Chapter 42

A lthough the Gardiners had not expected a visit from the Darcys the same day they had all returned from visiting the Peak District, having seen the growing mutual feelings between William and Lizzy, it was not the greatest of surprises that his coach had arrived at Clover Dell.

When the butler made his announcement, it became clear only one Darcy was calling. "Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy," Madeline greeted. "You are most welcome."

"Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Gardiner, and Lady Alicia, it is good to see you all again," Darcy intoned, but while he spoke he was looking at one person only.

Rather than look away, Elizabeth held William's eyes with her own. No matter how much she may have tried, she could not command her cheeks not to pink up as they stared at one another intently. They had just parted after two full days in company together, what could he mean by visiting so soon? The mystery was solved forthwith.

"Mr. Gardiner, if she agrees, may I address your niece in private?" Darcy requested.

Gardiner looked at Lizzy who nodded shyly. "It seems Lizzy approves," Gardiner responded. "You may use my office, no more than five minutes. Biggs and Johns will be stationed in the hallway outside of the room. You know the door…"

"Will not be closed all the way," Darcy completed.

The butler was summoned so he could instruct Miss Elizabeth's men where to station themselves. As soon as he had made it so, he returned to the drawing room and nodded to his master. "Biggs and Johns are in place; you may make your way to the office."

Darcy swallowed hard as he passed the enormous sentinels either side of the door, who were watching him intently, as he followed Elizabeth into her uncle's office. He pushed the door, leaving a few inches of space. He made sure she was comfortable in a wingback chair and then paced back and forth twice before he stopped before her.

"Elizabeth, given how things stood between us when I made that horrendous proposal at the parsonage, I would not have dreamed of addressing you again. As we have become closer, I found hope that all was not lost, but I knew I needed to give you time and space before approaching you a second time," Darcy explained.

"Based on how I spoke to you, I never thought you would allow yourself to declare your feelings for me once again. It could be I have misjudged you in that," Elizabeth mused.

"Have we not already canvassed that subject and moved past it?" Darcy reminded her.

"Yes, yes I suppose we have," Elizabeth owned.

"As I was saying it was my intention to wait until I was sure you desired me to speak again, however the catastrophe which beset so many on The Rose and two of her escort ships reminded me what I had pushed to the side after I lost first my mother and then my father was murdered. Life is very short, we are granted such a brief time on the mortal coil and we, all of us, waste so much of that time on inconsequential concerns. I do not want to wait any longer to begin what I believe, will be the best part of my life.

"Regardless of how inelegantly I stated it when I proposed before, I love you most ardently, a love which has grown deeper rather than weakened. I, however, recognise you may not be ready to hear, or desire, me declare myself to you again, not even for a courtship. Hence, my first question, is there a possibility of a joint future for us? If not, I will withdraw and be silent on this subject evermore."

That her feelings had changed significantly from when she used to hate the sight of him, was not even a question, but Elizabeth was not sure if her tender feelings had become feelings of love yet . ‘ That is why William seems to be offering you a courtship, silly! ' Elizabeth admonished herself silently. She looked at William closely. He had a certain amount of boyhood charm while he awaited her answer. Unlike the first time he had proposed, she could not see the arrogant surety that she would grant his petition in his looks he had had then.

"Although I cannot claim I am in love with you today , my feelings are the opposite of what they were in Hunsford. So much so that I do hold you in tender regard," Elizabeth began to reply. "As I, like my two married sisters, vowed that only the deepest love would cause me to marry, I gladly accept an offer for a courtship, if that is what you intend. As you may or may not know, I reached my majority in March past, so, if you are requesting to court me, we do not need permission from anyone, however, when you see my parents again, I would like you to seek their blessings."

"Yes, that is exactly what I was to request as soon as I was aware you are, in fact, open to something more than friendship between us. Your correct assumption has pre-empted my need to ask for the courtship. In granting my request before I asked, you have made me a very happy man," Darcy enthused. "I will of course speak to your parents as soon as I have an opportunity." He lifted each of her hands and bestowed a kiss on the top of each. He would have liked to turn them over and kiss her on each wrist, above the pulse, or even better taste her delectable, ruby red lips. However, he did not want to go beyond what he felt she was willing, and destroy their new understanding at the moment of its inception.

Elizabeth felt a frisson of pleasure as each hand was kissed. His lips were warm and tender, certainly not rough. She wondered what it would feel like to experience those same lips kissing her own. She scolded herself for having wanton thoughts.

"Come. Let us inform my aunt, uncle, Lilly, and Alli," Elizabeth suggested, sure their five minutes was about to expire. As they walked to the drawing room, her hand resting easily on William's forearm, Elizabeth was amazed at how far they had come in a relatively short time.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Bennet was surprised when Hill informed him the London solicitors were at Longbourn to see the master again only two days after they had previously been there. As he had done for their first call, Bennet requested Cilla join him before the men did. When they were shown in, Bennet was rather taken aback that Mr. Rumpole had aged more than twenty years.

Seeing the confusion, Crawley made the introduction to the senior Mr. Rumpole. Just then Henry and Tommy knocked on the door and entered the study.

"Father, why are there coaches with crests on the doors, and many outriders in the drive?" Henry enquired. "Do we have a large number of visitors?"

"Our sons," Bennet explained and then introduced them to the solicitors.

"If you agree, your sons should hear what we have to say as it will materially affect their lives as well," Rumpole suggested after the introductions had been completed. Bennet looked at Cilla who nodded. He inclined his head to the settee and Henry and Tommy sat down where indicated.

"Before we explain anything else, we suggest you read this letter, it is a certified copy of the original, which was scribed in 1550 by the late Lord Henry Bennet, then the Earl of Bedford," Crawley stated as he handed the letter to Bennet .

"But the family bible does not mention a title," Cilla pointed out.

"No it does not, and do not forget that the late Thomas Henry Bennet was not titled. He could have used ‘ The Honourable ' but he chose to forgo that," Rumpole averred.

Bennet and Cilla joined their sons on the settee so all of them could read the letter together. Bennet held it out for everyone to be able to see the text easily.

12 May 1550

Woburn View, Bedfordshire

To my future descendant/s,

This letter and the irrevocable entail I have just created would not have been necessary but for my son, Lord Henry James Bennet, Viscount Birchington's stubbornness and vindictiveness. I am only happy my darling Elizabeth, who passed away five years before the schism between Henry and Thomas occurred, and was the daughter of a gentleman farmer from Derbyshire by the name of Darcy, never lived to see her eldest turn on her youngest the way he has attempted to do.

Thomas was in love with Lady Charity Carrington, the daughter of the then Earl of Holder, a close friend of mine. Fortunately for him, Charity returned my younger son's feelings in full measure and they became engaged in May 1536.

The problem was that Henry could not accept Charity would love Thomas and not himself, who would become earl after me, as he, in order to redirect her feelings from his brother, declared he was in love with her and urged her to throw Thomas over and accept his hand in marriage. Charity cared nothing for the title or the vast wealth which will go with it; she loved Thomas and would not be redirected.

Henry demanded that I banish Thomas and make him forgo the name Bennet. To every entreaty he made on the subject, I roundly refused him. To make life more comfortable for all concerned, I purchased an estate, Longbourn in Hertfordshire, with my late Beth's dowry so it was separate from the properties connected to the earldom. Along with a legacy from me, Thomas and Charity were gifted Longbourn. I must admit a modicum of selfishness in acquiring an estate in a neighbouring shire as it enabled me to visit Thomas, Charity, and their children with ease whenever I was invited, which was often.

Blaming the fact he made a marriage of convenience to the daughter of the Earl of Matlock on his brother, Henry demanded I permit him to change his names. I refused. When his son was born, Henry named the boy Sedgewick Rhys-Davies and swore as soon as I passed away, he would change his name, wiping out any connection to the Bennets and Thomas.

I had hoped that over the years Henry would let go of his self-created implacable resentment, but if anything, as time marched on, he became more bitter and spiteful. This is what led me to take the actions I have in creating the entail I just did and writing this letter, just in case there is no male heir in my eldest son Henry's line to propagate the Bedford Earldom.

The entail precludes Henry, or whatever name he chooses after I am called home to God to see my beloved Beth again, from making an irrevocable break from Thomas's line. He may change his name but my Thomas and his progeny are as much my descendants as Henry's are. I wish no ill on my older son, and pray this is never needed, but in the case it is, I leave this letter and a copy of the entail documents which have been registered with the Court of Chancery with my London solicitors Rumpole and Crawley.

In the unlikely event there is no male heir from Henry's line, then Thomas Bennet's line will be elevated. If Henry or any of his line attempt to contravene my wishes, Thomas's lineage will inherit and carry on the noble Bennet line.

Henry Thomas Bennet

Earl of Bedfor d

"Why does it say the Earl of Bedford, I thought Bedford was a dukedom?" Henry puzzled.

"More than seventy years after this letter was written; for services to the Crown, the earldom was elevated to a dukedom, and with the added land awarded, they named the enlarged estate Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire," Crawley explained.

"But if you have brought this letter for us to read it means…No! We met the Rhys-Davies at the De Melvilles' ball, and they were all healthy," Priscilla stated, "not only was the Duke hale and healthy but he has two sons, and I believe I heard talk of a grandson."

" Had , Mrs. Bennet, had," Rumpole corrected sadly. Between him and Crawley they told the Bennets about what had occurred in March and the royal decree announcing the disaster on the high seas which would appear in the papers on the morrow. They also related the dowager Duchess, two of her daughters, and a granddaughter had remained in England.

"We met Charity before the double wedding, poor dear. So many people lost," Priscilla stated as some tears fell down her cheeks.

"Are you telling me I am a duke?" a stunned Bennet enquired.

"Yes, Your Grace, you are now the Duke and Duchess of Bedford and you," Rumpole looked at Henry, "are the Marquess of Birchington. Your daughters are all Ladies and you," he looked at a shocked Tommy, "are Lord Thomas Bennet."

"We know two of your daughters are on their wedding trips, and you still have a daughter at home we have not met," Crawley verified. Bennet and Cilla allowed it was so. "They will all need to join you in London as soon as may be. Soon after the announcement on the morrow the palace will want to introduce you to society and you will be required to have a royal audience. "

"Yes, Elizabeth is in Derbyshire with family, and as loathe as I am to disturb Jane and Mary's wedding trips, I suppose there is nothing for it," Bennet stated as the stupor began to wear off." He remembered what they had said about the remaining members of the Rhys-Davies family. "What of the Duchess, her daughters and granddaughter?"

"Lady Marie is married to Lord Andrew Fitzwilliam, Viscount Hilldale, so she will remain under her husband's protection. The rest, Ladies Rose, Charity, and Adelle will be your wards, Your Grace," Rumpole replied.

"We need to send an express to Clover Dell," Priscilla stated. Suddenly she thought of something. "Will we have to leave our estates?"

"It is your prerogative, Your Grace," Crawley averred, "but Woburn Abbey is the seat of the dukes of Bedford. Also you have a few satellite estates, and homes in London and some other cities, not to mention the shipping line." Crawley turned to the Marquess. "You my Lord, own the estate of Birchington, which is in neighbouring Buckinghamshire."

The Bennets were reeling, estates, houses, and a shipping line. They had been wealthy enough before, but this was something else. "Is that all?" Bennet fairly squeaked.

"The Bedford Dukedom is the wealthiest non-royal title in the realm, would you like to know about your other assets?" Rumpole asked.

"No, I think that is more than enough for now," Bennet decided. "What is next?"

"Once the letters have been dispatched to your daughters, as soon as you feel ready, you should decamp for Bedford House on Russell Square, Your Graces," Rumpole averred. "There will be many demands on your time and you will need to be in London. Lady Rose Rhys-Davies, the Dowager Duchess, will be arriving with her family we estimate in about three to four days. It will be good for you to be there when they arrive, or soon thereafter."

"Your letters will be carried by some of your couriers, who are with the men in the drive as we speak," Crawley informed the Bennets.

"We need to notify the Matlocks and Jerseys," Priscilla realised.

"Lady Elaine and her husband will be aware of what has occurred, as the former is a cousin to Lady Rose, and is with her at Hilldale according to our information," Rumpole stated. "Lord and Lady Jersey will come to London as soon as they see the notice on the morrow, as they were close to most of those who perished."

Soon the three letters were written and on their way. One to Clover Dell, one to Margate, where Jane and Wes were, and the final one to Seaview Cottage for Mary and Richard.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Andrew handed an express to his grieving mother-in-law who was surrounded by her two devastated daughters. His mother and father sat close by.

"What is it, Andrew?" Lady Rose asked weakly. "You read it and tell me; I am not prepared to read any more bad news." She handed the missive back to Andrew who accepted it and broke the seal.

"It is from the Lord Chamberlain; we are instructed to make for London with all speed. There is news on the future of the dukedom," Andrew reported.

"How can that be?" Lord Matlock enquired. "Bedford told me on many an occasion there was no family outside of those who are no longer with us in the mortal world. Did he ever speak of relatives to any of you?"

"No Reggie, like you, I understood that Sed, Saul, and Little Sed were the only other males in the Rhys-Davies line," Lady Rose confirmed .

"In that case we need to make for London," Marie stated as she stood. "Robby is old enough and strong enough to make the journey, as long as we rest frequently." Everyone knew Marie was trying to put on a brave front, but no one said that they were aware of the fact.

The next morning at first light, two coaches and two carriages departed Hilldale on their way to London.