of the room. The unexpectedly warm weather had caused nearly everyone to escape to the outdoors, but Bennet remained in his study.

He absentmindedly reached out and ran his fingers across the backs of books filed on the many shelves and continued his reflections. The day he had long anticipated had come upon him, and he knew not what he planned to say.

Understandably, Bennet was anxious for the disclosure of Jane and Elizabeth’s heritage to be taken in a positive light. Although he could have decided to tell the world about Lady Jane and Lady Elizabeth at any time in their lives, he had been resolute against it, and per the conditions of the will that he had written as Shelton, he was not at liberty to enumerate their fortunes. Somehow, over the years, he had managed to hold off disclosing their connections to the girls—until now. He knew they were content with their position in life and would likely greet the news with more pleasure than disappointment, but he worried they might wish some of the information had been theirs to consider much earlier in life.

When the participants gathered in his study, he was seated behind his desk in anticipation of perhaps the most challenging interview of his life. He had poured brandy for the gentlemen and claret for the ladies as they faced him. He studied his glass intently before looking up at his audience of four seated in front of him. He drew in a deep breath before speaking solemnly.

“Mr. Darcy, I thank you for interrupting your sojourn in Kent with your family for this meeting. Likewise, Lizzy and Jane, you have cut short your pleasure trips, but I had good reason to ask for your attendance. The information I have to disclose will be important to your lives and will change your situations significantly.

“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, my dear children, I have called you here today to describe a situation which you may not have anticipated, but if you bear with me, you will find it all to your satisfaction. It concerns the inheritance for the ladies. Firstly, Jane and Elizabeth have known for much of their lives that they are wards, but little else except that their parents died when they were very young. Mrs. Bennet and I have treated them as part of our family, including having the Bennet name. Until now, they have not known the identity of their parents because it was the dear wish of their father that they be protected until they were old enough to manage the attention that comes to ladies of their station and fortune.”

This statement resulted in many more questions than it did answers. Four sets of eyes were fastened on him, awaiting his next words. He paused and took a sip of brandy, then turned his regard to Jane and Elizabeth. He feared the knowledge he was about to impart would place distance between him and his beloved daughters, but he was determined not to show his nervousness.

“My darling girls, your real names are Lady Jane Lydon and Lady Elizabeth Lydon, and you are the only children of the Earl and Countess of Shelton in Derbyshire,” Thomas Bennet said, earning a gasp from both Jane and Elizabeth. He observed that Elizabeth, sensing the tension in her sister, took Jane’s hand between hers. Bingley looked as if he were about to ask a question, but Bennet held up his hand to indicate he wanted to continue speaking without interruption.

Taking care not to disclose his true identity, Bennet commenced describing the circumstances under which Lord Shelton and Thomas Bennet met. He spoke of Shelton’s death at sea and his request for the Bennets to be guardians of Lord Shelton’s daughters, of the family circumstances that left Lord and Lady Shelton as the sole heirs of their lines, of the will that was carefully worded to divide the full fortune equally between Jane and Elizabeth, and of Shelton’s very specific request to keep secret his daughters’ substantial inheritance until one of them married or reached the age of five-and-twenty. Bennet faltered but continued on, trying to appear casual in relating the story while his heart was beating frantically within his breast. His face felt hot, and he was certain he betrayed his tension.

Observing the silent interest of his audience, he went on despite his uneasiness. He indicated that Shelton’s closest friend, Mr. George Darcy, was tasked with overseeing the Shelton estates and ensuring the instructions of Lord Shelton’s will were carried out. Any communication regarding the Shelton heiresses was through London solicitors. When George Darcy died, his son was notified of the situation and he then took on the responsibility. Bennet looked to Darcy, who inclined his head in agreement with the statement.

Darcy looked directly into Elizabeth’s eyes when he said, “I was never told the name of your guardian, and I met you and your sister without any suspicion that it was you whose future had been entrusted to my care. You must know how surprised I was by the circumstances.”

Bennet knew why Darcy felt this so important to say; he was apologising for his blunder in the timing of the marriage proposal. Elizabeth was oblivious and gave him a loving look that portrayed her gratitude for the efforts Darcy had made on behalf of her and Jane. Bennet smiled to himself. The expression on Elizabeth’s face was all he needed to see to know that Darcy need not have any fears regarding her acceptance of an apology.

“Mr. Bingley’s marriage proposal to Jane, and my consent and blessing, has brought about a series of events that Mr. Darcy and I have known about for some years now.” Bennet then listed multiple assets, properties, interests in shipping and timber companies, and specific jewels that would be released from trust to the shared ownership of the two daughters. The mechanical act of reciting a list helped to settle him; however, the information caused his daughters to feel a bit overwhelmed.

He also indicated that, unusually, the title of the Earl of Shelton could be passed through the female line.

“Jane, your eldest son will become the next earl and, upon his majority, will inherit all properties belonging to the Earl of Shelton. Should you have no sons, or should your sons die without issue, then Elizabeth’s eldest son will inherit the title and properties.”

“Then I could be the father of an earl?” Bingley asked, and Bennet nodded.

Although disquieted, Jane managed thus far to look composed. She caught Bingley’s eye, but he was too stunned to return her smile. He shook his head in bewilderment as he absorbed the fact that he was marrying a woman of great fortune and circumstance and that he would no longer be compelled to buckle to Miss Bingley’s ambition to shed his roots in trade.

“Your mother, Lady Shelton, brought a considerable fortune to the marriage,” said Bennet, “worth over £70,000 in today’s funds. Her settlement is part of your inheritance, to pass on to your own children.”

As Bennet recited the wealth and consequence of his daughters, Jane and Elizabeth continued to be affected to a greater degree, but at this last piece of information, their eyes widened dramatically. Elizabeth opened and closed her mouth and swallowed hard. She looked at Jane, whose astonishment was now obvious.

“Seventy thousand pounds?” Jane asked in disbelief.

“Indeed,” said Bennet. “Thirty-five thousand pounds each, plus an equal share in the other assets I have listed, with the exception of the properties related to the earldom, which will go to Jane’s, and ultimately Mr. Bingley’s, care in anticipation of an heir.” He looked at Jane and added, “This is why it was so important for you to learn about estate management, my love.

“Mr. Darcy informs me that the interest from the investments will provide at least £1500 a year to each of you.”

Elizabeth was rendered as speechless as Jane. This was not what they had imagined. Usually one not prone to nerves, Elizabeth could feel a constriction in her throat and palpitations in her breast. She looked again at her sister, who was pale. Elizabeth wondered whether this was how women felt when they requested salts. As she took a deep breath in an effort to control the sensation of weakness that was overcoming her, Bennet continued speaking.

“Mrs. Bennet and I decided long ago not to tell anyone about the portions that Jane and Elizabeth have from their birth mother or about the Shelton titles and estates. We allowed rumours to circulate that all the girls have substantially less fortunes than is true.

“Jane and Elizabeth, yours are not the only fortunes greater than assumed. You have known all along that Mary will inherit the Gloucestershire properties, but what your mother and I have kept hidden is that the Bennet assets are such that your younger sisters’ shares are closer to £12,000 each. They will be informed of their fortunes as you have been at the time of a formal courtship or betrothal.

“Though I asked Mr. Darcy to be present today merely due to his legal responsibility as the manager of the Shelton assets, this morning I gave my consent and blessing to his marriage to Elizabeth. I assure you that, in light of his knowledge of Lady Elizabeth’s fortune, I did not grant this permission lightly. Had I not already suspected his particular regard and had assurance of his intention to propose prior to knowledge of Lizzy’s situation, I would have been suspicious of his motives. However, I am persuaded that Darcy is no fortune hunter.” Bennet smiled at his jest. He then addressed his future sons-in-law.

“Up until now, Jane and Lizzy have been known as the wards of a country gentleman of no importance. From now on, their heritage will be known to everyone, and they will become persons of particular interest. You will have to stand by my daughters to make their passage into the next level of society more comfortable, and please try to ensure that they are not importuned by those seeking to gain notoriety by obtaining their friendship and attention.”

“If I may speak for Mr. Bingley, we will do all we can to ensure the comfort of your daughters, Bennet,” Darcy said, and Bingley nodded his assent. Bennet acknowledged this with a bow of his head.

Voices were heard from outside the window, and Bennet pulled aside the light fabric and saw his steward nearby speaking to his wife. Even though he could trust Akuete with his life, he would have a word with him later. When he saw them turn about the corner of the house that led to the servants’ door, his sense of confidentiality was somewhat recovered. He considered closing the window, but since the Akuetes were no longer in earshot of the discussion and the breeze was making the small room more comfortable, he decided to leave it open. The momentary distraction left him unprepared for Elizabeth’s next question.

“What were our parents like, Papa?”

Bennet swallowed hard.

“They loved you and Jane very much,” he said quietly, “and did their best to protect you from harm. You were the most cherished of babes.”

Overwhelmed by his emotions, he was barely able to hold back his tears. “Your father would give his life for you.”

Bennet was torn by his dilemma. As he observed his daughters’ concerned expressions, he knew they deserved more than the deceit and fear that had been his life. Suddenly, he knew Fanny was correct to urge him to tell the whole story to Elizabeth and Jane. He took one more look at their beautiful, beloved faces and spoke haltingly.

“What I am about to say is in the strictest confidence. Until now, the Gardiners were the only other persons besides your mother and me to know all of this, and it has remained so all these years because we exercised great caution in our actions and words.”

Bennet paused and drew a long breath, then took a deep draught of brandy before continuing his speech.

“Thomas Bennet is not the name I have had all my life. I took that name when I married your mother, Mrs. Frances Bennet, upon the death of the real Thomas Bennet in 1792. I was born Miles Lydon, Viscount Westley, heir to the title of Earl of Shelton. I was originally married to the woman who gave birth to you, Olivia, Lady Shelton. I am not only your guardian as Mr. Bennet, but I have always been your father. The real Mr. Bennet and I agreed on the transfer of our identities when he was on his deathbed. I agreed to take care of Mrs. Bennet and your sister Mary, and she became your mother as a result.