“Especially the library, Papa,” Jane added importantly.
“It has only been a few days since we were reunited with Lizzy and here you are, displaying her reported impertinence. Where is the serene daughter I used to have?” Bennet teasingly asked his Jane.
“Perry did happen to mention how large your eyes became when they beheld the library, Mr Bennet. I am afraid that your hand was shown then.” Lady Rose smiled.
“You do not know the half of it, Lady Rose,” Tammy teased.
“Am I correct that you wish to purchase the old Winslow House and that you agreed to the terms that my son outlined to you when you made the decision,” Lady Rose verified.
“On my honour, yes, I did,” Bennet said. He was confused and then saw the lady with a wide smile on her face and froze, as it could not be but perfect pleasure to gain such a smile from anyone.
“Please sign the deed, Mr Bennet,” she indicated the purchaser’s signature line.
Bennet’s confusion grew.“But you have not mentioned price!” he exclaimed in exasperation.
“What has price to do with it?” Lady Rose challenged.“You agreed that you would not argue the price, did you not?”
“I did,” Bennet admitted again, his suspicion that he had somehow been hoodwinked growing.
“Perry also guaranteed that the price would be at orbelowmarket, did he not?” she confirmed again.
“He did.” Bennet knew that whatever the price, his honour was involved, so he would accept it and so signed in the indicated place. Lady Rose signed as the seller while Tammy, Jane, and Perry signed as witnesses.
“Perry, please deal with the money matters,” Lady Rose instructed as she handed the deed over to the new owner.
“Do you have a Guinea on your person, Bennet?” Perry asked nonchalantly.
“I do…you are not selling me that property for one Guinea, are you?” a flabbergasted Bennet managed.
“No not selling, Bennet,sold!” Perry said with a big grin on his face.
“But…” Bennet started to object.
“You just confirmed that you would not argue the price, did you not?” Perry closed the coming argument.
“He did say at orbelowmarket, Thomas. You did not askhow muchbelow,” Tammy said with resignation, realising there was nothing to be done. They now owned a grand townhouse on Grosvenor Square for the price of one single Guinea!
“Please feel free to rename your house,” Lady Rose suggested.“A Winslow has not resided there since before I was born; and besides, it is yours now, so please name it what you will.”
“Bennet House,” Tammy suggested, and her husband nodded.“We will name it Bennet House.”
“A fitting name,” a smiling Lady Rose offered sweetly.
When Bennet looked at his daughter, he saw that there was no surprise on her countenance.“Jane Florence Bennet, did you know what your betrothed and his mother planned while you told us nothing!”
“Sorry Papa, I was sworn to secrecy, and as with yourself, my word is my bond,” she replied without an ounce of repentance.
“This is how it begins, even before you are married, your allegiance is shifting,” Bennet stated wistfully.
As if by magic, the Bedford House butler materialised from nowhere with five fully charged champagne flutes.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
That evening when the families met at Matlock House, there was understandably much talk about the newly renamed Bennet House. There was understated excitement that the families would live so close, one to the other, when they were in Town.
It was not long before Marie, Elaine, Lady Rose, Maddie, and Anne Darcy volunteered their help if Tammy wanted anyone to go over the house with her, to make suggestions as needed, regarding redecorating. As the house had not been decorated since Lady Rose’s grandmother’s time, everything from cellars to attics would need attention. Tammy shared that once the decision to acquire the house had been made, she had authorised the housekeeper and butler to start interviewing servants.
After a lively family dinner, the men were in Andrew’s study with cigars and drinks. Bennet pulled Perry to one side and simply asked:“Why?”
