Chapter 19 Invitation #2
Mary curtsied in acknowledgment of the compliment, but Madeline answered for her.
"Now, Father, why should you and Mother have all the fun?
I am truly looking forward to introducing Mary to those of my acquaintances remaining in town for the autumn, just as I did for Jane and Elizabeth in previous years.
We must build Mary's confidence so she will feel comfortable when all three attend events of the Season this coming spring.
The older two have had the practice to handle themselves well in any setting.
Mary needs that chance. There will be another time for her to visit Rosehaven. "
"That is true enough," her father said pleasantly. "I suppose we should not be greedy about it."
"Yes, you both are correct," Honoria agreed, "but I am still excited to have new company.
Jane, Elizabeth, I know Madeline has probably given you her view of the relatives you will meet.
All the same, I think we can enjoy spending some of the time before dinner is served discussing what you can both expect from this visit. "
Madeline gestured for everyone to sit. While they all sat close enough to converse as a group, Gerald and Edward sat a little back from the others. Honoria drew Jane and Lizzy to sit on either side of her on the sofa and Madeline kept Mary close to her.
"As I think you know," Honoria began, "We plan to stay here for a week.
I have a little shopping to do and would like Madeline and you girls to join me.
Gerald and I will also want to spend some time with our grandchildren.
It seems they are growing up so quickly.
In another ten years it will be Jane, Elizabeth and Mary's turn to help their cousins along in society just as we will do for you now. "
"I hope we find a good place to help them from," Lizzy said.
Honoria patted her hand. "I am certain you will, dear.
Madeline assures me that all three of you have the manners and education to make good matches and I can see you all have the looks and style to attract the interest of the men to whom we will introduce you.
The important job will be finding matches that will make you happy, as unfashionable as that consideration may be. "
With a smile for her husband, Madeline said, "I have always been glad you supported me when I chose to marry Edward over the more socially acceptable suitors who came calling.
Mrs. Bennet might argue that any match is good, but the richer the man, the better the match.
I do not agree. We will make sure all of my nieces are well-settled with men who will appreciate them for who they are. "
"Hear, hear," Edward said with a laugh. "Bennet feels the same and my sister will not sway him on this point."
"Once all the vital shopping and grandchild-coddling is done, we will be heading back to Derbyshire," Gerald told them.
"I must warn you that I like to make the journey quickly, with minimal stops on the way.
If all goes well, we will have only one night on the road, but it will mean early starts and long days traveling. "
"Yes," Honoria added. "Neither of us care to spend any more time at inns than we simply must. Even the good ones are noisy, and you never know who you will run into or what you will find."
"Exactly," Gerald said. "Always people going in and out.
I once had my luggage stolen while the men were unloading it from the carriage.
You just cannot be careful enough. I've considered purchasing a small house midway between here and Rosehaven, but since we do not maintain a house in town, we do not travel here often enough to make the expense worthwhile unless I could get a very good deal on a place that could be self-supporting. "
"Since Meryton is less than half a day's journey from London, Jane, Mary and I have never spent a night in an inn. I know the one in Meryton is considered a rather rowdy place. None of the young ladies of the area would think of entering it unaccompanied."
"That is wise practice in any inn," Gerald told them.
"We are looking forward to the journey no matter how quickly it is accomplished," Jane said. "Lizzy and I will try not to cause any trouble."
"Oh, I am certain you will not," Gerald said. "I just wanted to warn you about how we prefer to travel."
Honoria continued, "Once we reach Rosehaven, we will take a few days to rest and let you become accustomed to the ways of the household before the family house party begins.
Madeline's sister, Estelle, will be visiting with her husband.
Their two boys are still at Eton, as I expect you know, although the elder, David, will be heading to Cambridge next year.
In addition, both my sisters and their families will be joining us. It will be such a lively party!"
"Aunt Madeline told us one of your sisters married a man whose family name is Rose," Lizzy said.
"Yes, although most people forget that, since they go by Lord and Lady Sheldon.
We like to joke among ourselves that we have a very botanical family since my other sister married a man named Wood.
Maria, that is Lady Sheldon, has a son and daughter who are both married.
They will be joining us along with their spouses.
Imogene and Sir Harold have two married daughters whose husbands preferred to stay at home and tend to their own estates for the harvest."
"Aunt Madeline has told us a little bit about her sister, but what are your sisters and their families like, Aunt Honoria?" Lizzy asked.
"Ah, well, Maria was the oldest and growing up I thought she was always very domineering. She always knew what best, or at least she said she did. I am certain she will have a great deal of advice for you both. Of course, most of it will be spot on," Honoria smiled.
"And your younger sister?" asked Jane.
"Aunt Imogene always had the most advice for me," Madeline told them. "And it was generally good advice as well."
"Most importantly, you must not be frightened of either of my sisters. We are all on your side and want you to succeed," added Honoria.
"I am glad to hear that," Lizzy said with a smile. "It will be challenging enough to make a good impression with your neighbors, we would not want to be frightened of our own party as well."
"The neighbors will be more or less just like the people you know from home," Honoria explained.
"Ours will not be the only house party in the area, so there will be large dinners and a few private balls along with the public assembly in Lambton next month.
We will do some visiting back and forth and there will be several hunting parties at the various estates, including some fox hunting. Do either of you ride with the hunt?"
"I know how to ride," Jane said, "but not at the skill level required for hunting. The one horse we keep that is trained to sidesaddle is a gentle, plodding beast who could not jump a hedge if her life depended on it, so neither could I."
"I much prefer to walk rather than ride," Lizzy admitted, "although I know the basics. Like Jane, my skills were limited by the abilities of the horse as well as my own inclination."
The others chuckled. "No matter," Honoria said.
"There are better ways to put yourself forward than joining the hunt, especially if you do not really enjoy it.
It takes years of practice to participate fully without coming away a blowsy, dirty mess.
Better to stay inside and congratulate the hunters on their return.
You will be in good company either way."
As her mother spoke, Madeline saw one of the maids at the open door to the parlor. The girl nodded at her employer's questioning look and then curtsied before stepping away. Madeline stood.
"It appears our dinner is ready," she said. "Shall we all go in? We can continue our conversation over the meal."