Chapter Sixty-One
The next morning, Mr. Emerson, the butler at Matlock House, held out a silver salver and intoned, “A messenger just brought this, my lady,”
The Countess thanked him and took the message. “Now what?” she muttered under her breath. She opened it, read the lines, leapt from her chair and ran – actually ran! – out the door to find his lordship. Mr. Emerson, who had been all but bowled over by his mistress, stared after her, mouth agape.
Minutes later, the entire household was thrown into disarray, as the Earl’s valet and the Countess’ maid were ordered to pack at once; the Countess’ social secretary told to cancel all invitations; and the housekeeper informed that the Earl and Countess would be absent for several days.
The carriage was brought round, the trunks roped onto the back, and they were off.
***
“Did you send the letter, Darcy?” Mr. Fitzwilliam demanded as they sat down for breakfast.
“I did.”
“Then they will be here shortly.”
“Have you informed our hostess of this?”
Mr. Fitzwilliam looked momentarily disconcerted. “I have not, but surely there is no difficulty. The house is large enough.”
“True, but she would doubtless like to be prepared to host an Earl and Countess,” Mr. Darcy replied, drily.
“Earl and Countess?” Mrs. Hurst’s keen ears had caught the words.
“Ah, Mrs. Hurst. Yes, my parents are doubtless on their way here even now. I hope this poses no difficulty.” Mr. Fitzwilliam spoke with all the confidence of an aristocrat accustomed to being welcomed everywhere.
“No, no difficulty at all. I shall simply have a word with Cook.” Mrs. Hurst vanished at once.
“You may wish to alert Miss Lucas as well,” Mr. Darcy observed, managing to let only a hint of a smile appear as he imagined what a furor would be raised at Lucas Lodge over this news.
“Oh. Yes, indeed. I shall do so at once.”
***
Charlotte smiled when a note from Netherfield Park was placed into her hand. As an engaged woman, she was permitted to receive messages from her intended. Her smile vanished when she read it.
My dear Charlotte,
Darcy suggests that I alert you to the fact that my parents are very likely on their way to Meryton. I have no doubt that they will wish to meet the young lady who has captured my heart.
Reginald
Charlotte opened her mouth and one word issued forth. “Maaamaaa!”
***
To Mrs. Hurst’s credit, Netherfield Park was not thrown into disarray. Two more guest rooms were prepared; sheets freshened, fireplaces lit to warm the rooms. Cook placed orders with the various merchants in town, and an hour later, the house was ready to receive its exalted guests.
Upon hearing that Mr. Fitzwilliam’s parents were to visit, Miss Bingley rose from her bed and dressed herself most carefully. No doubt the Countess would take one look at Charlotte Lucas and immediately advise her son to select Miss Bingley instead!
But when she went downstairs, her brother took one look at his sister’s attire and knew immediately what she was about.
“You are to make no difficulties today,” he told her, sternly.
“If you say one word out of place – one word, mind you! – I shall send you to your room as if you were an errant schoolgirl.”
She glared at him, but finally nodded.
Mr. Howard was told by Mrs. Hurst what to look for – a carriage with eight strawberry leaves alternating with eight silver pearls – and he stared at her in scarcely masked displeasure. As if a well-trained butler such as himself would not recognise an Earl’s carriage!
When the expected carriage pulled up in front of Netherfield Park, Mr. Howard stepped outside to welcome them. “My Lord, My Lady,” he intoned, gravely. “Please follow me.”
He led them to the drawing room, where Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fitzwilliam argued quietly over a certain Greek translation, and the Bingleys and the Hursts sat in silent trepidation.
Mr. Howard announced the visitors with great solemnity, and everyone in the drawing room rose. Mr. Darcy, fearing that Reginald was likely to bungle it, performed the introductions. The Earl and Countess were invited to sit, but they could not yet do so. They went to their son and embraced him.
“We must visit with the young lady and her family,” the Countess declared. “I should like to wash, and then depart at once.”