Page 36 of Her Favourite Daughter

With his most charming look in place, George looked at Betty seductively. “Will you not tell me where the Darcys have gone?”

“You will read about it in the paper soon enuf,” Betty responded. “They left in a great hurry yester-morning. By what me ‘eard, that Lady Bethany be found.”

He forgot all about the woman he intended to bed and sat up. The girl was a duchess! From what he knew, she was among the wealthiest non-royals in the realm. She owned many estates across the country and made the Darcys look like paupers! George could only imagine how good his life would be if he managed to get his hands on even a part of her fortune.

He would be patient and wait for news about her, and then he would make his plans.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

As it had been decided, the three Bennets—Bennet, Fanny, and Lizzy—as well as Collins, were waiting outside, near the front door as the coaches trundled down the drive towards the house.

In the second conveyance, Conyers was admitting this was no insignificant estate. Based on the size of the park and the length of the drive, Longbourn seemed to be rather substantial. As soon as he saw the large manor house, Conyers realised his estimation of this Bennet being a minor country squire had been wrong.

Ladies Elaine and Anne were seated on the forward-facing bench of the lead carriage. Lady Anne was on the right-hand side, so when the coach turned a little to the left, it gave her a view of those waiting for them just in front of the door. Her eyes were arrested when she saw the younger lady standing next to the older one. In the parson’s letter, he had reported how Miss Bingley said that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was a younger version of Lady Amelia. Until this instant, Lady Anne had not been sure. Seeing such a close copy of her friend caused her to burst into tears.

The other three in the conveyance were greatly concerned at Anne’s reaction. Before Holderness could ask his wife what ailed her, she pointed at the same time while she tried to bring herself under regulation. Three pairs of eyes followed Anne’s finger, and then they saw her.

If there was scepticism in any of them, seeing someone who looked so very much like Amelia as she had looked when she came out at seventeen drove all doubts away. Lady Elaine hugged her sister-in-law as tears involuntarily began to run down her cheeks. The two earls were also choked up with emotion. Each man had moist eyes, but they did not allow themselves to cry openly.

Whatever Elizabeth expected, it was not two matrons bursting out of the lead conveyance, practically running towards her. They had tears streaming down their cheeks but wide smiles on their faces. Before she could say a word, the two ladies pulled her into their arms and hugged her tightly. The one on her left side, very gently lifted her hair off her ear to expose the birthmark.

“Bethie, my goddaughter!” Lady Elaine exclaimed.

Fanny felt her heart lurch as soon as the one lady looked at the birthmark without delay. The question was settled; Lizzy was Lady Bethany Osborne. Now, they had to see how they would all move forward, making sure that Lizzy’s desires were not ignored.

By now, the second coach had halted, and those within had alighted. “It seems that this is Bethie,” Hilldale understated. None of the five who stood looking at the young lady before them missed how much she looked like the dowager duchess.

Matlock and Holderness gently pulled their wives to their sides. The former looked at Collins. “Will you introduce us, please?” Matlock requested.

“If I am a duchess, is it not for me to request the introductions?” Feeling rather uncomfortable Elizabeth allowed her impertinence to come to the fore. She found that jesting when she felt uncomfortable helped her relax.

“I did warn you that the girl we have always known as Elizabeth can be impertinent at times,” Collins stated.

“Bethie is so much like Amelia was at that age,” Lady Anne said as she dried her eyes.

“However, as she is, in fact, Her Grace the suo jure Duchess of Leeds, Lady Bethany is correct regarding the protocols,” Matlock acknowledged. “As the highest-ranked person here, it is for you to request an introduction.”

“Please excuse my ill-timed joke; I do that when I am nervous. Cousin Clem, please proceed as you were requested to do.”

Collins did so and made the introductions.

“My Lords and Ladies, I suggest we repair inside rather than conduct this reunion in the drive. As we are all to be family through Lizzy, or Bethany as you know her, please call me Bennet.”

“I am Matlock; this is Holderness, my older son is Hilldale, my younger son Richard, and my daughter Anne. Conyers there, is Holderness’s son, and Lady Georgiana is his daughter. I agree; let us all repair inside.” He took his wife’s arm while Holderness did the same with Anne; however, neither lady wanted to release Bethie now that they had seen her again.

Hill and two footmen were on hand to take charge of any outerwear as everyone entered the house. None of the arriving guests missed the size of the two footmen on duty in the drive near the front door or the way they watched Bethie.

Fanny and Bennet led their guests into the drawing room, where Beth Bennet, Penelope, Ophelia, and the four Bennet siblings were introduced. The Gardiners were visiting the Phillipses to allow those at Longbourn some time alone. William Collins had made his way to Netherfield Park.

“Well?” James asked. “Is our Lizzy this Lady Bethany?”

“She is, Master Bennet,” Lady Anne said gently. “She has a rather unique birthmark behind her left ear, one which is exclusive to members of the Osborne family.” She remembered something. “Reggie, Robert, we need to send a courier to intercept Amelia.”

When the Bennets and Amelia’s daughter all looked at her questioningly, Lady Anne explained.

“My birthmother is on her way here?” Elizabeth repeated.

“She is on her way to visit us at our house near Brighton. Bethie, or Lizzy, is what you are used to; you must know that every day since you were stolen from her, your mother has been praying and dreaming of the day when she would see you again,” Lady Anne revealed. “After your father was called home to God, Amelia was ready to give up. The chance that she may see you again one day was the reason she did not.” She looked around the room at the Bennets, who were listening with rapt attention. “Neither she nor any of us will blame you for how you reacted when you read the vile words the late Mrs de Bourgh wrote. You knew not who made the threat, and all you wanted to do was to protect an innocent babe.” She looked at her son, challenging him to gainsay her.