Page 10 of The Scarred Duchess
The earl sat back and took a long pull from his glass. “To prove to Somerset our disinterest regarding the line of succession. He has only the marquess to maintain his patents." He looked to the window. “We retired to the country using my mother’s family name.”
Lambrook dissembling? Oh ho! Let us see how far he takes it.“You admit to hiding behind mater’s skirts?” At Lambrook’s shocked expression, Bennet leant in and spokesotto voce, “The dull pray, the geniuses are light mockers.”
The earl’s eyes flashed with humour “I shall expect you two days hence in our ballroom. Have your man bring appropriate attire.”
Bennet stood. “Are you going to waltz me to death, Lambrook?”
He laughed. “Oh, how I have missed you, Bennet! No, my friend, the ballroom at Netherfield Park is a fencing salon.”
The following morning, Bennet opened the journal that had disgusted Lambrook. His grandfather’s handwritten name on the first page left him no doubt who the author had been.John Bennet.He read over the first few pages, most of the entries concerning news about tenants, neighbours, and Longbourn. Then the entries turned less dry. He took note of the entry year: 1757.
Hosea Collins has once again stormed off in his familiar, disagreeable manner. I will not throw good money after bad; the man cannot manage his land. Ivory Farm was a successful venture while his father and brother were alive. It is a shame those two good men could not tether in the younger son. Supposedly, his short term with the militia did not improve upon his lack of character, and he left there under a cloud...
A man unfit for the king’s army?Bennet was disgusted. He read on; his grandfather’s prose had captured his interest.
I have instructed our footmen to deny Collins entry to our estate grounds, especially the house. I have no choice, as his poor character and frequency of demeaning my name while inebriated warrants caution. Not even he is foolish enough to take action against the county magistrates. I would be within the law to detain him, but what of his tenants? Theirovertures to work our estate and leave their current misery have my son torn between his Christian duty and the welfare of the community.
A passage written four days later illustrated the change from caution to action.
Collins would not leave of his own volition. I have had him physically thrown from our grounds. Only my desire for him to leave kept me from releasing the hounds. The aftermath would have been bloody and unkind. I am sure we have seen the last of that failure of a man. Who cares so little for their tenants that every family vacates their farms? It is unheard of. We have given them refuge and work.
What kind of man, indeed? But as bad as this Collins appeared to be, it only worsened. Bennet was appalled by the next entry.
Collins has thwarted his banishment from Longbourn’s grounds, calling here and leaving me shocked upon his departure. That bloody fiend has asked for my daughter’s hand in matrimony! How does he presume to approach me for my Margaret? I am utterly horrified. I would damage her serenity by presenting her with such an insulting offer. I shall remain here and recover my good sense.
Another entry, made the following day, was nearly illegible. As Bennet read it, he understood why his grandfather’s hand had lost its grace and ease.
God save us. My daughter has lost her wits. Or I have. Would that I had set the dogs upon that reprobate when Icould! My Margaret has agreed to take Collins as her husband! What Hell am I in? What has he done to earn her regard? Meg will not explain herself. She will only repeat a single sentence to my every query: ‘You must protect our estate, Father.’
Why? Why does she accept his proposal? I shall never give my consent. He has nothing. No money. No tenants. No connexions. Why would she want him? What do I not see?
Bennet could guess the heinous reason, if not the ending. He frowned as he continued reading.
It is done. She has married by common licence without my consent.I recognise there is inherent evil in the minds of those who envy and would rather take than earn. We must identify, recognise, and, where possible, eradicate them. Parasites such as Collins are a blight on a gentle society.
Bennet agreed unreservedly with his grandfather even if it was admittedly uncommon for a gentry squire to have such militant thoughts.
What is this madness? Mrs Hodgeson, faithful housekeeper that she is, has told me all! Collins, that animal, ruined my daughter! She will take to her confinement this week, not seven months since she signed away her name. I know what must be done. It will take time to arrange all to my satisfaction, but I shall see my unborn grandchild raised as a Bennet.
Bennet looked out the window at the dawn breaking upon the horizon. He stood and stretched, then resumedreading. The next entry, smeared and written in an untidy hand, was dated three days later.
Dear Meg is dead. Gone. My plans are in utter ruin. If I cannot raise my beloved grandson at Longbourn, I shall do everything I can to protect future generations. Collins claims the boy child is the rightful heir. Gardiner’s haste in filing the entail prior to their wedding has shown the cur the error of his ways. At times like these, an entail has its use. Collins is in a fury. His shouts and fists pounding the locked front door resound through the hall. Hodgeson has turned him away and set the dogs upon him. I can hear his screams fading; Achilles, Hector, or both have run him off the estate. Hodgeson will have his sport. A good man, he.
Bennet chuckled. Dogs had never appealed to him, but the right breed did serve their purposes.
Collins has vacated Ivory Farm. I have filed the writ of abandonment. Hopefully, a Christian family will purchase and bring the land back to life.
My poor, dear Meg. On my honour, I swear by all that is Holy. Should I ever see Hosea Collins again in my lifetime, I shall kill him.
Bennet closed the journal. He decided a ride would help regain his equanimity. Then, after breaking his fast, he would call on Gardiner.
A few hours later, Bennet stepped into a well-appointed office. Andrew Gardiner stood behind a desk; a young woman sat in a chair directly to his left, reading a book.
“Forgive me for not having asked for an appointment.” Bennet removed his hat and turned towards the young lady. A very attractive lady. He nodded before looking back at Mr Gardiner. “You offered your unconditional assistance.”
“So I did.” The older man smiled and gestured towards the woman. “Franny, I would like you to meet this gentleman, lately a colonel in the Regulars who has returned home to take charge of Longbourn. Mr Thomas Bennet, this is my daughter, Miss Francine Gardiner.”
Bennet nodded, and the young lady rose, curtseying gracefully as he bowed. She smiled, the gesture reaching her eyes. Her very grey eyes.
