Chapter 26

The plans for the harvest ball were discussed further and it was settled. The new moon was the 20th of September. Mr and Mrs Bingley were due sometime mid-August and Elizabeth had written to ask them to stay until the ball. The Gardiners were due the middle of July but could only stay for a few weeks. Kitty was to stay and Elizabeth had persuaded Charlotte to stay on at Pemberley too. The Bingleys would take her home, secretly Elizabeth wondered if she would need to go home even then.

They had invited a few family members to come for the two weeks leading up to the main event. The Fitzwilliams, the Countess of Warrington were numbered amongst these. After a debate, it was decided that the Hursts and Miss Bingley should also be part of this party. Mary and Mr Collins would have to be invited and so too Lady Catherine and Anne. Mr and Mrs Bennet were also part of the guest list but had written back early to decline the invitation, Mr Bennet citing health reasons. Elizabeth knew he just had no interest in being part of such a large gathering of people and would not consider sending Mrs Bennet alone.

A few more guests were invited to attend the events in the week leading up to the ball. Elizabeth had scoured Lady Anne's journals and had planned picnics, a trip to Chatsworth, lawn games, phaeton rides and all manner of entertainments for her guests.

The guest list included some notable peers of the realm, at Lady Matlock's insistence, and a few friends of Darcy's from Cambridge and his club. There were also some of the acquaintances that had been met during Elizabeth's short time in London. Many bringing families with them. The local families would be invited to the individual events in the upcoming weeks. The invites were sent out and Elizabeth was satisfied that whomever should come she would be able to show them Pemberley, and herself, at their best! All told there would barely be a spare room in the house.

The invites were met with enthusiasm for the most part. Some families, who had been disappointed in their own hopes for Mr Darcy, declined the invitation only to make a point. Most were happy to accept and if some did so out of curiosity rather than an expectation of enjoyment who could blame them?

...

In London two men met at a slightly shady public house to discuss some plans. They chose a table in the corner and waited for their guest. One gentleman had an elegant invitation to the harvest ball. The other looked thin and worn but was eager to hear of this party. They discussed dates and travel plans until an elegant lady's maid entered. The gentlemen signaled her and she hurried to their table.

"My lady reports an invitation to a ball" and she slid across a card which looked the same as the one the gentleman held. They all noted the date difference and nodded.

"Report to your mistress that she is to attend as planned and will receive instructions from my friend here. He will be staying at the Travelers Rest, an inn on the main road south of Pemberley, she is to address her mail to a Mrs Williams, and he will return correspondence from the same name."

"My mistress asks to know what you have planned?"

The men exchanged glances "she does not need to concern herself with the particulars, she will do as we ask and she may yet have a chance at the position she aspires to" the last was said with almost a sneer.

At the hesitant look on the maid the men added "don't forget that we had a deal. If she does not wish to be involved we would expect silence and we will keep the funds received. Any word from her and we will let everyone know how she has paid for services of a condemned man, the details will not matter to the gossip mill. She will do well to remember that her reputation can be ruined very easily."

The lady in question assured the men of her employer's discretion and continued involvement. Once the lady had left the gentlemen continued their plotting.

"Not that I'm not grateful for this employment friend, but you seem to be going to a lot of bother for this. I know why I am involved, but what are you hoping to gain?"

A scowl came over the gentleman "do you not remember that bit of muslin at Cambridge? The daughter of the horrendous history professor?"

Recognition dawned on the other man's face "ah yes, a miss…, well who cares. Darcy stopped me before I got her to you. He ensured she went back to her father that night."

"Yes and he made sure she was moved away. I lost a roll in the sack with a maiden, who likely would have put up a fight" he smirked at that thought "I also lost the chance to get revenge on the professor who was failing me."

"Retribution then?"

"Precisely, and you just want to see the whole family burn, socially at least!"

The other man smiled his agreement. "And our lady accomplice was just hoping to make him regret his decisions. Our new plan will be a bonus to her. And how do you plan to take the Darcy jewel?"

"Maybe my powers of persuasion will work! If not force will ways be a good option!"

The men clinked their pints together and drank up.