Chapter 4 #3
“My dear Lady Claire,” she said warmly, “I should like to invite you personally to a ball I am giving next month to welcome my sister-in-law, Lady Campbell. She spent many years in Canada and has recently returned to England after the death of my dear brother-in-law, Lord Campbell. She is presently visiting her nieces in Hertfordshire, but she expects to return to London in a few weeks. She intends to bring the young ladies with her, and I believe you would find them delightful companions. Indeed, I hope you will allow me to introduce you to them over tea before the ball. I think you might gain some very agreeable new friends.”
Lillian was confident that if Lady Claire attended the ball, General Sinclair would accompany her. And if Claire became acquainted with Eleanor's nieces, the General and Lady Campbell would inevitably spend a great deal of time in one another's company.
“I should be delighted,” Lady Claire replied sincerely. “Lady Campbell sounds like a most fascinating lady, and I should very much like to meet both her and her nieces.”
Lady Westcliff then extended the invitation to everyone present, announcing that the ball would take place a little over a month later.
Lady Samantha was pleased to know that she would have another opportunity to pursue the elusive General Sinclair, entirely unaware that Lady Westcliff had very different plans for him.
◆◆◆
Mrs Bennet and her daughters had just returned from Meryton, laden with fabrics and ribbons, and were eagerly discussing how they might alter and refurbish several of their gowns.
At Elizabeth's request, Mr Bennet had recently agreed to reduce the household expenses so that more money could be invested in improving the estate's productivity.
Naturally, the new restrictions applied to everyone except himself.
He had purchased a new horse, ordered several expensive books, and laid in a generous supply of fine brandy.
The sisters were chatting animatedly when Mr Bennet entered the drawing-room accompanied by Eleanor.
Mrs Bennet turned pale but said nothing.
When her husband had told her of his sister's return, she had assumed it was merely another of his cruel jokes at the expense of her poor nerves. Seeing Eleanor standing before her, she realised it had been no jest.
She had always envied her sister-in-law.
Eleanor was not only beautiful but intelligent, and everyone who knew her admired and respected her.
Jane and Elizabeth exchanged puzzled glances, though both were pleased that the charming Lady Campbell had decided to visit Longbourn.
Jane, however, could not entirely suppress her disappointment.
Lady Campbell was now mistress of Netherfield.
That surely meant Mr Bingley would never return, just as Caroline had written in her letter.
“My dear family,” said Mr Bennet, clearing his throat, “I should like you all to meet my cousin, Eleanor Bennet. She has come to spend a few days with us and wishes to become better acquainted with the family.”
He looked ready to escape the room the moment the introductions were over.
“Thank you, Thomas,” Eleanor replied with perfect composure. “Though I believe you have made a slight mistake in your introduction. It has been so many years since we last met that perhaps you still think of me as the woman I once was.”
Turning to the young ladies, she smiled warmly.
“My dear girls, allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Baroness Eleanor Campbell. My late husband and I lived in Canada for many years. I returned to England only a few months ago and have been looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with my family.”
She then looked directly at her brother.
“And I am most grateful to dear Thomas for giving me this opportunity.”
Mr Bennet stiffened.
He disliked everything he had just heard.
Eleanor was only a woman.
She had never been intended to inherit anything.
Yet somehow she had returned wealthier, more influential, and far more successful than he had ever become.
Worst of all, he suspected she intended to interfere in the management of Longbourn.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Campbell,” Jane said politely.
“The pleasure is entirely mine,” Eleanor replied with a smile. “And I hope you will not stand upon ceremony. If it pleases you, I should much rather you called me Aunt Eleanor.”
"It will be my pleasure, Aunt Eleanor," Elizabeth said, and her sisters echoed her words.
After the introductions, the family went to dinner, and the conversation between the nieces and the aunt was lively. Although Mrs Bennet asked some impertinent questions, she was relatively quiet. Mr Bennet just listened so he could get as much information as possible.
"Lady Camp ... I am sorry, I was used to calling you like that. Aunt Eleanor, so it was your husband who gave you Netherfield? I remember that was what Miss Bingley said," Elizabeth asked curiously.
"Do you own Netherfield?" asked Mrs Bennet in surprise.
"Yes, Fanny. My husband bought it several years ago as a surprise present for me. The idea was that we would both come to Hertfordshire for a season together, but he fell ill, and it was not possible." Eleanor told them a little more about her husband and how he had acquired the property.
"Do you have a house in London?" Lydia asked excitedly.
"Yes, Lydia. I have two houses in London. My brother-in-law lives in one with his family, and I live in the other." Eleanor explained.
"You have to take the house from your brother-in-law and give it to us," Lydia said, laughing uncontrollably.
“Lydia, dear, that is no way to speak,” Jane said, a little embarrassed.
“Oh, Jane, you are always so serious,” Lydia replied dismissively. “You make everything so dreadfully dull.”