Anne de Bourgh had lived for longer than anyone had expected her to, the London physician included. Hence, as Darcy’s coach turned into the estate when he arrived at Rosings Park, he saw that there was no black fabric on the doorposts or, when he reached the mansion, on the front doors.
The butler informed him that the mistress was sitting with Miss Anne, and the Fitzwilliams were in the earl’s and countess’s sitting room. Before washing and changing, Darcy made for the sitting room.
“Have you come back so Miss Bennet can flay you some more?” Hilldale drawled when his cousin unexpectedly entered the sitting room.
“How could you, William!” Lady Elaine admonished. “You are not a good representative of our family when you behave in such a way. I know you apologised to her, but to insult Elizabeth in that fashion. At least, your interference in the matters of the heart between Miss Bennet and your friend has had a positive effect insofar as she is being courted by Jamey.”
“When I was in London, I begged, and Miss Bennet granted her pardon.” He looked around at his family. “How do you know all this?”
“Elizabeth sought out Richard to discuss your letter, and he brought her to us. Even if she had no interest in marrying you, she could have claimed compromise a few times. You were rather intemperate with her,” Matlock chastised. “I could not believe that a little slip of a thing without meaningful connections—well she had none then—and no fortune turned you down flat. Although what self-respecting lady, other than that Miss Bingley, who is quite ruined even if she does not know it yet, would accept you after such a proposal? We did see your letter. Thereafter, Elizabeth consigned it to the fire. She really has no inclination to claim compromise or use that letter as leverage to extract money from you. She is the least mercenary person I know.”
“If Miss Elizabeth had not flayed you the way she did, I would have to thrash you. It is just as well that Miss Elizabeth put you in your place so effectively.” Fitzwilliam’s eyebrows knit together. “What brings you back? Is all well with Anna?”
“I saw Anna in London before I departed for Pemberley, and she was well. While at Pemberley, I made a discovery…” Darcy went on to tell the four Fitzwilliams about the way he had discovered the compartment and what had been within. He told them how he had read two letters addressed to him during his journey to the south. “Uncle Reggie, do you remember asking me if I knew of a letter my late Uncle Lewis wrote to Father about Rosings Park’s line of succession?” Darcy carefully extracted said letter from the valise he had carried with him and handed it to his uncle.
Matlock read the letter. “Well, this is very interesting!” he exclaimed. He passed it on to his wife and sons.
“Oh, my,” Lady Elaine said.
“That changes much,” Fitzwilliam opined.
“You have the right of it. What will you do, Father?” Hilldale enquired.
“As soon as possible, we must visit the heir apparent. If Anne passes in the next day or two, it will be after her interment.” Matlock looked at Darcy. “Do you want to see Anne? I know she would like to see you.”
Darcy walked to his cousin’s suite at the other end of the hall. Mrs Jenkinson admitted him.
“If you had married Anne like your mother and I…” Lady Catherine began but stopped when her nephew held up his hand. “How dare you treat me with so much disrespect!”
“Aunt Catherine, firstly, nothing I or anyone else did would have changed the outcome for Anne. Secondly, I discovered letters my parents left for me. Would you like to know what they said about the so-called engagement? The missives from both of my late parents roundly refuted your claims about a ‘cradle’ or any other engagement between Anne and me,” Darcy revealed.
Lady Catherine huffed and left the room.
Anne looked skeletal to him, but her eyes were watching him. Darcy sat next to his extremely frail cousin.
“Heir?” Anne managed to croak out.
He nodded and leant forward. Darcy whispered the information to Anne. When he sat back, she had a satisfied look on her countenance.
Knowing that her father’s estate would remain in the family and not revert back to the crown, Anne de Bourgh was able to feel at peace. She closed her eyes and breathed her last, a smile on her lips.
Chapter 18
Towards the end of the first full week of April, Bennet received a note inviting him to Phillips’s office. He was in anticipation of this meeting, believing that he knew the reason.
“You received the new deed, did you not?” Bennet asked as soon as he entered his brother-in-law’s office, even before the two men exchanged greetings.
“And good day to you too, Bennet,” Phillips returned with a grin. He could not remember the last time he had seen his brother so happy to be out of his study. “Sit, Bennet, and yes, your supposition is correct.” He waited until the other man had seated himself. “The entail to heirs male is no more, and the one which replaced it is now in force. You are the owner, but as you know, you are only permitted to leave it to one of your daughters, or if there are grandsons before you are called home, to one of them.” Phillips paused. “Will you write to that dunderhead Collins, or should I?”
“It is my expectation that we will hear the squawking and claims of being cheated out of his birthright all the way from Kent. That being said, I think something official from you, including a copy of the notice from the court, will suffice.” Bennet shook his head. “Now, it is on me to tell Fanny. I did not say anything as I wanted to be able to present it as afait accompli. That way my wife will not work herself into a dither with thoughts that something can still go wrong.” He looked off into the distance while not actually looking at anything. “This means I must begin to truly exert myself to improve the estate and its income, as my excuse that everything I do will benefit aCollins is no longer valid.”
‘Think of how well off your family would have been had you not been so indolent,’ was on the tip of Phillips’s tongue, but he did not say it. Nothing in the past would change if he did. Instead, he said, “That is a sound decision.”
“I will go home and speak to Fanny while you compose the letter to Collins.” Bennet stood and shook Phillips’s hand.
“Take a copy of the deed with you, so Fanny will know you are not making sport of her,” Phillips suggested as he slid a document towards Bennet.
Bennet mounted his gelding and turned the horse towards Longbourn. It was a heady feeling to no longer have the threat of the entail hanging over them. He decided that although it was more than twenty years too late, he needed to contact Gardiner about sending him Fanny’s dowry, and, going forward, anything else he could save from the estate’s annual income. He felt shame because Phillips had pointed out his desire to have fun at his wife’s expense, which he had done for years, rather than try to ameliorate her concerns. Much needed to change.
