The one thing I did not stipulate in my will, and I have stated in my letter to Matlock, is where Anne and I are to be interred. I debated for a long time vacillating between Rosings Park and Oak Hollow.
As I discussed with you, it is not only Catherine’s presence in Kent which gave me pause regarding being laid to rest at that estate but also the fact my dishonourable and degenerate father is resting there. In the end, I decided Anne and I need to be placed into the de Bourgh family crypt. My mother and all other de Bourgh ancestors (from the time they came to England) are slumbering there and I will not disrespect them because of my wife or father.
You must promise me if Catherine is still at the estate when we are interred, she will be restricted to her rooms. I do not want her present to make a mockery of the proceedings, and neither would Anne. It surely would be if the woman who tried to have us murdered is permitted to attend anything connected with ourdeaths.
One last request my friend. If she chooses to continue to be in service, would you take Mrs. Jenkinson on as Lizzy’s companion? It would help lessen the blow of Anne’s death to both of them. You well know Mrs. Jenkinson was so much more than a paid companion to my daughter and she and Lizzy already have a good rapport between them. As you also know, due to the bequest I have made her, if she chooses not to, she will have no need to continue to serve.
In closing, please send my warmest regards to Fanny and your daughters. You and your family have been a bright shining light in Anne’s and my lives.
Your friend,
L de B
Bennet sat staring at the words on the pages for some time after he completed reading them. He could see from the shaky script compared to the firm handwriting de Bourgh used to have in letters past how weak he had been towards the end.
He stood and made his way to the drawing room.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“What is it Reggie?” Lady Matlock asked concernedly when she saw how her husband’s face fell on reading the letter. It was then she noted the black edging to the page.
“This just came from Longbourn,” Lord Matlock responded half-heartedly.
He and his wife had been sitting in their private sitting room. As far as they knew Richard, William, and Giana were in Richard’s sitting room reflecting on the closeness of Anne’s and Uncle Lewis’s ends.
“Anne?” she asked tremulously.
“And de Bourgh,” Lord Matlock replied. “We need to tell the rest.”
The Earl stood and pulled his wife into his comforting arms as she cried into his chest quietly. It took some minutes for her to compose herself. She dried her eyes with her husband’s large handkerchief he had offered her.
Once they felt ready, they exited their sitting room and walked to the next door suite.
Three pairs of eyes swung to the Fitzwilliam parents as soon as they entered the room. Even before any of them noticed the edging on the note, they knew what they were about to be told based on the sorrowful looks on the faces of the two who entered.
Giana was sobbing in her brother’s arms before their aunt and uncle said a word. The crying only increased when the news of both deaths was shared.
As sad as he was about the passing of his cousin and uncle, Darcy’s thoughts were for Miss Bennet and how she was suffering with the death of her best friend. As much as he wanted to jump on Zeus’s back, saddled or not, and go to her, Darcy knew now was not the time to dash to her side. He would exercise some patience and wait until they were all together.
“When are we to Longbourn? I must be with Mary,” Richard insisted.
“According to Bennet’s note, we will all meet at Oak Hollow in the morning,” Lord Matlock averred.
“Poor Annie,” Georgiana bemoaned.
“She and Uncle Lewis are at peace now, Giana dearest,” Lady Matlock told her ward.
“I know that,” Georgiana responded. “It does not mean I will miss Anne or Uncle Lewis any less.”
“Of course not, Sweetling,” Lord Matlock agreed.
Lady Matlock had sent for Georgiana’s companion who knocked and entered the sitting room. “Giana, go with Mrs.Mayers. I will come to your chambers to look in on you soon.”
The three Fitzwilliams and her brother gave Georgiana warm hugs and then her companion escorted her out of the room.
Moments after Georgiana’s exit, there was a knock, which when the door was opened, revealed the butler holding a silver salver with a letter on it. He proffered it to the Earl.
Matlock read the accompanying note.
