Chapter 5

Men of Business

Linden House London, July 17 1817

"Miss Linden there is a messenger who insists on delivering only to you. Shall you receive him or would you like him turned away?" Davis interrupted the sisters, stepping into the study and closing the door softly behind him. Pausing politely he waited as Elizabeth cast a hasty glance at the small watch hanging from the pendant at her breast. It was a recent birthday gift from Mary, its matching ear bobs a gift from Kitty, both much treasured by Elizabeth.

They sat in the small study that was just off the entryway. The girls had all thought it a very fine place to handle the business of the house. Its walls were of pale yellow. Pretty floral patterned silk hung at the windows while the furniture was a lightly stained walnut. The far wall was floor to ceiling book cases of white painted wood. Kitty had laughed and supposed that surely the Admiral had not accomplished much work there himself, it was so very feminine. Although her sisters had agreed with this, they could not account for a large mismatched leather armchair, taking up a great deal of room in one corner of the room. Mrs Davis had confirmed it was the Admiral's.

Mrs Croft had not wished to remove it to Bath, Mrs Davis said. Saying it belonged at Linden House and as his widow could not bear to look at it in any other place, thus it remained. Their new housekeeper reluctantly confided all the business of the Croft's had been under Mrs Croft's domain and that she had handled it in the small study. Not wishing to betray the trust of the former tenants but also wising to assist her new employer, Sarah Davis relayed that the Admiral could not bear to be parted from his wife, so they were usually found together. Revealing that that good gentleman had a habit of following his wife from room to room, much to the consternation of all the staff. On more occasions than could be counted he was observed planting himself in the aforementioned chair to nap as his wife handled their household affairs.

Elizabeth thought all women might seek to marry if they had such an obliging partner. Kitty had jokingly replied she would be happy to continue the Admiral's fine example and nap in that large chair whenever Elizabeth liked. Inspiring another round of hilarity amongst the sisters. There had been no shortage of laughter since their move to London.

The sisters had heard the bell but paid it little heed, no one really called at Linden House. Neither had they introduced themselves to their neighbors yet, even though they had been there a month. They were all still very busy.

It was several hours too soon for their solicitor. Mr Pinter had agreed to come this afternoon and explain more of the intricacies of the trust to both Mary and Kitty. He had twice before stayed and shared tea. Mary and Kitty considered it to be very kind of him. Elizabeth thought he had taken a paternal interest in them. Mary had scoffed at this as that gentleman was surely no more than five and thirty or at the most forty years old. Noting their elder sister was now a very eligible heiress. This had caused peals of laughter in both Kitty and Elizabeth.

The Solicitor had a tendency to lecture Elizabeth, gently but lecture nonetheless. He was a kind man who had retained a great deal of fondness for their grandmother and apparently transferred that affection to her granddaughters. Old Mrs Bennet who had been very civil to him on all the occasions of their meeting, had taken a great deal of interest in the young man, liking very much his manner. Elizabeth's request that he help her sisters with some of the details of the Linden Trust had been speedily accepted. She and her sisters welcomed any and all aid he was prepared to offer.

She had attempted to do so herself but in some matters she thought she had only confused her sisters. Mr Pinter on his recent visits had been a font of knowledge and beyond helpful in assisting in opening accounts for Linden House, under its new ownership. He had also assisted both her younger sisters in setting up individual accounts at Elizabeth's bank. She had no desire to control the purse strings of her sisters. The best way for them to understand how to handle their own monies was to allow them to do it. Learning as they went and fostering a trust between them and herself and her solicitor. Thinking if they were more familiar with the broad facts of the inheritance it would cause fewer complications in then explaining the minutia of the trust. Further, there was the issue of her sisters wishing to change their name to Linden. Not to repudiate the Bennet name but to instead become a new family unit in name as much as blood and affection. Mr Pinter had agreed to handle the legal details of the name changes.

The sisters had approached their father in his study, the day before leaving Longbourn. They had not wished to upset or hurt him by their also taking the name of an uncle he had reviled but making the request anyway. Elizabeth had no choice in the matter, give up the name of Bennet or forfeit the Linden inheritance. Mary and Kitty, united, had been very sure too that they wished to take this step. Bennet's they would always be at heart but starting anew would be much easier with the Linden name. Upon informing their father of their plans, Thomas Bennet had not spoken for five minutes straight. Only staring wordlessly at them, until with a few words, approved and accepted their request. "So be it."

Those words became a mantra for the sisters in the following years; of things that could not be changed but only accepted.

Their mother had been very angered to learn of their petition to their father, as the Linden name represented those who had disliked and disapproved of her. She would never address all her daughters as such. Uncaring that funds provided under that name also provided salvation for the Bennet family. Vocal where their Father had been silent Fanny demanded that he refuse them. He had instead denied their mother, stating they would have renounced the Bennet name upon marriage regardless. As if ever such an opportunity as marriage should ever again be available to them. It had cast a pall on their last dinner at Longbourn, but her sisters were undeterred. It had also given the sisters much to discuss on their journey the following day.

During their travels, Elizabeth decided to share most of the details that had occurred four years prior when learning of her inheritance. What she had initially only shared with Jane. The inheritance, which had caused such strife, only then to be eclipsed by Lydia's and Jane's disgrace, had never really been discussed much between Elizabeth, Mary, and Kitty. Thus deciding that there should be no more secrets between them she had freely shared the latest details and letters left to her by their grandmother which Mr Pinter had delivered to her at Longbourn on her twenty-fifth birthday in May. Leaving out only the secret Grandmother Bennet had divulged about Jane. That was Jane's secret to share, not Elizabeth's.

There had been surprises indeed for Mary and Kitty. Upon reading the letters left to Elizabeth from their grandmother, there was much unknown family history related therein. There was fortune and respectability yes but also very good connections from their Linden family. Their father had known somewhat about the wealth, as even a young man of sixteen could not miss the good location of his uncle's townhouse nor his obvious affluence. But he had not known that his own maternal grandmother had been directly connected, as cousin, to noble family. The Linden's themselves, from his mother's paternal line, were of unquestioned respectability for almost three hundred years.

His mother, being disowned after running away with Henry Bennet, had never discussed her family with her son. If she had ever regretted all she had given up, she had not revealed that to her son or anyone else. Thus the Bennet sisters, through their great grandmother, were cousins to the Robinsons, wife of John Parker, Earl of Morley. Not that they ever thought any of that family would recognize the lowly Bennet girls. Both of her sisters were astounded to learn of their family history. Kitty had thought it sounded as if it had come from a novel. Mary had said everyday life was generally much more complicated than a novel and Elizabeth could not argue her point.

The last month, busy beyond reckoning, was also unmatched in joy and satisfaction. The sisters, from that first week in town, had never envisioned such happiness. With help from their aunt Gardiner, Linden House had become the home they had all dreamed of. Staying only two days at their uncles', the sisters had worked with a frenzy in setting all things as they wished. From determining which bedroom each sister wished to claim, and deciding which room would house their new pianoforte, and in which salon they hoped to receive eventual visitors, they could hardly catch their breath. They bustled about their new home finding each new challenge a blessing rather than a burden.

A gentle clearing of the throat drew Elizabeth's attention back to Davis.

"No, no, of course I will come. Mary, if you want to examine the financial aspects, and Kitty I know you are curious about Rowan Lea, I will leave you both to it." Elizabeth stood and moved away from the small table piled with papers which they had arranged to discuss things. The desk she normally used had been cleared for Mr Pinter. It had seemed more efficient for him to sit there and each of the sisters take turns with him so he could explain the trust more concisely and answer individual questions.

Following Davis into the hall, Elizabeth noted an older man, dressed very finely for a messenger, almost as old as Mr Davis himself. Throwing a questioning glance at Davis, he gave only the slightest shrug before stepping back towards the footman who was stationed in the hall.

"Sir? I am Miss Linden. How may I help you?" Elizabeth asked. The gentleman seemed unsurprised at her youthful appearance. Though he looked very intently at her, noting her bare head. No spinster's cap. He must not be unaware of the details of the new owner of Linden House.

"Ma'am, I was told by my employer to place this in your hands alone. I am not to wait an immediate reply but to return at this time tomorrow. Will that suit, Miss Linden?" He paused only a moment before handing her a thick folder tied with string.

Elizabeth accepted the package and found herself nodding at his request. "Yes. Thank you." She made a movement to Davis to give some remuneration, but the older man shook his head and moved towards the door. Davis was before him, and efficiently saw him out. "Davis, it is unusual is it not for a messenger to present himself here? Do they not usually go to the servant's entrance?"

"Indeed Miss Linden. He arrived in a fine carriage and was of such bearing that I did not think to deny him." His look questioned her approval of the matter.

"You did the correct thing Davis. I know you will always do right for Linden House. I was only questioning what is acceptable here in town, versus the more informal nature of things at Longbourn." She glanced back towards the study. "We have had no visitors, other than my aunt and uncle, and I do appreciate all their advice but I look to you Davis to make sure all is as it should be here." That gentleman gave a small bow and his self-satisfaction was the last thing she noted before returning to her sisters, a smile upon her face.

Entering, she was pleased to see her sisters giggling over what looked to be a map of Rowan Lea. It was the name of the Linden estate, named for the Rowan trees dotting the property. It had been owned by a Linden for more than two hundred and seventy years.

"Lizzy, you will be pleased to know there is a game larder at Rowan Lea. Hopefully for pheasant as we know how you despise partridge and woodcock." Kitty doubled over laughing at her sister, knowing how she disliked the small game birds. Her elder sister wrinkled her nose as she returned to her seat.

"Ugh, oh I do dislike partridge that is true. But perhaps we will hang only venison there and skip birds entirely?" Elizabeth said, only to laugh at Mary's dismay in turn. Her sister was very fond of game hens and hares and rabbits. She and Kitty giggled over Mary's expression and Mary could not help but join in. They had all found much to laugh at over the last month.

Lifting the hand drawn map closer to Elizabeth, the sisters all hovered over it. "Oh Lizzy, all indications from the maps say is a fine estate. If we dare trust it." Mary pointed at another feature on the map. "A nice sized ice house is near the game larder."

"And look Lizzy, an orchard is noted not too far. How fine that might be for a long walk. And the gardens look to be extensive." Kitty sighed happily and they all peered closer until Mary recalled Elizabeth to her errand.

"What did the messenger have to say Lizzy? Mr Pinter did not cancel did he?" Mary inquired.

"No, not Mr Pinter. The message, hefty as it is here, might be heavy reading and I had no chance to peruse it yet." Elizabeth turned the large packet in her hands.

"Perhaps it is from our aunt's cousin? Kitty replied.

They were all anxious to meet a cousin of their aunt Gardiner who had agreed to come for an interview. An older female of limited means, who had been widowed last year and was greatly in need of a situation as her husband had died in debt. The cousins had been close in their youth and aunt Gardiner felt Mrs Felice Lowe would be a welcome addition to counsel and provide respectability to the tiny family. As Elizabeth did not feel ready to wear a cap or jump on the shelf, though she was five and twenty, she was optimistic that her aunt's cousin might accept the position. She still hoped to someday marry, unlikely as that might be, and have a family of her own. Unwilling to limit any chance she or her sisters might still have to meet an eligible gentleman by eschewing a proper chaperone. No, she would do all that was needed to reclaim some respectability for the Bennet girls. An added bonus was pleasing the aunt that had done so much for them. Elizabeth also thought it a fine thing to help another lady maintain her independence. If the cousin at all resembled their aunt, she thought they would be very happy together.

"Let us find out, shall we." Elizabeth untied the strings and opened the leather binder. The folder was filled with a few legal looking documents and two letters were folded and sealed with them. She could not contain the gasp as she recognized the writing on one of the letters.

Mary and Kitty echoed the gasp and exchanged shocked looks. The writing was Jane's. They had not heard from her since November twentieth of last year. Thomas's third birthday.

"Lizzy! Oh Lizzy, it is from Jane." Mary's shaky exclamation brought Elizabeth's eyes up. Kitty had both hands over her mouth, her visage pale. Mary was flushed and trembling. Elizabeth had no idea how her own face might look. All she knew was that she felt a little lightheaded and wondered if she might need to place her head down on her knees to prevent the faint she felt near.

"Jane, oh Jane." Elizabeth was not aware she kept repeating her sister's name. She had dropped the package and only Jane's letter remained in her hands. It shook so. No, her hand shook. She was only dimly aware of Mary stooping to gather the papers and Kitty moving near.

It had been so long since they had heard from their eldest sister. Jane had sent a package last year for Thomas. The first notice they had received from her since his birth. She included a short note for her sisters, assuring them that she was well but providing no other information.

They none of them had seen Jane since she had departed Longbourn three months after Thomas's birth.

How they worried for her. She had not been well. Thomas's delivery had almost killed Jane. The damage done when expelling a breech Thomas, small though he was, was great. After came the fever. She had suffered deeply with childbed fever and lay insensible for weeks after his birth.

The sisters and her parents had expected Jane to pass many times before she was pronounced safe. Thomas's birth had come more than a month early. Their poor sister had labored for two days complete before finally able to bring him forth. The midwife and apothecary had both agreed the delivery had killed any chance their poor sister might ever have to bear another child. When Jane had finally awoken she had asked after the baby. Being informed that she had borne a healthy little boy, who though very small was well and thriving, she had sobbed piteously.

Later, they had brought the baby to Jane but she had refused to see him. Turning her face to the wall, she would not acknowledge the child. The attempt was made many times as Jane recovered. Always the same rejection. She would turn her face away, eyes closed and lips firmly shut until he was removed.

Elizabeth was relieved that the wet nurse they had hired was already installed at Longbourn, arriving just two days before their nephew's birth. The young woman hired to nurse young Thomas was of a good local family, not gentry but a tenant of the Gouldings. She had been seduced by one of the militia soldiers. She was as tainted as the Bennet sisters but she had a baby girl to feed and provide for. Her strength and courage had impressed Elizabeth very much. The young woman had gladly accepted the position of wet nurse, the ruin of the Bennet sisters paling in light of her own. Even though she was not a gentlewoman, the scorn heaped on her by her nieighbors had equaled their own. Condemnation made no distinction as to class.

Her own child had been born just one month before Thomas and Elizabeth had promised and later arranged an amount sufficient to ensure the young woman and her daughter would be able to resettle elsewhere if she liked, once Thomas had no need of her. She had gratefully accepted the Bennet offer. It had been yet another rescue provided by the Linden inheritance.

Elizabeth, always so close to Jane, had resented the small child. Only grateful to look upon his face and see Jane's features there and nothing of Bingley. Mortifying to find much more of her mother in her than she had ever supposed, Fanny had not liked the resemblance to Old Mrs Bennet on Elizabeth's tiny visage. It was not a pretty thing in her to discover her own resentment of her nephew. Guardian as she now was to young Thomas, she did not know that she would not have sent the child away, if she had seen that villain's features echoed upon her nephews face.

It had already been a battle she had had difficulty overcoming, even remaining in the same room with him. Mary and Kitty had together thankfully taken over his care. Overseeing all matters of the nursery as Elizabeth cared for Jane. Over the new weeks and months her aversion and anger had grown.

Her father had unwilling allowed the child to remain at Longbourn after Jane had left. He had fought against the child remaining at first. Telling Elizabeth that their ruin would never be overcome with his daily presence.

Elizabeth countered that their ruin had been ensured long ago by his unwillingness to listen that his youngest daughter was too young, too wild, to be allowed to leave her home unaccompanied. Ruin almost surely guaranteed by his inability to check his wife. His allowing their mother, not a gentlewoman by birth, to oversee their upbringing without being held to account or instructed in the proper way. His rejecting the efforts of his own mother to amend things. His unwillingness to take steps to instruct his wife in the standards expected of a gentleman's wife, at any time in the five and twenty years of their marriage. This was why their family was mocked and reviled everywhere. Too enamored of a peaceful home to do what was just by his mother, his wife or his daughters. Too indolent to put himself out, not even for the good of the Bennet family or name. Thus by his efforts or lack thereof that they all suffered under the heavy blanket of ruin.

Guiltily that she felt no love for her nephew either, Elizabeth had blasted her father. Her own shame increasing the vitriol. Because by that time, missing Jane so, neither could Elizabeth bear that her child be sent away. Yet, sharing the same selfish ugly sentiments as her father, increased her own tumult and bitterness to such an extent she had not known what to do. Her hypocrisy had choked her. The helplessness to amend any of it she felt was her undoing. Lighting the embers of the fury that would soon rage within her.

The child had been left to her care. Jane's note had stated, no matter Elizabeth's feelings, Jane was sure that her sister would provide for young Thomas. Angry as she was, Elizabeth would not let Jane down, even if she herself wished nothing to do with the infant.

How imperfect she was, Elizabeth had never known herself.

To recognize those parts of her father, which she most disliked, in herself had been fuel to the fire. To understand that his character flaws were hers, had devastated her. Feelings of fury and inadequacy stoked the flames even higher. Her aunt and uncle had tried to intervene. Kitty and Mary too. She paid no heed to any of their concerns.

Incomprehensible that her behavior would mimic what her father's had been so many years before. She had seen it all and felt helpless to change it, she was too enraged to act. Her fury had rendered her impotent. There was no predicting how far she might have fallen, if not for a confrontation on a cold bitter spring morning. If not for Mary, with Kitty's urging, gathered her courage to confront her much revered elder sister.

Now in her hands was the reward for all her struggles, their struggles. Jane was alive, reaching out, returning to herself. Jane's agony, bitterness and sorrow must have lessened. Her dear Jane, hopefully was returned.

Elizabeth could not control the trembling in her hands, it radiated to her arms and to her body. Her entire frame shook with it. She felt both her sisters surround her and hold her tightly. Mary's whispers thanking God, and Kitty's quiet prayers a beautiful song echoing over her head. How they had all ended upon the floor, she did not know. Nor did she know how ever she would find the courage to open that glorious bit of ink and vellum but she would. Their happiness would be complete if Jane had not only survived but conquered all the horror that had befallen her. Thomas would be reunited with his mother. The sisters would become more complete, almost a full family again.

It was time.