“No, Papa, I will never ask you, Mama, or my siblings to leave this house, unless,” Elizabeth looked at William, “I marry a man without his own estate.” Both blushed and no one commented. “You mentioned a fortune, Papa?”
“Yes Lizzy, it has grown to close to a million pounds, thanks to Uncle Edward’s management of your wealth,” Bennet revealed.
There was silence in the room. Other than Fanny and Frederick, no one had ever heard the exact amount of Elizabeth’s wealth before. William realised she was wealthier than the Darcys and their combined holdings.
“I think we all need to rest and allow Lizzy—and William—to come to grips with all these revelations,” Fanny suggested.
It was agreed they would talk more on the morrow, and at that time Elizabeth would meet with her birthfather to discuss when and how to make the revelation to the King, Queen, and the rest of the royal family.
Chapter 24
“Mother and Father, Prince Frederick has informed his cousin Lady Rose and her husband that it is not his desire they push for a divorce,” Marie Rhys-Davies née De Melville, Marchioness of Birchington, informed her parents. Lady Marie was meeting—two days before the revelations at Netherfield Park would be made—with her parents and her brother Wes
—Wesley De Melville, Viscount Westmore— at the family estate, Broadhurst in Essex, in their parents’ private sitting room to be sure no one in the household could overhear them.
“We are saved,” Lord Jersey exclaimed gleefully. It was the first good news in the sea of bad news that had befallen the De Melvilles since the displeasure of the royals—not only restricted to Prince Frederick—had become known to theTonwhich had necessitated the flight back to their country estate.
“No Father, that isnotwhat this means,” their daughter informed her parents firmly. “I am afraid the condition for no divorce is that I am to cut ties with you.”
“How can anyone be so cruel?” Lord Cyril asked indignantly. He knew full well as soon as word of the split with the Rhys-Davies became common knowledge—and it would as surely as the sun would rise in the east on the morrow—the De Melvilles’ fall from grace would be complete.
“Father,” Wes interjected. “how can you be so hypocritical? Did you not cruelly reject your daughter—our sister—in exactly the same manner and ordered our mother to do the same? It seems to me you are reaping what you have sown.”
“How dare you disrespect your parents thusly?” Lord Jersey blustered angrily.
“Over sixteen years ago, at a time she needed her family more than ever, you cut ties with Priscilla, denying her the succour of family, of her mother and father,” Wes shot back. “If I were not a boy of six or seven years I would have objected then.” Wes paused allowing his words to sink in. “At least Marie has come to deliver the news in person, and not like you did in a short, impersonal letter you ordered my mother to write. I know we are supposed to respect our parents, but enough is enough! Your only worry was what society might think—which as we all know you were wrong about—when your only concern should have been for your daughter.”
Lady Jersey was about to tell her children how sorry she was for not standing up to the Earl when her husband placed a hand on her arm and gave her a warning look. “Our son and daughter are tired. We need to give them time to come to their senses,” Lord Jersey deluded himself.
“No, Father, we do not need time,” Wes stated, and Marie nodded. “All we can do is beg our sister’s forgiveness and her pardon for following your dictates since we have been old enough to know them to be wrong. Come, Marie, I will away with you.”
Marie turned without another word and walked out with her brother. It did not take long before the father whose pride would not allow him to admit he had been wrong, was left alone with his devastated wife at Broadhurst in Essex.
The Earl and Countess did not know it, but the two children they had just lost were on their way to Hertfordshire to throw themselves on Priscilla’s mercy and beg her forgiveness. If Lady Sarah had been aware of that fact, she would have begged to accompany them regardless of her husband’s edicts.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“It is done, Lizzy. Your name is now officially Elizabeth Priscilla Francine,” Phillips informed Elizabeth as she sat in her father’s study with him, her birthfather, and her father.
“Thank you, Uncle Frank,” Elizabeth replied. “I appreciate not having to have my late birthmother’s mother’s name as my middle name another day longer.” Elizabeth thought for a moment as she turned to the Prince. “What am I to call you now? It does not seem right to call you Uncle Freddy any longer now that I know who you truly are.”
“Bennet, would you have an objection if Lizzy calls me Father and you Papa?” The Prince asked.
“Not at all, York,” Bennet averred. “I think, though, that if Lizzy is to address you thusly, should you not inform the King and Queen before they hear the news from another quarter?”
“Before you discuss anything further,” Phillips interjected, “am I needed here?”
Bennet looked at the Prince, who shook his head. “Thank you, Brother, but we need nothing further at this moment.” Phillips took his leave with a bow to the Prince and closed the study door on his way out.
“The disclosure to my parents cannot be delayed now that Lizzy is aware of the truth,” the Prince acknowledged. “I am expected at court the day after Jane and Andrew’s wedding. While there, I will request a private audience with my parents and older brother.”
“Father, the King and Queen will not order me to leave my mama, papa, sisters, and brother, will they?” a concerned Elizabeth asked.
“How long have I dreamed of hearing you address me so,” the Prince exclaimed. “I will not lie to you, Lizzy, there is a very small chance they may demand that of me; however, it is my solemn belief that is not what they will do.”
“Why do you think that?” Elizabeth followed up.
The Prince explained his reasons, which were largely centred on the guilt his father felt for tearing a loving couple asunder for political reasons. Although she knew there was always a chance, Elizabeth felt somewhat more confident she would not be taken away from the family she loved.
