Here it is! Please Read and Review! Thanks!

Chapter 10

Elizabeth stood up. "That is too much!" she cried.

Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, and Lord Arthur had been discussing the marriage settlement, but were having a difficult time making Elizabeth understand her future station.

Lord Arthur gestured for her to sit down, "Three hundred pounds is a perfect amount. You will be able to afford the dresses and accoutrements that all women of our class require. Besides, you will not have to spend all of it, and I would be labeled as stingy if my wife did not at least have the opportunity to buy what she would like."

Elizabeth sat down. "Humph. Very well, then. But I promise I will never use all of it."

Her father rolled his eyes, "There is something to be said about wives who do not want to spend their money. Now then, where will you two be living?"

"That is just what I needed to discuss with you. I have decided to let a house in Oxfordshire, then purchase it in future if it meets our requirements."

Elizabeth's curiosity was piqued. "Can you describe it?"

"Of course. The estate is called Beechcombe Park. The house is fairly sizable, with pleasant rooms, and was built in 1677. The grounds are quite stunning with a lake to the side of the house, and plenty of paths and gardens - Capability Brown was said to have designed it. I believe the former owner gambled away all the money, so the family has to sell it, but it should generate about five thousand per annum once some repairs and new farming strategies are implemented. The land is said to be some of the finest in the country, and is a reasonable distance from London and your family."

Elizabeth knew her choice already. "I think that Beachcombe Park sounds wonderful. My father knows as long as I have paths, I shall be content. But Oxfordshire is quite far away from my family."

"Nonsense, with an early start, it can be done within a day or so on good road."

Her father chuckled, "Well then, you seem to have everything sorted out! What about the jointure?"

The smiles faded..

"The dower house, and one third of the estate shall go to her, dowries to any daughters, and funds to younger sons. Hopefully, that should not happen any time soon…"

Mr. Bennet was satisfied. His favorite daughter would be well cared for. They shook hands, and planned to draw up a contract.

Meanwhile at the Bingley household, Mr. Charles Bingley had just arrived home. He was in an especially jolly mood, for he had just visited his angel. As he bounded out of the carriage, his mood fell. He hated confrontations, and unfortunately, he was walking right into one.

Caroline was to leave in a few days. At the moment, it sounded as if his sister was having a tantrum, but his curiosity got the better of him, so he went to investigate…

A few minutes earlier, the dresses that Mr. Bingley Sr. had ordered for his daughter had been delivered to the house. A footman had informed her in the music room that they had been placed in her private chambers. She then went up to her room, opened the packages, and screamed.

The house was put in an uproar, but Mr. Bingley Sr. strolled up to his daughter's room, knowing full well what he would find.

When he entered the room with an amused countenance, she glared at him and hissed out, "Father, do you expect me to wear these… these rags in public!? It is bad enough you are sending me to some little-known village, in Ireland of all places, but do you know what this could do to my reputation if someone of consequence saw me? It will be in tatters! We will all be in tatters! Worse off then these miserable articles passed off as clothing!"

Her father calmly answered, "Do not worry for damaging your sister's marriage prospects. She will be getting married the day you leave."

That statement made Caroline's face grow redder "This is so unfair! You are damaging my future!"

He grew stern, "Caroline, you are damaging your own prospects. By acting the way you are, I am surprised people associate with us at all."

This is the moment when Charles Bingley came to investigate. He entered the room, and saw his normally calm father and scheming sister staring each other down.

Caroline saw this as an opportunity, "Charles", she said in a sweet voice, "Papa is being ever so unfair. Look at these horrid fabric pieces sewn together. Do you not think your little sister, going away to visit a poor old aunt deserves at least some orange silk?"

Lord Arthur practically skipped up the walkway into the family townhouse.

A footman opened the door, and took his coat and hat. At that moment, Lord Arthur's father and brother came down the stairs, seemingly about to depart.

He greeted them, "Hello! Father, brother, are you two going somewhere?"

His father gestured to his brother, "We are calling on the Hasketts. Lady Beaumont would now like our opinions on the wedding breakfast. Would you like to join us?"

"Why not? I have something of import to announce anyways, so I will do so in the carriage."

The three men entered the waiting carriage, one of them tapped the roof, and they were off.

"So, son," Lord Perryton said, "What did you want to tell us?"

Lord Arthur adjusted himself on the seat, "Well, the reason I have been gone all morning is because I have just become engaged to Miss Elizabeth."

Lord Egerton did not look impressed, "You could have married a titled heiress, Arthur, but you settled for a country lass who most likely doesn't know a thing about running a household, at least from her mother."

"Well, at least she knows how to be pleasant."

The carriage was silent for the rest of the way to their destination, his brother's words ruining Lord Arthur's good mood. Lord Perryton might have been worried about his sons' rivalry, but knew that deep down, they loved each other as brothers.

When they arrived at the Haskett family townhouse, they were led into the drawing room, and they found Lady Beaumont, Lady Augusta, and Lady Lillian quietly embroidering, which would have been a perfect sight, except for the complete silence they were in.

They all exchanged greetings civilly, and Lady Beaumont started asking opinions over the wedding. Lord Arthur did not have a clue as to why his brother was marrying Lady Augusta. To him, she seemed cold, and lived to follow the rules of propriety perfectly. At least it seemed that they actually liked each other, he thought.

While his father and brother were busy speaking, he approached Lady Lillian. She was only sixteen, and not yet out, but her family hoped she would marry him. Over the time his brother and her sister got to know one another, they were always thrown together with the duty of chaperoning.

Unfortunately, her parents' plans were foiled, for they only developed a close friendship.

"Lady Lillian."

"Lord Arthur!" She gestured to the area on the settee next to her. She threw aside her embroidery; "Mama has made us sit like this all morning, saying that you would arrive soon. Apparently 'soon' for her is three hours!"

He laughed. "I am sorry we did not arrive sooner, then."

"How is the girl you are expected to marry?"

"She is well. In fact, we became engaged this morning. I believe the announcement will be in the newspaper in two days time."

"Ooh, I had better tell Mama soon, else she say I concealed it from her. You know she always set her eyes on you for me. Your father never told anyone you were already taken."

"Yes, I know. I imagine she will not take it very well."

"I have always told her that we are not meant to be, but she never listened."

"As is the way with matchmaking mamas."

She laughed rather loudly. Her mother turned and glared at her, and she looked down. "I know that look. The always does that when she thinks I am spoiling my marriage prospects."

"Mmm. So you are planning to be presented next year?"

"Yes. I am not looking forward to it much. Augusta keeps telling me the 'basics' of attracting suitors, and how to turn down 'unworthy' proposals. Though, I must be alone in this opinion out of all the girls my age."

"Trust me, no matter what your mother says, men really do not like dumb wives."

"Is Miss Elizabeth dumb?"

"No, quite the opposite, in fact."

"Do you love her?"

"Methinks this line of questioning is getting too personal, Madam."

"Very well."

Over on the other side of the room, his brother and Lady Augusta wormed out of Lady Beaumont's wedding planning, leaving it to poor Lord Perryton, who was used to talking to people about things he had no interest in.

Lady August whispered to Lord Eagerton, "Robert, how is that country girl your brother is marrying? Will she hurt your family's reputation?"

"No, I don't think it will very badly. Even though I concur she in unsuitable, her father is a gentleman, he has a decent income and connections, and she has manners. I don't believe there is any scandal, either. It really is a shame her father did not marry an heiress instead of that insufferable tradesman's daughter. Perhaps that would improve their family's social standing."

"Whatever you say. I hope they will not have to live with us, though."

"No, my brother is at least a hard worker. He is planning on purchasing an estate."

"Very well. At least I will not have to live with the chit."

He was silent in agreement.

The three men departed the premises soon after.

After this chapter, I will try and make either longer chapters, or double post. I feel like the place I usually end just makes sense, so probably the latter. Thanks for your support!