Title: Miscellanea
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Sir Felix and Bertram belong to me.
Summary: A collection of stories.
In which a visit to Longbourn is made.
"Of course I shall have to keep the next few weeks free," Mrs Bennet was saying to her friends as they sat in the drawing room at the Phillips'. A few of the ladies tried to suppress groans. They knew what coming next. It had been all they had heard for the past number of weeks "When Sir Felix and Lady Calder come to visit I expect to be kept busy."
"When are they to arrive?" Lady Lucas asked. She knew the answer, everybody did, but as a matter of politeness she asked again.
"Sometime tomorrow, I believe," Mrs Bennet replied. "You will see them arrive. I believe they will travel in the barouche-box belonging to Sir Felix; it has the Calder coat of arms on it and the servants look very fine in their livery. I doubt their coming will go unmissed," she boasted. She intended the whole neighbourhood to be aware of whom her visitors were.
"Will they stay long?" Mrs Long asked.
"They are unsure," Mrs Bennet replied. "Sir Felix is very attentive to his estate so he is often reluctant to leave it for long. His diligence is the reason why Grantholme is so prosperous. I will be glad to see my Mary again," she said, "I expect her duties as Lady Calder have kept her busy." She had recently taken to stressing Mary's title whenever she was in company, as well as looking at those she was speaking to with a self-satisfied expression.
"It will be a long journey for them from the north, I should think," Mrs Phillips commented.
"Yes," Mrs Bennet replied. "It is unfortunate that most of my daughters seem to have settled so far away. Of course, I cannot complain. It has meant we have gained such fine houses in the family as Pemberley, Brisden and Grantholme. I wish you could see them but, yes, they are so far away. I console myself with Mr and Mrs Calder being in Town. They have no trouble in visiting Longbourn."
"Will you receive a visit from them?" Lady Lucas asked. "As Sir Felix and Mr Calder are brothers."
"No, for Mr Calder is travelling to Manchester with Mr Bingley on business this week and Kitty and Jane are to go with them," Mrs Bennet complained. "I had hoped to see them but it is not possible." She could not see why it had to be so. Surely the business could wait. It would not be often that Sir Felix and Lady Calder would be at Longbourn and she wished to have more daughters to visit now. It would be nice to show off a selection of her sons together, creating more opportunities for compliments. "Nor could I persuade the Darcys to come down and the Wickhams are forever busy." Or rather, in the case of the latter, Mr Bennet was reluctant to invite them, especially with Sir Felix there. However, Mrs Bennet did not wish to admit that to her friends. It would not do to confess to strained relations between her sons.
"I would like to take this opportunity to invite them for an evening at Lucas Lodge," Lady Lucas said. She knew it would mean an evening of boasting from Mrs Bennet but she could see the advantages for herself. She saw the benefits of having a baronet as a guest. It was another impressive name to be added to those who had called upon her.
"Yes, we will come," Mrs Bennet said.
"Will you go to the assemblies in Meryton?" Mrs Long asked. She was afraid that she might be left out of an invitation to Lucas Lodge for not being 'grand' enough. The assembly might be the only chance she had to be introduced to Sir Felix. She hoped it would be mentioned that she had shown Lady Calder kindness in her childhood.
"Yes, of course," Mrs Bennet answered. "I hope to make many social calls with Sir Felix and Lady Calder. Now, I must return to Longbourn. I do not want to miss their arrival should it be early. Good day."
"You have that look in your eyes, husband," Mary commented from her seat in the carriage opposite Sir Felix. He was sat glowering out of the window. He disliked his present situation (carriage journeys never appealed to him) and did not much relish the prospect before them. He did not object to seeing his wife's parents but it did come with various social duties.
He turned to wife with a sly smile, "That 'look' my dear Mary?" he asked. Her presence was the only pleasant aspect he could find. It had been an enjoyable few days confined in a carriage with just her. There had been very few interruptions to spoil it.
"Yes, the one I do not trust," she replied. "You are going to behave?"
"Of course. I will be the perfect gentleman," he said.
"You always are," Mary said. "A very bored perfect gentlemen and that is what worries me. I do not want our friends to find you disagreeable."
He looked at his wife with concern, "This is unlike you. It is not normally something you are bothered about." He reached to take hold of her hand.
"I know but, and you must not laugh at me, I am troubled about how they view our marriage," she confessed. "I am scared that they will think you so disagreeable that I am the only girl who would contemplate marrying you. They have always thought me so desperate for a husband that any man would suffice. I want them to realise that we are married for love."
"I would never laugh at you," he told her. "And I will try not to appear so uninterested when we are in company. Of course you must promise to gaze adoringly up at me," he smiled.
She laughed, "I will take your arm at times but I refuse to look mawkish. I am not that eager to prove I love you."
"Personally, though, I do not think I will need any prompting to show our love," he said. "You will probably be the only tolerable thing I will find."
"I am only 'tolerable' then, sir?" she protested in mock-offence.
"Absolutely," he said. "Maybe slightly more than tolerable, perhaps." He sighed, "At least now we are able to stay close to each other without comment."
"I am simply anticipating no longer having 'Go where there is dancing, Mary,' hissed at me by my mother or 'Gentlemen want a happy face, Mary'. Never again will I have my mother fretting that no man will find me attractive," Mary said.
"Yet the funny thing is had you done as she wanted I would never have spoken to you," Sir Felix said with a smile. "I cannot abide women who are always smiling and dancing."
"I believe I spoke to you first," Mary pointed out.
"No, I said 'Miss Bennet' or something to that effect before," he said.
"Yes and then said no more. I was the one who tried to engage you in conversation," Mary reminded him. "With very little success and I was confused as to whether you desired my absence."
"I probably did. All I remember of that ball was counting down minutes until I could politely drag Bertram away," he smiled. He did vaguely remember speaking to Mary that first time and was sure he had been rude. "It appears you did not take too much offence otherwise we would not be sat here."
"Likewise you must not have found me too disagreeable," she replied. "My sisters still noticed. I had both Lizzy and Kitty asking."
"I had a drunk Bertram commenting on the journey back but he forgot after, thankfully, so it took a while for him to start teasing me about it," Sir Felix said.
"I never expected to marry you," she said then looked at her wedding ring. "Even after four months I am still in a state of disbelief."
"Best decision of my life," he told her. He then patted the seat next to him. "I believe this is your place."
She smiled and sat next to him, "I am only opposite you because you were asleep before and taking up the whole seat." He put his arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I will be happy to see Longbourn again."
"They are here! They are here!" Mrs Bennet dashed from the window she had been looking out from as she spotted a carriage approach. "Oh Hill! Make haste! Mr Bennet, come quickly. They are here!" She rushed frantically around seemingly unable to decide what to do next before choosing to go out of the front door. Mr Bennet eventually joined her as the carriage arrived. He had seen no point in hurrying. It had achieved little for his wife apart from a hassled appearance.
Sir Felix and Mary alighted from the carriage and Mrs Bennet excited hugged her daughter. She would have done the same to Sir Felix if not for the impatient look on his face and carefully timed bow. He was willing to tolerate being pawed by her on his wedding day but there were limits. Mary simply looked shocked. Her mother had never been so enthusiastic towards her before.
"Did anyone see you arrive?" Mrs Bennet asked them eagerly. She hoped they had.
"I do not know," Mary replied, puzzled by the question. "We were not paying attention. Perhaps there was Mrs Long."
Mrs Bennet looked disappointed. "Maybe another turn around Meryton is possible?" she wondered hopefully.
"My dear that is asking too much," Mr Bennet said in an effort to rein in his wife.
"Mrs Bennet," Sir Felix started. "I have spent enough hours in this carriage today as it is. No, another turn would not be possible." He was too weary to care about upsetting her by being too sharp.
"Come in, please," Mr Bennet said.
Mary took her husband's arm as they followed her parents into the house. "You promised to behave," she whispered.
"Only when we are in company," he replied. "If your parents do not realise I am a cantankerous old bear by now then they are blind. Or stupid."
"Felix!" Mary tried to scold him but could not remain serious. "Somebody needs a nap otherwise my mother is in danger of quickly becoming disillusioned with her new son."
"I care not one jot," he said. "It was you I married. As long as you are happy."
"I am. Soon I intend to make our excuses," she told him. "We will go to our bedroom."
"Mary! What change in you character is this? I think you have been possessed by your sister," Sir Felix teased.
"I am thinking no such thing," she protested. "I simply wish to keep the peace. I know what you are like when you are tired. I cannot deny I want to be alone with you but I will read whilst you sleep."
"You make me sound like a child but it is a sensible plan," he said with a smile. "I would probably have fallen asleep anyway. Will Middleton and Hannah be looked after?" Their respective servants had accompanied them to Longbourn. Even though Sir Felix had asked Middleton whether he wished to remain at Grantholme with Mrs Middleton he had refused saying that he welcomed the break. Hannah had been eager to go. She had never left Yorkshire before, not even to visit Manchester.
"Yes, they went with Hill," Mary replied. She then looked around. "It has not changed. Later I will show you around. There are many quiet, private places to hide in."
"You are awake early," Mr Bennet said as he found Mary reading by a window in the parlour.
"Yes. Felix is still asleep," she replied. "I did not want to disturb him so I came down here to read."
"How is life at Grantholme?" Mr Bennet asked. He could not deny his daughter looked better than she had ever done whilst living at Longbourn.
"It is wonderful," she replied with a smile. "I am supposed to be part of the idle rich now but I have never been so busy. I like it very much."
"I will have to visit you," he said.
"Yes but wait for Felix to recover from the trauma of having to be sociable here at Longbourn before you force him to do it again at Grantholme," she joked to the surprise of her father. She had never been inclined to light heartedness in the past. "He will pale at the mere mention of visitors for the next few months."
"I am eager to raid your library," Mr Bennet said.
"You have not seen the whole of it," Mary told him. "There are rooms at Grantholme that will excite you, Papa. I am teaching myself German because I have found that not only does he know Latin and French, as I expected, my learned husband also speaks Greek, German, Italian and a little Spanish. In an effort to stop myself feeling inadequate I gradually intend to become a polyglot as well. It is a challenge."
"I will remember that if I ever need a translator," Mr Bennet said. "I am pleased you have found intellectual stimulation."
"We were debating natural rights last week," Mary said happily, "And I was winning. Papa, you must speak more with him."
"I will do," he said. "We did last night after you ladies had retired."
"Good," she then stood up. "Wait there. I have something for you." She left the room and returned with a package.
Mr Bennet opened it and saw it was a painting of Grantholme Hall, "Is this your artwork?"
She shook her head. "It is all Felix's work. I gave him a painting set for Christmas and he has been putting it to good use. We decided it would be nice if you had a picture of Grantholme to put up at Longbourn."
"You mother will definitely like this," Mr Bennet decided. "Now along with telling everyone about Grantholme she can provide a picture as well. It will irritate our neighbours but that has never bothered me before."
"I am sure they have been hearing about our visit for weeks," Mary said.
"Yes, endlessly," Mr Bennet replied. "As have I. I am glad you are come, though."
"So am I," Mary told him. "So is Felix deep down under the gruffness. He values your company at least."
"He may change his mind about being glad to be here once he sees what your mother had planned," Mr Bennet said. "I believe his patience will be thoroughly tried."
"Lady Lucas," Sir Felix bowed as he was introduced. They had been invited to Lucas Lodge for the evening.
"Sir Felix," Lady Lucas said. "We are glad you were able to come. Lady Calder," she curtsied at Mary who was by her husband's side.
"I thank you for our invitation," Sir Felix said. Lady Lucas smiled. There was an uncomfortable silence. Sir Felix was trying to fulfil his promise to Mary and be pleasant but it was hard for him. He was not used to being sociable and it did not come naturally for him. It was made worse as they were the centre of attention. There were too many curious eyes on him for his liking. It seemed the whole of the 'respectable sort' of Meryton had appeared for a look at the Calders. There was too much whispering occurring and it was not something he trusted. He had noticed that a considerable amount had been directed at his wife as well. He did not like some of the looks she had been receiving either. They seemed to judge and doubt. Mary was right when she had said there would be critics. Too many faces seemed to say 'What is he doing with her?' and it irritated him. His Mary deserved more than that. "I am happy to meet Lady Calder's former neighbours. As friends you will have been pleased to see her marry."
"Yes," Lady Lucas replied guiltily. She had been the most critical when Mary's engagement had been announced. It was mainly jealousy. Yet another Bennet girl had married well but her daughters seemed to be making little progress past clergymen in terms of suitors even though their father was a knight. It was not fair that the Bennets had snared every eligible young man. She even found Wickham preferable to her son-in-law Collins. At least there were no more single Bennets left. The next rich gentleman was surely meant for her Maria. "Please excuse me. I have other guests." She went away.
"Felix!" Mary hissed.
"What? It was a perfectly innocent comment," he said. "The fault is on her part only. Had she been genuinely happy for you then I would have made a harmless observation. It will teach her to be so disparaging."
"You are wicked," she said then smiled. "But wonderful. One look from you and people have been more polite to me than ever before."
"It is my duty," he told her. "The whole world must realise how remarkable my wife is. Let us find your mother. I would take her over Lady Lucas and her ilk any day."
"I never thought I would see you deliberately seeking her out," Mary commented.
"She is the lesser of the evils," Sir Felix said. "Indeed it is only your presence that is stopping me from joining your father back at Longbourn. Stay at my side, please."
"You need not even ask," Mary said. "Believe me, there is nobody here I am desperate to talk to or see. At least with you I will have decent conversation." She took his arm.
"And I realised not one of my sons has a mother," Mrs Bennet was saying to Mrs Phillips. "It was then when I decided that I must become their mother. It will please me to care for them as if they were my own."
"Oh good lord I am doomed," Sir Felix muttered to Mary who smiled. "Mrs Bennet," he bowed.
"Sir Felix!" she turned to him. "There you are!"
"Yes, here I am, Mrs Bennet," he said. "Mrs Phillips, Mrs Long."
"Do you dance, Sir Felix?" Mrs Long asked. "The floor is lacking at the minute. Even if Lady Calder is not inclined I am sure we can find you a partner."
"I can dance," he replied. "But a serious illness a few years ago means I am no longer able. I lack the stamina now." Mary looked knowingly at her husband. She wondered how long he would use that as a convenient excuse. Bertram had told her he had been exploiting it for years now. "So I refrain from dancing."
"That is a pity," Mrs Phillips said. "Are there many opportunities for gatherings near Grantholme?"
"Yes but neither Lady Calder or myself is disposed to attend," Sir Felix replied. "We are kept busy at Grantholme."
"Is Grantholme a large place?" Mrs Long asked.
"No, it is only a small village," Sir Felix said.
"But the Grantholme estate is still extensive," Mrs Bennet quickly put in lest her neighbours gained the wrong impression.
"I suppose you find your husband to be often busy, Lady Calder" Mrs Long said.
"Yes we are," Mary replied. "We do devote a considerable amount of time to managing the estate."
"I am glad I now have my wife to share the burden," Sir Felix said as he enjoyed the looks of confusion on the ladies' faces. It was as if the notion that a wife might actually help her husband in business was completely alien to them.
"Mary has found herself to be gifted at that sort of thing," Mrs Bennet said. She was bewildered at the thought but still knew it was an opportunity to boast of any of her daughters' talents and accomplishments, even if they may seem outlandish.
"Oh that is interesting," Mrs Phillips said. "I hear your brother is going into business with Mr Bingley, Sir Felix."
"Yes," Sir Felix replied. "I have every confidence in him."
"That is good. Do you play whist, sir? I believe a table is being set up," Mrs Long said. Talk of business matters bored her. "It would be nice if you could join us."
"Are you sure nobody will disturb us here?" Sir Felix asked as Mary led him through the bottom of the gardens at Longbourn and into the wooded area.
"Quite sure," she replied. "I used to spend hours here when I was younger and not even Lizzy came across me and she was always wandering around." She sat them under a tree. "This is where I came to read and generally experience peace and quiet. It was mainly to escape Kitty and Lydia."
Sir Felix leant against the tree trunk, "Peace at last."
"I am sorry for dragging you down here," Mary said.
"No, Mary. You have no need to apologise," he told her. "I would be a cruel husband if I refused to let you visit your parents and I do like Longbourn. It is just…"
"That the whole neighbourhood seems to be involved," Mary finished. "I know. I dislike it as much as you do. I have never had this much attention paid to me. However, we may be able to avoid so many engagements now."
"How so?" Sir Felix looked craftily interested.
"Mama has taken your words to heart," Mary told him.
"What words?" he asked.
"When we were at the Lucas's and you made your usual excuse for not dancing," Mary explained. "She is now worried you might overtax yourself and is afraid she is making you do too much."
He gave a low chuckle, "Anything else?"
"She is demanding I take better care of you," Mary said. "Be grateful we do not live near to Longbourn. You will be fussed to death otherwise." She saw the sly grin on his face. "Do not take advantage of this, Felix," she warned.
"Not even a little bit? I will prioritise," he said. "What is the most important?"
"The assembly tomorrow," Mary said easily. It was to be the highlight of their visit for her mother. "Mama had been waiting for this chance to show you off."
"And she has not done that already?" Sir Felix asked in disbelief. It seemed that it was all that had occurred so far. If Mrs Bennet was not dragging them to various places she was inviting people to Longbourn to gawp at them. "Never mind. What about this evening?"
"We are to Aunt and Uncle Phillips again," she said.
"In that case – Oh, Mary, I feel ever so tired!" he exclaimed, theatrically putting his hand to his forehead.
She shook her head, "You are wicked. I swear this is not the man I married."
He grinned, "You are speaking to a desperate man. However, if you wish to go we shall."
"You know I do not," she said. "Therefore upon further consideration you do look tired," she smiled.
"Now, are you definitely sure nobody will disturb us here?" he asked and she nodded. He then gently pulled her down and she lay with her head on his lap. He picked a bluebell and placed it in her hair. "I hope we have a daughter," he said suddenly.
She laughed, "This is unexpected!" They had hardly even discussed children let alone whether they wanted sons or daughters.
"I just thought of a young girl who would bring us flowers at this time of year," he replied. "Daffodils, daisies, cherry blossom, bluebells. You have seen the grounds at Grantholme. A little girl would love it."
"Just as long as she takes after you in looks and not me," she said and he frowned. "Do not look at me like that. You might find me beautiful but others do not. I do not want out daughter to be the 'plain Calder girl'. She can look like you but have my desire for improvement. Then we will have a beautiful, accomplished daughter. A son can take after either of us."
"I have never thought of myself as a father," he said. "The only children I saw in my future before marrying you were Bertram's various issue and I had decided they are to inherit their father's inability to shut up so I will be grumpy Uncle Felix to them."
"Our children will be quiet and serious," Mary said.
"I think with parents like us they will have no choice," he decided. "Although they may take after various aunts and uncles."
"It may happen soon," she commented. "Do you mind if it does?"
"No," he said. "I think I have prepared myself and will have nine months to become accustomed to the prospect when it does happen."
"I am very contented," she decided. "I used to come here to escape but I think I have nothing to get away from now. I am even able to endure my mother better. Although, I still think we ought to stay here a little while longer. Mrs Long was being received just as we left. My new-found toleration is not that developed."
"Mine will never be that well developed," Sir Felix put in. "Screeching women are something to be avoided. I never thought such levels of excitement possible from one person."
"The assembly is cancelled!" Mrs Bennet exclaimed as she came into the drawing room. Unfortunately, unlike the days when Kitty and Lydia were still at home, she was met with little shared misery. Instead, it was just the indifferent faces of Mr Bennet, Sir Felix and Mary. "Some nonsense about a leaking roof."
"That is a pity," Mr Bennet said as a matter of courtesy.
"It is! How can I introduce Sir Felix and Mary to everybody without the assembly?" she asked.
Sir Felix put his book down, "Mrs Bennet, what have you been doing for the past ten days?" he asked in confusion. "I seemed to have been introduced to a whole host of people."
"It is not the same!" she said. "That was only informally and to close friends. At an assembly there is the whole neighbourhood and more. I can present you to the people it is unseemly to invite or be invited by. That is how Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy were first seen. Now it will not happen for the next assembly is after you leave."
Sir Felix took pity on her, "Perhaps then we could go for a jaunt around Meryton?" he said to her. It was not a prospect that particularly appealed to him but he could console himself with the fact that they were returning to Grantholme in a few days. He could endure the occasional instances of being on display if it kept his mother-in-law happy.
"In your barouche? With the top down?" she asked eagerly. What a thing to be seen in his carriage complete with the coat of arms and anything else that might seem impressive to her friends! Nobody could be in any doubt as to who her new son was then.
"Well, I had thought more of a walk," he said hesitantly, "But I suppose it makes sense to bring the carriage out for a small ride in preparation for the journey back."
"Then it is settled," she said. "Mr Bennet, you are to come too for you have rarely been seen in Sir Felix and Lady Calder's presence. And Mary as well."
"Yes, Mary is coming," he said and shot his wife a look that made his need for her attendance very clear to her. She smiled. It was on such occasions that her husband needed saving.
"Mr Middleton!" Mrs Bennet called as she spied him pass the room. He came in. "Your master requires his carriage at once."
"Yes, Mrs Bennet," he bowed with a slightly amused smile. Sir Felix recognised it as one he usually had when he was humouring Mrs Middleton. He disappeared.
"Well then!" Mrs Bennet turned to the others. "Make haste."
They stood and went outside where Sir Felix's carriage was being brought out.
"You are being very tolerant," Mary whispered to her husband.
"Do you want her lamenting the loss of the assembly for the rest of the day?" he whispered back.
"I should like to sit next to you, Sir Felix," Mrs Bennet told him.
"What if I wish to sit with my wife?" he asked.
"Oh Mary has plenty of opportunities to sit with you!" she said dismissively. They were helped in to the carriage and Mrs Bennet happily sat next to her son.
"It is a very fine carriage," she said as they set off. "I think it is very smooth on the road."
"Really, Mrs Bennet?" Sir Felix asked. "I have thought one carriage to be very like the next."
"No, this a nice one. Fit for a baronet," she decided. She then waited impatiently for them to get to Meryton where she could be seen. She was glad they had the top down as now there was no question as to who was riding in the fancy carriage. It was a pity there was not more of her daughters visiting then there could a procession of carriages. Should that ever happen she decided that she would ride with the Darcys. Sir Felix may be a baronet but Mr Darcy had the more expensive carriage. It made more sense that it should be that way. "Oh! There is Sir William and Lady Lucas. Stop, driver. Good day to you," she waved to them.
The Lucases stopped. "Mrs Bennet, Mr Bennet, Sir Felix, Lady Calder."
"We are having a drive out," Mrs Bennet told them. "It is a shame about the assembly, is it not?"
"Yes for Maria was to walk out with her new suitor," Lady Lucas said. Maria had been introduced to a friend of one of their sons. Jeremy Lucas was still at Oxford (he had not managed to be sober enough to graduate yet so Sir William was cutting off his allowance) and he had brought a friend home to visit. Maria had taken a liking to him.
"Oh, is it anyone we know?" Mrs Bennet asked curiously. She hoped it was not somebody too impressive. She still had not finished boasting about her daughters' marriages yet.
"No, he attends Oxford with Jeremy," Lady Lucas told her. "His father owns land in Norfolk which Mr Crewe will inherit."
"Oh, that is happy news," Mrs Bennet said. It sounded to be a good match. It was better than that odious Mr Collins (for Maria Lucas was a pleasant girl and she deserved more than the likes of him) but not so exciting that the focus was taken from her new sons.
"Yes," Lady Lucas said. "Excuse us for we must be on our way." They left them.
"I can tolerate a landowner's son," Mrs Bennet said once they set off again. "For he will be rich enough to stop Lady Lucas from making jealous comments and also from mentioning that hateful entailment of Mr Collins's but I will still have the best married daughters in the neighbourhood."
"It is nice to see that Maria Lucas might be wed," Mary said. "Kitty will be pleased. They became good friends after Lydia was gone."
"She is certainly the better looking Lucas girl," Mrs Bennet said. "The younger one looks too like Mrs Collins to ever be considered a beauty. I was always grateful that you were never as plain as the Lucas girls, Mary."
"Thank you," Mary said. It was almost a compliment after all.
They took a few more turns around Meryton before everyone bar Mrs Bennet became bored. The village was almost deserted. There were a few villagers around but Mrs Bennet did not consider them a worthy enough audience to show off to. It was no replacement for the assembly even though it was pleasant to be sat next to Sir Felix. Nobody of any consequence was there to see them and it was her only chance before they returned to Grantholme.
"My dear Mrs Bennet, should we not go back to Longbourn?" Mr Bennet said.
"Please, I am becoming dizzy with going round in circles," Sir Felix said. Mrs Bennet's eyes widened in concern. "I am joking, Mrs Bennet."
"I suppose we must return," she said dejectedly. "There is nobody here to see us. Tell the driver to take us back then."
"Ah, home at last!" Sir Felix said as they walked into the sitting room at Grantholme. "As fond as I am becoming of Longbourn and your parents there is no place like Grantholme." He sank down in a chair.
"I know," Mary replied. "Felix, promise me we will not leave Grantholme or admit any guests for at least two weeks."
"Oh an easy promise!" he exclaimed. "I do not care if you and the servants are the only people I see for the next month. We are closing doors whilst we recover. Just you and I otherwise you may lose your husband to the madhouse." He pulled her down so she was sat next to him. "Just us, that is all."