Chapter 12 #2
“Caroline, calm yourself,” begged her brother, who was praying that they could calm her down before the expected explosion of a full-blown tantrum.
“Once we have been to the ball in just over a sennight, you will be able to hold your head high and all of the people who have wronged you will see the truth.”
“Yes Caroline, Charles has the right of it. Sister, I recommend that you withdraw from society for now, then you will make a triumphant entry at the ball and everyone will watch as you, all of us, receive our due. We will see who will be sorry then.” Louisa’s words mollified her delusional sister.
“You are correct brother and sister; I will not cast pearls before the swine. When I make my triumphant entry at the ball, all will see my rank and class. Those fallen sluts and pathetic Bennet women would not dare to show their faces among our peers.” She reaffirmed her own beliefs, but to all others witnessing the scene, they would have determined Miss Bingley was delusional enough that had her brother and sister been able to see the truth of her mania and not want to see, only what they desired to see, she would have been consigned to a cell at Bedlam.
Brother and sister both breathed sighs of relief that they had averted the expected tantrum after Caroline left the parlour to go rest in her bedchamber. Although she did not have a full-blown tantrum, she did cast many nick-knacks into the fire and against the wall.
“Maybe after Darcy sees her at the Duchess’s and Countess’s ball, he will reconsider her as a possible bride,” Bingley speculated allowing his own delusion to rule.
‘Is my brother as delusional as Caroline? Even before the break, anyone with eyes could see that Mr Darcy disdained Caroline. Are we doing the right thing? Should we retire to Scarborough and leave Town and the Ton behind? No Caroline would explode if I made that suggestion, and Charles does not have the resolution or fortitude to make and stand by such a decision. All will be well after the ball, will it not?’ As much as she saw the delusions that her brother and sisters had, Louisa Hurst had her own.
She would soon find out that the biggest lies that often do the most harm are the ones that we tell ourselves.
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A few days ahead of schedule, the carriage and cart from Sherwood Park bearing Mr Ashby and Hunsford’s new vicar, Mr Harrison, arrived at the parsonage in Hunsford.
Miss de Bourgh, along with her long-time companion Mrs Jenkinson, were waiting to greet her new parson having received an express from the man telling her the time he and his friend Ashby would return.
The parsonage servants, who already liked their new master very well after his initial visit, were also lined up waiting for him.
Once the equipages halted and the men alighted and greeted Miss de Bourgh and her companion, the parsonage’s man assisted Ashby’s footmen as they started to unload all of Harrison’s possessions.
Before she left, Anne extended an invitation for the men to join her at Rosings Park to dine that evening, which was gratefully received.
Anne blushed becomingly as Mr Ashby gave her a warm smile while he bowed over her hand and then placed a soft kiss on said appendage.
‘I am very glad to see that the delightful Miss de Bourgh is not indifferent to me. After hearing about her history from Andrew, I know that I will have to proceed slowly. I would hate to frighten her off before she is ready to move forward with a courtship,’ thought Ashby as he and Harrison helped the ladies into the phaeton that was driven by Miss de Bourgh.
The gentlemen presented themselves at Rosings Park at six o’clock in the evening and were shown into the very comfortable and inviting drawing room and announced by the butler.
“Good evening gentlemen, you are very welcome,” Anne offered warmly.
“On behalf of Ashby and myself we thank you for your very welcome invitation. I am happy that I did not need to press my cook into action today as she is only now in the process of purchasing the victuals that the house needs. I spent the afternoon opening the needed accounts in Hunsford so my housekeeper and cook know that they can acquire what is needed without worry.”
“Please be seated, gentlemen,” Anne said invitingly as she waved her hand toward the many seats in the room.
Harrison sat in an armchair opposite his patroness while Ashby sat in one that was next to the settee where Anne was seated with Mrs Jenkinson.
Once they were seated, the butler had a footman bring a tray with glasses of sherry and port as an aperitif.
Not long after they finished their drinks, Mr Lipton announced dinner was served.
Ashby offered his arm to Anne who gratefully accepted it, and Harrison escorted Mrs Jenkinson into dinner.
The latter lady was somewhat surprised as she considered herself a servant and she was being escorted into dinner.
If one considered the character of the new vicar who cared for the person not their rank or social position, she should not have been so startled.
Once seated and the soup had been served, Anne turned to Ashby who was seated to her right. “How long will you be here with your friend, Mr Ashby?” she asked inquisitively.
“I am to leave in three days, on Saturday, Miss de Bourgh. I am going to stay at my father’s townhouse in Mayfair and I will be attending the Bedford - Jersey ball.
After that my schedule is not fixed. I am not needed back at Sherwood Park until early August,” he informed her, pleased that she wanted to know about his schedule.
“My plan is to head to Town on Monday to be hosted by my uncle and aunt Fitzwilliam, Andrew’s parents, and I will also attend the ball.
While I am in Town, I will be visiting Chippendale as I have a whole house to refurnish.
The man that Uncle Reggie recommended will be here on Friday morning to look over all of the ostentatious and gaudy furniture, decorations, and baubles that Lady Catherine wasted so much money on to see what can be sold to try and recover some of what was so liberally squandered,” Anne offered ruefully, not able to stop a small scowl forming at any thought of Lady Catherine.
“If it meets with your approval Miss de Bourgh, I will delay my departure until Monday so that I may have the pleasure of escorting you and your companion to Town. There was no set reason to leave on Saturday, so it would be my pleasure to travel with you ladies. I assume that you will travel with your maid and footmen so there will be ample chaperones for you, and I will be taking my own carriage so there is no need for us to ride in the same conveyance if that is your preference,” Ashby stated, trying to hide his hope she would agree to travel with him.
“As long as it does not cause you any inconvenience, I happily accept your offer. If you would like to, I would appreciate it if we ride in the same carriage. As you pointed out, both Mrs Jenkinson and my maid will be riding with me so there will be no question of impropriety.” Anne blushed, her heart racing at the idea she would get so much time with him.
“If that be the case, then we will travel together on Monday.” Ashby could not but grin.
Both were a lot happier than they were willing to admit to anyone but themselves. The look of pleasure on both countenances was not lost on the new clergyman nor on Anne’s companion, who shared a small smile as they both were happy for their friends.
Anne then offered herself a reprieve and turned to Mr Harrison. “I hope we will be seeing you often at Rosings Park. The late Mr Collins used to dine here three times a week,” she offered to her new parson.
“I appreciate the invitation, however, from everything that I have learnt of my predecessor, and as much as I dislike speaking ill of the dead, his example is one that I will not follow.” He stopped for a few seconds and then Harrison proceeded.
“My intention is to invite parishioners to dine with me once or twice a week and accept invitations from them as I am able. No disrespect to your position, Miss de Bourgh, but I would like to stick to tea with my patroness on Sunday after services and an occasional meal, once or twice a month, not multiple times a week as was done,” he stated his preference and waited for her reaction.
“You have my wholehearted support and I understand your wanting the bulk of your time to be spent on your pastoral duties and with your parishioners. It is as it should be; you are here to serve the parish of Hunsford, not the mistress of Rosings Park. You have just proven once again why you are the perfect member of the clergy for this living.” She smiled warmly at him.
Harrison bowed his head as he acknowledged the compliments that Anne had paid him.
The rest of the dinner, which was a lot simpler than the lavish dinners that Lady Catherine used to demand, was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
A little after nine o’clock the two friends returned to the parsonage on foot.
‘Yes,’ thought Ashby, ‘I believe that the lovely Miss de Bourgh is definitely not indifferent to me.’ He sighed in relief.
As he had not been captivated by any woman in a long, long time, he knew it was not a passing fancy.
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