“Indeed.” Holder stood and extended his hand. The two men shook. He liked the fact that Phillips, while technically not a gentleman, was very gentlemanlike. For any man of honour, his word was his bond, especially when they shook hands over the agreement.
“I have the bill of sale in Longbourn’s study. When we are there, we can sign it, write in the agreed upon purchase price, and make it official,” Phillips suggested.
Holder had no objection and followed Phillips back to the drawing room.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As these things were wont to happen, word that the Bennet sisters had been recovered and were in the area had made its way around the community with the speed of lightning.
Even though no one was expecting the girls would be coming to Longbourn with the Phillipses, Mr and Mrs Long, Sir William and Lady Lucas, and their eldest daughter, Charlotte, who was recently sixteen, were nevertheless in the drive when the coaches arrived.
Hill had been busy explaining that Mr and Mrs Phillips were away from the house when the conveyances came to a halt in the drive. He signalled to his wife, who had been watching the goings-on from inside of the house. He would never be able to explain how, but Hill was certain that the girls were in one of the grand coaches. He had heard Mr Phillips speaking of how the Bennet sisters had been adopted by an earl and his countess.
Mrs Hill watched as a gentleman in expensive clothing handed a very elegant lady out of the lead coach, the one with two giant footmen. Then, he put his hand back inside to assist another out. It was a young girl, and as soon as Mrs Hill saw her, she knew she was looking at Miss Jane. She burst into great big sobs as the walls holding in the emotional dam, which had built up since the girls were taken by the late Mrs Fanny, finally broke free.
Seeing his wife’s reaction, Hill fought to maintain his emotions as he held his wife to him. He watched as another girl, who had to be Miss Lizzy, was handed out, and then finally, one they had last seen when she was a swaddled babe, Miss Mary alighted.
As soon as they saw the reaction of the Hills, especially Mrs Hill, the Longs and Lucases knew who they were seeing.
Jane, Lizzy, and Mary felt rather self-conscious the way they were being stared at by the people they did not know. The three, who were not normally shy, stood behind their parents.
Agatha quickly assessed what was occurring. “It is cold; come, let us all retire to the drawing room where we can make introductions.” She told Miss Jones to take her daughters up to the nursery to join the nursemaids and Lawrence. Then Agatha herded the Longs and Lucases inside to allow the Hills some time with the Carrington-Bennet girls.
“Please pardon my display, but I had believed I would never see these beautiful girls again,” Mrs Hill stated as she bobbed a curtsy.
“You are Mr and Mrs Hill, are you not?” Holder asked and saw two corresponding nods. “Gardiner told us how much you loved our daughters, and that you were devastated when they were spirited away from this estate. We will soon own Netherfield Park, and you and any others who loved Jane, Lizzy, and Mary will always be welcome to come see them when we are in residence.” He realised no one had introduced them. “I am the Earl of Holder, my wife, Lady Holder, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, and Mr and Lady Anne Darcy.” Each person inclined their heads as Holder mentioned their name. “And that little sprite is Miss Darcy.”
Still looking at the three misses with wonder in their eyes, the Hills followed them and their party into the house where they relieved them of their outerwear and directed them to the drawing room.
In the aforementioned room, Phillips, after gaining permission from Matlock, who was more senior than Holder, made the introductions.
Sir William who had always felt the honour of his knighthood most keenly suddenly realised what a minnow he was in a vast ocean of titled personages. He had never before met a single peer, never mind two of them and their countesses. If that were not enough, Mr Darcy was married to the sister of Lord Matlock. For once, Sir William was mute and not a word of his investiture crossed his lips.
Mr Long felt unbelievable relief at seeing the girls alive. He and others had been sure they had been murdered by their mother, but without proof, all they had were suspicions. Here, they were before him, hale, healthy, beauties, and, if that were not enough, daughters of an earl.
“Sir William, I am sure there is much for Bennet’s girls to see, so we should retire and allow them to do so,” Long suggested when he saw his friend frozen in a stupor.
Charlotte Lucas coughed loudly, which brought her father back to reality.
Lizzy hid her mouth behind her hand to disguise her amusement as she understood what Miss Lucas had done and why. Perhaps she and Jane would come to know her when they resided at Papa’s new estate.
“Ahem, yes, Long has the right of it. Come, Lady Lucas and Charlotte, it is time to away. It was good to meet all of you. Phillips, Mrs Phillips,” Sir William said.
Sir William bowed and led his family out, and the Longs followed.
“Phillips and I have some papers to sign; we will see you soon,” Holder stated and then followed Phillips to the study.
Once the two men returned, the three former residents of the house were shown the nursery, where they met Lawrence Phillips, but neither of the older two saw anything which triggered any memories for them.
When they reached the second floor landing and saw the new, very sturdy bannisters, Holder shot his wife a look, before he swivelled his eyes to the wood.
Edith nodded her head. She knew the relevance of that spot.
Chapter 19
For the times when Holder was required to attend the Lords, since purchasing the estate in Hertfordshire, Edith would spend some of the time in London with him, while her girls were at Netherfield Park. They all still enjoyed their summers at either Holder Heights, Snowhaven, or Pemberley, but the estate in Hertfordshire was a good escape from the city for those who much preferred being in the country.
That estate had become the preferred location for Easter, as members of the family did not go to Rosings Park unless there was no choice. The Fitzwilliams and Darcys liked Anne de Bourgh; however, none of them would willingly subject themselves to Lady Catherine’s company.
