AN: To those who ask "Why make the divorce public?" Do not forget, that in England at that time, it took an act of parliament, which is why the PM was called in. The King could hurry the normally lengthy process, but for it to be legal, it had to be ratified by parliament, so no way of keeping it private. Also, they knew Priscilla's family and friends were aware of the marriage.
Chapter 1
February 1790
"Fanny, you remember my telling you about my good friend from Cambridge, the Earl of Holder, Lord Paul Carrington?" Bennet asked as he sat as his desk with a letter from the man.
"I do Thomas," an extremely enceinte Fanny replied. "Why do you ask?"
"A letter arrived today, and he begs my presence to help him with some matters about which we have been corresponding. I always pledged to help him if he ever needed it for the service he provided me at Cambridge in protecting me from viscous lordlings. He has never expected anything in return, but I feel I am honour bound to help him," Bennet explained. "I will allow you to make the decision Fanny, as I am not able to promise I will return by the time you enter your final confinement." Bennet did not inform his wife that part of his reason for travelling to his friend was to see if there was a way to break the entail on Longbourn, he did not want to get her hopes up if it came to naught.
"You should go Thomas; I will join Priscilla at Netherfield Park until you return so we will not be alone. Miss Jones and Jane will accompany me," Fanny agreed.
"Only if you are sure," Bennet confirmed.
"I am, I will be with Priscilla, and I am able to call on Hattie, Sarah Lucas, or any number of other friends if needs be. Besides, the midwife Mrs. Sherman is vastly experienced and will be there with us," Fanny assured her husband.
"From my observations, Priscilla has never fully recovered from her heart break. I believe it is part of the reason why she had been ill more than her wont since that terrible day," Bennet opined.
"She is as well as can be expected," Fanny stated protectively.
In the neighbourhood, besides her and Thomas, only her sister Hattie and brother-in-law Frank knew the truth of Priscilla's situation and that was only because Frank Phillips had been used to draw up a new will for Priscilla. Most of the others did not read the London papers and those who did had not made Priscilla's acquaintance so there were none aware it was her who was referred to in the divorce decree.
The Gardiners were also aware, as Edward Gardiner had been entrusted with managing Priscilla's massive fortune. Gardiner was able to produce returns around ten percent per annum. Of the approximately thirty thousand per annum, a quarter was used to fund various charities, with a small portion kept for personal needs. Thanks to the fact Netherfield's profits were in excess of four thousand pounds per annum, most of the balance was reinvested as principal.
The following morning, the Bennet carriage departed with the master of the estate bound for Holder Heights in Staffordshire just before the Netherfield coach arrived to be loaded, transporting Fanny, her daughter, and the governess to Priscilla's estate.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
March 5, 1790
"Priscilla are you sure you do not want me to contact his Grace?" Fanny asked the morning the two woke up both with the begging of labour pains.
"No Fanny, I am sure. It was too painful when he informed me of his father's decision and actions. It will do nothing but occasion him pain and now that his betrothal to Princess Frederica Charlotte has been announced publicly, I choose not to be the reason he is pained again," Priscilla averred.
"I will respect your wishes my sister," Fanny informed as she squeezed her friend's hand.
"Have you heard from Thomas lately?" Priscilla asked.
"There was a letter two days ago. You know what a poor correspondent my husband is." Priscilla nodded that she knew it to be true. "He should be home in a fortnight."
"Then you will be able to introduce him to his new son or daughter. I am sure he will be delighted with either," Priscilla opined.
"Are you sure you want to be so generous to me and my future daughters in your will Cilla? You know I never expected anything in return for my friendship do you not?" Fanny asked.
"If I had believed otherwise for a moment, I would never have written my will as I did. My parents have cut me from their lives and that of my siblings, but I have a family Fanny. It is you and our bonds are stronger than any blood ties could have made them," Priscilla stated adamantly.
When Mr. Phillips had written her will Priscilla had added a clause to provide for Fanny and any of her daughters including Jane. If Bennet predeceased her, she would receive two thousand pounds a year for life. It was written in such a way that even if she remarried, her husband would never get control of the funds. Each daughter would receive a dowry of twelve thousand pounds.
Fanny had objected vociferously, just as Priscilla had anticipated. She had used the argument that Fanny and Jane, who called Priscilla 'Aunty Cilla,' were her only remaining family. She also pointed out that the amounts she was bequeathing to Fanny, Jane, and any subsequent daughters were a drop out of the bucket that represented her annual earnings from her invested wealth and Netherfield Park's income.
Eventually Priscilla had convinced her friend to accept the bequest graciously, both hoping it would be many years before either were called home to God. For Fanny it meant she never had to worry about the entail to the male line on Longbourn in case she never delivered a son.
About three hours later, Fanny entered the final stage of her confinement. Mrs. Sherman attended her, receiving regular updates on her Ladyship's progress who luckily was not as far along as Mrs. Bennet.
Half an hour later, Fanny Bennet's babe was born into the world. Fanny became very nervous as she did not hear the tell-tale crying she had experienced with Jane's birth. "It pains me to tell ya' Misses, but your son were born dead. 'is chord were wrapped around 'is neck," Mrs. Sherman informed Mrs. Bennet.
"Let me hold him please," Fanny asked as she quietly cried tears for her dead son. After the silent body was cleaned and wrapped so his face was visible, he was passed into his mother's arms.
Just then the midwife was called away to attend Lady Priscilla. An hour later the lusty cries of a new-born were heard, and Fanny cried for joy knowing her best friend had not suffered the same fate as her. She had Jane and a husband she loved, she was sure she would have more children.
What Fanny did not know is that he friend was haemorrhaging badly. It took much longer than was good to stem the flow of blood. When Fanny heard the talk of problems, she forced herself out of her bed and went to her friend's side.
She had to stifle a gasp when she spied Priscilla. Her pallor was as white as the sheets she lay on. As weak as she was, Priscilla requested the chambers be cleared of all but her and Fanny. "Fanny I am so sorry; I heard your son was stillborn." Fanny was about to interject, and Priscilla stilled her with a weak squeeze to the hand. "You are my sister of the heart, and you will do anything for me, will you not Fanny?" Priscilla asked. Fanny nodded as the tears streamed down her cheeks. "Swear to me Fanny, swear you will so whatever I ask of you."
"You have my solemn word, but you need to conserve your strength to get better Cilla," Fanny pleaded.
"Fanny you are too intelligent to not see what is before your eyes. By tomorrow I will be no more. My baby is a girl, I want her named Elizabeth Sarah for my grandmother Beth and my mother. Even if she has rejected me, I have not rejected my mother," Priscilla paused as she drew on the reserve of strength left in her body. "This is the hardest thing you will ever be asked, but you remember your promise to me?" Fanny nodded. "Have your son brought to me and I want you to take Elizbeth and raise her as your own." Seeing her friend was about to protest, Priscilla curtailed her. "Fanny, you swore you would do as I asked!"
"I did, and I will. But what of the two maids, Mrs. Nichols, and Mrs. Sherman? They all know the truth," Fanny asked.
"First, I leave it to you Fanny to tell Elizabeth the truth of her birth when she is eighteen, that she is a Princess of England and more than likely high in the line of succession to the throne. How she proceeds will be up to her at that point.
"To help you in this, I have written four letters that you will post for me after you have told her. I did so just in case the worst happened. One is for her; it is the top one on the escritoire in the corner. Please fill in her name and gender where I have left spaces. One is for her father, what if any relationship she has with him will be her choice."
Priscilla went silent for a minute or two and Fanny was worried she had passed, but she could see her chest still rising and falling—barely. "Priscilla conserve your strength," Fanny beseeched.
"No I must complete this now. One is for Thomas to thank him for raising my daughter as his own. Will you be able to keep this from him until Elizabeth is eighteen?" Fanny nodded. "The last one is my goodbye to my parents. If they try to contact me before that time, you may inform them of my passing, otherwise the letter will suffice.
"Lastly, please summon the midwife, maids, and Nichols back in, but have one of them bring your son. Did you name him Fanny?" Fanny shook her head. "We will name him Frederick as that will allay suspicion when his gravestone is seen."
With effort, Fanny reached the door and conveyed the mistress's orders. As soon as the four women entered, one of the maids with the silent babe in her arms, the other was told to transfer little Elizabeth to the cot in Mrs. Bennet's room as the other maid was told to place the boy in her place.
With supreme effort Priscilla swore the maids to silence and had Fanny write out a note that awarded each with two thousand pounds. Next, Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Sherman were sworn to silence and awarded five thousand pounds each. Mrs. Nichols told her ailing mistress she would do it for free, but Priscilla insisted, telling her to gift the money to her children for their future if she did not want it for herself.
Once it was just the two sisters of the heart alone again, Priscilla used some of her last breath to speak to Fanny one last time. "You my sister have been the reason I did not give up after I lost my Frederick. I love you Fanny." After her final speech, her breathing became almost undetectable until she breathed her last and her last exhale escaped her now empty lungs.
Priscilla had clung to life to make sure her wishes were known and had let go once she knew all was in order. Fanny sat crying holding her best friend's hand for more than an hour after she ceased to breathe and only slowly made her way back to her chambers when she was told her daughter needed to be fed.
It was then Mrs. Nichols who sent a footman to summon Mr. Jones, the local doctor and apothecary. He pronounced both mother and son dead. He then examined Mrs. Bennet and her daughter and exclaimed that both seemed to be doing as well as could be expected.
Fanny looked at her daughter, she had much hair on her head already and Fanny could tell it was the same mahogany colour as Priscilla's. Her eyes were blue, but Fanny was aware her eye colour could change as much as six to eight months after birth.
'I will love Elizabeth, Lizzy, as if she was born of my body, and I will always love her Priscilla as I loved you my sister of the heart. I will do all you have asked of me, and I will not tell Thomas about the swap of our babies. I will miss you every minute of every day, but at least I will have a small part of you with me at Longbourn. Farwell my friend and God bless you.' Fanny intoned to herself as Elizabeth suckled hungrily.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The day before Priscilla and baby Frederick's funeral, the Price arrived at Netherfield. After he spent time crying over the body of his former wife and his late son, he sought Fanny Bennet out. "Why did she not tell me she was with child Mrs. Bennet?" Frederick asked.
"You know why your Grace. She loved you too much and she did not want to make a terrible situation harder than it already was. She intended to tell you after you were married to ensure you would not dishonour your father's wishes," Fanny explained.
"Thank you for not letting her pass away alone Mrs. Bennet. She may not be with us anymore, but she will always reside in my heart," Frederick stated.
The Prince admired Mrs. Bennet's baby daughter who Jane was watching quietly as Elizabeth slept in her cot. He noted her hair colour was similar to Priscilla's, but he noted her deep blue eyes which looked like Fanny's eye colour. He may have been a Prince, Duke, and even a General, but he had no idea that the colour of eyes could change as Elizabeth was the first babe he had seen so soon after birth.
The Duke of York and Albany remained until after the funeral and then with his heart breaking all over again departed back to Town.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Less than a week after the passing of Priscilla, Thomas Bennet arrived back at Longbourn. Once informed by the Hills where his wife and daughters were, he went directly to Netherfield Park without stopping to change or wash.
Bennet had started his journey hours after receiving the missive from Fanny telling him that both Priscilla and her son had passed. He was sure his wife was devastated knowing how strong the bonds of sisterhood were between the two.
On his arrival at Netherfield Park he was shown to the chambers his wife was in. On seeing her husband the wall of emotions Fanny had been holding back cracked and then broke as she fell into her husband's arms crying with wracking sobs. Bennet assumed she was crying for her lost friend and the son who died the same day.
Fanny's resolve to honour her late friend's wishes and not inform her husband of Elizabeth's true parentage almost gave way as she cried in his arms as he comforted her. Just as she was about to tell him all she heard her pledge to her dear Cilla in her head and remained silent on the subject.
"How I will miss her Thomas. To lose both her and her son in the same day almost killed me, but I knew I needed to remain strong for our daughters," Fanny told her husband between sobs once she was able to talk again.
"Fanny I know how close you were, and it is understandable you will mourn her and her son. Take as long as you need, I will not expect you to take up your full duties until you feel ready," Bennet told his wife soothingly as he kissed her wet cheeks.
"Thomas there is much I need to tell you," Fanny stated as her husband dried her tears with his handkerchief. "A month ago, or perhaps it is now longer, Priscilla made a new will and testament. She dowered each of our daughters with twelve thousand pounds each, except for Elizabeth," Seeing her husband's confusion she added, "I will explain soon Thomas. If you predecease me, I will have two thousand a year making the entail immaterial if we are never blessed with a son."
"My goodness Fanny, such generosity, I am speechless," a flabbergasted Bennet stated.
"Thomas, Cilla was enormously wealthy, I have trouble comprehending the size her wealth and as she argued when I tried to refuse her gifts, it is a mere pittance in the grand scheme of things. Now to Lizzy. I do not know if Cilla had a premonition, but she said she took it as a sign from God we were with child at the same time. In her last will and testament, everything not willed specifically to another would have been for her child had he survived. She added a clause that in the case that both she and her child passed away, everything else would go to our second child," Fanny told her husband the well-rehearsed story.
"Good Lord! Just how wealthy is our new daughter Fanny?" Bennet asked in shock.
"Besides Netherfield, she had over three hundred thousand pounds invested for her; it is being managed by Edward. We are allowed up to five thousand per annum from the dividends to use as we see fit." Fanny paused as her husband assimilated the size of the enormous fortune his second daughter had. "Our brother Phillips is the executor of the will and there is a stipulation her wealth is to be carefully hidden from the world and herself until her eighteenth birthday. Lizzy is to be informed then and everything becomes hers when she attains her majority."
"We will use a good part of that annual allowance to increase the portions of Jane and any subsequent children we have. I will have our brother draw up documents that will safeguard our daughters from fortune hunters and I cannot but agree that Elizabeth's wealth must not be known until she is ready to make that decision for herself," Bennet agreed.
Fanny told him of the heart-breaking scene when Price Frederick came to say his farewells to Priscilla and his son. She then led her husband into the adjoining room where Jane was sitting and watching as a nursemaid bounced the gurgling babe on her lap.
"Papa do you see my Lizzy," Jane enthused as she ran into her father's outstretched arms.
"I do my little Janie, let me see your new sister," Bennet said as he accepted the babe from the nursemaid. Out of her swaddling the biggest blue-green eyes stared back at him, and Bennet was lost in that instant. Unlike Jane she had mahogany coloured hair similar to Bennet's late mother's.
Two days later the family of four Bennets moved back to Longbourn.