Page 63

Book 3 Chapter 1

“I knew she could not have been so beautiful for nothing.”

There was never an occasion when Fanny Bennet could not make a scene. In Longbourn Chapel on her daughter’s wedding day was a new low, even for her. She had no volume control and her quiet aside to her husband was anything but.

Both Jane and her new husband winced at the words that echoed round the little church before joining the parson in signing the registry, the official record of their marriage. Elizabeth, as her maid of honour, together with the best man, also signed as witnesses. With a final flourish from Rev Ferry the paperwork was complete. Miss Jane Bennet was now Lady Carruthers, wife of Captain Sir David Carruthers, a very successful Royal Navy officer.

The Upton family owned the Netherfield Park estate but the manor house had stood vacant as they searched for a tenant. Sir David was only a distant cousin but they were delighted to allow a famous and successful naval officer to stay there as he recovered from a wound taken in his latest action.

There was concern at first that he would be unable to continue his naval career. The danger of losing his leg had receded but when he first arrived he was still unable to walk without assistance. He was not bedridden, first with a crutch and then with a cane, he was able to move about the manor. He did have assistance on the stairs, men ready to steady him if he stumbled, but other than that he was able to walk himself. What his wound did allow him to do was remain removed from the local company until he was stronger, and there was a clear path to an eventual full recovery.

He did not receive visitors; the butler was polite but firm with all the local gentlemen that visited. But Sir David had three seaman who were his personal men. His coxswain, and two servants who took care of him when he was on board ship. All three had accompanied him to Hertfordshire and it was through them that most of the news about Sir David was circulated. They would regale the locals with tales of his heroics when they went down to the local inn. Sir David might not have been so sanguine if he knew of their exaggerations but what he did not know would not hurt him.

His unexpected attendance at the Lady Day Assembly caught the entire room by surprise, as was his intention. He knew of all the local ladies who might flutter their fans at him and was prepared to repel boarders. He even knew that Miss Bennet was renowned as a beauty. He was sure that one, she was not, and two, even if she was he would be immune to her charms.

The proverb ‘pride cometh before a fall’ was never more apt.

There were eight dances and Sir David had hoped to manage four, he needed to be careful with his leg, he still had need of a cane. But the prospect of a fifth dance, his second with Miss Bennet, was worth the discomfort. He left his cane with Richardson, his coxswain, and other than an occasional grimace there was no indication of his discomfort. But his partner noticed.

“Are you in pain sir?”

Sir David cursed that his mask had slipped.

“Pay it no mind Miss Bennet. An occasional twinge is worth it for the opportunity to dance a second with you.”

As expected, that sally produced a blush and the matter rested. But he was utterly exhausted when this fifth dance was over and he was glad that he had promised no other dances to any of the attendees, he would have been incapable.

With no hostess at Netherfield Park he could not invite any young ladies to the manor. He was forced to rely upon invitations from the gentry of the neighbourhood where he could pay his attentions to Miss Bennet. He did feel bad that the Lucas, Long, Goulding and Purvis families all had daughters or nieces, and yet he concentrated his attention upon Miss Bennet. It could not be helped, he had no interest in anyone else and there was no point in confusing matters and potentially raising false expectations. He had been consistent from the start.

Miss Bennet was quiet, shy almost, when they first talked. But over the course of two months she came out of her shell. It was aided by Sir David being clear in his intentions, there were no subtle signals with him. She was unsure what to think about how he had dealt with her father. When Sir David had told her of the meeting she had been taken aback. That he had told her the very same day about the meeting was an indication that there was no artifice to Sir David.

“Mr. Bennet, I wish to call upon your eldest daughter, Miss Bennet, with the intention that my attentions will lead to a courtship and ultimately a betrothal.”

Sir David had been given the nod that Bennet liked to sport with young men, especially if they were not clear of which daughter they were referring. He had dealt with considerably more challenging men and circumstances over the years and Thomas Bennet was not going to give him any trouble. There was a touch of the bully with Thomas Bennet, mainly as a result of his impressive intellect. But there was to be no bandying of words with this man. What Sir David Carruthers did not fully realise was he struck an imposing figure, but it was more than that. He also had the look of a man who solved his problems with his sword. Bennet had given his immediate consent to the pre-courtship.

“Miss Bennet, your father has granted me permission to call upon you. I hope that the next weeks and months show that we suit. I think that we do, but I will not rush you. You deserve to be courted properly.”

Jane Bennet had never been courted before. All her information came from her mother. And her own observations of the various matches in the past five years. It was hardly a full and complete picture but there was a refreshing bluntness and honesty to Sir David. Suddenly the next few weeks appeared to be full of promise. She could not wait.

Unfortunately, her mother also could not wait. Or keep quiet.

Jane Bennet was sure her mother had ruined any chance she had with Sir David several times. There was just no end to her ridiculously ill-timed effusions. She thought nothing of calling Elizabeth and Mary plain, while they were in the same room. She even denigrated Charlotte Lucas, most thoroughly, even although she was good friends with Lady Lucas. That lady had taken Jane’s capture of Sir David poorly. For one day. And had then been her usual polite and charming self. And this was how Mrs. Bennet repaid that courtesy.

For all of Jane’s life, her father never told anyone, not even Elizabeth, what he was thinking. However, she discovered that Sir David was the exact opposite. They were in the little wilderness at the back of the gardens of Longbourn. Elizabeth was being a very distant chaperone, they were just in her sight but well out of her hearing.

“I have several things to say to you Miss Bennet. The first is a question about a question.”

Jane looked confused for a moment.

“I am certain that I wish to ask you a question. But I promised not to rush you. Do you need more time or may I ask my question?”

Jane caught up with the direction of the conversation and flushed all the way down to her neck. But she also knew her answer. Her voice was quiet but clear.

“I do not need more time. I would very much like to hear your question.”

The two of them tried to outdo each other with their smiles. Sir David won, momentarily.

“Miss Bennet, will you do me the immense honour of agreeing to become my wife.”