Chapter 24
"Mother and Father, Prince Frederick has informed his cousin, Lady Rose and her husband that it is not his desire they push for a divorce," Marie Rhys-Davies, Marchioness of Birchington informed her parents. Lady Marie was meeting two days before with her parents and her brother Wes—Wesley De Melville, Viscount Westmore—in their parents private sitting room to be sure that no one in the household would overhear them.
"We are saved," Lady Jersey exclaimed gleefully. It was the first good news in the sea of bad news that had befallen the De Melvilles since the displeasure of the royals that was not only restricted to Prince Frederick but had become known to the Ton.
"No Mother, that is not what this means," their daughter informed her parents firmly. "I am afraid the condition for no divorce is that I am to cut ties with you."
"How can anyone be so cruel?" Lady Sarah asked indignantly. She knew full well that as soon as word of the split with the Rhys-Davies became common knowledge—and it would as surely as the sun would rise in the east on the morrow—the De Melvilles' fall from grace would be complete.
"Mother," Wes interjected. "how can you be so hypocritical? Did you and father not cruelly reject your daughter and our sister in exactly the same manner? It seems to me you are reaping what you have sown."
"How dare you disrespect your parents thusly?" Lord Jersey demanded angrily.
"Over sixteen years ago, at a time she needed her family more than ever, you cut ties with Priscilla denying her the succour of family, of her mother and father," Wes shot back. "At least Marie has come to deliver the news in person, and not like you did by a short impersonal letter. I know we are supposed to respect our parents, but enough is enough! Your only worry was what society may think—which as we all know you were wrong about—when your only concern should have been for your daughter."
Lord Jersey was about to retort when his wife placed a hand on his arm. "Our son and daughter are tired. We need to give them time to come to their senses," Lady Jersey deluded herself.
"No mother, we do not need time," Wes stated, and Marie nodded. "All we can do is beg our sister's forgiveness and her pardon for us following your dictates when we knew them to be wrong. Come Marie, I will away with you."
Marie turned without another word and walked out with her brother. It did not take long before the parents whose pride would not allow them to admit they had been wrong, were left alone at Broadhurst in Essex.
The Earl and Countess did not know it, but the two children they had just lost were on their way to Hertfordshire to throw themselves on Priscilla's mercy and beg her forgiveness.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
"It is done Lizzy. Your name is now officially Elizabeth Priscilla Francine," Phillips informed Elizabeth as she sat in her father's study with him, along with her birth father and father.
"Thank you Uncle Frank," Elizabeth replied. "I appreciate not having to have my late birth-mother's mother's name another day longer." Elizabeth thought for a moment as she turned to the Prince. "What am I to call you now? It does not seem right to call you Uncle Freddy any longer now that I know who you truly are."
"Bennet would you have an objection if Lizzy calls me Father and you Papa?" The Prince asked.
"No York," Bennet averred. "I think that will be acceptable. If Lizzy is to address you thusly, should you not inform the King and Queen before they hear the news from another quarter?"
"Before you discuss anything further," Phillips interjected, "am I needed here?"
Bennet looked at the Prince who shook his head. "Thank you Brother, but we need nothing further at this moment." Phillips took his leave with a bow to the Prince and closed the study door on his way out.
"The disclosure to my parents cannot be delayed now that Lizzy is aware of the truth," the Prince acknowledged. "I am expected at court the day after Jane and Andrew's wedding. While there, I will request a private audience with my parents and older brother."
"Father, the King and Queen will not order that I leave my mama, papa, sisters, and brother will they?" a concerned Elizabeth asked.
"How long have I dreamed of hearing you address me thusly," the Prince exclaimed. "I will not lie to you Lizzy, there is a very small chance that may demand that of me, however, it is my solemn belief that is not what they will do."
"Why do you think that?" Elizabeth followed up.
The prince explained his reasons which were largely centred on the guilt his father felt for tearing a loving couple asunder for political reasons. Although she knew there was always a chance, Elizabeth felt somewhat more confident she would not be taken away from the family she loved.
"May I solicit the first set from you at the ball on the morrow Lizzy?" her birthfather requested. The betrothal ball for Jane and Andrew had the same rules for Elizabeth and Mary as Jane's coming out ball, the difference they would be allowed to remain for the whole ball.
"Yes Father, those sets are yours," Elizabeth granted happily.
"In that case I will take your seconds sets," Bennet stated.
"Of course Papa," Elizabeth allowed just as happily.
"York, I assume you do not want word of Lizzy's rank to be disseminated in the neighbourhood until the King and Queen decide whether or not they will acknowledge her?" Bennet asked.
"That is correct, Bennet," the Prince averred. "We will be telling the younger children on the morrow will we not?" Bennet nodded.
"We will need to impress the need for their not talking about anything to any in the neighbourhood until there is an official response from the palace," Bennet pointed out.
"Even though Tommy is the youngest, Papa," Elizabeth noted, "he will understand the need for discretion, as will the other three girls."
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The younger group of children had just been informed of the truth of Elizabeth's parentage and rank when they were summoned to the family sitting room where all of Netherfield's residents and the Prince were present. "Does this mean I need to bow to you and address you as Your Royal Highness each time I see you Princess Elizabeth?" Tommy, who had just turned ten some days previously, asked cheekily.
"If you are not careful Master Thomas Bennet Junior," Elizabeth replied with mock affront, "you will have to address me thusly and stand whenever in my presence."
"Many times have I heard the story of your insult on the Bennets first visit to Pemberley William," Georgiana reminded her brother whose pallor darkened as he looked anywhere except at Elizabeth.
"Gigi, and everyone else," Elizabeth responded, "It has been well over ten years since that occurrence. William was granted our pardon many years ago and I know it is amusing to embarrass him over his intemperate words then, please let us leave it in the past where it belongs."
William gave Elizabeth a thankful look. He did not need anyone to remind him as he would never forget the day or his ill-advised words. Thankfully for William, it was the last time he was reminded of the incident by any in the extended family.
"You four do understand why you may not discuss this with anyone outside of this room, do you not?" Fanny asked. "And if you do want to talk about it with one of us, you make sure we are alone and have complete privacy. Once the King and Queen accept Lizzy as their granddaughter and make a formal announcement, then you will be free to talk about Lizzy's rank openly if you need to."
"We understand," the three girls and one boy chorused.
"The Gardiners and Phillipses will be arriving for the betrothal ball later this morning," Bennet informed the family. "Both sets of adults are aware of Lizzy's true parentage, but your Gardiner cousins are not. The restriction regarding discussing what you have been told here includes them." The four nodded their understanding and agreement.
"You are still our Uncle Freddy, are you not?" Lydia asked.
"Very much so yes," the Prince confirmed. "The only change is that Lizzy—all of you—now know I am her birthfather."
"It is so exciting I will be attending my first ball tonight," Kitty gushed.
"We have set thirteen as the minimum age for attendance, however," Fanny stated, "unlike Lizzy and Mary, you will retire after supper."
"Yes Mama," Kitty acknowledged.
"We still have some last-minute things to see to for the ball Fanny," Lady Elaine pointed out, "Are we finished here?"
There was general agreement there was nothing else to discuss. The family dispersed to their own pursuits, not before Kitty, Lydia, and Gigi gave Elizabeth a deep curtsy each which elicited a tinkling laugh from the object of the curtsies.
William felt forlorn when he heard the laughter he loved to hear. 'I love her, but she is so far above me! I am a mere gentleman, and she is a princess. I will always love her, but I will have to reconcile myself to the fact the King and Queen will never sanction a match to one as low as me for their granddaughter.' William told himself as he felt the melancholy set in as he thought about the future he thought he would never have with Elizabeth.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When the brother and sister arrived at Netherfield Park, they were able to drive up to the manor house as the man on the gate had not been instructed to halt carriages and verify they were not the De Melvilles since the Prince had dispatched the Earl and Countess of Jersey with a major sized flea in their ear.
The Prince and Bennet were playing chess to see who would play against Darcy. Matlock and Holder were playing billiards. The men were in the game room to keep out of the way while the last of the preparations for the betrothal ball were put in place by the ladies of the house.
Nichols cleared his throat to announce his presence. "Master we have unexpected guests," the Butler reported.
"Who is it Nichols?" Bennet asked.
"The Marchioness of Birchington and Viscount Westmore," Nichols reported. The two names caused all of the men present to stop what they were doing. "They desire an audience with Lady Priscilla to beg for her forgiveness."
"What do you recommend York?" Bennet asked.
"Let us hear them," the Prince suggested. "If they are truly here in contrition, then we will do as my Priscilla would have and grant them forgiveness. If they are here to try and save their parents place in society or some other selfish reason, I will know how to act."
"Everyone who will be at the ball is resting so Lizzy will not be seen by them," Bennet articulated his thoughts. "Show them into the study in a few minutes Nichols." The butler bowed and departed to fulfil his orders.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When Marie and Wes were shown into the study, they were not sure what to expect. Certainly not the group of men waiting for them. Wes immediately recognised his Highness, the Earls of Matlock and Holder, and Mr. Robert Darcy. He did not know the man seated behind his sister's desk. He assumed perhaps Priscilla had remarried.
"As I can see you recognise everyone else, I am Mr. Thomas Bennet, the custodial master of Netherfield Park," Bennet informed the two who looked rather confused.
"Lady Marie, Viscount, what brings you to Netherfield uninvited?" the Prince asked.
"If it is all the same to you, Your Royal Highness," Wes bowed as he addressed the Prince, "our business is with our sister."
"We," the Prince indicated the men with him with a sweep of his arm, "are all protectors of your sister's interests. You can tell us why you are here, or you may leave now and never return."
"When you confronted me during the ball at Holder Heights, you asked me a very pertinent question, Your Royal Highness," Lady Marie stated. "The truth is I have been ashamed that I did not ignore the edicts of my parents and reach out to Priscilla as soon as I came of age. It was unconscionable and I—we both are—here to beg my sister's forgiveness and to make amends in any form she sees fit. We will however understand if she chooses not to see us after our following our parents for too long."
"How is it to be known that you are not here to try and repair your and your parents' positions in society and not for the reasons you have stated?" Darcy asked.
"As of two days ago, Your Highness, your Lordships, and gentlemen," Wes replied, "My sister Marie and I broke with our parents. After all of these years they could only see the problems they are living with and not that their cruelty towards Priscilla is the root of all of their problems."
"We do not expect any public acknowledgement of our seeking her forgiveness, whether she grants it or not, we are only trying in some small measure to correct a wrong perpetrated by our parents many years ago," Lady Marie added.
The four men looked to the Prince and each nodded. The Prince in turn inclined his head to Bennet. "Please be seated." Bennet indicated the chairs in front of his desk. "Priscilla would have liked nothing more than to grant you forgiveness as all she ever desired was the love of family. Unfortunately, she passed away after giving birth almost seventeen years ago," Bennet revealed.
Brother and sister reached for one another and held the other's hand as Lady Marie started to cry quietly. Wes fought and failed to stop some tears running down his cheeks. "But I saw Priscilla at the ball, I am sure of it," Lady Marie managed once she dried her eyes.
"No you saw my daughter, your niece," the Prince elucidated. "Her name is Elizabeth, named after your late grandmother Beth and she will be seventeen in March."
"How did we know none of this?" Wes asked.
"Priscilla did not want any of you contacted unless there was a genuine attempt—such as the two of you have made this day—to contact her to repair the rift," Lord Matlock stated.
"Would we have gone the whole of our lives without knowing our sister was in heaven and we had a niece?" Lady Marie inquired.
"This is what we were instructed to do by your sister…" Bennet and the rest of the men explained what Priscilla had instructed and why. When the recitation was complete they understood why Bennet called himself the custodial master of the estate.
"You say you will inform the King and Queen of their granddaughter, a Princess of England next week?" We verified.
"Yes, after the wedding," the Prince confirmed.
Seeing the quizzical looks from the siblings, they were informed that Bennet's eldest daughter would be marrying Viscount Hilldale on Monday coming. "If you will show our guests to the family sitting room, I will see if my wife and Lizzy would like to meet them," Bennet asked his friends. "As you can imagine, she was not happy with your parents for the actions they took against her mother."
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bennet found his wife and gave her a synopsis of what had occurred in the study. She agreed with the decision to tell the brother and sister the truth about Priscilla and Lizzy. Together, they knocked on Lizzy's bedchamber door and when summoned to enter they found her in the window seat, her legs curled up under her while she read.
Elizabeth's immediate reaction was to refuse to meet her aunt and uncle. As soon as she understood the two were nothing like their parents, she agreed to accompany her parents to the sitting room.
When the door opened both Lady Marie and Wes stood, they saw Bennet enter with a woman who still held her looks who they correctly assumed was his wife. As soon as they beheld their niece, both gasped audibly. Elizabeth was an almost exact copy of her late mother.
"Lady Marie, Viscount Westmore, my wife Mrs. Francine—Fanny—Bennet, and my daughter, Her Royal Highness Elizabeth Priscilla Francine." Bennet made the introductions.
Luckily her parents had warned Elizabeth her aunt and uncle could very well just stare at her initially as she looked to much like her birthmother. Elizabeth stood and bore the scrutiny with aplomb.
"No wonder I thought I saw my late sister," Lady Marie stated as the tears began to flow again. "May I hug you Your Royal Highness?" Elizabeth gave a nod and Marie approached her tentatively until she enfolded Elizabeth in her arms and that it when the tears flowed in earnest.
When Lady Marie stepped back she was replaced by her brother who opened his arms for his niece and Elizabeth stepped into his hug. "On behalf of myself and my birthmother, I forgive both of you," Elizabeth granted, "but never ask me to forgive your parents." Elizabeth returned to sit with her parents and birthfather after Wes released her.
"We understand why you do not feel like you can grant my parents forgiveness, and we will never ask you to do that which you do not desire to do," Wes assured Elizabeth.
"I second my brother's statement," Lady Marie said with purpose as she dried her eyes.
"Once there is a Royal decree about Princess Elizabeth…" Wes started to say when he was interrupted.
"Elizabeth or Lizzy please," Elizabeth interjected as she looked from brother to sister.
"In that case, about Lizzy, I would suggest posting the letter to my parents then," Wes completed his suggestion.
"I think that is a good suggestion," Lady Edith opined. There was general agreement from the Prince on down.
"As you are Lizzy's aunt and uncle, you are invited to the ball this night and the wedding on Monday," Fanny insisted after a nod from her husband.
"It would give me great pleasure to remain for the festivities, thank you Mrs. Bennet," Wes replied.
"I must return to my husband and parents-in-law in Town," Marie explained. "As much as I would love to be here, there will not be enough time to return from London today. We will depart London at sunup and will join you on Monday."
Not long after Lady Marie started her journey back to Birchington House on Russel Square to inform her husband and the Duke and the Duchess of the outcome of her trip into Hertfordshire and share the invitation to the wedding with them.