“That is wise. It will also allow your mother and me to become sanguine with you no longer living in the house. In addition, as I expect that at some point Lizzy will wantto see the home where she was born, knowing you will one day live there will ease her way considerably,” Bennet mused. “Welcome to the family, Son.” Bennet stood and offered David his hand.
David accepted his future father-in-law’s hand, and they shook vigorously.
Bennet pretended as if it had been painful as he jested by shaking his hand in the air. “Come, let us go make the announcement.”
Although the news was expected, it still led to a modest celebration.
A half hour later, the coaches departed for Netherfield Park. Cilla looked back until Ellie re-entered the house. They would return in an hour or two, which made the parting from Ellie more palatable for her.
Chapter 17
Lady Catherine offered the role of hostess of Netherfield Park to her sister, Elaine, Cilla, or her niece, Emily. The ladies all politely refused, leaving Lady Catherine in the post. The four ladies were meeting in the latter’s private sitting room.
“Do you think we should speak to Fanny about holding a ball for the neighbourhood?” Lady Catherine suggested. “The next public assembly is not for another two or three months, and it would be a good way to meet all of the Bennets’ neighbours and, by extension, Ellie’s friends. I have heard her speak of a very good friend, a Miss Lucas. If our time at the assembly had not been truncated, we would have met far more of the denizens of the area. It can be an engagement ball for Jane and David.”
“That is a very good idea, Catherine,” Lady Matlock agreed. “We can raise the topic with Fanny when we return to Longbourn.” She looked at her younger sister, who had not stopped smiling since she had seen and touched Ellie again. “And you, Cilla dearest, have your feet touched the ground since you saw Ellie?”
“I believe not! I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!” cried Cilla. “Oh why am I thus singled out and blessed above all people? If I could but see everyone as happy! I was certain my Ellie was alive, but as the days became weeks, the weeks became months, and the months became years, even as my belief that she was alive never wavered, I was aware that the chances of my ever seeing her again were very slight.”
“It is my belief that He determined we would find Ellie,” Lady Matlock insisted. “Not only did Jane see us, which led to us knowing where Ellie was, but Catherine, Richard, and William discovered her on the same night. We will never know why you had to live apart from your daughter for so many years, but that is no longer the case. Did you not see how much more comfortable she became with all of us in such a short time?”
“Mother is correct,” Lady Emily opined. “I remember what you related regarding Jane’s warnings that Ellie hated change. I think her knowing that she was never rejected as she had believed has already done much to alleviate her concerns.”
“When I felt her in my arms on arriving at Longbourn, I had to make sure it was not a dream.” Cilla looked off into nowhere as she remembered the feel of her daughter in her arms and the smell of the lavender-scented water she was wearing today. “So many nights while I slept I have seen, or at least I imagined, how she would look as she grew. The reality is so much better than anything I have imagined over the last seventeen-plus years.”
“All I know is that since Jane revealed Ellie’s location to us, the glow in my sister which had been extinguished when Ellie was taken, is back. Today when you saw and touched her, you shone like the sun,” Lady Matlock stated.
“Two dreams have come true in the space of four and twenty hours,” Cilla said with glee. “Not only have I seen Ellie and been reunited with her, but David has finally found the woman of his future. I could not approve of Jane more if I tried. She is perfect for David. Now all we need is for Barney to arrive. I think he will be here by Wednesday. Joseph sent an additional express, so he will know where to find us. Also, he sent one to Stephen; I pray our brother will answer the call.”
Her nephew Barney was a sensitive soul. Hence, Lady Matlock was concerned he would berate himself for acceptingthat Ellie was dead when she clearly was not. Hopefully he would not be too hard on himself. She too was not sure Stephen would come.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Wendell handed the express to the Matlock courier who would convey it to Glenmeade. He was pleased Cilla had thought of this. In all of the excitement of seeing Ellie—his daughter had accepted a hug from him before they left Longbourn—and Jane accepting David’s hand, he had not thought about his brother-in-law who had been so affected by Ellie’s kidnapping.
The three men were in the study. Matlock wanted to bring something up to his brother-in-law. He was sorry that Richard and William had remained at Longbourn along with Giana. Even though Richard had not gone into the army thanks to Catherine gifting him Rosings Park, among other things, he had a very good tactical mind, which would have made him a great officer. Truth be told, Matlock did not repine that Richard was in England and not on the Peninsula.
“Wendell, I know we may not want to think about this after just seeing Ellie today, but I would be remiss if I did not bring this up,” Matlock stated.
“You refer to Ellie’s safety?” Wendell verified.
“I do,” Matlock confirmed. “Do not forget; we know not who took Ellie, and he, or they, may still be out there. We are sure the abduction was connected to the funds and watch stolen that night Ellie was spirited away.”
“Do you worry that the person or persons will hear about Ellie and see her as a threat?” Andrew queried.
“Yes, Son, precisely,” Matlock stated.
“Do you think whoever the miscreant is, or miscreants are, would think a girl who was not three yet would be able to remember who took her after all of these years?” David asked.
“If he were rational, it would not be an issue, but thechances are he does not think clearly, which would in the criminal’s mind make Ellie a target,” Matlock opined. “I suggest that when we return to Longbourn, we have this conversation with Bennet and ask if we may add men as guards. Richard has convinced me to employ former soldiers as footmen, guards, and outriders. They are excellent in their roles and are the best of guards.”
“Richard has me employing former soldiers and the like as well,” Andrew added.
“And me,” Wendell said. “I agree we need to speak to Bennet. The last thing we need is for him to see us as attempting to usurp his position. His interests are in protecting Ellie as well, so I do not believe that he would object.”
“It has been many years since I have seen Aunt Cilla looking so full of joy,” Andrew remarked.
“That is because Mother’s heart is whole again,” David insisted. “Do you think we will depart for Longbourn soon?”
