“Will we see her again?” Mrs. Bennet blurted. “It is only…we love her so dearly.” Tears filled her eyes, and she dabbed at them with a handkerchief.
“I know what it means to be separated from those I love. I would never subject another to such pain.” Lady Montrose next addressed Mr. Bennet. “Elizabeth has no need of a dowry now,” she said kindly. “If it would benefit you or your other daughters, you may use it elsewhere.”
“It is hers,” Mr. Bennet replied firmly. “Ten thousand pounds—the same as Jane and all my girls.”
“She is heir to the earldom,” Lady Montrose revealed, raising a brow. Gasps of astonishment sounded around the box. “Her father’s business holdings are hers as well. Our Elizabeth is a very wealthy woman. I suppose I ought to be grateful to Mr. Darcy for securing her affections. It will save me the trouble of turning away fortune hunters.”
“If it pleases everyone,” Darcy interjected, “I propose we move to Darcy House. Elizabeth’s trunks might be sent for and discreetly deposited at Montrose House. From there, we may consider how best to proceed.”
All having agreed, they departed. Darcy sent the Bennets and Bingley in his own carriage. Caroline and Sir James had already departed in Bingley’s conveyance—they would make Lady Montrose’s acquaintance at a later time. Darcy accompanied Lady Montrose, Jameson, and Elizabeth in her ladyship’s carriage, and together they made their way to Mayfair and Darcy House.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
January 12, 1812
Montrose House
Elizabeth
“Yousentmethisdrawing just before…” Lady Montrose trailed off, handing Elizabeth a sheet of paper.
Elizabeth laughed. “Harry said it looked like a donkey—and he was right!” It had been an attempt at a portrait, though when it was finished, it resembled a monster more than a person. “I am sad to report that my drawing skills have not improved over the years.”
“And here is this one.” Grandmother handed her another page. “You pressed a flower and sent it to me.”
“Roses,” she whispered. “They have always been a favorite.”
“Oh, Elizabeth, I have missed so much of your life! It cannot be undone, but believe me when I say I shall support you however I can—even after you marry Darcy.”
“We have not set a date. Jane and Charles are to marry in March. We have long dreamed of sharing our wedding day, but…”
“Do not concern yourself on my account. I shall be there when you marry, and then, after you have had a little time to yourselves, I shall descend upon Pemberley so that I may be near you once more.” Her grandmother reached out and gave Elizabeth’s hand a gentle squeeze. “You will come of age in March, after all.”
“You know my true birthday!” Elizabeth turned eagerly and continued. “We celebrated it on the eighth of March at Longbourn.”
“You were very close. Your birthday is on the fourteenth of March. I remember your father found it rather amusing to have a child born on that day—he had a fondness for mathematics and called you his‘pi child.’”
Elizabeth laughed. “That is a pet name I shall always hold dear.”
Lady Montrose wasted no time in announcing Elizabeth’s return. Once she notifiedthose who had sought to name another heir and presented the irrefutable evidence of Elizabeth’s identity, they withdrew their claims without protest. One gentleman, who had met Elizabeth’s mother and had seen Elizabeth as a girl, asserted without hesitation that she was the very image of Amelia Montrose.
The Bennets resided three doors down at Darcy House and visited daily. Bingley often brought Caroline and Sir James with him. On one such day, Caroline shared anowfond memory of an encounter she had with Lady Montrose as a child.
“She frightened me to death! I had sneaked a biscuit, and she came up behind me, asking if I had one for her. Naturally, I broke it in half and shared.” Caroline laughed, as shook her head. “I fully expected to be scolded.”
“Every child sneaks biscuits,” Lady Montrose said, smiling. “They always forget to share the spoils.”
Mrs. Bennet grew more at ease in Lady Montrose’s company with each passing day. She came to see that the lady harbored no intention of taking Elizabeth away from the only family she had ever clearly known.
And Elizabeth’s memories were returning. Bit by bit, small recollections resurfaced with the scent of her mother’s perfume…her father’s favorite book. She remembered her little brother breaking her cherished doll and the punishment she received for striking him in return. And she remembered the house.
“It sits empty,” her grandmother told her. “I had all that belonged to your parents moved to Marston Hall, but I never sold the house itself. Now, I think it may be time—only if you wish it.”
The most astonishing revelation of all was that Elizabeth would not be merelyMiss Montrose.With the death of her uncle, she had unknowingly become the suo jure Countess of Montrose. At last, and with unfeigned pleasure, her grandmother happily embraced her new role as the Dowager Lady Montrose.
At that moment, Jameson entered the room. “Mr. Silas Winters is downstairs. He says he has come to pay his respects to Lady Montrose.”
The Dowager Countess frowned. “Show him in.” Then, turning to Elizabeth, she added, “That man tried to have you declared dead. He wants your father’s share of the company.”
