“As far as I know, after Grandmama Beth was lost, there were no more,” Elizabeth revealed.
“I do not suppose your father has the Courtney family Bible, does he?” Matlock questioned.
“Yes, he does. He has his late mother’s hope chest in his study, and I remember him saying that the Courtney family Bible is in it.” Elizabeth looked at the men in the office. “This may sound impertinent, but to what do these questions tend?”
“I believe that your father is the new owner of Rosings Park,” Matlock said plainly.
“How?” Both sisters chorused.
“When he was at Pemberley, Darcy discovered a letter from the late Sir Lewis de Bourgh. It mentioned an estranged aunt, Eloise de Bourgh, who, against her family’s wishes, married a Roger Courtney. They had one child, Elizabeth Rose, who, according to Sir Lewis, married a Bennet.” Matlock explained. “If the maiden name in the Bible lists Eloise de Bourgh as the wife of Roger Courtney, then your father will be confirmed as the master of Rosings Park. If this is true, and I believe it is, that means that your father and you two, plus your sisters, all have de Bourgh blood and are distant cousins to the late Anne de Bourgh.”
Jane and Elizabeth were both in shock at the revelation. They could only imagine how Mamma and Papa would take this news.
“Jane and Lizzy, I will be able to leave London in two days. At that point we will all travel to Meryton,” Gardiner said.
All the sisters could do was nod.
Chapter 20
Jane had sent a note to Lady Edith informing her that her sister, who was expected, and others had arrived earlier that day. The reply said that Mrs Collins and Miss Lucas were welcome to join them for dinner.
Even though Charlotte was aware that her late husband would have accepted an invitation to the home of an earl and countess no matter what, she declined the invitation because of her mourning. However, Charlotte did tell Maria she should not miss such an opportunity and that she should go with Jane and Lizzy. After confirming Charlotte would be well on her own, Maria gratefully accepted.
The Bennet sisters had found time to speak before departing the Gardiners’ house. Elizabeth told Jane all, not leaving out anything, even if it did not show her in a flattering light.
“I suspected that something had occurred between you and Mr Darcy, but I will admit I did not think it was a proposal. You were justified in refusing him even if, as you freely own, the manner of doing so leaves much to be desired,” Jane reacted. “After reading the shocking letter from Mr Darcy, you then received that scolding letter from me. Had I known, I would have waited before posting it.”
“There was no way for you to be aware of what had occurred. Besides, what did you say to me which I did not deserve to hear? I needed to be brought low so I would be able to see that I do not always have the right of it, and I have judged far too quickly in the past.” Elizabeth paused. “What think you ofwhat I did with regard to Mr Wickham?”
“No less than he deserved! That such a scoundrel was loose among us was horrendous. There are many in Meryton who owe you much without knowing to whom they are indebted,” Jane opined. “I just thought about something though. Do not tell Mamma you rejected a man as wealthy as Mr Darcy. Perhaps Papa inheriting Rosings Park will be a sufficient distraction. Unless Mamma has fundamentally changed, you know she will go distracted upon hearing about the family’s newfound wealth. She might even be worse when I tell her I am being courted by a viscount.”
“I can see our mother dragging you with her as she runs about the neighbourhood crowing about your catching a viscount and all because of your beauty,” Elizabeth predicted. “I wonder if she has flounced into Lucas Lodge to boast about Charlotte never being the one to replace her as mistress of Longbourn. Perhaps I should not assume the worst; I have been proved wrongonce or twiceof late.”
As she had promised in her letter to Elizabeth, Jane explained how she had met Jamey thanks to Priscilla almost knocking her to the ground and how they had proceeded from there. If Elizabeth had any lingering doubts about Jane pining for Mr Bingley, the way her sister spoke of the man courting her would have banished them. Soon enough it was time to dress and leave for the Carringtons’. During the ride to the mansion, Maria was even more nervous than she had been when they hadenjoyeddinner at Rosings Park the first time.
On arriving at Holder House, Elizabeth was impressed at the restrained way it was decorated. It was the exact opposite of the style Lady Catherine had employed at Rosings Park. That led her to thinking of her mother with chagrin. Mamma would most likely appreciate the décor at their new estate. Like she had earlier, she stopped her assumptions and chastised herself for her ungenerous thoughts. She admonished herself that sheneeded to stop assuming she knew what others would do.
When they were shown into the drawing room, Elizabeth was pleased to see Lord and Lady Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr Darcy, and Anna present. She found that she was genuinely pleased to see Mr Darcy. It was unsurprising, though, that Lady Catherine was absent given the loss of her daughter.
Lord Holder requested that Jane introduce the two ladies he had not met, which she did with pleasure. Then Lord Matlock asked to be introduced to Mrs Gardiner and Jane. Evidently, he knew Uncle Edward, as he was one of his investors.
Elizabeth was impressed that Ladies Emily and Priscilla did not think themselves above their company. They had met Anna before, and Maria was soon included in their circle of friends, which helped her relax. When she thought of her old prejudices against the nobility, Elizabeth was ashamed of what her former opinions had been because none of those present were close to how she used to imagine them. It took her no time at all to warm up to Lord Hadlock. He was very attentive towards Jane, but unlike Mr Bingley had behaved in Hertfordshire, the viscount did not ignore everyone else in the room.
After an enjoyable dinner, the Gardiner parents, two eldest Bennet sisters, and Miss Lucas departed, and everyone agreed they had enjoyed themselves immensely.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The day after the dinner at Holder House, Carstens was ready for when Darcy woke, even before he rang for him. It did not take long before his morning ablutions were completed, and Darcy was dressed for the day.
There were yet two full days before everyone would travel to Hertfordshire. Before Bingley had departed for Scarborough, Darcy had obtained his permission to take over theNetherfield lease. At the time he had done so out of feelings of guilt because of his officious interference. He had wanted to make sure Bingley did not lose any money. However, now the estate would be put to good use.
Darcy now did what he had not managed to do the previous day on arriving home. He made for his study to see if any new correspondence had arrived which he needed to see to right away.
Killion had a list of senders’ epistles which were to be forwarded to wherever Darcy was. There was one on his desk in a script Darcy recognised but hoped he would never see again. It would not have been forwarded to him, as Wickham was most certainly not on the list of those deemed important.
Since Miss Elizabeth had spiked Wickham’s guns, and from what she had related of what Mrs Collins told her after a letter from said lady’s father, Wickham had been cashiered out of the militia and was now a resident at His Majesty’s pleasure in Marshalsea. Darcy was sure this was a plea for help—something which would not be forthcoming to the man suspected of murdering his own father and Darcy’s. As such, he almost destroyed the missive without opening it. However, curiosity won out, and Darcy opened the roughly sealed epistle.
8 April 1812
