“I will miss you but I understand your desire to continue your education, Lizzy.” Mr. Bennet smiled. “Make sure to be a good guest to your Cousin William and Charlotte. If Mr. and Mrs. Collins have any needs, write to me and let me know. I am very pleased for their home in Hunsford and I know Charlotte is truly responsible for the parish’s success already.”
Lizzy laughed, “Yes, papa. She was beaming with joy when she last wrote me. After being married for a month, they are of the same mind and share the same opinion in caring for the people there. She has no cause to repine and I shall behave and be as little trouble as possible.”
“And your situation with William,” Mr. Bennet gently probed, “you have not heard from him yet? He asked about you often if you were still in Hertfordshire.”
“No, papa, he remained in London to pursue a proper wife and I have yet to receive word from him. I fear my friendship might have to come to an end and my heart breaks for that more than anything else. I cannot bear to see him suffer and I bring him only pain.” Lizzy looked out the window in misery. She missed her dearest friend and had spent the past month in uncertainty of her future.
“Well, since the militia is stationed here, at least you have had some diversion with the handsome officers. I have heard of Mary King’s delights and Mr. King is very pleased to have his niece engaged.” Mr. Bennet changed the subject after seeing his beloved daughter’s eyes tear up.
“Oh, yes,” Lizzy smiled, “The officers are very gallant and all of the unattached ladies are frequently occupied in front of the looking glass to make themselves look better and to add more lace to their dresses. They mean to capture one of them and I am only relieved that Kitty and Lydia are not yet out. Mary declares that she will not come out until at least eighteen so we have no worries from that quarter.”
“And Captain Wickham?” Mr. Bennet raised a brow. “You find him trustworthy now?”
Lizzy answered candidly, “He has changed much since I met him when I was a girl. He no longer appears arrogant but has told me several times that he is indebted to Mr. Darcy for the purchase of his commission to lieutenantship and that he would not have believed himself capable of enjoying being a militia officer, but he was promoted quickly after proving himself and he is grateful for Mr. Darcy to have given him the chance to succeed. He has stayed away from gambling and will make a fine husband with his current income.”
“I hope you will find your own contentment, Lizzy.” Her father consoled. “I worry for you, child.”
“Do not worry for me, papa.” Lizzy confidently smiled. “I am still the hoyden who can talk circles around anyone and will need very little in the world for myself. I only wish I was able to travel farther and see more of the world. But alas, I will be poor and become a doting aunt to Jane and Charles Bingley’s ten children.”
Mr. Bennet beamed brightly, “I believe it is time to tell you a secret, Lizzy. I had hoped to wait until Collins made the decision regarding Longbourn but I will spare you the misery and tell you of your fortune.”
“Fortune? I have no fortune, papa. I have fifty pounds saved up but that is not much to go on in the world.” Lizzy was baffled.
“No, child. You are a very wealthy woman, dear daughter.” Her father explained. “Do you recall when the Darcys first moved to Netherfield?” Lizzy nodded her head. “After you advised Lady Anne to cease the bloodletting and to seek Mr. Jones’ treatments, Mr. Darcy was so impressed with your honesty and intelligence that he began a trust for you. It has been seven years since, and from what your Uncle Edward had revealed to me last, Mr. Darcy has been adding regularly to it and your dear uncle was able to put part of the funds into an aggressive growth portfolio to increase your fortune. Your uncle also contributed to your trust and has been able to see a return of at least twenty per cent and all of his, yours, and my ventures have done well. Your uncle is extremely wealthy now and he was able to help us increase my daughters’ dowries to £4,000 each, and you, I believe, have at least £25,000 now, not including the £4,000 from your mother and myself.”
Lizzy nearly fainted with the news. “How... that is not possible, papa. Why have I not been told of... no, papa. You are jesting with me.”
Mr. Bennet laughed, “It is the truth, Lizzy. It was Mr. Darcy’s gift to you and your uncle had done all he could to increase it. If you wish, Lizzy, I will ask about your withdrawing some of it, so that after your travel to Matlock, perhaps you can consider going someplace farther away. I will miss you but if you have a dependable companion who can join you, I am willing to release you. I trust you, daughter.”
She stood and jumped
