The reason for Elizabeth’s presence was given again, and the children accepted it without question. Mr. Bennet resolved to pen a few inquiries directly after breakfast. Should they discover the child’s family before they departed for Hertfordshire, she could be delivered into their hands when they commenced their journey.
And if you cannot find them?The voice of reason in his head begged him to consider the potential consequences—good and bad—involved in raising another child.Fanny will treat her as one of her own,he reasoned.She has a big heart. I must be prepared to do likewise.
Chapter Two
Nottinghamshire 1799
Lady Maude Montrose
“Mylady!”Jamesonrushedinto the room, foregoing his usual respects. He looked panicked and wrung the hat in his hands. Jameson was Lady Maude Montrose’s most faithful servant, the only one she trusted to keep her informed of any developments concerning her second son.
“Jameson, what has you in a dither? What could possibly cause such alarm?” She set her teacup aside and smoothed the front of her gown.
“They are dead, madam!” He collapsed to his knees before her.
Lady Montrose froze. “Who is dead?” she whispered, her throat suddenly dry.
“Your son, madam. And his family. They were discovered this morning.” Jameson looked up at her, his face wreathed in despair. He had been Henry Montrose’s valet before his father, Lord Arthur Montrose, disowned him.
No! It is not possible. Elizabeth is only eight. And Henry—the boy is only four years old.She stood slowly, a strange sort of numbness spreading over her body. “I do not believe it. We must go at once. His Lordship is already in London, so we need not fear his reprisals.”
“I ordered the carriage before coming to you.” Jameson stood shakily.
“I shall delay long enough to pack a valise.” She strode from the room, masking her fear and panic lest her husband’s faithful servants suspect that anything was amiss.
Lady Maude Montrose had married forty-year-old Lord Montrose at the tender age of sixteen. The match had been arranged by her father, a minor baron with a head for business. Her fifty-thousand-pound dowry had been enough of an inducement for the much older Earl of Montrose to take a child bride. She gave him two sons in short order before locking the door between their rooms.
Their firstborn son and heir to the earldom, Harold Montrose, Viscount Marston, resided in London with his father. He had not married and had no intention of doing so whilst his father lived. Furious that the earl had disowned his younger brother, Marston resolved to see his father in his grave before siring an heir.
“Just the thing to torment him,” he told his mother. “How could he do such a thing to my brother?”
The earl had disowned his younger son when, instead of taking orders, he used part of his inheritance to establish a profitable textile mill in Yorkshire. It was ideally located near the point where three counties met, with the family estate, Marston Hall, twenty miles to the east in Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire an equal distance to the west.
Refusing to abide by her husband’s wishes, Lady Montrose maintained contact with her younger son, Henry. She attended his marriage to Miss Amelia Lindon, the wealthy daughter of a tradesman. Her dowry of forty-thousand pounds propped up Henry’s growing business and urged it into greater prosperity.
When her granddaughter was born, Lady Montrose went to her daughter-in-law as soon as she could. Her husband had gone to London and ordered her to follow in a month. She used his time away to visit Yorkshire and her family. Amelia gave the baby her grandmother’s middle name—Elizabeth.
There were no more children for four years before Henry’s son was born. Amelia Montrose gave birth to little Harry Montrose on a cold winter’s night. Unfortunately, Lady Montrose was required to wait some months before she could sneak away to see her grandson.
“The succession is assured,” she told Henry.
“Has Harold not married yet?” her son replied, affectionately caressing his son’s cheek.
“He maintains he will do nothing until our father dies. You know how he is.” She made cooing sounds at the baby. “May I hold him?”
Henry handed her the child. “He strongly favors you,” she murmured. “How is Amelia?”
“She is well. She is resting upstairs. Elizabeth is with her.”
“And how does my granddaughter like sharing her mother’s attention?” Lady Montrose smiled pleasantly and winked at her son. “I imagine she has a few things to say about her new brother.”
“Elizabeth is in love with Harry. She begs to hold him as soon as she wakes each morning. I have no doubt that she will be a perfect older sister.”
“That is well. I have something for Amelia—a small token in honor of the babe.” Lady Montrose bounced Harry in her arms, pleased when he granted her a toothless grin.
“I shall inquire.” Her son moved out of the room, and she turned her full attention to the boy in her arms.
“You will be just as well-favored as your papa. I see him in your smile.”
