Author's Notes: Inspiration and History
First, I owe this story to all of you in the JAFF world. I found you first in bookstores and later online. You have given me much enjoyment and you set my mind free. Then, I read a little biographical story about Henry Cavendish. Together with all the P&P musings you have inspired, it gave me the idea for this little tale.
Our Henry is fashioned after the famous British researcher, Henry Cavendish. He was brilliant, had a long and productive life, and is remembered as one of history's great men of science. He also suffered from some sort of psychological condition that would probably be easily named today. Several of you, more educated and experienced than I, are recognizing his condition as on the autism spectrum.
He was the grandson of both the 2nd Duke of Devonshire and the 1st Duke of Kent. He was an extremely shy and reclusive man who never married, was raised with a miserly allowance and died one of the richest men in England.
I have given him a fictional private life. The details of Henry's non-Bennet related life, the Cavendish and Grey families and the houses and estates, are as true to history as my inadequate researches can make them. Even the estates of Longbourn, Netherfield Park and Purvis Lodge are based on the real estates of Putteridge, Lilley and Hackwellbury, which came to Henry's father with marriage.
These estates, by the way, were conveniently located in Hertfordshire near the small market town of Hitchin, which will be our Meryton. While not lying 24 miles from Gracechurch Street, they are only about 10-15 miles more than that.
Another interesting aside, the village of Kimpton is about 6 miles south of Hitchin and it has a church with a Darce chapel. Moreover, it sits on a dried up riverbed and flooded recently (Feb. 2001.) "The dried up river Kym, which was now a vital road, emerged again and followed its natural course from Netherfield Springs..."1 Indeed.
In real history, Henry's father sold off the three Hertfordshire estates before Henry had a chance to inherit them. We shall, of course, not do that. We do need Longbourn. In addition, we shall give Henry Cavendish some extra life. He really died in 1810 and we shall hold onto him a little longer.
I am thankful for all the source material out there and I owe a special thanks to George Wilson, M.D., F.R.S.E., for his 1851 biography and Internet Archives for making it available. I will try to give a comprehensive bibliography at the end of the story and in the meantime, footnotes where they should appear. (Except for any of JA's words. We all know they belong to her.)
But, THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. It may have a very tiny historical backbone, but the only things that people actually did or said show up in the first chapter below. Even this scene is my fantasy loosely based on what really occurred.
1. "Kimpton, Hertfordshire," Wikipedia, Feb. 26, 2011, .org/wiki/Kimpton,_Hertfordshire
Chapter 8
Crown and Anchor Pub, June 6, 1788
Henry Cavendish, as was his wont, was oblivious to the world around him. Constructing movements of constellations in his mind, he had not noticed that he was now alone. He had missed Davy's entrance into the pub, his ribald comments about the pretty girl in the window across the way, his other companions' enthusiastic interest and the noisy exit of the whole group.
He reached for his ale. Something was odd. He slowly returned to the present and glanced around his table. All the partially finished drinks were there. Marsden's hat. Pencils and notes. But his Royal Society friends were gone. Henry shyly glanced around the pub. The other patrons were all drinking, laughing, talking and gambling. No one seemed to pay him, or his missing companions, any mind.
Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, he made his way around the edge of the room and out the door. He saw his group across the way, all looking up. As astronomy had been the conversation of the evening, he shuffled up behind them and looked at the night sky. He wondered what question had brought them all out for a look see. Their laughter and comments brought his eyes back down toward earth. Yes. They were looking up, but not at the sky.
Following their eyes, Henry's breath caught in his throat. There, in the window, floated a magnificent bosom. It was barely contained in a low cut pink gown, around which was loosely draped a translucent pink wrap. It gave the impression that those ample breasts were floating in soft pink clouds. A golden curl hung down, resting lightly atop one of those lush lobes. Everything was slightly quivering with the owner's gentle laughter. Henry was instantly hard. Hard in a way he had not been for years. He had never seen anything so erotic in his life.
Davy noticed Henry standing behind the group. "Look lovely Anne, even Cavendish cannot resist your charms."
Henry was mortified to be seen staring at the girl. He immediately called out "Pshaw!"2, turned abruptly, and fled back to the Crown and Anchor.
But he did not forget. Not waking, not sleeping, not eating, not working. Desire he had thought long gone now followed him everywhere. Surely everyone could tell what he was thinking. He had to get away. Away from all who knew him.
Thus Henry Cavendish , 57 years old, immensely wealthy having inherited not only from his father but several childless family members as well, fled his home in Clapham Common and ventured to a place he had never been, his inherited estates in Hertfordshire.
2. Wilson, George , M.D., F.R.S.E., The Life of the Honorable Henry Cavendish, London, Harrison and Son, 1851, page 170. .org/stream/170/mode/2up
Meryton, July 11, 1788
Fanny Gardiner, shoeless, crept quietly down the staircase. Father's clerk, Mr. Philips, had stayed for dinner. Fanny knew what that meant. There was something to talk about, something important, either unfinished or new. Fanny intended to listen to the conversation.
From the time that she was tall enough to see out of the upstairs window, Fanny had watched the streets of Meryton. As she grew, she came to adore the beautiful matching clothing of some of the ladies. She also loved their pomp and circumstance. The elegant carriages, the servants jumping down to lower the steps, and the dainty way the ladies stepped out. She wanted to be just like them when she grew up.
Then, she began to understand class. It was not so noticeable at first. Meryton was a small community. Her parents were often in company with many fine gentlemen and ladies. Several of these handsome people came to their home to dine or to play cards. But the real disparity of station did intrude. Her father's bow would be met with a nod of the head. They kept no carriage of their own. They had no man to answer the door. She was not truly welcome as a playmate for the daughters of estates.
Well, she would marry a gentleman and then she would be one of them. She was sure that she was not so beautiful for nothing.
Sadly, the true chasm between their situation and hers become clear when Fanny came out. Vivacious, curvaceous and really, truly beautiful, she had danced every dance and always had an admiring crowd. She loved flirting with the soldiers, but they were not first sons.
The neighborhood did not hold many, but there were a few.
Not one of them came to call. Not one.
She had tried allowing kisses, or a little more, on a terrace during a ball or in a dark garden.
They did not come to call.
She was already seventeen. She was increasingly uncomfortable with way Mr. Philips followed her with his eyes. She would not marry her father's clerk. Her sister could have him. Fanny would not live the life her mother did. She would marry a gentleman, and soon.
The question was how. She very carefully thought out different ways to be compromised by one of them, and to be seen. It was a dangerous game. If the man did not marry her, she would be ruined. Before she went down that perilous road, she would look for a safer way.
She needed more information about these young gentlemen and their families. She set out to give herself some power. She was sure there was something that would be useful in her father's files. She could not get to them. Father kept them carefully locked away.
But she found she could listen. She was careful not to be caught.
Longbourn, July 14, 1788
Gardiner had carefully followed Petrie's instructions. The two female servants were ordered to remain below stairs and out of sight. The male servant was not to speak unless spoken to. Gardiner had a great curiosity to see this eccentric client.
When Henry arrived, they went quickly and quietly through the house. As they approached the library's french doors, Henry turned to Gardiner. "I wish to see the gardens alone." Without waiting for a reply, Henry stepped outside.
Fanny's listening had paid off. She could not hear much, but enough to know that the wealthy, older and single owner of Longbourn arrived today. She dressed with extra care, walked to the estate, and was now hiding in the gardens, awaiting her chance.
She was shocked when she first espied him, as he exited his carriage. He was so old. Much older than her father. She was astonished at his clothing, a purple velvet suit and such lacy cuffs and collar! She almost ran back home. Calming herself, she took another look. It was a handsome face. A few more deep breaths and her mind was focused on the important things. "I would be mistress of the neighborhood's largest estate. He is so old and funny. How many women can he have admiring him? None, I venture. Certainly none with my charms. We shall see."
Fanny saw the library door open and hurried to her predetermined place.
Henry rounded the stone wall and saw before him a vision. It was the luscious bosom of his dreams. He was about to hurry away when it occurred to him that she did not know he was there. He backed up carefully, to be mostly hidden by the edge of the wall.
Those beautiful breasts were almost spilling out of her gown. She was bending down, hands at her ankle.
Oh, Fanny knew he was there. She slowly ran her hands up her calf, as though adjusting her stocking. She knew she had an elegant leg. Then, she gently lowered her dress and began to slowly sit up and raise her head.
Henry quickly spun behind the wall. Fanny was quick, too. She hurried forward and rounded the corner.
"My goodness, sir. Excuse me," she purred as she 'accidentally' bumped, chest leading, full into him. "Forgive for not watching where I was going. I am Francis Gardiner, Attorney Gardiner's daughter." She breathed in and out deeply, knowing it would set her bosom heaving.
Henry was transfixed, staring at her chest. His body burned where she had touched him. Fanny smiled internally. Suddenly, Henry bowed, turned and fled away.
Three days later, Gardiner received a visit from Petrie. Cavendish wished to occupy Longbourn, to immediately begin build another house behind it, and to marry his daughter, Francis!
Not only that, Cavendish wished his true identity to be kept secret. He would use a different name in the country. He was firm that no one in town could know of his private life and no one here could know he was a Cavendish. He was unsure what the future would bring, but for now, Fanny was not to speak to him at all! He would send notes to communicate with her and she was to do the same with him. Petrie tried to explain that Cavendish was a good man, he would be kind to her, but he was unable to look at or speak with women.
Gardiner's first response was a resounding NO. Fanny may be an ignorant and silly creature, but he would not bind her to such a strange and elderly man.
But Petrie's reputation as an astute and accomplished man of business was well deserved. He suggested that Gardiner ask his daughter for her opinion. Petrie would take a room at the local inn. Perhaps Mr. Gardiner would join him for dinner tomorrow?
To Gardiner's surprise, Fanny had been all for the match. She very much wished to be mistress of that estate. And if she rarely saw her odd husband, so much the better.
Over dinner and brandies, Petrie saw some more of the nature of the man before him. There was something cold here. He was hesitating, but Petrie detected a calculating going on below the surface. Suggestions of a generous settlement for Fanny had produced little response. Another brandy and Petrie found out. Mr. Gardiner had no real interest in his daughter's settlement. What he did have an interest in was his eleven year old son, Edward. Gardiner saw the future and it was in trade. He wanted his son educated. Eton and Cambridge. He wanted to see Gardiner Enterprises, a trading firm, bringing in exotic goods from the East.
A generous settlement was made. It was made upon Edward Gardiner.
A fortnight later, Fanny found herself married. Not with the large wedding of her dreams, but by a minister with only her father and Petrie as witnesses. At least it was by special license.
Following Henry's written request, she was now in the mistress chambers awaiting his arrival. The room was completely dark. She was in the bed, under the covers. Fanny had added her own touch. She was naked.
She was not really nervous and she was pleased. She had a very generous allowance, an enormous amount of money to buy her trousseau, five thousand pounds settled on her, and their son was to inherit Longbourn. She was satisfied. She was now not only landed gentry, but was the leading lady of the neighborhood. How she would crow.
She was resolved on giving every enjoyment to this strange man. She knew why he had married her. She was sure her allowance would do nothing but grow. And jewelry, she wanted jewelry.
Henry took a deep breath. He was proud he had made it this far. He climbed hesitantly into the bed. He started to flee when his hand touched bare skin. Fanny was too quick for him. She wrapped herself around him and brought his hands back to her.
The newly minted Henry Bennet was very satisfied as he buried himself in the flesh that had so consumed his mind.
