Gardiner was not proud of it, but he had placed temptation in young Wickham’s way. His purse haddroppedout of his pocket onto the floor. There was more than twenty pounds in notes, two guineas, and some coin in the purse. Wickham discovered it when he was alone in that section of the office. He picked it up, promptly found Mr. Gardiner, and returned it without opening it to see how much was within.
His employer thanked him and rewarded his honestly with a single guinea. Gardiner knew he would need to watch the man over a longer term to see if he was genuine or if he was acting a part to gain access to larger amounts to steal, but his gut told him it was the former, not the latter, the same instinct that had helped him create his more than moderately successful business.
Before Gardiner, his wife, and four children departed for Netherfield Park, he put Wickham in charge of two other clerks. He spoke to his manager and told him to keep a weather eye, as he wanted to know how the young man did when not under the owner’s constant supervision.
By ten that morning, the Gardiner carriages were on their way to Netherfield Park, taking the family to the ball, wedding, and Christmastide celebrations. Gardiner had a report on both the Bennets’ and Lizzy’s investment portfolios. After sixteen years of wise investments, the more than three hundred thousand pounds Lizzy had inherited was approaching a million pounds as of the drafting of the report.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Elaine and Reggie, you asked us to meet. Is there a specific worry we need to address?” Fanny asked.
“We think it is time,” Matlock stated without preamble. “In barely three months Lizzy will be seventeen. She should be told the truth. You all know how intelligent she is, and especially now as there seems to be a mutual attraction between her and William, we—Elaine and I—do not think you are protecting Lizzy any longer but may be hurting her by not telling her the truth.”
“Why now, Matlock?” the Prince asked.
“Richard has been aware of the truth these past three years, then Jane was told, and now Andrew is aware. Richard does not want secrets between him and Cassie, just like Jane did not want before she and Andrew began their betrothal,” Lady Elaine explained.
“You think the more people know the more the likelihood of it will coming out, and then Lizzy will be angry at us because we hid it from her for so long,” Fanny surmised. When Lizzy is told, so must William be.
“What about you, Freddy? Will your parents try to force their will on Lizzy at this stage?” Darcy asked. “I agree it is time as well. She is an extremely intelligent young lady and I believe she will understand, especially as you have a letter from Priscilla for her.”
“At this stage,” the Prince stated thoughtfully, “if Elizabeth wants to be known to them, they will defer to my judgement. My father still feels much guilt after forcing the divorce on Priscilla and me; that more than anything else will stay his hand. When she is ready, they will welcome her as a granddaughter, but I told you what Father will do regarding the line of succession.”
“Not to mention that William will have to come to terms with her true rank and wealth,” Fanny stated. “Today they are equal; mayhap William believes his position is slightly better. However, after her true parentage and rank are revealed, he may not think himself worthy of one so high.”
“What of the younger children, Fanny?” Bennet asked.
“If we decide now is the time, then we will need to talk to them after Lizzy has been told; the delay will depend on what her reaction is,” Fanny responded.
“Do we need to wait for Edith and Paul—who also agree it is time—or are we all in agreement?” Elaine asked.
“It is time,” the Prince stated simply.
“When should we talk to her?” Bennet asked.
“I agree William be with us when she finds out; he needs to know and she will draw strength from him being present because he did not know,” Fanny opined. “If they are to have a chance at a mutual future, she needs to have it proven that he knew nothing and is not interested in her for any reason but love and respect.”
“The Carringtons will be here on Friday; I see no harm in waiting until they are present,” Bennet recommended. “We will, of course, include Catherine.”
“Yes,” Matlock agreed, “we want her to know she is not excluded from the bosom of the family now that I finally have the sister I have missed for over forty years back.”
“Are you sure your sister does not want me to have my father reinstate her title?” the Prince asked.
“No Frederick, she was adamant,” Lady Elaine stated. “She loves her life as it is now without any courtesy title.” Then the Countess got a malevolent look on her mien. “Let us hope the De Melvilles do something to cause you to strip their titles. We are not sending their letter yet, are we?”
“Only if the news of Lizzy’s existence becomes public knowledge. Otherwise, they will wait until she is eighteen,” Bennet stated with purpose.
“I agree with Thomas,” Fanny stated. “We have all been through this together so there is no pressing reason not to wait, and it will relieve Richard of the need to keep this secret from Cassie for one more day.” Then Fanny had a thought. “Most of you do not know this, but Mrs. Nichols was witness to everything that day, I think she should be included to answer any questions Lizzy might have.” There were nods from the others in the sitting room.
So, it was agreed. There would be a meeting two days hence after dinner.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Andrew, Richard, and Jane were summoned to the master suite, thinking it had something to do with their recent betrothals—which, in a roundabout way, it did. They found the Bennet and Fitzwilliam parents waiting for them; Richard closed the door and the three took seats.
“We will be revealing Elizabeth’s true parentage to her, and William too, on Friday after dinner,” Bennet informed the three who were party to the secret without any preamble.
“Why now, Papa?” Jane asked, “It is only a little more than a year before Lizzy is eighteen.”
