Business is conducted, a Villain is discussed, Progress is mentioned, Jane gets ready for her big night.

Jenny Equals Jane Chapter 26

I did visit Mr. Ashley the following day; over Lady Catherine's protestations that he should come to us. I much preferred to see him in his chambers at Lincoln's Inn. We went over the provisions in my Grandfather's Will—I told him that it seemed to me that the amounts set aside for Georgiana and Eliza were not sufficient for their needs and that I wished the sums to be increased. He was hesitant at first, but I told him that if he thought the Estate would suffer for the loss of Capital, that I would be willing to consider selling Gateshead Hall; it being a place that I neither needed nor had good memories of. Their Portions could come from the sale of that property and all would be well.

Mr. Ashley scratched his chin and allowed that I had found a good solution to the matter, and that he would see to having it done; always given the approval of my Guardians. I left his office quite pleased with my success, even though I had forgotten that my Guardians would have to approve any business dealings I might have concerning my inheritance. Lord Richard was in Town with his family at Matchford House; I therefore sent him a message concerning my idea. He soon answered with a call at Lady Catherine's Residence the next morning.

He did not come alone—Mr. Darcy accompanied him—they looked very disquieted, and at first I thought they were concerned over my business dealings with Mr. Ashley; but, it developed that my actions had little to do with their worried faces. I acquainted them with my plan to provide a more generous settlement for the Reed sisters—they were not opposed to the idea; although I could tell that they thought it somewhat Quixotic of me to lavish funds upon a pair of women who had never been kind to me when we were all much younger. I simply said that it was a matter of conscience on my part—that I could not be easy to think of them being left out, just because of my Grandfather's preferences.

There was some opposition to my plan of selling Gateshead Hall, as it would mean a lesser amount of property in my holdings. I replied that since I had no good memories of the place and that I regarded it as more of a liability than an asset (owing to the constant need for repairs and upkeep and the expenses involved therein) that my interests would be better served by selling off the House and gardens, but retaining still the other properties that went with it.

When they realized that I meant to keep the farms, fields, and other properties that made up the estate; being that those were the main source of income with their rents and produce; they became more satisfied with my plan. Their assent was immediately forthcoming, it needed only Mr. Ashley to make my wish into reality. It developed that he had already been sent for because of another matter.

Lord Richard told me that a rumor had come to his ears from a high-placed source within the Admiralty to the effect that my cousin John Reed had once again defected from the Navy. "It looks very bad this time: they are claiming that he led a Mutiny; seized control of the ship; and was last heard of somewhere in the South China Seas, practicing a form of Piracy. If they catch up with him—he'll be hanged without recourse."

I was shocked, but somehow not really surprised—it was just the sort of behavior I would have expected of him!

Mr. Ashley had now appeared and agreed to undertake the disposal of Gateshead Hall—he was most approving of my wish to retain the other properties—there was, he observed, a nice deposit of coal on one of the properties—a very good thing, with steam now becoming more useful to transportation and manufacturing. "I put it to you that there are no limits to the possible uses for this new source of power! Just envision the possibilities of steam-powered carriages—one would no longer be subject to the problems caused by horses—with their nervous temperaments and their droppings everywhere! Imagine being able to cross the thoroughfare without the need for a crossing-sweeper! As well, the probability of greater speed so that one would journey more efficiently without so many stops and delays every ten miles or so! It's a whole new world just waiting on the Horizon!"

We were all somewhat entranced by his visionary speech—Lord Richard and Mr. Darcy exchanged significant looks and smiles. Lord Richard remarked, "That fellow been around talking to you about his wild notions, has he?"

"I do not believe that all of those ideas are out of reason, my Lord—only that it is early days yet and that there will be no end to the possibilities for transportation—the steamships are already in use and have proven very successful—we are no longer depending on which way the wind blows for our voyages—and with our shipping schedules being more regular and predictable, it has greatly improved the transportation of goods—when the Merchants prosper—so do we all!"

"Thereby lending credence to Bonaparte's remark about 'the English being a Nation of Shopkeepers'".

"Quite so, Mr. Darcy!"

"Well, we will soon become a nation of Manufacturers if what you say should come to pass!"

"Therein lies Wealth, Mr. Darcy!"

"It may be for some, not necessarily for all."

"It is true that not all will benefit—but many will."

We were interrupted just then by a message for Lord Richard, who read it with a frown and turned to us, "Mr. Ashley, were you aware that John Reed has defected from the Navy?"

"I had heard a rumor, but had received no certain information."

"I had received information from the Admiralty that he had led a Mutiny, and was using the ship for piracy. Now they are informing me that his ship was wrecked in a storm, and that reliable information would have it that he was recently seen in Marseilles. It may be that he is trying to return to England—unaware that his recent activities are known to the Authorities. We must be on the lookout for him; after what we know of him, surely there is little he will stop at."

"It seems rather sudden, this business of him being first on one side of the World and then re-appearing so close to home."

"Some of the information was delayed in arriving. I believe it will be a different matter when the telegraph lines are more widespread."

"More of that Progress we were discussing."

"Exactly so, Mr. Darcy."

"Enough of this Progress talk, you have given me entirely too much to consider in one morning's span—what say you Richard? Shall we allow the sale of Jane's property for the sake of her cousins' dowries?"

"Oh certainly, if she has no wish to retain the House, then let it be sold—I am certain that some recently wealthy fellow from the City will be seeking a place in the country—mind you get a good price for it, it's an attractive property."

Their permission being given—the business was put underway—and indeed, a buyer was found within a matter of weeks. Gateshead Hall would soon no longer be matter for my concern.

-xxx-

In the meantime, the Social Scene was moving along. The time for my Coming-out Ball had arrived. The frenzied preparations of the last few weeks were completed—the decorations were in place, my new ballgown was ready, the buffet was being laid out, the musicians were tuning up, I was at Matchford House being arrayed for my grand appearance in Society; next door to me Rosamund was undergoing the same refined torture of corset tying and hair-curling with hot irons. At last I emerged from the maid's ministrations to see myself in the cheval-glass—who could that pale girl be? I felt lost among the petticoats and puffy sleeves of my gown. My hair was done up to an awesome height in a topknot featuring flowers and feathers—this was almost worse than the Court Presentation gown business!

Just then there was a knock on the door—Mrs. Darcy entered with Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine was not amused at my look of panic. "What's this nonsense? You look like a frightened rabbit!"

"My Lady, truly I am not certain if I can do this—I look at that girl in the mirror—and I say that this cannot be me—it must be someone else—it all feels so wrong!" I felt both cold and hot, I was twisting my hands in my agitation, my legs were trembling. Mrs. Darcy went to me and helped me sit down, and said that perhaps Lady Catherine could see if Miss Rosamond was finished dressing, and that she would give me some smelling salts and stay with me for the time being.

Elizabeth to the rescue - Jane will need to pull herself together for this big event!