“I for one would never elope,” Lydia insisted.
“Lyddie, I am happy to hear that. Also Janey, did you not hear how much the Duke of Bedford will be paying for the shipyards?” Jane nodded. “Even after your dowries are deductedand invested, I will still have a vast amount remaining, and when you add that to what is in the various bank accounts already…” Elizabeth trailed off not saying what she was about to. She still felt uncomfortable with the amount of her vast wealth.
“If you put it like that, then I suppose all I can do is thank you for your generosity,” Jane responded. “I do not want to feel like I am taking advantage of you, Lizzy. We are living with you, you are giving us a quarterly allowance which makes what we received in the past at Longbourn in a year a mere pittance, and you will be purchasing new wardrobes for all of us. Need I go on?”
“Do you not understand what a pleasure it is for me to be able to do this for all of you?” Elizabeth challenged. “The fact it washismoney, and I am able to lavish it on you, whom he threatened to gain my compliance makes it even sweeter for me to do.”
“I understand your desire to turn what was once used for evil to good. Thank you for loving and caring for us as you do, Lizzy.” Jane averred.
There was a chorus of appreciation from the three youngest Bennet sisters.
“When are Lord Hilldale and Lawrence Portnoy supposed to call?” Elizabeth asked, causing her older sister and Charlotte to blush with pleasure.
“By the way, Charlotte, I intend to speak to your father about dowering you and Maria as well,” Elizabeth whispered in her friend’s ear.
“Eliza!” Charlotte admonished.
“Why not? I have more than I, more than all of us, would be able to spend before the Second Coming,” Elizabeth statedquietly. “What is it all for if I am not able to gain pleasure from being generous to those I love?”
“Maria and I are not blood; it would not be the same,” Charlotte protested.
“Would you gainsay a duchess?” Elizabeth teased. “To me, you and your familyaremy family,” Elizabeth said with conviction.
“I know how hard it is to divert you once your mind is made up. Speak to Papa; I will leave it up to him,” Charlotte capitulated.
Just then the butler entered carrying his silver salver. “Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Philips, please pardon me, these arrived while you were out with Her Grace. I had handed them to Mrs. Philips and she requested I give them to you on your return. I was caught up in my duties until now,” the butler stated contritely.
“No harm done,” Gardiner said as he removed the two missives. He kept the one addressed to himself and handed the other to Philips.
“It is in my clerk’s hand,” Philips shared. “I wonder why Jackson sent me an express. By the direction, it was posted to Lambton and then forwarded to Gracechurch Street.”
Gardiner was the first one to break the seal. He read the note quickly which caused his eyebrows to climb up to his hairline. “I think I need to read this to you all.”
Philips had just read his letter. “I agree with Gardiner,” he added.
Gardiner cleared his throat and began to read.
1 April 1807
Law Office, Meryton, Hertfordshire
Mr. Gardiner:
I know you had permanently broken with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennet but you need to know that Mr. Bennet passed away today.
Ever since Her Grace and her sisters left Longbourn, the remaining Bennets were ostracised by the locals hereabout. It had been some time since either Mr. or Mrs. Bennet had been seen in the town (not since Mrs. Bennet spent her time in the town gaol).
From what the Hills have shared, Mrs. Bennet kept to her chambers for the most part while Mr. Bennet lived within his study. It is reported he drank larger and larger quantities each day. In the last few months of his life, he was finishing at least two bottles of brandy, whiskey, or gin every day and had given up port as it was not strong enough.
I have sent a letter to the last known address of the heir and will notify you and Mr Philips when Mr Collins makes contact.
I do need to inform you from what I can tell, Mr. Bennet has been using the money from Mrs. Bennet’s settlement to pay for his and the estate’s expenses. There is barely £800 left.
Until I receive instructions from Mr. Philips, I am his and your servant.
L. Jackson
Head Clerk
