Nodding, Elizabeth agreed. Mrs. Bennet asked if she would like some tea and called for a tray when the girl agreed.
Later that night, she told her husband what Elizabeth had remembered. “Do you think she went through something very dreadful?” she asked.
Her husband wrapped his arms around her. “It seems that way,” he murmured into her hair. “Whatever she endured in the past, we shall ensure her future is immeasurably better. Elizabeth will want for nothing, least of all love.”
Another strange occurrence came during their first winter in Hertfordshire. Snow fell just before Christmas, and the children squealed in delight as they stared out the window.
“There is not very much snow at all,” Elizabeth remarked dismally. “Not nearly enough to play in.”
“Hertfordshire is further south than Derbyshire,” Tommy reminded her. “I do not like the cold, so I do not mind.”
“Have you never ridden in a sleigh?” Elizabeth asked, turning to the boy. “It is such fun! You can fly over the snow!”
“I have never. When did you do that?” Tommy looked expectantly at Lizzy. Mrs. Bennet watched it all curiously, wondering what she would say.
Elizabeth’s face held a dazed expression, and she blinked in confusion. “I think I did it once. We had warm bricks at our feet and a thick woolen rug on our knees. I sat on someone’s lap…” she trailed off, distress flickering across her countenance. “Maybe I dreamed it,” she murmured finally. “I think I should like to lie down.” Without another word, she left the room, the same dazed expression clouding her features.
When she told her husband of their daughter’s confusion later, Mr. Bennet expressed hope that perhaps her memories were returning. But when Elizabeth said nothing more, they let the matter rest.
In the year 1800, they observed Elizabeth’s ninth birthday. Not knowing the exact date, the Bennets based their decision on the information she had imparted to them the day they found her. Thus, they designated the eighth of March and celebrated accordingly. Cook prepared all her favorites, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet gifted her a new book andgown.
The following years saw Elizabeth flourish. Her head wound had long since healed, the scar now well disguised by her hair. All evidence that anything untoward had befallen their young charge seemed to be eradicated. Yet, certain sights and sounds, smells and words, seemed to encourage memories to surface. There was never anything clear or certain; they were always shrouded in mist and blanketed with confusion. Elizabeth always became very quiet when they occurred, often retreating to her bed for the remainder of the afternoon.
Mrs. Bennet worried about her adopted child. Her love for the young girl was equal to what she felt for her own children, and she feared that someday someone would appear and take her away. Evidence suggested that Elizabeth’s past was not a happy one, and she refused to allow her to go back to whatever misery had preceded their finding her wandering along a road in Derbyshire.
With each passing year, no one came to claim her, and Mrs. Bennet grew easier. Elizabeth blossomed in both beauty and intelligence, her desire for knowledge pushing her to read and study far beyond what her adopted brother and sisters were wont to do. She loved them all, both elder and younger, and could often be found playing with Kitty and Lydia in the nursery each afternoon. Her example inspired Jane and Mary, and the five girls became nearly inseparable.
Tommy joined in their games until the time came for him to attend Eton, but he wrote faithfully, and his bond with his sisters remained strong and unwavering.
Mr. Bennet worked diligently to restore Longbourn to full prosperity. He invested with Mr. Gardiner to ensure that each of hisfivedaughters had a modest dowry for their future needs. His investments saw excellent returns. By the time Jane came out at eighteen, her dowry had reached ten thousand pounds. The other girls had less, but by the time each of them married, he hoped that their dowries would be at least equal.
Chapter Four
Nottinghamshire, 1806
Lady Maude Montrose
“Ithasbeensevenyears, your ladyship. Forgive me, but perhaps the time has come to have your granddaughter presumed dead—for the sake of settling the matter of the inheritance.” Mr. Silas Winters stood before Lady Montrose, his hat clasped in his hands. He worried the brim unceasingly. “I, too, miss your son. Henry was the best of men and an excellent business partner. But he is gone, and so too, I fear, is his daughter. There has been no sign of her these seven years.”
“And what do you mean to do if I capitulate to your desires?” she asked testily. “What purpose does having Elizabeth declared dead serveyou?”She was no fool. The man wanted something.
“Well, a considerable portion of my company’s assets are tied up in the trust you so diligently prepared for your granddaughter. If I wish to expand, I must access more than the funds you presently release for expenses.”
“Expenses which seem to have grown excessively these past two years. And tell me, pray, why have you not yet expanded? Surely, there is enough income being generated to allow it.”
“Some investors require ready capital,” he said calmly. “I shan’t bore you with the details. The intricacies of trade can be of no interest to such an exalted personage as yourself.”
“Do not patronize me,” she snapped, rising. At her full height, she could look him in the eye, and she hoped the quelling glance she leveled in his direction put paid to his ridiculous sycophantic behavior.
“I meant no disrespect. If you could but see my purposes…”
“Enough! I shall not declare Elizabeth dead, and shall use every connection at my disposal to ensure you do not attempt anything to the contrary. Send your business matters to Jameson. He will see that you receive sufficient contributions from my son’s estate to manage his portion of the affairs.”
“Perhaps you could simply allow me to purchase his shares of the company,” Mr. Winters declared beseechingly. “Then you would never have to see me again.”
“Unfortunately for both of us, the trust was arranged such that Elizabeth’s consent is required to dispose of any assets. I had it specifically drawn up to prevent unscrupulous trustees from making decisions of which I might disapprove. And if you possess the means to buy my son's shares, then you surely have the funds to meet your business expenses.”
With a wave of her hand, she dismissed him. Winters withdrew sullenly, his displeasure plainly writ upon his face.He will not give up easily, she mused. Thus, it was no surprise to her when Mr. Robert Bingley appeared at her door a week later.
