An Incident at the Royal Rest Inn
A savage storm, two distressed young couples, and an exhausted nursemaid change the courses of two little lives. Twenty years later, it becomes the burden of Fitzwilliam Darcy to discover and reveal the truth. But who will thank him and who will despise him for his efforts?
Chapter 9 – The Reveal
A/N: I must apologize for causing confusion with the timing of events. The murder of Isolde took place in 1765, long before the French Revolution. There was great unrest throughout France, but Brittany was worse for two reasons: 1) They had formerly been independent and were gradually absorbed by France, which many resented. 2) Although now French territory, even the French peasants regarded the Bretons as less-than-equal. There was great generational hatred based upon centuries of conflict. This hatred occasionally erupted into violence.
Another quick note: Although in the previous chapter the flashback only related the second meeting, Mr. Darcy actually told Genevieve's story as well… also, he never made mention of his first task, not wanting Mr. Bingley to know the real reason that he first approached the younger man.
Longbourn Chapel and a secluded trail behind it, the same day
At Mr. Bennet's request, Darcy nodded and then looked at Elizabeth with a question in his eyes. She appeared uncertain, but when he offered his arm, she took it. The pair walked out of the chapel, leaving Mr. Bennet and the Colonel inside. Elizabeth glanced back for a moment, but did not resist when Mr. Darcy led her out into the sun.
They stood there for a moment until Elizabeth raised a quizzical eyebrow. Darcy smiled, "You now this area, Lady Elizabeth. I do not. Therefore it falls on you to steer our course."
Elizabeth nodded in thought. Heading toward Longbourn wouldn't be desirable. If her moth… if Mrs. Bennet saw her being escorted by the area's most eligible bachelor, she would throw a fit. Then again, if they walked down the road in the other direction, toward Meryton, they might encounter some portion of her family or some other nosy neighbor. "Perhaps… there is a trail behind this chapel which is quite scenic?"
Darcy bowed gallantly, "As you wish, my Lady," again he offered his arm and Elizabeth hesitantly took it. They walked in silence for perhaps five minutes before Elizabeth finally asked, "Why are you addressing me as 'Lady Elizabeth'? It is my understanding that Genevieve was entitled to the honor because her father was an earl. When she married the elder Mr. Bingley, she might have a right to the title, even though her father disowned her, but I certainly do not."
Darcy nodded, "You would be correct as pertains to Lord Hargrave, although he did not legally disown his daughter when he manipulated the pair, you would still not be entitled to the title of 'Lady Elizabeth'. Such was the case with my own mother when she married my non-noble father. She was addressed as Lady Anne, but neither I nor my sister Georgianna are entitled to that honor."
"And so…?"
Mr. Darcy exhaled a deep breath before answering, "I had hoped that you would be willing to wait until our trip to Leicester. Then again, I suppose it is my own fault for addressing you as such."
Elizabeth waited, but her expression made it clear that she desired and expected an answer. "Very well. As my story earlier demonstrated, you are the child of Lady Genevieve, the grandchild of Lady Isobelle, and the great-grandchild of Geoffrey, Lord Clarence, the Earl of Rutland and Lady Isolde Tourleon." He paused to ensure that Elizabeth understood all of that. She nodded and continued to meet his gaze. "The Earldom is patrilineal; when Geoffry died without a male heir, it passed back into the family and is now held by one of the current Duke's sons. The same was true for the Earldom of Warwick. It is now held by a much better man than your grandfather… I mean no offense…"
"I take no offense. For any man to prey on a young lady of sixteen, just as she was introduced to society… it is disgusting and vile. I take no pleasure in discovering a relationship to such a man. Enoug said about him. Now, you've just established that the Dukedom of Argon has also passed on to a qualified heir, so I remain unconvinced that I am qualified for your formal address. So pray, continue."
"That leads us back to the story of Brittany. What do you know about the peerages in France after their so-called revolution?"
"I know that the assembly declared all patents of nobility void and seized all associated properties."
"Precisely," Darcy looked at Elizabeth with growing respect, "I could probably list on two hands the number of young ladies who know even a portion of what you know about such matters."
Elizabeth blushed, "Papa… Mr. Bennet allowed me to spend much of my time in his bookroom. He also took on my education when it became clear that Mrs. Bennet intended to neglect it."
Darcy reached his free hand over and covered the delicate hand which rested on his arm, "Lady Elizabeth, Brittany was once wholly independent. The Dukes of that territory were the equivalent of minor royalty: Kings or Grand-Dukes. At one time they were allied with England. By the end of the Mad War, they were allied with France, yet they continued to be viewed as an independent territory until very recently… well, at least by historical standards." Elizabeth nodded. "What you probably did not know was that the Dukedoms of Brittany and Caerleon were not only recognized in both England and France, but also patented in both countries. In effect, although the new government of France might have abolished their patents of nobility, that does not apply here."
Elizabeth halted her steps and stared up at her taller companion in frozen shock, "And… this means…?"
"To the best of our knowledge, the heirs to the Dukedom of Brittany were wiped out to a person... actually… but that is not immediately relevant. What is relevant is that the Dukedom of Caerleon was not wiped out… and the line of succession for that noble house is both patrilineal and matrilineal… In other words, Lady Elizabeth, if we prove your identity, then you either are a duchess, or, at very minimum, your firstborn son will be the next Duke of Caerleon."
Elizabeth spied a nearby stump and quickly moved there to take a seat. She felt like she might be ill.
Longbourn, mid-afternoon
Every corner of Longbourn Manor echoed with cacophony of joyful shrieks and screeches when Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth returned home. Thankfully she was so busy celebrating the engagement of her dearest Jane to Mr. Bingley that she hadn't even been aware that either her husband or her most despised daughter were absent. One might have wondered why she never questioned the fact that Mr. Bingley hadn't stepped into Mr. Bennet's book room to seek permission, but in Mrs. Bennet's world her husband was little more than an afterthought these days. Besides, he wouldn't dare to refuse the match.
We will leave the Bennets for now in favor of a quick peek at the activities of the Netherfield party, less one prospective groom. As you may have noticed, we have skipped over some important interactions from the previous narrative. Much will be revealed later in this story, but one key piece of information should be explained before proceeding: When Mr. Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam completed a very personal and pointed discussion, the Colonel went on to describe their plan for enlightening Caroline. Mr. Bennet expressed certain doubts and then offered an alternative plan. The Colonel, a highly experienced military intelligence operative, perceived that, though Mr. Bennet's body might be failing, his mind remained impressively sharp and agile.
So then, on with our story.
Netherfield Park, late afternoon
Louisa's personal maid, Millicent, was stationed by the library door, watching for the signal from Mr. Darcy's valet, Trenton. Said individual watched as Caroline walked from the music room toward the sitting room and the library, in search of the rest of the residents. Trenton nodded to Millicent. Millicent knocked once on the partially opened library door and then walked swiftly away. She had just passed out of the room through another door when Caroline stepped in.
She scanned the sitting room in irritated frustration, and was just preparing to stomp toward the library when she heard the raised voices. Something about the tone of the voices made her walk softly and swiftly until she could overhear properly.
It was the Colonel's irritated voice that she heard first. "So what you're telling me that you allowed me to twit Caroline repeatedly about the difference between gentleman's daughters and merchant's daughters, and all of this time she is the gentleman's daughter!?"
Caroline gasped, but quickly covered her mouth and leaned forward to hear more.
Louisa spoke next, "We didn't know for sure, Colonel. Papa told us that Caroline wasn't our sister, that there had been an accidental switch, but he never knew what happened to our real sister." Caroline almost stepped into the library to demand an explanation, but chose to gather more information first.
Darcy spoke next, "As I've explained, Richard, Charles' father asked me on his deathbed to help in the search. Honestly it wasn't until we arrived here in Hertfordshire that I saw any credibility to the story. Then both Louisa and I saw the resemblance to Mr. Bingley's second wife and… well… we had to conduct a thorough investigation before it was safe to say anything more!"
"So what happens to Miss Caroline's dowry?" Caroline's expression turned fierce at this, but Louisa's answer calmed her immediately. "Papa still considered Caroline to be a part of our family. His will was indisputable. Caroline's dowry is hers and hers alone."
"So what you're saying is that Caroline gets elevated to the status of a gentleman's daughter and she has a dowry of twenty-thousand pounds!? Do you realize what this will do to her standing in London ballrooms?" Caroline felt a thrill at this idea, but she was shocked at the Colonel's next question, "And where does that leave Miss Elizabeth?"
Suddenly the pieces all fit together! SHE was the Bennet's daughter and that hateful mushroom Elizabeth was a Bingley… Caroline might have protested this idea, but Mr. Darcy's next words changed her mind. In a cold, hard voice, Mr. Darcy answered, "What about Miss Elizabeth? The simple fact is that she is no longer… actually, she never was a gentleman's daughter. And based upon the will, Miss Caroline gets the dowry regardless of what happens. Miss Elizabeth decreased and Miss Caroline increases. It is just the way that the world works."
Caroline's feline grin could have made milk curdle.
Longbourn, evening
Mrs. Bennet had harassed and cajoled servants and her daughters until Longbourn was ready for guests. The cook had been near quitting her post by the time that dear Jane had gently led her mother out of the kitchen so that the beleaguered woman and her assistant could accomplish the five-course meal being demanded.
With everyone set to a task, Mrs. Bennet had then demanded the carriage so that she could parade Jane and Mr. Bingley around the neighborhood to announce their betrothal. Elizabeth used this period of absence to pack a trunk for travelling. Mr. Bennet had summoned Mary to his bookroom for a private conference. When she walked out she ignored her younger sisters' demanding questions and headed quickly up the stairs. As soon as she located Elizabeth she closed the door and threw herself into the shorter girl's arms.
Elizabeth ignored her own tears to comfort her younger sister, "It will be fine, Mary."
"No it won't, Lizzy! I don't want to lose you and I certainly don't want to replace you with… with…"
"I know. But did Papa explain that you will be going with me? I feel sorrier for Jane, Kitty, and Lydia."
"Yes, but he said that the details would have to wait. Lizzy, you have to know how Mama is going to treat you once she knows… it will be horrible!"
Elizabeth was deeply touched by Mary's deep concern for her. "She has never loved me, or even liked me, Mary. I expect that it will be bad, but we will get through it. All is in God's hands now."
Mrs. Bennet was so pleased with Jane that she scarcely spared a minute to snipe at Elizabeth. When the Netherfield party arrived she was everything gracious and genteel. Only Mr. Bennet, Mary, and Elizabeth noticed that Miss Bingley seemed almost on-edge with gleeful anticipation. In fact, she even spoke kindly to Elizabeth, though in a measuring and condescending manner.
With the arrival of dessert, Mr. Bennet stood and all eyes fixed on the head of the table, "Thank you, everyone. First of all, I would like to thank all of our guests for gracing us with your presence tonight. Next, I would like to make an announcement: It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Mr. Bingley has requested our Jane's hand in marriage, and she has accepted."
Caroline was the only person who looked shocked at this, but after a moment of contemplation she could see the value in this relationship. With her influence in both the Bennet and Bingley home she could ensure that Miss Elizabeth was put in her proper place and never allowed to climb out of it. Kitty was sitting next to Caroline and she shivered at a sudden chill.
Before Mrs. Bennet could begin proclaiming her joy to one and all, Mr. Bennet raised a supplicating hand, "Please, before we move on, I wish to make one more announcement."
Mrs. Bennet scowled in confusion, Caroline glowed with anticipation, everyone else simply looked on and waited. If there was trepidation, satisfaction, or anticipation from the others, they hid it well. "First of all, my dear Mrs. Bennet, I must apologize. Twenty years ago, you told me your concerns, but I did not believe you. For that I am dreadfully sorry."
Again, Mrs. Bennet looked confused. In fact, while trying to decipher her husband's meaning her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, like a fish. Mr. Bennet continued, "Most of my family knows the story of when Mrs. Bennet and I were caught in a storm while travelling." Mrs. Bennet closed her mouth and sat at attention at this reminder. "She gave birth to our second daughter that night at an inn… Elizabeth… Miss Bingley… I must apologize to both of you as well for what I am about to reveal." Now Mrs. Bennet looked down the table to look at Caroline in consternation, which began to turn into realization. "But there is more to the story. You see, there was another couple at the inn that night, and another baby girl was born."
Mrs. Bennet was looking only at Caroline now. Caroline was smirking gleefully at Elizabeth. Neither lady noticed the other people around the table. "The storm ended the next day and we completed our journey. Mrs. Bennet, you told me repeatedly that Elizabeth couldn't be our daughter, but I didn't believe you." In fact, she complained about Elizabeth being a girl, but Mr. Bennet knew that Fanny would accept his version, since it made her seem more insightful. "But you were right, my dear. The other couple at the inn that night was Mr. and Mrs. Bingley… and Miss Caroline is, in fact, your true daughter."
Fanny Bennet fainted. Jane, Kitty, and Lydia exclaimed in surprise. The others manifested expressions of shock. And Caroline Bennet smiled triumphantly and hatefully over at Elizabeth Bingley.
