Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 1, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Dear readers

Before you start reading, you should know that this is NOT a P&P story.

Lady Alexandra is a character I created, who showed up briefly in 'It's a Dukes life'.

I have two questions.

Is there anywhere on this site for original stories? If there is, I will be happy to move this story to that location.

If there is nowhere else, where I can post this, do you want me to leave it here?

I guess it depends on whether you want to read one of my stories, even though your favourite P&P characters will not make an appearance.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

Sydney

~~H~~

Blurb

Lady Alexandra Hunt came from a peculiar family. As far back as anyone could trace, each generation had ever only one son.

Everything went well until the current generation. Lady Alexandra had only one younger sister. Since there was no brother to carry on the family name, she inherited the title, and all that went with it.

Lady Alexandra Hunt, the Countess of Herne had everything - intelligence, beauty, wealth and position.

When she came out into society, she was the target of every fortune-hunter in town who thought she could be flattered or bullied into marriage.

But Lady Alexandra was not interested in either the flatterers or the bullies. She was looking for someone who would treat her as a partner, and would not be intimidated by her.

Sir Marcus Scott, the Baron of Vintington was intelligent, passably good looking and moderately wealthy.

He was a scholar, and spent most of his time on his estate tinkering with his inventions. But when necessary, he could explode into action, either bare-handed, or with a sabre or pistols.

He thought that Lady Alexandra was wonderful but completely out of his league. He was content to be counted her friend.

Lady Alexandra disagreed - and the hunt was on.

~~H~~

Homecoming

1801

The Hunts were a peculiar family. As far back as anyone could trace, each generation had ever only one son. Some generations had one or more daughters, but in each generation, there had only been a single son to carry on the family name. The daughters generally married into prominent families and in their turn produced several children of both sexes.

Everything went well until the current generation.

Sixteen-year-old Lady Alexandra Hunt was the older of two sisters. Her younger sister, Daphne, was her junior by two years. There was no brother to carry on the family name.

There would never be a brother since both their parents had been killed in an accident the year before.

Her uncle, the Earl of Marven, as the husband of her father's only sister, had been their guardian. Now he too was gone. He had been much older than his wife, but had appeared in good health, until the previous evening, when he had collapsed and died. The doctor said he had had a problem with his heart.

~~H~~

The following morning Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Marven, addressed her niece, 'we need to speak.'

When they were both comfortably settled in her private sitting room, Lady Beatrice asked, 'How much do you know about the politics of your current situation?'

'Do you mean the fact that Cousin Frederick has inherited the title of the Earl of Marven since you do not have any children?'

'That is part of it. The part that concerns me the least. My main concern is how it pertains to you. I am afraid that if we stay here when Frederick takes possession of the estate, he will try to force you into a marriage with him. I suspect he would not take no for an answer since by marrying you, he thinks he would get two earldoms instead of one.'

'Do you truly think he would be so unscrupulous?' Alexandra was sceptical. She remembered meeting her cousin once, about five years earlier. He had seemed haughty and dismissive of the young girl she was at the time. But most adults she knew had no interest in children.

'From what I know, the assets he is inheriting will barely cover his debts. He is five and thirty years of age, and he is still unmarried since no sensible father will allow his daughters anywhere near him. He is also a known gambler and a rake.'

Lady Beatrice sighed. 'I feel sorry for the tenants and the servants here. They will not have an easy life with him in charge. Unfortunately, the law is on his side. As the nearest male relation to my husband, he inherits the title and the entailed estate.'

'But surely, not everything is entailed,' protested Lady Alexandra. 'I cannot believe that Uncle would not minimise the damage Cousin Frederick could do.'

'You are correct. Everything that is not entailed will come to me. That is why my own position does not give me any concern.' Lady Beatrice smiled fondly at her niece.

'But now we come to the crux of the matter. Do you know the conditions of your father's title and will?'

'I know that grandfather was worried over the fact that there has ever only been one son in each generation in the family. Father told me that grandfather petitioned to have the patent modified, to allow a daughter to inherit if there is no male candidate from the immediate family. Marrying into the family does not qualify a man. I know that when I reach my majority, I will inherit the title, which I can then pass on to my oldest son, if I have one. Otherwise, it will pass on to my oldest daughter. And if I have no children, the title can go to Daphne or her children, preferably male, or female if she too has no sons.'

'You will not inherit the title on your majority.' When Alexandra looked startled, Lady Beatrice explained, 'it is already yours. We have simply kept that quiet to protect you. As it stands, you already are Lady Alexandra Hunt, the Countess of Herne.'

'Oh… dear. I had not expected this. I thought I had a few more years to learn what I need to know.' Now Alexandra looked truly concerned.

'Rest easy, my dear. Although the title is yours already, the patent stipulates that until the holder of the title is eighteen, he or she will require a guardian, or regent, if you prefer that term. We planned to tell you about this next year, to allow you to get used to the idea that on your eighteenth birthday you will be in charge. This will include guardianship of your sister. Although if you are wise, you will keep quiet about it and let people assume that you will be under guardianship at least until your twenty-first birthday.'

Lady Beatrice smiled encouragingly. 'Gregory was well qualified to look after your interests as far as your estate was concerned. But with his death, I am left to be your guardian and I think it best if we work together because I am not the manager that my husband was. But between what your father and my husband taught you, what I know and with the help of your steward, I am certain we can manage.'

Alexandra thought about her aunt's revelation for a few moments. 'Thank you, Aunt. I agree that would be best. Since I have no brother, father had started to teach me about estate management. But there is much I do not yet know.'

She sighed before suggesting, 'But could we relocate to Herne Hyde? I think it would be good for me to go home. There you can teach me to be a proper Mistress, or is that Master, of Herne Hyde.'

'That is the spirit,' smiled Lady Beatrice. 'I already gave orders to start packing. I would like you to leave as early as possible, tomorrow by preference. I want you out of reach when Frederick finds out about Gregory's death and shows up for the funeral and the reading of the will.'

'You are that concerned about him?'

'I married the only decent man in the whole Marven family,' declared Lady Beatrice. 'I do not trust any of the others. And since you are just barely old enough to get married without too many raised eyebrows, you are in danger while you stay here.'

Lady Beatrice smiled and patted Alexandra's hand. 'You can leave tomorrow with my companion, Mrs Hodges. I will follow immediately after the reading of the will. In the meantime, do not be surprised if several carts and carriages with my belongings arrive at Herne Hyde.'

At last, her well known impish smile made a reappearance. 'You will also inherit several pretty maids. I am confident that with both of us in residence in your home, the extra hands will be welcome.'

'I believe our housekeeper, Mrs Martin will find positions for them,' Alexandra agreed, also smiling conspiratorially. Then another thought occurred to her. 'What about Daphne? She is supposed to return from her visit with the Cartwrights in a fortnight.'

'I think it best if I make a detour on my way to Herne Hyde, to collect your sister.' Lady Beatrice suggested and Alexandra concurred.

'There is one more thing you need to know. If anything should happen to me, I have nominated the Earl of Matlock to be your guardian. He is an honourable man and will keep you safe.'

'Are you truly this much concerned about Cousin Frederick?' Alexandra was now truly shocked.

'Not at all,' her aunt reassured her. 'But accidents can happen on the road and I wanted you to know who to turn to, if anything should happen. There is nothing more sinister than ordinary concern for my favourite nieces.'

Alexandra huffed, 'Daphne and I are your only nieces. But I thank you for your concern and foresight. Although, if I am to leave on the morrow, I should see to my packing.'

'Do not worry if you forget anything. I will be very thorough in checking that nothing is left behind,' assured Lady Beatrice.

~~H~~

The following morning, just after dawn, Lady Beatrice farewelled her niece. 'Safe travels and I will see you in a week or two,' she said while hugging the girl.

'I am certain Mrs Hodges will take good care of me, as will all those footmen you insist on sending.' Alexandra looked ruefully at the number of servants who were to accompany her.

'You are precious to me. Take care.' With a final pat on the hand, Lady Beatrice urged her niece to enter the carriage where Mrs Hodges and Sally, Alexandra's maid, were already waiting.

Sally helped her mistress to arrange a travel rug over her lap. While the temperatures during the day were mild, this early in the morning there was already a nip in the air, a harbinger of the autumn which had just started.

As soon as the ladies had settled, the coach started moving.

Lady Alexandra turned to Mrs Hodges. 'I am sorry we had to drag you out of bed at such an early hour,' she said to the lady, who she knew was not at her best in the morning. 'I will not be offended if you wish to sleep since I brought a book to keep me company.'

Mrs Hodges, a comfortable looking lady of middle years, smiled gratefully. 'That is very considerate of you, My Lady. It was rather late when I was able to seek my bed last night.'

'Think nothing of it. It will be two very long days on the road before we reach Herne Hyde. I am certain we will all sleep as much as we can, to speed the journey. You too, Sally,' she advised her maid.

'Thank you, My Lady. But I am wide awake at the moment. I will just get on with my knitting, if you do not mind.' Sally was a young woman in her early twenties; a petite blonde with a bubbly personality and a love for fashion. Her needlework was exquisite and she was grateful that she was allowed to subtly embellish her own dresses when she was not busy with Lady Alexandra's.

The embroidery she added to her mistress's gowns was bolder but elegant, which suited the young lady's moderately tall and slim build.

Lady Alexandra had been a pretty girl and over the past year had just started to grow into her beauty. Her features had begun to lose their childish softness to become quite pert. Combined with her auburn hair and hazel eyes she would attract considerable attention when she came out into society.

'Suit yourself,' she told her maid with a smile. She then pulled out her book and began to read.

~~H~~

It was a gruelling journey. Even though the roads were dry and they could make good speed, the almost constant bouncing of the carriage, which even the best springs could not prevent, was wearying for the occupants.

They only made brief stops to change horses, which everyone used to stretch their legs and take care of their other needs.

They assuaged their hunger from a generous basket of food they had brought along. At noon they stopped just long enough for the ladies to have a cup of hot tea before setting off again.

They eventually stopped for the night just before full dark.

The head coachman, Samuels, informed Lady Alexandra, 'we made excellent time today. God willing, we should be at Herne Hyde in time for tea tomorrow.'

'I hope they will not be surprised by my return,' mused Alexandra.

'Lady Beatrice sent a message yesterday to inform your staff of your return. And I have been instructed to send an express in the morning to confirm our expected time of arrival. Knowing Mrs Martin, she will have a good dinner ready for you,' he smiled at his young Mistress.

~~H~~

Samuels was correct on both counts. They arrived at Herne Hyde in time for a sumptuous tea and Mrs Martin informed them that dinner could be served at the usual time.

After briefly refreshing herself and enjoying some tea and the cakes Mrs Martin had arranged for, Lady Alexandra headed upstairs to go to her room for a much-needed bath and a rest before dinner.

She was intercepted by Mrs Martin before she could enter her accustomed room. 'My Lady, I have taken the liberty to have your new rooms freshened up. I hope you will like them,' she said as she guided Alexandra to another door down the hall.

When Mrs Martin opened the door, Lady Alexandra was stunned, 'that is the Master's suite,' she gasped.

'It is your suite, as is proper, since you are Master of the estate,' explained the housekeeper.

Alexandra swallowed hard as she tentatively stepped into the room. She was reluctant to occupy her father's room, fearing too many memories. She was surprised by what she found. 'You have completely redecorated the room. It looks wonderful,' she smiled at Mrs Martin.

'I am very happy that you like it, My Lady. I based this on your previous choices, although just a little more grown-up. If there is anything you would like to change, just let me know.' Mrs Martin was pleased that her surprise had worked so well. She smiled as she curtsied and then left the young lady to explore her new domain.

Alexandra had entered into the Master's sitting room. A door to the right led to a study, where a desk stood in front of one of the large windows with a view of the approach to the house.

On the other side of the sitting room was the bedroom which had windows facing both east and south. This in turn led into her dressing room and then to a room her father had experimented with.

A bathing room. It contained a copper in one corner, which not only heated the room but also the water for the bath. The servants were very much in favour of the arrangement since they did not have to carry cans of hot water from the kitchen, up the stairs, to fill the bathtub. The tub was even connected to a pipe which allowed the water to drain out.

Beyond that room, was a small room which had previously been used by her father's valet and now housed Lady Alexandra's maid, Sally.

Sally was currently in the dressing room unpacking the trunks. She beamed at Lady Alexandra, 'these are grand rooms. And you are going to love the bathtub. It has a wonderful view of the garden.'

Alexandra laughed, 'in that case I had better make use of that view.'

~~H~~