4 June 1796
Longbourn
Gardiner,
This note contains the worst kind of news. Your sister, Frances, passed away during childbirth within the last hour.
It is not quite 4 o’clock in the morning which explains why I have not had time to make or acquire black-edged paper. You have my sympathies, Brother.
As this is a hot summer we cannot wait too long before we commit her remains to the earth. I will wait for you to arrive unless you send a note back with my groom (after he has rested) saying you are unable to attend.
Your new niece, Lydia Hattie, seems perfectly healthy.
I will wait for you before I make any decisions regarding mourning, etc.
Yours,
Bennet
As much as he knew it should not be what he felt, Gardiner felt relief on Bennet’s behalf that he was free of Fanny. Of course, he had not wished this on her, but now that it had happened, like he was in business, he had to be pragmatic.
He would, of course, hie to Longbourn, but before he did, he would call at the Huntingtons’ house. He knew not how many days he would be in Hertfordshire. The last thing he wanted was for Maddie to think he was not going to offer for her. If the Huntingtons began their journey to the Canadas before his return from Meryton, it would be a disaster.
He could not allow his sister’s passing to cause him to lose the love of his life. Yes, it was just after eight o’clock in the morning, however, those in trade did not hold to the ridiculous strictures the gentry did, especially those of London’s polite society with their mores which made no sense. Gardiner stood and made for his chamber to wash his face and don his jacket. He could not arrive at 31 Gracechurch Street wearing only a waistcoat and shirt.
Huntington’s valet opened the door. Gardiner ignored his raised eyebrows. Huntington himself followed his man.
It did not take long for Gardiner to explain why he needed to arrive at the house so early. He was more than pleased he had. The house had sold the previous day, and Huntington was preparing to depart in a few days. The private interview with his ward was approved, and Huntington sent the housekeeper to retrieve Miss Lambert.
Much to Gardiner’s delight, Maddie accepted him with alacrity. When he applied to Huntington, he gave his permission and blessing. To ensure the wedding did not need to happen that same day, Huntington said he would arrange with a cousin of his by marriage, who lived a few streets over, to act as temporary guardian to Maddie for a few weeks. Maddie was related to the Huntingtons through the mistressof the house, so, it was unsurprising this cousin would take on the task, even if it would be for about a month. Huntington revealed he had planned for this contingency in case they had to depart before Gardiner spoke. He admitted that had he taken Maddie away, his wife would have pushed him overboard on the crossing from England to the Canadas.
Notwithstanding his younger sister’s passing, it was a very happy man who sat in his carriage with Longbourn’s groom as they departed shortly after nine that morning. The horse was tied to the back of the conveyance.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Edward, I know you were not close to Fanny, but surely you are not happy that she is gone, are you?” Hattie asked when her brother alighted from his carriage.
“No, Hattie, I do not celebrate Fanny’s death,” Gardiner assured his older sister as they stood in the drive before Longbourn. “My ebullience that you are noting is because as of this morning I am engaged to the most wonderful woman. I intend to make her your sister in a month.”
“As happy as I am that you have found a lady to marry, should it not be three months, not one from today?” Hattie demanded.
“Hattie, I love you, but I will not mourn for more than three weeks like I would for a first cousin.” Gardiner raised his hand to stem the protest he could see forming on his sister’s lips. “Not only was I never close with Fanny, but I found her and our mother very dishonourable. I only mourned our mother for a month, but you did not see that because I was in London. I must remain true to myself, and before you ask, I will demand that Bennet not mourn her at all.”
“At all!” Hattie exclaimed indignantly.
“Yes, Sister dearest. Think what our late mother and latesister’s actions cost Bennet. Why should I insist he mourn the woman who caused him not to marry the lady he loved and wanted to make his wife? And why is that? It is because our late sister was like a dog in the manger who only cared about her own selfish desires. Hattie, you know Fanny was not a good person.” Gardiner took his older sister’s hand as tears began to roll down her cheek. “You are such a good person, but do I need to remind you how many times Fanny hurt you by harping on your inability to have a child of your own? Do you remember writing to me each time she went out of her way to cause you pain while you offered her love and friendship?”
She knew her brother had the right of it. “I will not protest your and Thomas’s choices regarding mourning,” Hattie decided.
“All I ask is that you do what is right for you, and not what others expect. I am sure Phillips will not stand for a long mourning period for Fanny.” With that, Gardiner placed his older sister’s hand on his arm and guided her into the manor house.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
With the temperatures what they were, Fanny Bennet was committed to the earth two hours after her brother arrived from London. She was not interred with generations of Bennets, rather her eternal slumber would be next to her parents in the cemetery belonging to St Alfred’s church in Meryton.
That evening, Bennet had Mrs Dudley, the governess, bring Janey and Lizzy to his study. The two girls were very happy to see Aunt Hattie, Uncle Frank, and Uncle Edward. They loved their aunt and uncles very deeply.
Bennet had his two eldest sit on the settee between the windows looking out onto the park.
