Free Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder Page A

in fragile health. Mr. Miles was such a dear friend that the Bennets offered to accompany him and the girls to Bermuda, where he was hoping to recover from an ailment of a pulmonary nature. Alas, their friend’s illness became worse during the trip, and he was tragically lost long before arriving at their destination. The girls were but babes and had no family at all. Mr. Bennet was as close as family to Mr. Miles, and Mrs. Bennet had much affection for the girls. The Bennets promised Mr. Miles upon his deathbed to take the girls as wards and give them the Bennet name.”
    “My word, Mrs. Philips, your sister and brother have shown exemplary charity and Christian good will to have taken on such a burden,” Miss Bingley said with anxious curiosity.
    “It is my understanding they saw it as no burden at all. The Bennets are well pleased to have been bequeathed the two girls. They are loved and treated as if Fanny had given birth to them herself. No doubt you can see, Miss Bingley, there is no difference whatsoever in the elegance of their dress or in the education and opportunities that Jane and Elizabeth have been provided.” Mrs. Philips continued with a surreptitious whisper, “But Mr. Bennet’s fortune and property cannot be inherited by a ward. That will fall to the other girls.”
    “I had no idea, Mrs. Philips. Poor Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, to have never really known their parents. They are fortunate to have the Bennets’ charity. I have also lost my parents, but I had their company for many years before they were taken from us.”
    “A pity, Miss Bingley. You must feel it deeply.”
    “I truly do, Mrs. Philips.”
    Just then, Mrs. Bennet announced refreshments were to be served, and the conversations took another turn regarding the upcoming ball. Not long after tea and sweet cakes, Bingley and his sister took their leave, and many merry farewells were exchanged as well as gratitude for the invitation and happy anticipation of the ball.
    As soon as they were in their carriage and on their way to the Gouldings, Miss Bingley related the news she had gleaned from Mrs. Philips in a low, conspiratorial voice.
    “Charles, I have discovered some dreadful news regarding Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth that is of much importance to you. You recall it is widely known about Meryton that the sisters have a fortune of but £3,000 each.”
    “Yes, I remember something like that. They were never speculated to have a substantial fortune. But Caroline, as a very dear friend of Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, you are surely sensible that they are blessed with such agreeable natures that there is no need to be concerned with their want of fortune.”
    “Well, as much as I may question your thoughts of denying a reasonable fortune to your children, we seem to have been ungraciously misled with regard to the extent of the elder Miss Bennet’s inheritance. I am certain it was an intentionally seeded rumour meant to deceive gentlemen of fortune into considering the eldest two daughters as suitable wives.”
    “How so?” Bingley was annoyed by the accusing tone of his sister’s revelation.
    “Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are but penniless wards of the Bennets! No better than foundlings! The other properties owned by Mr. Bennet will not be inherited by a ward, and Longbourn is entailed to that Collins creature. Mr. Bennet may be a gentleman, but Mrs. Bennet’s relations are low, and the two eldest have no claim to any connections at all. Surely you can see they are not of our social sphere, nor will any alliance with them assist in elevating our status in society.” The coach stopped as they reached the home of the squire.
    “Caroline, you are speculating on their parentage and connections. They are highly regarded in Meryton, and as I am to live at Netherfield, if the society in the environs accepts Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, I see no reason to think ill of them. The Bennets are some of the most amiable people