Alias Thomas Bennet (41 page)

“But I was not so composed. Before you came back to me, I was distraught. I was so afraid that it would happen to Lizzy too. It brought back all the memories.” He knew what she was referring to.

“But it did not happen to her,” he said, “and I am so sorry you had that worry.”

“I worried that I would go into hysterics without you here to calm me,” she said into his shoulder. He stroked her hair and said words of gentle encouragement.

“You do not need my assistance, my love. Look at your life. You are wise, strong, and resilient in spite of the pain you have suffered. You have overcome obstacles with a grace that puts you above all other women.”

“You are very kind, but it was difficult to maintain a placid demeanour in front of the servants. I nearly broke down several times.”

“But look at the strength you showed under such trying circumstances and how you supported Lizzy when she came home. I was also very frightened, and you were here to deal with it all alone. I could never find a better woman to manage under such difficult conditions.”

“I was offered salts! Can you imagine?” she said, looking up at him with a grin. “Of course, I declined them.”

He threw back his head and laughed heartily at the idea of his wife having an attack of the vapours.

Chapter 26:
Longbourn’s true heir is discovered.

May 1812
Longbourn, Hertfordshire

Darcy and Bennet were enjoying a good-humoured debate while waiting for the solicitor, Mr. Larrasby, to bring the papers for the wedding settlements. Right on time, Larrasby’s presence was announced, and the gentlemen perused the legal documents while he summarized the main points, such as pin money and inheritances. When they finished reviewing the paperwork and deemed it correct and generous to Elizabeth, Larrasby brought up a different topic.

“Mr. Bennet, when we were drafting these papers, one of the clerks pointed out that you were the master of Longbourn because you inherited from a distant relation.”

“Yes, that is correct. I inherited the estate some eighteen years ago upon the death of a great-uncle who primarily resided in Scotland. Since this property was entailed and he outlived all his eligible issue, I was next in line.”

“Then it would be interesting for you to know that the entailment does not exist,” the solicitor said. “You see, we discovered Mr. Herbert Bennet had incorrectly taken the property rights, claiming he had inherited them through an entail, when in fact, his father had disinherited him, and all properties were willed to his second son, your grandfather. Until recently, there was no way to verify that Longbourn was indeed always to go through your family line, but one of our clerks came upon a new document confirming your grandfather’s claim. By rights, Longbourn should have been yours upon your father’s death in 1792.

“However, it would be up to you as to whether an entail is set for future generations.”

Thomas Bennet concurred that this information was new to him. However, as he was saying it, his head was whirling with thoughts. He did not want Larrasby to become aware of his secret but indicated he would consider the situation and let the solicitor know if he needed assistance.

After Larrasby left, Darcy regained his seat, but Bennet remained standing with fingers laced behind his back. He was lost in thought for some time, trying to determine his position regarding the news. At length, Darcy broke the silence.

“What does this mean in terms of the legitimacy to your claim on Longbourn?” he asked.

“All Bennet owned was left to Fanny. All of it.”

“That means it is yours after all.”

“Precisely. Without an entail, there are no longer any repercussions from Mr. Collins if my real identity becomes known. Fanny’s concern about losing her home is now relieved.”

“Perhaps you could take back your name with less trepidation.”

Bennet pursed his lips and heaved a sigh. “Legitimacy is one thing; fraudulent use of a man’s name is another.”

“You had the real Thomas Bennet’s permission to use his name, did you not?”

“Yes, and he left documents to validate it. But even so, I could be accused of worse than a duel.”

“Mrs. Bennet was there. She could attest to the truth.”

Bennet turned his back and walked to the window. He leaned against the frame, looking out at nothing. He and Fanny had considered these circumstances and discussed them many times. He was well versed in the arguments against revealing his identity, and it wearied him to go through them once again.

“If it were that simple. There are other reasons I would be hesitant to bare my actions to the public. If I were to be identified, all the circumstances around my disappearance from England would be revisited, and it might diminish Jane and Elizabeth’s acceptance in society. I am sure you would not want Elizabeth to be open to derision due to my past dealings with Malcolm.”

“Lord Shelton’s reputation has not undermined them thus far. Their fortunes and connections have overshadowed any problems that could have arisen from being the daughters of a man in exile so many years ago.”

“But the younger girls and Miss Darcy may not be as able to bear the consequences.”

“Your younger daughters have benefited from the improved connections, as has Georgiana. To be certain, there would be some momentary interest among the gossips, but as soon as Byron does something to catch their attention again, all will be forgotten. Surely our families have enough integrity to maintain our dignity through this.”

Bennet knew that he had made the same argument to his wife not long ago, but recent experiences had changed his mind.

“I cannot take the risk.” Bennet turned and walked back to where he took a chair across from Darcy. “Malcolm’s family still has influence in the House of Lords.”

It was a statement that could not be ignored. But Darcy was feeling a little frustrated that he had made the point before with no success. He renewed his opinion that the Malcolm family would not have their name associated with the libertine that Shelton duelled. Given his friend’s insistence on interpreting the situation negatively, Darcy was not in any way astonished to hear Bennet’s mulish rebuttal.

“There is less tolerance for duels now than in those days.”

“You have done your penance.”

There was a long period of silence, and then Darcy realized another strategy was open to him.

“What we learned today must surely ease your mind about Wickham. You have, at best, a tenuous hold on your secret there. With this information, even if he does gain some ears on his claims of your being Lord Shelton, the harm would certainly be less.”

Bennet had to acknowledge that Darcy expressed his own thoughts; however, the distress Bennet had over Wickham’s threats to reveal his identity was not yet abated. Though he was relieved that Wickham would not be trusted by Bow Street and that Darcy’s uncle had a great deal of influence to silence Wickham, the threat would always be there.

“What has been done with the blackguard?”

“He has gone before the magistrate and is to be transported.”

“How much did his silence cost you?”

Darcy looked away, shaking his head. There was a short period of silence while Bennet considered pressing the issue. However, he knew that if Wickham had taken payment, it would be impossible to pry the information from Darcy.

“Do you know where he will be sent?” he finally asked.

Darcy shook his head. “I worry about the damage that he will cause to women and uninformed creditors wherever he goes. The Americas, Canada, and Australia have decent citizens trying to make their way in the world. It would be a shame for him to be allowed to wreak havoc.”

“You can accuse me of being selfish, but all I care about is that he is far enough away to no longer cause harm to my family.”

“If you do not want to be known as Lord Shelton, what would you do if he were to expose you?”

“If anyone were to consider his claims, my family and I would have to weather the storm of questions and accusations.”

“Perhaps.”

“Darcy, I know you mean well, but I would prefer to see things left as planned rather than put them in a position to be criticised.”

Bennet’s words were frank and open, but his tone indicated he was becoming frustrated at Darcy’s persistence. As much as he disagreed with Bennet’s position, Darcy realized that his friend was resolute in his decision. Deciding that Bennet might be more disposed to changing his mind if his mood were lighter, he elected to tease him.

“Would not your life be easier without hiding? I, for one, would be happy to tell the world that I am better at chess than Lord Shelton,” he added casually, running his finger down the side of his glass of port.

Through the nonchalant façade, Bennet could see that Darcy was goading him. The weight of his troubles began to lighten.

“Better?” Bennet cried. “I can state several areas in which not only I, but also my daughter, can best you. Take your arrogance back to Derbyshire and leave us in peace in Hertfordshire.”

“You cherish the challenge of my intellect! You could not bear the insult if I did not let you win the occasional argument. It seems to be my duty to keep you entertained since you will not allow others to know of you.” Darcy tried to use a serious tone and facial expression, but it quickly fell apart as he was unable to hide his mirth.

“As it stands now, my life is full, and I may romp and laugh without being frowned upon or worrying about others’ judgements,” Bennet said mischievously, and Darcy guffawed.

“You have excessive pride in your belief in the mystery of ‘Thomas Bennet of Longbourn’!”

“As I said before, my neighbours will not believe that I am a peer. They would think I was knocked in the head!”

“You should be knocked in the head for forgetting that your life was more privileged, and you would be of more influence in the world.”

“I am no longer used to life as a lord,” Bennet countered, and Darcy worried that their argument was about to resume, but then Bennet added with a roguish smile, “I could never spend my days walking about imperiously with an enigmatic expression such as yours intended to ward off others!”

“Good grief!” Darcy exclaimed, and for a moment, both men were unable to speak from laughter.

At length, they quieted, and Darcy continued his campaign to persuade his friend to reconsider his alternatives. He offered another incentive that he felt was too good to miss.

“Think of the positives: you would no longer be restricted to Longbourn, and I am sure that you would look forward to spending some time at Pemberley with the rest of your family. And if Bingley takes Shelton Manor instead of Netherfield, you could visit him and Lady Jane.”

“That had occurred to me. I would certainly be recognised at Shelton and likely at Pemberley as well. It was easy enough for Lady Matlock and Lady Catherine to know me at a glance.”

“Perhaps it is inevitable that you will be discovered. Perhaps this knowledge of your right to Longbourn is a sign that you should give up your constant need for hiding and let fate determine your future.”

“You have heard my concerns, and I thank you for the compliment of yours. I have spent a great deal of time thinking about this. I will give some thought to your observations and discuss them with Mrs. Bennet. I do appreciate your efforts to assist me in this decision, but it is mine to make, should I decide to preserve my privacy or otherwise.”

At this plea, Darcy ceased his advice and told Bennet that he would respect his decision and not interfere.

“I will not torture you with vain wishes,” he said.

“I thank you for your support, my friend, or should I anticipate the future and call you ‘son’?”

“I would be honoured with either appellation, Bennet.”

***

“My dear Fan, what would you say if I told you I could be free to be known as Lord Shelton, and we would still be able to live at Longbourn?”

“I would say you are dreaming.”

“No, I am quite wide-awake, and I am telling you the truth. I have just been informed there was never a legitimate entail. Upon Bennet’s death, you became the true heir of Longbourn.”

Bennet told her of the meeting he had with the solicitor that morning. Mrs. Bennet was so overcome that she had to sit down.

“Are you sure it is true?” she asked.

“I have no reason to doubt Larrasby’s information,” said he, “and Darcy advocates that we could travel with more ease because, even if someone did recognize me, we would not lose Longbourn.”

Bennet went on to describe the discussion he had with Darcy and the various reasons his friend gave to try to influence him. His description was not limited to a recollection of Darcy’s suggestions but also of the countering points Bennet had made.

“You are right in your arguments, Thomas. A legitimate claim on Longbourn does not minimize risk of a scandal.”

“However, Darcy’s ideas did give me reason to ponder our choices and our fear that the worst would come of any disclosure.”

“When we discussed it in the past, we always spoke in terms of the worst case.”