Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth

by Greer Boyd

  Then, with great weariness she shifted her head and added, “Aunt Eleanor, Uncle James, you have truly served as parents to me since my father died. Mr. Grove should be here this evening.”

  Aunt Eleanor leaned down and kissed the all-too-cool forehead, “I understand Anne, dear. We will handle everything; do not worry.”

  “Please send for Richard and Charlotte,” requested Anne, as she closed her eyes and seemed to sink further into the pillow beneath her head. “Then, I must rest.”

  Darcy pulled the bell cord and a young maid quietly entered the room. “Please have Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Lucas come to Lady Anne’s room.”

  Only moments later, the two entered the room and went to Anne’s bedside. The young maid quietly took her seat in the corner, as everyone else, save Richard and Charlotte, went to the small sitting room at the end of the hallway.

  A little more than a quarter hour later, when Richard and Charlotte joined them, he went directly to his mother, “Anne is sleeping now. Mother, she told me that I am her heir.”

  “Yes, I know,” replied Aunt Eleanor as an unshed tear clung to the lashes at the corner of her eye. “I have known since you returned safely from the war.”

  “Lady Eleanor,” stated Charlotte as she stood beside Richard and firmly held to his arm with both of her hands, “Anne said that she has provided for me as well, and that I should come to you and Elizabeth for direction.”

  “Yes, she told me that also.” Aunt Eleanor spoke with a catch in her voice. She raised her linen pocket square to the corner of her eye and dabbed it, then concluded, “I can say no more until she is gone. That is her wish.”

  When Mr. Grove arrived later that evening, and learned that Anne was still asleep, he joined the others in the dining room after taking a moment to refresh himself. Dinner that evening was a quiet affair. The food was quite sumptuous, but no one seemed to have an appetite. After the meal, the party again gathered in the small sitting room. Within a quarter hour or so, Elizabeth and Aunt Eleanor removed to their bedchamber, claiming fatigue from the long trip, and Charlotte went to sit with Anne. The gentlemen then retired to Anne’s study where they had brandy and talked about horses and crops, and a few mundane subjects.

  After the discussion about crops, Mr. Grove spoke quietly to Darcy as the two of them sat off to the side of the room. “Darcy, the small estate that was recently purchased is doing well. The father had been rather lackadaisical in his care of the property, barely scratching by on the yield, but his successor was absolutely abominable. The new steward is doing a fine job and, under his care, it is possible that the estate may turn around much, much quicker than we first estimated.”

  “And the repairs, modifications, and additions that were needed for the house?” asked Darcy his full attention now directed toward the solicitor.

  “The repairs have mostly been completed. The addition of the new family wing with the private master chamber and its suite of rooms should be finished before the end of the year, and the new guest wing by the middle of next year, along with the new servants’ quarters,” replied Mr. Grove. Looking very pleased with himself, he continued, “Fortunately, we were able to reclaim most of the first edition books that had been sold to pay expenses, and all of the books will be moved into the new library after the construction is finished.”

  “Excellent, Mr. Grove, thank you,” Darcy said sincerely. “How are you coming along with that other matter you were researching for me?”

  “Unfortunately, that is still a work in progress, although we are making headway,” Mr. Grove admitted, shaking his head. “Sometimes it takes a while to go through old records. But, I am confident we will have results soon.”

  “What are you having researched, Darcy?” Richard inquired, walking to where the two men sat companionably in chairs a bit away from the fireplace.

  “I asked Henry to research the ancestry of the Mills family ultimately for Thomas,” responded Darcy in a matter of fact manner.

  “Oh ho,” queried Uncle James as he chuckled. “Looking for another ducal title, are you?”

  “Uncle,” Darcy spoke plainly, “even I know that is too farfetched to address. No, Henry is also researching the ancestry of the Bennet family. I thought it would be good for Thomas to know more about his ancestors. His father was an only child whose parents died when he was very young. Thereafter, fortunately, kindly neighbors took over his care. In fact, I believe it was the family who apprenticed him before he started his own business.”

  Then, clearly wearied by the travel, Darcy stood: “Gentlemen, I will look in on Anne and then head up to bed.”

  When he stopped by Anne’s bedchamber, the young maid answered the door, and he found his aunt in her nightgown and dress robe quietly sitting beside the bed, holding Anne’s hand and reading.

  “Aunt, I did not mean to disturb you. I came to check on Anne before retiring for the night,” he said quietly, as he sat by the opposite side of the bed and took his cousin’s other hand into his own. Her cold hand felt fragile, and he held it as though it were delicate crystal.

  “She is sleeping peacefully.” Aunt Eleanor’s eyes swept from Anne to Darcy. “I thought that I would just sit with her for a while.”

  “Then, I shall retire. Please let me know immediately if there is any change.”

  Aunt Eleanor felt a faint pressure against her hand as Darcy departed. “I am here, Anne. I will be with you till the end.”

  About ten minutes later, Elizabeth softly knocked on the door, and when the maid opened it, she whispered, “Aunt, I came to sit with you and Anne if you will allow me.”

  “Of course,” Aunt Eleanor’s warm welcome was reflected in her voice. “It will not be long now.”

  As Elizabeth sat in the chair on the other side of the bed and reached for Anne’s hand, Aunt Eleanor thought that she could see a faint smile appear on Anne’s face.

  Within the hour, Aunt Eleanor felt her niece’s hand as it went limp, and saw her chest fall and not rise again. Elizabeth looked at the older woman, seeking confirmation for what she already knew. Beckoning the young maid, Aunt Eleanor simply asked, “Would you send for the doctor? Also, please have a note sent to the rectory to let Mr. Whitehill know that it is time for final confirmation of Lady Anne’s death.”

  Then, looking to Elizabeth, she stated more than asked, “Shall we awaken the others?”

  “Aunt Eleanor,” Elizabeth intoned succinctly, “I very much doubt that anyone is asleep this night.” They left together to tell the others.

  After the doctor had officially confirmed the death to be recorded in the books in the rectory, Mr. Whitehill cleared his throat, adjusted his waistcoat and approached the family. “Lady Anne made a request of me some months ago, and another only hours before her death. She said that since all of her family was already present, she would like her interment to take place immediately. She explained she had never liked protracted goodbyes, and she would not allow her death to become one.”

  Hearing no protests from the family, he continued, “I have had everything made ready and held in preparation for the last three days. She is to be interred while the parish bells toll the years of her life.”

  Richard gave a sad little chuckle, “Anne, Anne. You were always trying to lessen the burden for others.”

  Charlotte started to sob softly. As Elizabeth reached for her hand to comfort her, Richard walked to stand behind her chair and, gently and protectively placed his hand on her shoulder.

  Well before the midday meal, Mr. Whitehill had fulfilled his promise to Anne, and she had been quietly laid to rest beside her father in the Rosings Park family cemetery.

  Aunt Eleanor and Elizabeth sent express messages to those who needed to be notified of Anne’s death. They then joined the rest of the family so that Mr. Grove might carry out his duties. He began: “As Lady Anne de Bourgh’s family is present here at this time, per Anne’s request, I will read from her last will and testament.”

  “M
r. Grove,” Elizabeth interjected as she rose from her seat, “since I am not family, I will retire to the library until your discussions are over.”

  “Mrs. Mills . . . Elizabeth,” explained Mr. Grove quickly, “according to Lady Anne, she looked upon you quite as a younger sister. Please stay.”

  As she returned to her seat, he peered down again to the documents he held and intoned: “Lady Anne Eleanor Rose de Bourgh’s will is written in several parts with certain specific bequests. The first part concerns the disposition of Rosings Park and the wealth that comes with it. Richard Edward James Fitzwilliam, you will inherit and become master of Rosings Park and all other assets connected to the estate, including Park House in London and the several lesser holdings which are detailed further in this will, among them all of the de Bourgh family jewelry and fortune.”

  Looking around to everyone in the room, Richard stated, “Anne told me last night when she called me to her bedchamber that I was to be her heir.” With a slight chuckle, he looked at Darcy, “She encouraged me to give up my commission immediately.”

  Mr. Grove continued, “The second part concerns the disposition of Lady Anne Eleanor Rose de Bourgh’s personal investments. Richard Edward James Fitzwilliam, you will receive five and sixty percent of Lady Anne’s personal investments, which currently total approximately £20,000,000, which means the value of what you will receive comes to approximately £13,000,000.”

  “Mr. Grove,” sputtered Richard as he looked around the room until his gaze settled on his mother, “I am positively stunned. Mother, did you know about this?”

  “Richard,” acknowledged his mother as she openly and directly returned his gaze, “I knew of her wishes, but I had no idea of the amount of her investments. We all knew that she had been investing since she was a child, beginning with her rather embarrassingly substantial monthly allowance, and then the almost unbelievably large fortune that her father had given her at the time of his death; but, heavens Richard, I am quite as stunned as you are.”

  As Richard sat back down, ran his hand through his hair, and tried to comprehend such wealth, Mr. Grove resumed.

  “The third part concerns the settlement for the retirement from service of Miss Charlotte Catherine Jane Lucas. Miss Lucas, you are to receive immediately the original settlement of £10,000 established by Lady Anne, plus the returns it has earned through very wise investments which now total approximately £14,000, making the retirement settlement now to be valued at approximately £24,000.

  “Also, Lady Anne transferred her dowry of £40,000 to be an additional settlement for Miss Lucas. The returns this addition has earned through very wise investments now total approximately £65,000 making the total to be valued at approximately £105,000.

  “You are also to receive a house in Bath and £10,000 annually for its maintenance and upkeep, and your personal use until such time as you decide to marry. If it is your decision not to marry, the £10,000 will continue to be paid annually throughout your lifetime.

  All of these items will pass to you under the terms of feme sole, which means that should you decide to marry your holding will legally remain with you and will NOT pass to your husband.”

  “Oh, Mr. Grove,” cried Charlotte as she burst into tears, “I never ever expected so much. I do not deserve such unexpected kindness. Lady Anne was always far too generous with me.”

  “Miss Lucas,” chuckled Mr. Grove, “I can assure you that Lady Anne truly felt that you deserved all that she has given you. You were much loved for your devotion and care for her.”

  Again adopting a more formal tone, he continued on: “The fourth part concerns the disposition of thirty percent of Lady Anne Eleanor Rose de Bourgh’s personal investments. Miss Charlotte Catherine Jane Lucas, you will receive thirty percent of Lady Anne’s personal investments which as previously mentioned currently total approximately £20,000,000, which means that you will receive approximately £6,000,000 worth of the current investments.”

  As Mr. Grove said this, Charlotte fainted and would have fallen from her chair to the floor had not Richard caught her in his arms and carried her to the nearby couch. Elizabeth ran to her side, and Aunt Eleanor called immediately for a servant to bring smelling salts.

  Aunt Eleanor waved the bottle under Charlotte’s nose, and she slowly began to awaken. When she opened her eyes, she was startled for a moment when she saw everyone hovering over her. “I am so sorry. This is all such a shock.” Then suddenly, almost in a panic, she grasped Elizabeth’s hand almost painfully and asked, “Elizabeth, what will I ever do with so much wealth?”

  As everyone laughed, she blushed and then burst into tears, “Anne gave me so much,” she cried, “and I gave her so very little. I do not deserve all this.”

  “Miss Lucas,” proclaimed Mr. Grove, as a broad smile graced his face, “Lady Anne told me that you would say exactly the words that you just uttered. I am, therefore, instructed to simply look at you, pat you on the hand, wave my hand in the air, and say, ‘It is already done.’”

  As he did that, there was a chorus of chuckles and slowly Charlotte began to relax and laugh as well. “She did that very thing to me when she told me that she had given me a substantial monthly stipend and the £10,000 settlement for my retirement.” Immediately, her chuckle turned into a soft sob.

  “Well, Miss Lucas, are you recovered enough for me to continue?” asked Mr. Grove, obviously concerned for her welfare.

  Richard, who had been kneeling beside the couch, stood and took her hand in his, “I will sit with you while Mr. Grove continues if that meets with your approval.”

  “Yes, Richard,” sighed Charlotte, “it does.” Then to Mr. Grove, she said, “I believe that I am sufficiently recovered. Please proceed.”

  “Very well, let me see, yes. These monies are also to pass to you under the same term of feme sole as the items mentioned before.”

  “The fifth part concerns the final disposition of the monies settled upon Lady Catherine Ellen Wells Fitzwilliam de Bourgh by Lord Lewis Colton Arthur de Bourgh, Earl of Rosings, at the time of their betrothal. Upon their marriage, Lord de Bourgh settled £60,000 on Lady Catherine. Due to her current mental condition, she is unable to conduct business on her own. She is today residing in Rosings View House, the Rosings Park dowager house, where she is being comfortably maintained and will continue to be maintained for the rest of her natural life. Thus, the original settlement made by Lord de Bourgh was legally passed to Lady Anne and became part of her estate. A few years after the birth of Lady Anne, Lord de Bourgh arranged for the settlement money to be invested with all interest and returns to be accrued and the total to be reinvested. The original investment has been accruing interest and investment return for the last five and twenty years, and is now worth approximately £3,820,000. Mrs. Elizabeth Roslyn Francine Bennet Mills, you are to receive the distribution of the settlement money and its return in its entirety, once again under the term of feme sole.”

  Now it was Elizabeth’s turn to feel unsettled. Looking to Darcy and then to Aunt Eleanor, she cried, “I had not the faintest idea.”

  Aunt Eleanor took her hand and squeezed it gently, “Anne always had her own reasons for the things that she did for those she loved.”

  “The sixth part concerns the title of Earl of Rosings. When Lord de Bourgh realized he would not have a son, he procured a Parliamentary and royal warrant to have the title of Earl of Rosings pass to Lady Anne’s son and heir. Under that same royal warrant, it was decreed that should Lady Anne fail to produce an heir, the disposition of the title would revert to the dictates of the will of the late Lord Lewis Colton Arthur de Bourgh, the late Earl of Rosings. Under those dictates, Richard Edward James Fitzwilliam, you are now the Earl of Rosings.”

  Darcy almost bounced as he moved from behind Elizabeth’s chair and quickly shook his cousin’s hand, “I know that Anne has wanted this for you for a long time. Congratulations, Cousin.”

  “Mr. Fitzwilliam,” continued Mr. Grove, “a
fter the death of Lady Anne Eleanor Rose de Bourgh, under the Parliamentary and royal warrant that the late Earl sought, the title of Earl of Rosings will also be able to pass through to a daughter should no male heir be produced. Therefore, the title will not be in danger of falling extinct, unless you should fail to produce any heir at all.”

  “Well,” proclaimed Richard with a matter-of-fact expression on his face, “I will do my best to see that that does not happen.”

  As everyone burst into laughter, Mr. Grove squared his shoulders and began once again.“The seventh part concerns the bestowment of the ducal title, Duke of Eivanmoor.”

  “What ducal title?” nearly everyone in the room inquired.

  “If you will allow me to continue, I think all will become clear,” encouraged Mr. Grove, once again garnering everyone’s attention. “Often, a peerage title will become what is called ‘extinct,’ due to the lack of a legitimate heir. The title reverts to the crown; but at any time, the crown can reinstate it and bestow it upon whomever the crown wishes by initiating new letters of patent. Upon the request of Lady Anne, I searched through the extinct titles, until I found one that had been extinct for more than three hundred years. In conjunction with the king’s solicitor, I sought a new letter of patent along with a Parliamentary and royal warrant, so that this once-extinct title could be bestowed anew, this time in such a way that the title could legally pass to a daughter in the event that the new duke did not produce a son to inherit the title. Thusly, the title of Duke of Eivanmoor can pass freely without the threat of extinction unless, of course, no heir is ever produced.