Fanny considered for but a short while. “Your father is correct, Jane. If you will not do your duty to your family then you, too, will be banished.”
Part of her world had collapsed with Lizzy’s revelation of her behaviour; now the rest of it came crashing down on her head. Her father was correct; she had no options. She had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. She would have had Lizzy, but no longer. “I will marry Mr. Collins,” Jane said resignedly. She was caught in a trap of her own design.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Lizzy,” Madeline exclaimed as she wrapped her niece in her arms.
Elizabeth, who had been strong until this very moment, began to sob as soon as the door of the Gardiner coach closed. They simply sat there for almost fifteen minutes as Elizabeth released all of her pent-up tension.
Once she brought herself under regulation, after soaking both her aunt’s and uncle’s handkerchiefs, Gardiner hit the ceiling with his cane and the coachman put the vehicle into motion.
“Welcome home, Lizzy. You are safe now. You are wanted and loved. Never forget that,” Madeline told her niece, who had melted into her and was holding onto her aunt as if for dear life.
As they drove through London’s streets, Elizabeth started to feel peace descend upon her. It was that moment when she realised she would be able to find her happiness again.
Chapter 14
The Gardiners planned to wait a few days before talking to her about anything serious, including her fortune. Elizabeth needed a few days to settle. Fanny Bennet had written three times already, and three times her letters were returned to her unopened.
The day after Elizabeth arrived, a Monday, Gardiner visited the firm of Norman and James at the Inns of Court, who were the barristers and solicitors he used for all his legal work. He met with Mr. James, the head solicitor in the practice, who reviewed the document Bennet had sent.
The document was in the correct form, and being it was notarised, a clerk was sent to the Court with it. Two hours later it was certified, and the Gardiners became Elizabeth’s parents, irrevocably.
Elizabeth was most appreciative the Gardiners were not pushing her to talk. She split her time between resting, entertaining her cousins, and walking in the park opposite the house. As it was London and not the peaceful countryside Elizabeth was accustomed to, she graciously accepted the accompaniment of both a maid and footman when she walked out.
Elizabeth received a letter from Charlotte Lucas, a further balm to her soul.
12 November 1810
Lucas Lodge
My Dearest Eliza, the sister of my heart,
It pains me that you had to suffer in the way you did. I am sure you will be loved under the care of the Gardiners. It is sad your birth family could not appreciate the wonderful person who you are.
I understand why you felt the need to be with your aunt and uncle in London, and I agree it is the best place for you, so I will not argue that. What I will remonstrate with you, though, is why you stayed at the Red Rooster and did not come to us the evening your mother and Jane banished you from Longbourn.
You must know if we had received word, Frank and Johnny would have come with the cart to convey your trunk and you could have stayed with us on Saturday evening and Sunday and left Monday. Before you say it, you would have been no trouble.
You know you are considered an honorary Lucas, so you know you would have been welcomed with open arms. That being said, and given what you had just been through, I understand you may not have been thinking clearly, so I will forgive you in full measure.
Some news about they-who-shall-not-be-named: They are feeling the pain of what they did to you as no one will acknowledge them any longer—that includes your Aunt and Uncle Phillips! Mrs. Bennet is no longer welcome at her sister’s house or any other in the area.
Now I must convey something ironic to you. Mr. Collins is to be wed. Who is the lucky bride, you may ask? It is none other than Jane Bennet! I understand Mr. Collins demanded a very short betrothal and they will marry this coming Friday by common licence. That, my dear friend, is what I call poetic justice.
If there were some who did not like you before, that is no longer true; everyone now loves you for exposing Mr. Wickham for the profligate blackguard that he is. He was overheard while making his indecent proposal to you and then, with a little urging on my part, his debts were investigated. It was discovered he owed more than he could pay with years of his militia salary.
Colonel Forster is an acquaintance of a Colonel Fitzwilliam, cousin to Mr. Darcy. Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived in Meryton and had with him the libertine’s vowels that Mr. Darcy held; they were in excess of three thousand pounds.
Mr. Wickham has been discharged from the militia and is now a resident atColdbath Fields Prisonwhere, given the amount he owes, he will remain for the rest of his wasted life. He is lucky the blacksmith was kept away from him. That man would have killed Wickham for trifling with his daughters.
Mr. Darcy sent money to cover all of the debts, both with the merchants and the debts of honour to his fellow officers. Mr. Darcy is no longer considered the blackhearted knave Wickham painted him, but rather a knight in shining armour who has saved many of our merchants from ruin.
I find Colonel Fitzwilliam to be a very honourable and affable gentleman. He is the second son of the Earl of Matlock, but you would never know that speaking to him. He is friendly and warm to everyone, regardless of their station. He is just as a man should be.
My parents, brothers, and sister all send their warmest regards and want me to emphasise you will be welcome in our home anytime for as long as you desire.
I must sum up now, my friend. Do not make me wait long to hear from you.
