The solicitor indicated there was not. The two guardians signed the documents making Lizzy the richest woman in the realm, in fact one of the richest people who was not a royal.
“Mr. Marylebone, although I intended to cut ties with anyone who used to enable my late husband’s repulsive behaviour, I can see you were not one of those, so I will be happy to retain your services for any work in London,” Elizabeth told the relieved man. “You will of course work through my Uncle Philips who will be my primary representative.”
The two uncles shook hands with the solicitor and Elizabeth inclined her head to him. Her uncles led her out of the office.
“How am I to explain to my sisters and the rest of the family just how wealthy I am?” Elizabeth wondered after they sat in the Hertfordshire town coach.
When they had arrived in London, Elizabeth, her sisters, one aunt, an uncle, and Charlotte had taken up residence at Hertfordshire House. Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward had returned to Gracechurch Street to prepare for the impending lying-in. The first thing Elizabeth had ordered was for any sign of mourning to be removed from the doors or anywhere else in the house.
It had been obvious none of the staff or servants were upset at the Duke’s passing nor at the order regarding there was to be no mourning.
“What say you we sell the shipyards to the Duke of Bedford?” Elizabeth proposed as the coachman got his team of six moving. “Although what I will do with the money I already have, I know not. There will be charities I support and my sister’s dowries will be increased significantly.”
“There is much time to make those decisions, Lizzy. Nothing needs to be decided today.” Gardiner pointed out. “As you requested, the Fitzwilliams and Darcys will meet you and accompany you into Buckingham House.”
“I wish you and Uncle Frank would be welcomed there as well,” Elizabeth lamented. “Such nonsense that because you are both in trade…”
“It is the society of which we are a part,” Philips took one of his niece’s hands. “Who knows, one day there may come a time when those in trade are welcomed everywhere. Until that time, we conform with the conventions of the day.”
“It does not mean I need to like it,” Elizabeth pouted.
Both her uncles grinned. It was easy to forget she was but seventeen years old.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After an unforeseen delay along the route, the expresses for Gardiner and Philips arrived at the former’s house around the time they and Elizabeth were on the way to Buckingham House. The rider delivered the two missives to the Gardiners’ butler. Knowing where his master was for the day, and where the Philipses were residing, and after gaining the mistress’s agreement, he instructed a groom to ride to Berkeley Square and deliver them to Hertfordshire House.
Less than a half hour later, the butler at Hertfordshire House took possession of the two letters and delivered them to Mrs. Philips who was in the main drawing room with some of her nieces and their friends.
Hattie returned them to the butler telling him to provide them to her husband and brother when they returned with Lizzy from Buckingham House.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth and those who accompanied her were led into an ornate drawing room at Buckingham House. The Queen was seated on one of the two large chairs in the centre of the room. The Crown Prince was seated to her left.
“We welcome you to our house, Lady Elizabeth,” the Queen inclined her head as Elizabeth and those with her gave deep curtsies and bows. “We are pleased to see Lord and Lady Matlock, Lord Hilldale, and Captain Fitzwilliam as well as Lady Anne, Mr. Darcy, and their son with you.” The Queen turned to her eldest son. “Why has your father not bestowed a title on Mr. Darcy?”
“Because like all Darcys before him, he will turn down the honour,” the Prince of Wales drawled. “Father decided not to be politely refused, so he did not make an offer to the current Mr. Darcy.”
If the Queen objected to Elizabeth not wearing mourning clothing, she said not a word about it.
“We are pleased to see you Lady Elizabeth, especially as you are freed from that millstone which had been tied about your neck. How may we help you?” the Queen enquired.
“There are two things for which I beg your indulgence, Your Majesty. The first is regarding the mourning period, or more to the point, the lack thereof, for that man,” Elizabeth began. “I assume the true facts of his death are known to you.” The Queen and Crown Prince agreed it was so. “I thank goodness Lady Jersey was not hurt by that depraved man, but there were others, and not a few, who were. I request that a royal decree be published stating due to his wickedness, no mourning, official or otherwise, will be observed for him.”
“That is easy to allow. We agree it would not do to honour a man who had no honour,” the Queen granted. “As it is, we have spoken to our vicar to investigate whether posthumous excommunication is warranted; we think it is. Is the other request as easy to allow?”
Elizabeth had to stop herself smiling at the way the Queen referred to the Archbishop of Canterbury as her vicar.
“If Your Majesty is not aware, I am carrying his child,” Elizabeth’s hand unconsciously went to the slight swell in her belly. “With all the evil he encompassed, I do not think his name should live on. I am well aware the late Duke’s father was a man of honour, as were those before him, but the son sullied the name to such a degree anyone bearing that name will be tainted by association.”
“We find your request reasonable,” the Queen agreed. “Do you have a name in mind, Lady Elizabeth?”
“Given my former parents’ behaviour, I do not want the name Bennet to be used.” A picture of a man she was fast falling in love with formed in her mind. She looked at William as she spoke. “IfI marry again, what think you if my son or daughter bear his surname? Until then, I would like to adopt the surname Gardiner, that way if I am not married before the birth, the babe will not have a reviled family name.”
The Queen looked to her son who nodded. “His Majesty will grant that boon. It may take some weeks, but as soon as he does, we will have a royal decree published.” The Queen smiled playfully. “We understand you are now a lady of some means. Wedohave afewunmarried sons, you know.”
Elizabeth could not help but smile. She knew the Queen would never try and push her to marry where she was not inclined; once was far more than enough.
