As Bennet was assimilating his beloved’s words, he heard the Duke speak. “Bennet, had Anna and I not thought you were Becca’s match in every way, we would have never allowed things to proceed to the point they have now,” the Duke related. “Could we have told you sooner? Yes of course we could have. Iknew, given your request to speak to Becca in private today, that the disclosure could not wait any longer. From our perspective, nothing has changed; the only question is, have they changed for you?”
Before he spoke, Bennet considered his words very carefully. Had he not declared his ardent love for Becca? What kind of weak love would it be if he turned tail and abandoned her just because she was the daughter of a duke? As he cogitated, he heard the words just spoken, all of them and the intention behind them. It was clear to him that his social status was the last thing which would be considered when evaluating his suit.
“Nothing has changed, Your Grace. Everything I stated before is still true, so if you will permit it and she agrees to hear me, I would very much like to have the interview with Lady Rebecca,” Bennet insisted.
“Please continue to call me Devon here, and when we are using our titles, then Devonshire will suffice,” the Duke requested.
“Regardless of the result of your conference with Becca, other than your mother, please do not share the truth of who we are with any others in the neighbourhood,” Lady Georgiana requested. She looked at her daughter, who nodded while sporting a wide smile on her face. “In that case, William and I will leave you two alone. You have ten minutes. We will leave the door partially open, and there will be a footman in the hallway near the door.”
Both kissed their daughter on her forehead as they vacated the study. If they were not already impressed with Thomas Bennet, they would have been now. He asked nothing about their wealth or Becca’s dowry. The door was set, and a footman was instructed to take up his station next to the door.
“Before you speak, allow me to tell you how happy I am that you were not put off because of Papa being a duke. It is a title, not who we are,” Becca stated.
Bennet approached her and stopped in front of her. “I told your father I would offer you the choice of a courtship or a betrothal. For my part, I love you with my whole being, so I know what my preference is, but we will move at the speed with which you are comfortable,” he said as he looked deeply into her almost golden eyes. Her eyes entranced him.
“As I too love you, there is no need for a courtship, especially when that was what we have been doing the last month, is it not?” Becca responded.
As soon as Bennet heard her words, he dropped to one knee and reached for his beloved’s hands. “Lady Rebecca Cavendish, I love you more than I, a lover of the written word, can articulate adequately. My respect for you knows no bounds. I never imagined that I would find a lady who was my match in every way and exceeded me in intelligence. My heart will be empty without you always in my life. Becca, will you accept my hand and agree to marry me?”
“The only title I want or need is that of Mrs Bennet. Seeing that I love and respect you with all of me, the only answer I can give you is yes. Yes, Thomas, I will marry you,” Becca replied.
It took no time at all for Bennet to stand up. He looked into his fiancée’s eyes and received the permission he sought and gently brushed her lips with his own. Frissons of pleasure shot throughout his body. It was the first time he had kissed a woman romantically.Shehad put her lips on his when she entrapped him, but he most certainly never kissedher.
Becca loved the feelings coursing through her body when their lips touched. She watched as Thomas drew back.She arched an eyebrow, telling him one was not enough. He understood her message because his lips captured hers again, and the following kisses were not tentative in any way. They only pulled away from one another when there was a knock on the door. The ten-minute limit had been reached.
“As I am of age, you have my permission, but I will ask Papa to come see you and bestow his blessing,” Becca cooed happily.
Not trusting himself to speak yet, Bennet simply nodded. He did not realise he was still holding her hands until she gently pulled them away. Devon entered his study in less than five minutes. By then, Bennet felt he was able to speak once again.
“Based on the glow of pleasure I detected in Becca; I assume you two have come to an understanding?” Devon verified once he was again seated behind his desk.
“Indeed. Your daughter agreed to marry me, and we seek your blessing.”
“You have it. You have not asked about her dowry. Are you not interested to know what she will bring to the marriage?” Devon enquired.
“As long as I have her as my wife, I care not. Whatever it is may remain under her control,” Bennet replied. “Knowing you are more than likely rather wealthy has changed nothing for me. I would take Becca as my wife if she were penniless.”
“You have my unreserved blessing. We can see that you care for her for all of the right reasons,” Devon drawled. “To give you some context, my dukedom is the third wealthiest in the realm behind the ones of Bedford and Hertfordshire. I mentioned some of our estates and houses when we were informing you of who we really are. There are a few more. I did have you investigated, as I would have anyone in whom Beccawas interested, and will do the same when Connie reaches that stage, so I am aware that your estate is entailed to the male line. In case you and Becca are not blessed with children, or if there are no sons, this estate will be a wedding gift to you. That way, your wife and future children will always have a home. As far as my daughter’s dowry goes, it is admirable you want to leave it in her control, but she will not want that. It is sixty thousand pounds by the by.”
The amount shocked Bennet. His future father-in-law was not done.
“I know Becca will accept Jane as a daughter without question and love her as well as any babe born of her body, and so will we accept her just as if she was born of your union with Becca. I will dower her and any other daughters you have with five and twenty thousand pounds. If you have sons, between Longbourn and Netherfield Park, your first two sons will have estates of their own. If you have more beyond that, I will supply a legacy equal to their sister’s dowry.”
Bennet was reeling as Devon reeled off huge numbers as if they were nothing. He supposed if the dukedom was the third wealthiest in the realm, he could afford such generosity. He did not mention that Jane would have an additional four thousand pounds as her birthmother’s dowry had become hers when Fanny Bennet died. “Where will we marry?” Bennet asked.
“Becca dislikes London, so not there. Yes, I know you also eschew the capital when you are able,” Devon replied. “I will suggest Hardwick Hall, one of our secondary estates in Derbyshire. If she were to marry from Chatsworth, it would attract too much attention, and the other estate is very close to Snowhaven, where Anna’s identical twin sister lives.”
“How long of an engagement do you require?” was Bennet’s next question.
“Allow me to speak to Anna, but I would say somewhere in the three to four week range. Also, I prefer we obtain a common licence in Derbyshire; that way our true names will not be called in Meryton.”
Bennet had no disagreement. The two men shook and made for the drawing room where the three ladies were waiting.
“I can see that Becca has shared her good news with you,” Devon stated on seeing the glows of happiness on his womenfolk. “I have, of course, added my blessing for them to marry.”
“I am well pleased I will have another brother,” Connie gushed.
“As I am to gain a sister and brother, I am more than pleased. I hope the Marquess’s abilities in chess have improved since we played at Cambridge,” Bennet ribbed.
