Grandma Bennet
Chapter Five – A wedding that led to a courtship
When the express came from Albert Gardiner, Thomas was appalled. His grandfather insisted on reading the note for himself, and could only shake his head in disgust, "Perhaps the Collin's blood has somehow seeped into the rest of our bloodline. Go, son. I promise that I will not expire in the time that it will take you to attend your brothers hasty wedding."
So Thomas Bennet left Anthony Bennet in the care of their faithful housekeeper and steward, Mr. and Mrs. Hill. Meanwhile he cursed the situation which would allow his brother to prey on a young girl. He remembered the man mentioning the ages of his children when they first met three years ago. She cannot be more than sixteen or seventeen now! What was Henry thinking?! I shall be ashamed to present myself at the Gardiner's door! As he drew closer and closer to London, his dread and shame only increased.
Meanwhile, in Gracechurch Street, Rose Gardiner was left alone while her mother took her soon-to-be-married daughter shopping for a trousseau. As the oldest daughter still in residence, Rose was pacing the floor ashamed of her sister's actions in violating every rule of decency and entrapping Henry Bennet. She knew from her father's warning that the eldest son, a decent man by the name of Thomas Bennet would present himself at their door at any moment.
Albert had planned to meet the man himself, but an important client had arrived unannounced with-sensitive problem which demanded the solicitor's intervention. "Rose, I hate to ask this of you, but we must have a member of the family greet the man. Will you please greet him properly and serve him tea until I can free myself? Our housekeeper will insure that you are well chaperoned at all times."
Rose had reluctantly agreed, but as she waited her agitation only increased. What must this man think of us? My sister has turned our home into a house of ill repute! I am so ashamed!
Rose saw a very handsome young man on a black horse reining to a stop in front of their home. A groom had already been standing by to take the man's horse, so there was little delay between the moment that she first saw him and the moment that the door was opened to let him in.
Thomas had never seen any of the solicitor's daughters. He was quite stunned at the beauty of the young woman who greeted him now. She curtsied, "Forgive us, Mr. Bennet, but my father was called away to deal with an urgent legal matter. I was asked to greet you and see to your comfort until he arrived... no! I mean I am supposed to serve you tea! That is all... Oh, I am so very sorry for all of this! What must you think of my family?" Rose was fighting not to dissolve into tears in her shame.
Thomas forgot his own embarrassment in his concern for this lovely young lady who appeared so mortified. Taking her gently by the elbow, he led her to the settee, sitting her in one corner. He had intended to take the other, but first he needed to stop the poor creature's tears, "Miss Gardiner, I could not be more ashamed of my brother's conduct in your home. I only hope that you and your family can forgive me for not keeping a tighter rein on his behavior.
"I also hope... I need you to know that I am not my brother... and I will do everything within my power to make things right. Please stop crying, Miss Gardiner?"
Rose wiped her eyes and became aware that this handsome, rugged young man was on his knees in front of her, trying to be some comfort. Composing herself as best as possible, she gestured to the other corner of the settee, "Forgive me, Sir. Would you please be seated?"
Relieved to see this lovely woman stop crying, Thomas stood and moved over to take the indicated seat. "I think that we both might wish for better relatives, Miss Gardiner. Please know that I do not hold you responsible for the conduct of a sister barely out of the nursury... and I hope that you will not hold me responsible for my brother."
Thankfully the tea arrived at that point and gave them both a much-needed chance to catch their breaths and compose themselves. When Anthony Gardiner arrived twenty minutes later, he found the two young people in an almost cheerful conference.
Henry arrived at the appointed time and the three men adjourned to the solicitor's office. He was not pleased by all of the conditions that his own brother forced on him, nor was he particularly pleased to be forced to pay for a common license, but all was done.
Both families sat to dinner that night. Albert was mostly silent while Rose and Thomas shared the occasional glance. Henry was still somewhat petulant at having been treated like a boy. Maggie and Frances never ceased speaking the entire meal. Maggie had been frustrated that her daugher caught the wrong Bennet, but she could always hope that the elder would die. Frances was also irritated, but she had found great pleasure in coupling after that first time, so she was cheerfully looking forward to marriage. According to her father, while Henry Bennet might not be the master of an estate, he did have a decent account.
By the end of the meal Henry was torn between wanting to bed the girl again and hoping that she did not speak this much once they were wed.
The wedding went off with little or no fanfare, a situation which pleased Henry and angered "Fanny." She had expected a grand ceremony, not this hurried farce! But then it was over and she was in a carriage with her Henry, riding off towards their new home. The pair wasted no time in testing the efficacy of a carriage for romance.
Once the carriage was out of view, Thomas turned to shake Mr. Gardiner's hand, bow to Mrs. Gardiner, and then share a long, lingering look with Miss Rose Gardiner. Finally he found the courage to ask, "If... If I were to come to London again... might I call on you?"
He was rewarded with a very beautiful smile that immediately captured his heart. Rose answered, "Mr. Bennet, I would be very pleased to receive your call whenever you find yourself in London."
Thomas Bennet "found himself" in London as frequently as his responsibilities and his grandfather's health would allow. He quickly learned that Rose was just as intelligent and interesting as he had first thought. They spoke of many things while they sat to tea or strolled the parks. Rose took a delighted interest in what it took to run an estate. Thomas took an equal interest in her surprising knowledge of investments, as gleaned from her father.
Although he had followed his parent's advice on concealing his ties to the colonists, he felt the necessity of making Rose aware, lest that information become a stumbling stone between them. She listened with interest but little concern. Rose understood the necessity of concealment, but she did not share the prevailing view. "People who abandon safety and comfort to launch a new enterprise in an unexplored world should be celebrated, not condemned. I do not understand the animosity and mockery that is so prevalent here."
Thomas told of the war against the French in Canada and his father's experience, "My father was a respectable man with a thriving business, an equal to any in Liverpool or Portsmouth, but because he was in Massachusetts, the officers looked down on him and treated his men as no better than surfs. There is a reason that the colonists are angry."
"I hope it does not come to war. Englishmen fighting Englishmen... it seems so wrong."
"They forget in Parliament that there are almost as many immigrants from other countries. They do not feel any deep ties to Great Britain, but they were more than happy to be under their rule so long as they are given respect and ruled fairly. I fear that matters will not be settled peaceably and that my parents and friends will be caught in the middle."
"Your father will not fight?"
"I do not know, Miss Gardiner. The mistreatment that he suffered during the last war has soured him. I fear the worst."
At Christmas Anthony Bennet insisted that the senior Gardiners, Rose, and the Phillips be invited to partake together.
Thomas Bennet would always claim that Rose's agreement to marry him was the greatest Christmas present that he ever received. Rose would say much the same in reverse.
Sadly, Anthony Bennet passed away before the summer came, but he was blessed to see his grandson married from the house and to have the lovely and caring Rose there to grace his final days.
The last letters between the Massachusetts Bennets and Longbourn passed that summer and fall. After that it was deemed unwise to continue, lest one side or the other accused the family of spying. Before the end Elizabeth Bennet found great pleasure in corresponding with her new daughter Rose. Not one letter ever passed between the New World and the Cambridge Bennets.
Henry and Fanny could not find the time to attend the wedding of their siblings. Henry was quite amused to learn that Fanny had been aiming for Longbourn, not him. His amusement faded as she spent almost three weeks in mourning when her sister Rose became the next Mistress of Longbourn. It was not until he threatened to take away her allowance that she finally ceased her endless screaming and wailing.
Of course her cries were replaced by those of their first child not many months later.
Jane Frances Bennet came into the world in 1774, just short of nine months after their wedding.
Fanny extolled her daughter's beauty endlessly. Henry had little interest in children in general and girl children in particular. He spent more than he should on books while his wife spent entirely too much on dresses.
Two years later, just as the colonies declared independence, Elizabeth Rose Bennet came into the world. Thomas assured his wife that she was the image of her grandmother, though she had her mother's lovely smile.
When Fanny Bennet heard of the birth, she celebrated and hoped that her hated sister would never have a boy.
