“You have my word, Lizzy,” Jane vowed.
“And mine, besides; I would not tell William anything as it would just puff up his ego,” Andrew replied.
“How did you know it is William?” Elizabeth asked in alarm.
“Until this instant, I only suspected; you just confirmed my suspicions, little sister-to-be,” Andrew revealed.
“Do you have tender feelings for William?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth blushed a deep red and nodded her head. “I believe I am falling in love with him. How will I know if he sees me as more than a friend and cousin? How did you and Andrew know each loved the other?”
“Lizzy, let me answer your question with a question,” Jane responded. “When the two of you are in company at the same time, who do each of you spend the most time with?”
“Each other I suppose,” Elizabeth stated as she thought back over the last number of years. “But that is just because we both like books and debating.”
“And you are the only one available?” Andrew prompted.
Yes—no—I suppose I am not,” Elizabeth realised. “Are you saying William chooses to spend time with me because he may have tender feelings for me?”
“There is no way to know for sure, until and unless he declares himself, which he will not do until after you come out,” Jane opined. “Until then, as long as you both enjoy one another’s company, keep doing what you have been doing. A deep friendship is a good basis for a future romantic relationship.”
“Jane has the right of it, Lizzy,” Andrew agreed. “William can be very hard to read sometimes, but there is no mistaking the pleasure he takes in spending time with you.”
“Thank you both; I find your advice both useful and comforting,” Elizabeth stated appreciatively.
“If Mama asks why you wanted to talk to me privately, may I inform her?” Jane asked.
“Yes, you may, as I will not ask you to tell Mama an untruth on my behalf,” Elizabeth averred.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
In London, Cassie accepted Richard’s proposal of marriage. He was not sure if he could share the secret he had known for the last three years with her. When he asked his parents, they advised him to talk to Uncle Freddy and the Bennet parents when he went to Netherfield Park.
Lord and Lady Matlock felt they needed to have a serious talk with the three. They realised that the wider the circle of those who knew the truth of Lizzy’s parentage became, the more likely that Elizabeth could discover her true heritage by chance. It would be up to Elizabeth’s parents—adopted and birthfather—to make the final decision, but in their opinion, it was time to tell Elizabeth the truth.
Anne was visiting Holder House with her mother . Anne missed Mrs. Jenkinson remained in Kent to take over the work Mrs. de Bourgh had been doing, but she knew from their correspondence the lady felt very fulfilled after taking over for Catherine.
Each day Anne spent with her mother, the closer the two became as more of her mother’s new character was revealed. The first visit with the Carringtons after their return from Kent with Mrs. de Bourgh left the Carringtons amazed. They had heard about the changes to Anne’s mother, but to see them in person was a wonder to behold.
The party that travelled to Holder House returned and Jamey was with them. Out of respect for her mother, Jamey asked if she could be included in the meeting in the Earl’s study. He then explained he had requested Anne’s hand in marriage, and that she had granted him his dearest wish.
It was a matter of minutes to receive Anne’s uncle’s hearty permission and blessing, wholeheartedly echoed by Mrs. de Bourgh who, after hugging her future son, wished him happy and admonished him to make her daughter happy all the days of his life.
Lord Reginald Fitzwilliam had the pleasure of announcing his niece’s betrothal to his wife and younger son. Thoughts of the upcoming conversation at Netherfield Park were deferred as the Earl and Countess of Matlock revelled in both of their sons and niece finding estimable people to marry that each loved deeply.
Chapter 22
A few days before the family was to arrive, Bennet met with the man who was applying to replace the parson at Longbourn—his distant cousin, William Collins. Luckily for Collins, his rejection for every position he applied for had taught him some genuine humility.
“Mr. Collins, there is a reason no one will offer you a living fresh out of seminary and taking your orders,” Bennet explained gently. “You are unproven. Unfortunately, only one with little sense would award a green clergyman a living. Before we proceed on that topic, I need to clear something up.”
“After much reflection, I had arrived at that very conclusion, Cousin. What do you need to clear up?” Collins asked.
“After my son was born, your late father was rather abusive and made veiled threats against my boy. If your aim is to come here to try to remove the impediment to your becoming the heir presumptive of Longbourn, I will find out soon enough and it will not go well for you,” Bennet stated.
“My father was disappointed as his hopes of becoming a landed gentleman—for himself or myself—were dashed the day the notice of your son’s birth was received and read to him. Yes, he blustered, but I convinced him that it must be the will of God that a Bennet was to remain at the helm of Longbourn,” Collins related. “I read over all of the entail paperwork, and unlike him, I understood even if one of the Collins line were to inherit, he would have only the land listed in the entail and future earnings from the date of inheriting, and that nothing from before is included in the entail. The gain of the additional wealth was my father’s dream, and it died the day I explained the restrictions of the entail to him.”
“You are happy to be a clergyman and know that unless God takes our Tommy from us, you will never be master of Longbourn?” Bennet pressed.
