Ooops or Consequence & Consequences Chapter 7, a pride and prejudice fanfic

To answer some questions.

According to Darcy in P&P, 50 miles of good road is no distance. Warwickshire and Derbyshire

The four percents are government bonds which pay an interest of 4%.

I hope you enjoy.

~~~o0o~~~

Mr Bennet, now the Duke of Barrington, departed at first light the following morning to return to Longbourn.

Elizabeth farewelled her father, and then started her exploration. She had decided on a quick tour of the house to get a feeling for what she had to accomplish.

The public rooms on the ground floor were very large, but despite having large windows, many appeared quite dark because of the wood panelling. She decided that she would focus on the rooms which could be improved in the short term with a coat of whitewash or a light-coloured paint, plus some new pale curtains.

Elizabeth noticed that few rooms contained chairs or sofas, except for a few which were upholstered in leather. She asked Mrs Darrow, who was acting as her guide, 'what happened to all the furniture afflicted by the moths?'

'His Grace had them moved to the attic, My Lady, on account of looking rather moth-eaten.'

One room, she was delighted to find, would not need any improvements. She assumed that the Duke had spent most of his time in this room. The library was perfect as it was. The walls were covered in book-cases and the shelves were filled almost to capacity. She longed to browse the collection, but firmly told herself that she would have to fulfill her duties before she could indulge herself.

She chuckled to herself. It was lucky that her father had not discovered this room, or he might have been tempted to delay his return to Longbourn.

Before she had a chance to check the upstairs rooms, Jane joined her and they broke their fast together.

When they investigated the first floor, they found mostly bedrooms and a few suites with private sitting rooms. Elizabeth was relieved to see that, if the rooms had been papered at any time in their history, at present any walls, not covered by panelling were whitewashed. While it was plain, at least she had a clean slate to start with.

Her biggest problem would be selecting new wallpaper, curtains and fabric for upholstery.

The only rooms which had been perfectly maintained were the master's and the mistress' suites. Even though the decoration was nearly a century out of date, it was beautiful and harmonious.

~~~o0o~~~

Now that they knew the scale of work that had to be done, Elizabeth and Jane requested a meeting with Mr and Mrs Darrow.

They had already spoken with the couple the previous afternoon, and discovered that while they had trained their replacements, who happened to be their son and daughter, they were prepared to remain for a few weeks to provide advice to the new owners.

This meeting was to be more informal, since Elizabeth invited the couple to have tea with her and Jane. When they tried to demur, Elizabeth told them, 'since you are here as my advisors, not our employees, it is perfectly proper for you to take tea with us. It will make our discussion much easier.'

Mr Darrow smiled at Elizabeth's sophistry, and agreed. Once Jane had served everyone, Elizabeth asked, 'as I am certain that you know, we will need to purchase large quantities of curtains, wallpaper, bedding and other soft furnishings. Can we get these things locally, or do we have to send away for them? We also need people to make up the curtains, upholster chairs and hang the wallpaper. And of course, we will more staff. Do you know anyone suitable in this area, or do we have to get them from elsewhere?'

Mrs Darrow smiled. 'Pardon me for saying so, but you do remind me of His Grace. No wonder he picked you to be the Duchess eventually.' She pulled several sheets of paper from her pocket. 'His Grace had me prepare some lists for you. A list of names for people you might want to interview as staff. Another list of names for seamstresses and workmen and what they can do. And here is a list of shops in Bridgecote and in Birmingham which can supply whatever you need.'

Elizabeth took the proffered sheets and glanced at them, with a rueful smile. 'I should have known that Uncle Duke would have prepared for everything.' Her throat suddenly closed with an overwhelming need to cry. She wished that she could have had the opportunity to meet the man who had done so much to help them. She ducked her head, pretending to study the lists in detail, until she could get herself back under control.

While Elizabeth battled her emotions, Jane had another important question. 'I presume that you know everyone in this area?' When the Darrows agreed, she asked, 'we will need to hire a companion or governess for our youngest sisters, to teach them how to act like ladies. Perhaps someone who knows court etiquette. since all of us could use instruction in that area.'

'As a matter of fact, there is a lady in Bridgecote, who I think would suit. Lady Sophia is a widow, and living in rather reduced circumstances, since her late husband lost every penny they had, and then killed himself because he could not meet his debts.'

'Is she strong enough to tame two rather exuberant girls?'

'Oh my, yes. Even the local hotheads are terrified to cross her. Mind you, she is perfectly genteel, but she does not put up with any nonsense from anyone.'

Elizabeth, who had regained her equilibrium, smiled at the description of Lady Sophia. 'She sounds perfect. Perhaps tomorrow after services you could introduce us?'

'It will be my pleasure, Lady Elizabeth.'

~~~o0o~~~

Mr Bennet arrived at Longbourn to find his home in an uproar. He found out the cause in very short order, since his wife was exceedingly vocal about it.

'Mr Bennet, you should not have indulged Lizzy the way you do. Do you know what she has done to us by rejecting Mr Collins? She has driven him to propose to Charlotte Lucas. That is what she has done. As soon as you are gone, they will delight in throwing us into the hedgerows. You have no sympathy for my poor nerves. You always indulge that horrible ungrateful girl. With her looks and impertinent ways, she will never catch a husband, and you drove away the only man ever likely to offer for her. I do not know what is to become of us. And Mr Bingley has closed up Netherfield and will never come back. How will Jane ever get a husband?'

Mrs Bennet burst into tears. Real tears of fear and frustration, which shocked her husband, who was used to her histrionics to get attention. This time, she did not call for her salts. Instead, she sobbed in real distress.

'Do calm down, Mrs Bennet. I have some good news.' He patted her hand awkwardly, unused in recent years to show affection.

The touch, more than his words affected Mrs Bennet. She swallowed the next sob and looked at her husband, who smiled at her rather ruefully. While they had grown apart over the years, due to her lack of mental compatibility, and his desire for peace, he had loved her once. A small spark of that affection still lingered. Seeing her so distraught rekindled a feeling he had forgotten.

Mrs Bennet in turn was touched by the first sincere smile she had from her husband in years, and it gave her a glimmer of hope. She focused on his words. 'Good news you say? Did Mr Bingley propose to Jane when you got to London?'

'No, Mrs Bennet. We did not see Mr Bingley…'

'Then how can you have good news,' wailed Mrs Bennet.

'If you let me finish, I will tell you. A distant uncle died recently and has bequeathed us his house and some money. There is enough to ensure that you and the girls will be well taken care of. You do not have to worry about hedgerows any longer.'

The longer he spoke, the more hopeful Mrs Bennet became. 'Is there an entail on it? Will Mr Collins claim that house too?' Mrs Bennet asked the all-important question.

'It can be inherited by a daughter. Mr Collins has no right whatsoever to it,' her husband reassured her.

'We are truly saved?'

'Yes, my dear. You can rest assured, there will be no hedgerows in your future.'

As the impact of those words sank in, Mrs Bennet started to sob again, but quietly and with relief. 'Thank you, Mr Bennet,' she whispered, and rested her head on his shoulder.

Mr Bennet gently put his arm around her shoulder, and held her while she slowly let go of her fear. While he was pleased that his wife was feeling better and calmer, he also felt guilty, because he realised that his inattention had caused her to become shrill over the years. Yet the hope of security had restored peace in his home.

He silently vowed to do better by his family in the future.

~~~o0o~~~

When Mrs Bennet had calmed down, Mr Bennet suggested, 'How would you like to spend Christmas in our home?'

'Could we? Is there enough room for all of us? What about the Gardiners, they always join us for Christmas?'

'There is enough space for all of us, and I thought you might want us to stay there a while? At least a few weeks? It would give you a chance to meet the neighbours, and find out if you find their company congenial.'

'That would be wonderful. This uncle of yours, did he not have family? Of course, he must not have had any other family, if he bequeathed the house to you.' She answered her own question. 'But if he was a single old man, the house probably has not been kept up. I could busy myself adding some homely touches. Perhaps we should go there soon so that I can ensure that all is in readiness.'

'No, my dear. I do not wish you to trouble yourself over it. I am certain that everything will be quite charming. For the moment I would like you to relax and enjoy yourself. Take your time planning what you would like to take with you. Perhaps treat yourself to a new dress each?' Mr Bennet distracted his wife. He needed to give Elizabeth and Jane time to rectify the worst of the shortcomings of their new home.

'Oh, Mr Bennet, you are too good to me.'

~~~o0o~~~

After services the following day, Mrs Bennet was pleased to share her good news with Mrs Phillips, and anyone else who would listen.

~~~o0o~~~