Chapter 24 #2
Leeds House
St James Square
London
Hattie, my dear sister,
We have been told that the patents for Thomas’s title will be delivered this afternoon. In addition, the Crown has seen fit to gift us a house in Portman Square. It is two doors down from Hilldale House (Andrew Fitzwilliam’s house) and we will go to see it this afternoon.
Our plan is to depart for Meryton in the morning on the morrow. Before I continue, I need to ask you to do something for me, or in this case, it would be to not do something.
I am aware that you and others in the neighbourhood were greatly put off by the way Sarah Lucas behaved after her husband was knighted.
I own that it was not exemplary behaviour.
However, you or any of my friends using the titles the king bestowed on Thomas and me to get back at her, would make you and our other friends no better than Sarah.
Also, even if I did not approve of what was done in my name, it would throw shade on me, Thomas, and our children.
What you do in our name is, in the eyes of others, the same as us doing it.
That would hurt and not help us, and I am certain that you and our friends would not want to do that.
Thus, I beg you, Hattie, to not use my, our, elevation as a way to get back at Sarah. I beseech you, and I would like you to pass this request on to our friends as well, to not do anything hurtful in my name or that of any Bennet.
When I am home and have made sure that everything is in order with the tenants at Longbourn, I will see Sarah and speak to her.
Like I will tell my other friends, I will inform Sarah that when we are not in a formal setting, I am still Fanny; and by the by, as it is my decision, when addressed with my title, I will be ‘Lady Fanny’ as I love that version of my name, which you, Sister, began to call me when I was not yet two years of age.
Also, please let our friends know that as His Majesty addressed Lizzy as Lady Bethany, she is to be called Bethany or Bethie by those she permits to address her informally.
In private, her Bennet family (which includes the Gardiners and Phillipses) may call her Lizzy, but only when no others are present.
When you see people in the area, please inform them that Friday is the first day I will be at home to callers. I first need a day or two to ensure there is nothing urgent for me to do.
While Thomas and I make for Longbourn alone, Mother Beth, Penelope, and all our children will travel with Bethie (you see it is not so hard to use the name with which she was Christened) to some of the ducal estates in Yorkshire.
This afternoon Bethie and I will call at 23 Gracechurch Street where my daughter will invite the Gardiners to visit her castle.
She has not forgotten you and Frank. If my brother is able to take some time from his practice, you are both invited to travel north with us.
If Frank is unable to get away, and can spare you, Hattie, you may travel with us.
If I were to tell you all here, I would be writing for many hours.
When I see you, I will relate everything else to you and Frank.
To that end, unless you are otherwise engaged, you two are invited to have dinner with us on the morrow.
With all my sisterly love and looking forward to seeing you.
Fanny
Hattie read Fanny’s words a second time. She knew her sister well. Even though Hattie wanted to visit Sarah Lucas and watch her squirm, she should have known this was how Fanny would react.
She admonished herself for her desire to take some petty revenge. Instead, she made herself ready to visit Fanny’s friends and pass on her message.
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It took the Younges much discussion and indecision before they decided they would agree with George Wickham’s plan. They could return to Tickhill because they had not stolen from anyone in the town or the area around it. They had begun burgling houses once they were no longer in Yorkshire.
Wickham acted as if he was both surprised and excited when the Younges told him what their decision was. He had been supremely confident they would do what he wanted.
He heard them discussing contacting some men who had expressed an interest in purchasing the house and how much more they would receive than when they purchased it before effecting the needed repairs.
Thankfully, neither had asked him how much he would contribute to the expense of travelling to Tickhill and establishing themselves there.
The one-time Karen had asked about the funds he had, Wickham had put on his sad face and reminded her that was the reason he needed to get his due from the Osbornes.
Wickham promised Karen that before he took his share of the ransom money, she would be able to take back whatever she felt he owed the Younges.
Since he had spun that yarn for her, neither Karen nor the halfwit of a brother had asked him for coin. Having others pay for him to live was the way Wickham envisaged his life. Afterall, he deserved no less.
Within two days, the house was sold. All that was needed was for money to change hands and the new deed to be issued before the two Younges and Wickham would begin the almost two-hundred-mile journey to Tickhill.
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