Chapter 7 #4
“Elaine, we thank you and Marie for inviting us to join our goddaughters, as we do have some issues that we need help with from both of you.” The Duchess smiled at her favourite of all nieces.
“We will be happy to help with anything that we can, Rose,” Lady Matlock answered for both herself and her daughter-in-law. “However, if you will indulge me before we have that conversation, I have some questions for Miss Elizabeth.” Elizabeth nodded to acquiescence to her godmother and her aunt.
“I am happy to answer almost anything, Lady Matlock, unless it is something that I choose not to,” Lizzy said with impertinence and an arched eyebrow, almost challenging the Countess to chastise her, and the Countess smiled.
‘She is not awed by me at all. She is everything and more than the descriptions from William and Richard. If Darcy can redeem himself in her eyes and win her heart, she will be the making of him.’ She assessed Elizabeth with warmth, already appreciating her backbone.
“Please call me Lady Elaine and my daughter Lady Marie, at least so long as any formality remains between us.” Both of the Misses Bennet inclined their head in acknowledgement.
“Did my nephew William really make so insulting a proposal to you as he recited for us? I can hardly believe it! He told us how you took him to task. For a man who had never been denied anything that he desired, it was a great shock to his system.” Elaine Fitzwilliam could see that Miss Elizabeth believed she was about to be censured and noticed that her godmother and aunt were ready to defend her, so she continued before the lady herself or anyone else misunderstood her.
“I dare say it was a long time coming, and richly deserved.” She was thankful as she noticed everyone relax.
“He did make his proposal in that manner Lady Elaine, and yes I took him to task. I will admit that at the time my opinion of him was coloured by some misinformation and misunderstandings, so my reaction was perhaps more intemperate than it could have been.” Elizabeth offered contrition for part of her anger.
“You are referring to that dissolute scoundrel Wickham and William’s advice to that Bingley fellow?
” the Countess verified. Noting the nod from Miss Elizabeth, she proceeded.
“You were not the first lady taken in by that lying manipulator of a blackguard, but thanks first to your father and then Richard’s actions, that man will not be allowed to hurt anyone ever again.
I believe today is the day that he leaves for the continent as a private.
What you said to William about Bingley, regardless of the advice that he received, was spot on, Miss Elizabeth.
Having only met the man once or twice; I did notice that he seemed to lack resolution and leaned on William far too much to direct his life.
My hope is that William will take your reproofs to heart and endeavour to become a better man. ”
“I believe that he has started that process,” Jane offered, though she had been silent up to this point.
“He introduced us to his sister and your daughter, Lady Tiffany, your Ladyship, and apologised very sincerely for his past actions and behaviour. As I told Mr Bingley yesterday when he had the temerity to try and blame his lack of resolution on others, the fault for the behaviour of Mr Bingley resides solely with him.”
“We were very proud of our Jane. I do hope that Mr Bingley is able to address the reproofs that she gave him as your nephew has done. Like Jane, I believe his desire to change and improve is genuine and I forgave him, and we agreed to start out acquaintance again with no preconceived notions or expectations.” Elizabeth offered for all ladies assembled.
‘Reggie will be overjoyed! Now he can be absolutely sure that there will be no break with Bedford or Jersey,’ Elaine Fitzwilliam thought as she heard her daughter speak for the first time during the meeting of the ladies.
“We all thank you, Miss Elizabeth. My cousin, although he did not see it until recently, had started to emulate the behaviour of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who should be the example of how not to behave in polite society, or any other society for that matter,” Lady Marie offered a little sardonically, and due to the restraint of the truth, not even her mother-in-law arched a brow at that.
Lizzy was happy to hear such sentiments from Lady Hilldale.
‘This family is nothing like Lady Catherine or how Mr Darcy was before. I believe I could come to like them very well,’ Lizzy thought as she smiled at Lady Marie.
“Rose, you indicated that you and Sarah needed our help with something?” the Countess looked toward Lady Jersey.
After receiving a nod from Lady Jersey, Elizabeth repeated what Darcy had warned them about after visiting the Hurst’s townhouse.
Both Fitzwilliam women were incensed when they heard the vulgar lies that Miss Caroline Bingley had spewed to Mr Darcy.
They agreed that his cutting the acquaintanceship was long overdue.
“That harpy is such a cloying shrew. The air never clears of her perfume until it is blown away with a stiff wind. I have only had the unfortunate opportunity to meet her once at a ball while attending with Andrew,” Marie Fitzwilliam said with disdain.
“She had the temerity to presume a familiarity that was non-existent, and Andrew and I almost gave her the cut direct. We would have done so had William not been there as part of their party with the social climber’s brother. The older sister is no better.”
“Never mind my goddaughter and niece’s wealth and connections that they kept hidden,” retorted Lady Jersey with no little anger, “the gall of the women to think that their money somehow elevates them above a gentleman’s daughter in society is a true effrontery.
They have picked on the wrong ladies this time, and I believe it is time for them to feel the full weight of their pretension and folly!
She has long tried to gain a voucher to Almack’s, something that she will never attain! ”
“That thing at Almack’s, never! Sarah, I cannot agree with you more.
” Her Grace, Lady Bedford smiled calmly, about to lead the ladies to the action part of the discussion.
She had already determined that she would take action, but stronger stated when done as a united front.
“What do you suggest we do? We all know that you have a better strategic mind than most generals,” the Duchess asked.
“Without presuming too much, will you, Elaine, and you, Marie, help us teach them a lesson that they will never forget?” Lady Jersey asked archly.
“We will assist in any way we can. I would love to see those women that I have heard Georgie refer to as the ‘superior sisters sans class’ be reminded of exactly what true superiority of class actually looks like.” The Countess smiled at Jane and Elizabeth with a little wink for them to know that for her, this would be a pleasure.
“Listen carefully ladies. Rose and I will be holding our joint annual ball in three weeks; this is what I suggest…” Lady Jersey’s plan as detailed was accepted by all, with some modifications suggested by Lizzy that were accepted without question.
In the meantime, word would go out from the four titled ladies to all leaders of the Ton that Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were spreading malicious and false rumours about one close to them and they would not look kindly on anyone who was at home to either lady.
At the same time, it was decided that all of the papers that traded in gossip and on-dit would be warned that if they published any false gossip about the Bennets, they would be sued for slander until they were bankrupt.
As the ladies were about to rise, there was a knock on the door, and then the Earl of Matlock and his two sons, Andrew and Richard, entered the drawing room. Introductions between those previously unknown to each other were duly performed.
The colonel was very pleased to reacquaint himself with Miss Elizabeth.
‘How arrogant she must think me. There I was trying to lower her expectations talking about needing money when she is richer than Croesus. I will have to make an apology to her.’ As he was thinking this, he looked at Jane Bennet for the first time, really looked at her.
‘My lord, this is the ‘undesirable connection’ that William warned Bingley away from? William was addled, and Bingley was the biggest fool alive to sit idly by and allow her to walk away. If I have not made too much of a fool of myself with her sister, perhaps she will want to get to know me?’ Richard’s chest filled with fearful hope.
“This is the slip of a girl that put the fear of God into William!” boomed the Earl in his usual ebullient style.
“Well done Miss Elizabeth, it is about time someone took my wayward nephew to task. You have done the family a great service, madam.” The Earl made a bow to Lizzy with a flourish and a wink.
“It was my pleasure, my Lord. If you have any more wayward relatives you need set straight, I am available. Maybe your sister, Lady Catherine?” Lizzy shot back, her wit and impertinence on display.
“Ah, I see that you have had the unfortunate ‘honour’ of meeting my Aunt Catherine. I can only apologise for any offence she gave you.” Andrew chuckled.
“No need, Lord Hilldale. I left her rather confused, as she was never sure whether I was insulting her or paying her a compliment,” Elizabeth said, smiling sweetly.
“I would have paid good money to see my sister bested by what she would have considered a ‘country nobody.’ Reggie? Andrew? Did you complete your business at Rosings Park?” Elaine asked seriously, as it was about Anne that she was worried about above all.
Wanting to be circumspect with a large number of non-family in the room, the Earl’s answer was a general one.
“Yes, my love. We accomplished what we needed to and Rosings Park is now back in Anne’s hands as the heir and rightful owner.
I just remembered, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth?
Are you not related to the Hunsford parson, Mr William Collins?
” The Earl turned and again fully faced the two Bennet daughters.
“Yes, my lord, he is married to one of my best friends, Charlotte Lucas as was, and until he broke the entail on Longbourn for a pecuniary reward but a couple days ago, he was my father’s heir.
Why do you ask if I may be so bold as to inquire?
Did you have the ‘pleasure’ of his company while you were at Rosings Park?
You may speak freely,” Lizzy offered. “We were not at all close and we know well of his deficiencies as a vicar and as a man.”
“Then Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, it is my sad duty to say that your cousin passed away two days ago. The doctor believes that he had a weak heart that gave out due to stress.” The Earl did not mention the cause of said stress.
“Andrew and I did have the pleasure of meeting Mrs Collins. I must say rather than sadness, I thought I saw relief.” He watched Miss Elizabeth immediately turn to Jane.
“Jane we must write to Charlotte and invite her to come stay at Bennet House while we remain in Town,” she stated decisively.
Jane nodded her agreement. “Thank you, my Lord. I need to send my father an express in the event that the news has not been passed on yet, although I would suspect that as Mrs Collins parents are neighbours that Papa does know by now, but I want to make sure that he is aware. Could we have our carriage summoned please?” she said as she stood.
Farewells were exchanged and the Colonel escorted the Bennets to their carriage.
Before he closed the door, he asked if he could call on them at Portman Square, to which they readily agreed.
On arrival at Portman Square the sisters were handed an express by the butler. They rushed up to their shared sitting room and broke the seal and Jane began to read. The express was from their father.
Longbourn
Hertfordshire
10 April 1812
My dearest Jane and Lizzy,
If you are not aware, our cousin and the former heir to Longbourn passed two days ago.
Charlotte sent an express to her parents, and Sir William, who was not aware that the entail was no more, came to inform me of his son’s passing.
I hope that Charlotte has custody of the bank draft that the man received to break the entail.
In a more positive vein, your mother has started to forgive me for hiding our true wealth from her for so many years and will be accompanying your sisters and myself to Bennet House in less than a fortnight.
We plan to arrive on the 20th day of April by not long after breakfast time.
Please ensure that the butler and housekeeper are notified of our imminent residence so the house will be prepared to receive us.
I trust that there will be a full complement of staff employed before we arrive, if not done so already.
If you can find out the names of two good schools for girls, I would be most appreciative. A stricter one for Lydia would not go amiss. I want Kitty and Lydia enrolled in school within a day of our arrival in London.
Lizzy and Jane, please let me know if you want me to send Mercury and Mars on ahead so you and Jane might ride Rotten Row, or any other place that you choose to see or be seen.
With love to you both,
Your loving Papa.
There was no need to send an express, so instead Lizzy sent a note to Bennet House to notify the senior staff of the arrival date of the family.
She then wrote an express to Charlotte inviting her to Town.
On her way to give the express to their courier, Lizzy asked Aunt Maddie if it was acceptable for Charlotte to be hosted at Gardiner House until the Bennets moved over to Bennet House, satisfied with the firm and absolute yes, as Aunt Maddie had long known and appreciated Charlotte as much as Lizzy did.