Chapter 26 #2
Edith schooled her features, but she felt a tug on her heartstrings as the first of her girls was on the path to leave their protection and shift that responsibility to Richard.
At the same time, she knew that Jane could not have chosen a better and more honourable man than Richard.
When they married, it would make the familial relationship between the Carringtons and Fitzwilliams a reality.
A little voice reminded her that the same would be true with the Darcys.
It also pointed out that there were a few years before that occurred.
Holder looked at Edith and they communicated silently. “You have both,” he stated, his voice somewhat gruffer than normal.
“Have you two spoken of how long of a courtship you want?” Edith queried.
Jane and Richard looked at one another, and the former nodded to her suitor.
“We did. We agreed to a three-to-four-month courtship, and if Jane accepts me…” Fitzwilliam stopped speaking when the woman he loved spoke.
“When Jane accepts you,” Jane interpolated.
“In that case, when Jane and I become engaged, we agree that we will marry, with your approval of course, just before or after Jane’s next birthday,” Fitzwilliam concluded.
Again, Edith looked at her Paul as they assimilated what they had been told.
It met with her approval, as she would have Jane with them for close to nine more months.
It was not a long time in the scheme of things, but it was not in a few weeks or a month or two.
She saw Paul nod. “That sounds like a wise plan to us,” she said.
“Come, we should inform your sisters of your good news,” Holder suggested. “When I return, I will send a note to Jamey.”
Said son was residing at Netherfield Park so he could be close to Charlotte Lucas and continue his courtship.
Like all the other men in the family, he had been at Hadlock in Derbyshire for the harvest, except, given the differing climates, the harvest in the north was a month before the ones in Hertfordshire and Kent.
The earlier harvest time had allowed Hilldale to go to his estate to supervise the harvest and then travel to Woburn Abbey—the primary estate of the Duke of Bedford—in Bedfordshire with weeks to spare before Marie and Andrew’s wedding.
They found Lizzy, Mary, and Anna in the main drawing room with Mrs Annesley watching over them.
“They felt too much anticipation of hearing Lady Jane’s news to continue in the music room,” Mrs Annesley shared when Lady Edith entered the drawing room. “Even Lady Mary was too distracted to concentrate on the instrument.”
Edith smiled widely as all three girls looked on questioningly.
“Jane has agreed to a courtship with Richard…” Holder did not get any further before there were three squeals of happiness, and said young ladies, in a most unladylike fashion, swarmed Jane and Richard.
Many hugs and best wishes for future felicity were exchanged.
“I think I will invite the Darcys and Fitzwilliams to join us for dinner so we may celebrate the courtship.” Edith turned to Richard. “Your parents are not aware of what is happening here today, are they?”
“No, I do not believe so,” Fitzwilliam replied. “Although you never know with Mother. She has an intelligence network the likes of which the army would be jealous.”
Leaving the younger set chattering in the drawing room, the Carrington parents retired to the study. Holder wrote to his son, and Edith wrote notes to her two best friends, inviting them and any family members at home to a celebratory dinner. She did not mention what was being celebrated.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Thanks to the conversation they had had some weeks past, combined with knowing Richard had returned to London, the reason for the celebration was not nearly as much of a surprise to anyone except for William.
The last time they had spoken about Richard and Jane, the former had reiterated his resolve to allow a full season to pass before declaring himself.
While they were waiting for Mr Fenster to announce dinner, William managed to separate Richard from the rest in the drawing room.
“What happened to ‘not before the end of her first season’?” William enquired.
Fitzwilliam gave his cousin a brief synopsis of the meeting with Holder and then the subsequent occurrences.
“You lucky dog!” William exclaimed. “Holder and Aunt Edith’s forbearance saved you more than six months of waiting and watching her dance with other potential suitors.
I knew how it would be. It has been for some months now, even before Jane’s coming out, that I could see love in her eyes when she looks at you. ”
“You mean like the way you look at Lizzy?” Fitzwilliam ribbed.
“I do not look at her that way; she is not out yet,” William protested half-heartedly.
“William, she will be seventeen in February. If they do things like they did with Jane, she will be allowed to come out locally not long after her birthday,” Richard declared. “There is nothing wrong with admiring her at this age, as long as you say nothing until after she is eighteen.”
“She is so lively, and I am much more taciturn,” William moaned. “Will she want to be with someone like me?”
“Do not mope about like you have lost her before you come close to declaring yourself. That will do you no good,” Fitzwilliam admonished.
“Think about this: Jane and I are like you two, except I am more like Lizzy and Jane is more like you.
We fit together because of the differences.
Do you not comprehend that Lizzy, in disposition and talents, would most suit you?
By her ease and liveliness, your mind will be softened, and your manners, especially with those with whom you are not acquainted, will be improved.
There are benefits for Lizzy on your side too, even given that immaculate memory and vast intellect of hers.
From your judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she will receive much benefit.
Your understanding and temper, though unlike her own, will answer all her wishes.
“So please, William, there is no need to accept defeat before you have begun to woo her. Once we are married, I will ask Jane to provide me with information about Lizzy, which will be helpful in your endeavours to court her.”
“You are right. It would not be very intelligent of me to make assumptions and act like they are fact. If I do that, I will hobble myself,” William realised. “Thank you, Richard. You have helped me to see things in a much clearer light. Now, all I have to do is wait.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Lord Jamey Carrington was enjoying the food laid out to break his fast when Mr Samuelson, Netherfield Park’s butler, entered the breakfast parlour and offered him the silver salver. Hadlock recognised his father’s script immediately and dismissed the butler after taking the missive.
He hoped it was not bad news as he broke the Holder seal and smoothed out the single page.
“Richard Fitzwilliam, you are a sly one,” Hadlock said to the breakfast parlour as he slapped his thigh. “Now there are two Carrington siblings in courtships.” He put the epistle containing nothing but glad tidings aside and finished the food he had selected for his morning meal.
After the meal he donned his great coat, hat, and gloves and made his way down the drive to where his coach awaited—one his father had purchased from the Bingley Carriage Works.
It looked like the possibility of rain; hence, he had decided not to ride his horse to Lucas Lodge.
Another reason he preferred the carriage was that he would arrive not smelling of sweat and horse.
Thankfully, it was only two and one-half miles to Lucas Lodge.
Hadlock was pleased that his prospective father-in-law had calmed down and was not so much awed by his rank.
He sensed that the eldest Lucas son, Franklin, was more pleased than his parents that Charlotte was being courted.
Hadlock believed it was because Franklin Lucas had been concerned about being saddled with a spinster sister once he inherited the small estate.
Soon enough the coachman drew the matched team of four to a halt in the drive at Lucas Lodge. After the obligatory greetings to his future in-laws, Hadlock settled near Charlotte on the settee. “Read this,” he stated as he handed Charlotte the note.
“That was only a matter of time!” Charlotte exclaimed happily after she read the letter.
“What is it, Charlotte?” Lady Lucas, who hated not knowing everyone’s business, asked. “Is it good news?”
“Yes, Mother, it is very good news. Lady Jane is being courted by Mr Fitzwilliam, the master of Rosings Park. Jamey’s father wrote and told him the news.”
“It is not private, is it?” Lady Lucas verified. She loved to gossip, but more than that she did not want to upset Charlotte’s noble suitor.
“No, Lady Lucas, it is not a secret,” Jamey confirmed. “Feel free to tell anyone in the neighbourhood who knows my sister.”
“You have made my mother very happy,” Charlotte said with a smile.
Hadlock smiled at the woman who owned his heart. Some called her plain, but he saw much beauty in her, inside and out. It would not be long before he proposed.