Prologue
Yorkshire, 1799
Elizabeth
Elizabethcrouchedbeneathherfather’s desk, the contraband clasped tightly in her little hands. She knew it opened—Mama had shown her its secret last week.If only I could remember how to do it,she thought.
The clock on the mantel chimed the hour, making Elizabeth jump. She needed to go back to the nursery. Papa would come searching for her soon, for it was nearly bedtime. Harry was already asleep—Nurse had put the lad to bed an hour ago before returning to her home.
I must return this to Mama’s jewel box before she discovers I have taken it. Besides, I left the other piece there.Oh! Maybe that was the key! Perhaps she could sneak back into her mama's room, retrieve it, and finally unlock the secret. Elizabeth moved from her sitting position to her hands and knees, ready to crawl out from underneath the desk. A door slammed nearby, and voices became louder. She paused, holding her breath in fear of discovery. Surely, someone had not discovered her misdeed already!
“You are drunk!” Her father came into the room. He sounded very angry. Elizabeth crouched low, moving around the side of the desk and peeking out. Papa stood with another man in front of the fireplace.
“It matters not, Henry. I shall be at work tomorrow and no worse for wear.” The man’s slurred voice sounded indifferent. He waved his hand dismissively as he swayed with drink.
“I know it all! How could you? We built this company together—I fronted the costs! And now I have learned that you purloined funds to pay gambling debts! No, it will not do. I have enough surplus income to buy you out. If you will not sell, I shall take all that is mine and start fresh. And you know our other partner will agree. He is an intelligent man with an acute business acumen. When I tell him what you have done, he will jump at the chance to break with you.”
The man gasped and stumbled. “You cannot. No, Henry, give me another chance. I shall pay it all back.”
“You have had far too many chances. For years, I have made excuses for your actions. When you used your own earnings for your habits, I did not care, but taking from the company funds is too much. I shall not sit by and watch you destroy everything that I have built. I have a son. I wish for him to inherit all I possess someday. And what of Elizabeth? She is in need of a dowry. No, it is better we part ways now before there are too many hard feelings.”
Elizabeth watched her father turn away from the intoxicated man in disgust and saw the exact moment he caught sight of her hiding by the desk. His eyes widened in shock, and his expression implored her to stay hidden.
Her gaze went to the man standing behind her beloved papa. His face was wreathed in shadows, but she could see his arm rising. Before she could speak a warning, the man brought some unknown object down hard on her father’s head. Papa crumpled to the ground without a sound.
“You will not take my life from me,” the man seethed darkly. He stumbled from the room, the heavy object still clutched in his hand.
Elizabeth crept out from behind the desk, crawling to her father’s side. He lay still, his chest unmoving. “Papa?” she whispered. She shook him, but he did not stir. Elizabeth sat by his side, his hand in her own, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.
After some unknown passage of time, a noise came from behind her. She turned—something hard struck her head and everything went black.
Chapter One
Derbyshire 1799
Mr. Thomas Bennet
“Itwillbegoodto be with our children again.” Mrs. Fanny Bennet patted her husband’s leg affectionately. He put his hand over hers, squeezing gently. The carriage swayed back and forth, the spring wind buffeting the sides.
“I have missed them,” Mr. Bennet confirmed. “And it was generous of Madeline and Edward to stay with them whilst we journeyed to Hertfordshire.”
An express had come three weeks past to their lodgings in Lambton, Derbyshire. Thomas Bennet’s father and elder brother had died, leaving him—once a second son—the unexpected heir to the family estate. He had never thought Longbourn would be his. At the time, he had established himself as a country solicitor, working closely with Archibald Palmer, the father of Madeline Gardiner. She was married to Edward Gardiner, Mrs. Bennet’s younger brother.
“My brother and sister will be eager to return to London. Their Easter visit extended long past what they expected.” Mrs. Bennet smiled at her husband. “How long do you suppose it will be before we can depart for Longbourn?”
Mr. Bennet pursed his lips in thought. “I imagine we can be gone in little more than a fortnight. Madeline wrote she began packing soon after we left. We have only our personal effects; the house in Lambton was let complete, so everything within it must remain.”
“We shall need two carriages and a wagon to transport everything.” Mrs. Bennet frowned. “I do not suppose our servants will wish to come to Hertfordshire. They have family here.”
“Now that their children are married, the Hills may wish to accompany us. I believe their daughter lives in Hertfordshire.” Mr. Bennet patted his wife’s hand soothingly. “Molly and Martha will remain here. They are still young, and their father leases a farm near Lambton.”
“Longbourn’s cook seemed competent. I think it is best to retain her.” His wife’s brow wrinkled in concentration. “There is so much to do! I was not raised to be the mistress of an estate. Oh, Thomas, what if I cannot do it?”
Mr. Bennet leaned down and pecked his wife on the lips. “I shall be there to assist you. My father taught me estate management, but I never thought to use that knowledge. We shall learn to be master and mistress of the estate together.”
His wife beamed her gratitude. “It is very good that we already have a son. The entail will end with him.”
“And this inheritance will help us provide dowries for the girls. They must be looked after, too.”
