Chapter 59 Announcements #2
"There is no need to offer your condolences.
Knowing the good nature of all present, my son, nieces, nephew and I all take them as a given.
The less said on the matter, the better.
Of course, it is my hope that my nephew Darcy does not contract the sudden marriage tomorrow that our host predicted, for I will be leaving early to take my sister to Rosings Park in Kent where she will be laid to rest with Sir Lewis and the other de Bourghs. "
"I will be going with you, Uncle," Darcy said loudly.
"As will I, Father," Richard chimed in, quickly followed by Sir Phillip and more reluctantly by Anne.
"We will all return early next week," Peter continued, "as we would not wish to miss the upcoming wedding celebration.
I know some would say that we should all retire into the background and tend to our grief.
However, as we also know, life does go on and things are always changing and coming up.
In that spirit, I must also inform you that my sister's is not the only recent death my family has seen.
A freak accident at an estate my father owned in Scotland has claimed the lives of my father and eldest son.
Again, I will take your condolences as a given.
Why did you not know this before? I expect some of you are thinking along those lines.
Well, I have been holding this information quiet until I could carry it to my sister in person.
As a result, I am trusting all of you with the first public notice of their deaths and my new position as the Earl of Matlock.
" This created a bit of a stir, but Peter carried on.
"Since I am leaving the title of Viscount behind, you may now congratulate the first couple whose marriage was announced this evening on their new position as Viscount and Lady Rand. "
He gestured to Richard and Charlotte. Aside from the first surprised murmurs, there was a stunned silence for a moment.
Then, a few people clapped, while others offered their congratulations to Peter and the other two.
As Mr. Jones had predicted, the news of Richard and Charlotte's new titles distracted the guests from any thoughts of the previously announced deaths.
After a few minutes, Peter cleared his throat loudly for attention.
He had one more bit of distraction to provide.
"That is all the news I currently have for you, but I cannot step down without complimenting Mrs. Bennet and all the ladies who have assisted her with the fine arrangements for this evening.
Mrs. Bennet, Lady Sheldon, Lady Lucas, Mrs. Damask, Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Hanson and all the Bennet girls, well done!
Congratulations on your planning and the excellent meal! "
He began to clap, and the others quickly joined in, just as he had hoped they would.
Peter stepped down from the chair as the guests took their cue to congratulate the ladies he had named.
He, Richard and Bennet stepped away from the crowd and Darcy released Lizzy to her admirers for a moment so he could join them.
"I think we carried it off," Peter said quietly.
"You certainly distracted them well from the sadder news," Bennet agreed.
"They were ready to be distracted," Richard said. "Some may still leave early, but you have set the right mood and also headed off too many efforts at offering condolences."
They could say no more as various guests approached to speak to all of them. Some did offer condolences, Peter's words notwithstanding, or excuse themselves early, but most offered congratulations just as Bennet and Peter had planned.
The rest of the evening was something of a blur for Darcy. He spent it with Lizzy and Georgiana once he stepped away from the group of people around his uncle and Richard.
Like him, his sister was hardly certain how she felt about their aunt's death.
After all, their contact had been minimal over the years, even before her father's death, and Lady Catherine had frightened Georgiana the few times they had been in company.
As they discussed the matter, she thanked her brother for not insisting she travel to Kent for the funeral.
"There would be little purpose in you making the trip," he said, "since women are not expected to attend the actual funeral. We will not be having any kind of gathering afterward. Anne is only going to support our uncle and because, as Lady Catherine's only child, she feels she must."
Lizzy said, "Sir Phillip told me the servants at Rosings Park were reluctant to let him and your uncle into the house yesterday and only allowed them to stay the night after your uncle reminded the servants that Sir Phillip would one day be their master.
I expect they will be glad they let themselves be persuaded now that the day has come so soon. "
"I am certain they will. From what I have seen of the household, that one instance may not be enough to prevent many of them from having to find new places. Sir Phillip and his mother will want to make major changes to transform Rosings Park into a home." Darcy replied.
"I wonder if Lady Catherine had already irrevocably granted the living at Hunsford to Mr. Collins?" Lizzy asked.
"Oh, that is well thought of. I will mention it to Sir Phillip and my uncle so we can check while we are there. We do know he has never taken possession. If there is no signed document making over the living to him, we can make certain he never does, even if he makes it back from Scotland."
More guests came to offer congratulations before leaving the party, so the subject dropped. The evening ended soon after, with all those making the journey to Kent agreeing on an early start.