“That is a fair question.” Belmont met his wife’s sympathetic eyes before continuing heavily. “Lady Anne showed my Lizzy much kindness. She learned of Lizzy’s residence in the area, believing her a widow, and visited her often. And Elizabeth had nothing but glowing things to say about the goodness of Mr. George Darcy, as well as their son. They would invite her to picnics with other neighbors, and their young son—you, Darcy—delighted her, touching her heart for the dear little son she had lost. But before I had the pleasure of meeting Lady Anne, she perished much in the same way as my Lizzy.”
He tried to smile at me but failed. “I must say, I thought at first to take you with me and try to raise you as my own ‘ward.’ I can name but a few noblemen who do not have them. Everyone winks at the practice, claiming the gentleman must have done so out of the goodness of his heart. Poppycock! Everyone knows the truth. I would have claimed you in such a way, merely so I could keep some part of my dear Lizzy with me. But the risk of discovery was too much, and so, I sent a message to Mr. Darcy, who was similarly grieving the loss of his own wife.”
Here, he hesitated, shamefaced. “I believed you would have everything I could never give you. A loving home, the company of a family, a place in the world where you would be cherished. But when Mr. Darcy wrote, warning that your marked resemblance to your mother invited unwelcome notice, I compelled your removal, to guard my children from scandal.” He released a trembling sigh. “It was my fault that you were forced from the only home you ever knew to live with strangers.”
I felt Fitzwilliam’s hand slide reassuringly into mine. Through blurred tears, I took in Lady Lucilla and Lord Winston regarding me with dawning awareness. Strange pity kindled in Winston’s eyes, but Lucilla’s glistened with unshed tears. Joy and anguish warred wildly. The roots anchoring my existence now lay exposed, yet still beyond my grasp.
I rasped hoarsely, “Then I suppose I must vanish fully to shield them.”
“Never!” Fitzwilliam’s earnest objection warmed me even amidst despair. “I’ll not lose you again!”
Lord Belmont weighed us solemnly. “Perhaps some solution may be crafted. Few are left alive who recall Elizabeth Walton. Even her family line has died out.” He chewed a trembling lower lip. “Would that I could have given you the dignity of your own name! Even calling you a Walton…”
I stiffened, rallying wavering pride. “I already have a name. I am Elizabeth Bennet. And I have a family.” I met Jane’s tender eyes before facing Belmont resolutely. “All I ask is leave to live the life chance allotted me.”
He smiled gently through sheening eyes. “Then Elizabeth Bennet, you are. Daughter of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, and I will fight to the death any man who denies it. Spoken like Lizzy’s own brave daughter. I pray fate grants the happiness long denied you, child.”
Darcy
IstooduneasilybeforeLord Belmont, scarcely crediting that I was seeking permission to wed his natural daughter just as George had petitioned previously for Lady Lucilla’s hand. At least Mr. Gardiner stood solidly as the joint arbiter of Elizabeth’s future, rather than some formidable marchioness.
Several hours had passed since the astonishing disclosures. The meal I ordered afterward was a simple affair, as no one seemed inclined to depart swiftly, given turbulent emotions still simmering. Now, the ladies had withdrawn, leaving the gentlemen to discuss practical ramifications in greater privacy.
I was still reeling over revelations explaining Elizabeth’s obscure past. Lord Belmont’s sentimental sensibilities clearly influenced accepting George’s unlikely courtship of Lady Lucilla from a sense of honor—he felt unable to deny us after my family shielded his terrible secret. And His Lordship had seen perhaps enough of himself in my sentimental and spontaneous brother that, against all reason, he seemed to like him.
And now, it was my turn to try to earn his regard. Steeling myself, I addressed my own hopes to make Elizabeth mine. I cleared my throat and made my formal request.
Lord Belmont raised an eyebrow. “You believe yourself ready to take a wife, do you, Darcy?”
“I do,” I answered firmly. “Recent events have shown me that Elizabeth is foremost in my heart. I love her and wish to build a life together.”
Both men regarded me somberly. Lord Belmont glanced at Mr. Gardiner—and I wondered how often that pleasant tradesman could say that nobility had deferred to him. It was Gardiner who challenged gravely, “Are you certain this is more than youthful fancy rekindled?”
I drew a bracing breath, willing my voice to steady. “Since our recent reacquaintance, I have come to know and admire the woman Elizabeth has grown into. My feelings have only deepened beyond boyhood’s memory. I love and desire her with my whole heart, undeterred by past mysteries or perilous prospects ahead.”
“Love is all very well,” Mr. Gardiner replied. “And blessed is the man who finds it. But have you considered the practicalities? As far as the world knows, she is the ward of a modest country gentleman. Hardly the sort of woman the master of Pemberley out to pledge himself to.”
I flicked a gaze at the marquess. “Other men have married without regard to station. I cannot see why I ought to be any different, as my heart is settled on one woman alone.”
Lord Belmont finally smiled. “Well said, lad.” He turned to Mr. Gardiner. “Surely, we can have no objections now? The man’s clearly besotted.”
But Mr. Gardiner looked dubious. “Even so, what of the risk she may still be recognized and your prospects endangered?”
Belmont steepled his fingers and pursed his lips, then raised his eyebrows to me in question. Indeed, what was I going to do about that?
I shifted slightly, fighting the urge to tug at my cravat. “I spend almost no time in London. And when I do, my circles are limited. Besides, it has been twenty years, after all. Memories fade.”
“Some do,” Belmont agreed. “And others are more stubborn, particularly in London circles.”
“I care nothing for London circles, and neither ought you. Does there exist public proof that Elizabeth is the daughter of your first wife? Beyond mere resemblance, anyone wishing to accuse you of siring a child with a woman who was supposed to be deceased would also have to furnish evidence. I have looked for years and learned almost nothing, and I believe Mr. Gardiner knows as much as any soul alive… apart from this trustee.”
Belmont’s lips turned faintly. “And you will find no one more loyal or secretive.”
“Just so,” I agreed. “So, anyone who did try to cause trouble would find himself at a dead end. Should awkward queries arise, we need only confirm her longstanding identity as Elizabeth Bennet, ‘cousin’ to the Hertfordshire family who raised her. Any marked resemblance to your late wife could plausibly be passed off as mere coincidence. She is a daughter of Longbourn, as far as anyone need know.”
Lord Belmont stared at me pensively before chuckling. “Well then, it seems you had better make haste to Hertfordshire, young man. For Mr. Bennet’s consent, you must petition, not mine!”
My stomach swooped with mingled hope and trepidation. My fate now turned upon a country gentleman unknown whose singular blessing alone could secure my heart’s desire.
