Near Truro
Cornwall
Bennet:
My beloved wife succumbed to a broken heart some four months past. Even though we loved one another, she never recovered from the loss of Melissa and our darling grandchildren.
That is not the reason for this epistle; it is because of what I discovered after she was called home to God that necessitates my writing to you again. Her passing made it much more urgent that I discover who a certain distant cousin is.
Let me digress. In my will, I will stipulate that Holly Run is to be sold and the money used to make more smallpox vaccines and to educate people on the need to have it administered to them. I mention this because there is no entail of any kind on Holly Run, so I am free to dispose of it as I see fit.
Unlike Longbourn, the entail on Netherfield Park is not limited to the male line, but it may only be inherited by one who has Morris blood in their veins, regardless of how diluted the blood.
Now we return to the true reason for this letter, which, if you are reading this, it means that I have gone to my final reward and have been reunited with my wife, daughter, and grandchildren. Before I forget my purpose again, I commissioned an exhaustive search, and a fortnight past, my distant cousin was discovered, alive and well.
That distant cousin, Bennet, is you. I can hear you saying something to the effect that it cannot be, so I will explain.
Before she married, your grandmother wasmy grandmother’s much younger sister. There was some sort of break between her and the rest of the family, which led to your mother, the late Elizabeth Rose, not knowing her Morris family, which is why you and I were both unaware of our familial connection, no matter how distant.
The investigators traced the line to your mother’s family using family bibles and parish birth and death records. It is completely certain that you are my missing cousin.
Yes, Bennet, that means that when I go to my final reward, Netherfield Park will be yours. It pleases me that your family need never worry about losing their home because you may name one of your daughters as your heir.
You are a good and honourable man (possibly too honourable as you married that disgusting woman who compromised you), so it gives me pleasure to know that you are my distant cousin, and you will be the master of Netherfield Park one day. My hope is that day is not too far distant as I miss my Henrietta, Mellisa, and my grandchildren so very much.
With familial regards,
Morris
So shocked was Bennet that for several moments, he did not move. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined there was any family connection between the Bennets and the Morrises, no matter how distant. He deferred thinking of the fact he was, according to Morris’s letter, the new owner of Netherfield Park. He was sad that it came at the expense of Morris’s life, but knowing how much Morris loved his wife and daughter, Bennet was sure the man was at peace in their heavenly arms once again. Rather, he unfolded the sheet fromthe solicitor.
12 October 1811
Keating Law Office
Truro
Cornwall
Mr Bennet:
It is my sad duty to inform you that your cousin, Mr James Morris, went to his final reward a sennight past.
Per his will, his local estate will be sold and funds in the accounts associated with it will go to fund smallpox vaccine production and education.
His other property, Netherfield Park and the account attached to it, which at the writing of this missive contained £12,648 and some pence, are legally yours. To that end, I have already sent the proof of transfer of ownership to the Court of Chancery. You should receive the new deed within a fortnight of my epistle.
If you notify me of the bank you use, I will have the funds deposited into your account.
Sincerely,
A Keating, Esq
The letter from the solicitor made everything more real. He would write back and have the money deposited with Gardiner and Associates to be added to his investment account.
With the letter written, Bennet went to change into riding clothes. As there would be no secrets between them, he wanted to inform Lulu right away. It did not hurt that his daughters were visiting Netherfield Park so that he would be able to relate the news to them as well after he told hisaffianced.
His determination to keep Longbourn from Collins was not diminished by this wholly unexpected windfall. He could not in good conscience unleash that halfwit on those dependent upon Longbourn.
