Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 2, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Thank you for your comments.

Based on your advice and requests, the majority of you wanted me to leave it here, I will leave the story where it is and keep posting. Sorry, DJ, you were outvoted.

But to make it sort of P&P, I have included Darcy in a minor role. I should warn you though, because I don't have to pair him with Elizabeth in this story, since at the beginning of the timeline she is only ten, I can make him look like a prat. He and Alexandra are the same age, and they meet when they are both 19. His mother was the daughter of an Earl and Alexandra is the daughter of an Earl. I am sure you can work out how he might think…

He has several years after that to grow up and become human by the end of Don't flatter yourself. 😉

I hope you enjoy.

~~H~~

Memories

That evening, after Alexandra changed into a nightgown and robe, she curled up on the window-seat of her study.

She let her eyes wander around the room, which now looked so different from the room she remembered. While she was grateful to Mrs Martin for making the changes, to allow her to claim the space, which had been her father's domain, as her own, a part of her missed how it had once been.

Or to be more honest, she missed her father. Alexandra had had a good relationship with her mother, but as the heir, she had spent more time in her father's company, than her mother's, or even her sister's.

Most of her earliest memories were of her father in this room, when he had patiently answered all her childish questions.

~~H~~

Another snippet of memory intruded.

Her father riding to inspect the estate, with Alexandra perched in front of him on his favourite gelding. But despite the fact that the feeling of her father's arms about her made her feel secure and comfortable, Alexandra had objected to being nothing but a passenger. She pleaded to have her own horse.

Soon afterwards, the Earl presented her with a pony, and taught her to ride. She smiled at the memory of how proud she had felt to be independent.

From then on, whenever there was no urgent need for speed, Alexandra had accompanied her father on his activities.

~~H~~

Over the years, the pony had been replaced by progressively larger and more spirited horses, until her father presented her with her own stallion, whom she named Pegasus, for her thirteenth birthday.

It had been a timely present, as only a few days later, on their return home from inspecting the furthest field from the house, a fierce storm had blown up unexpectedly. Only the speed of their mounts had allowed father and daughter to outrace the worst of the tempest.

They had dashed into the stable-yard, still at a full gallop and only barely managed to slow, to enter the stables, where they had sheltered until the worst of the storm had subsided.

Alexandra remembered the camaraderie she felt, while she and the Earl sat on haybales, trying to calm their horses, and listening to the wind howling outside, making conversation impossible to hear. Yet his arm across her shoulders and the comforting squeeze of his hand, conveyed more than mere words could.

~~H~~

Since Alexandra had shown an interest in the estate from an early age, the Earl encouraged her curiosity. It was not until she was twelve years of age, that she discovered the reason for his attitude.

Lady Herne revealed that the birth of Alexandra's sister had been exceedingly difficult for her, and, as a consequence, she would be unable to have any more children.

That day Alexandra learnt that she was her father's heir.

Concerned that he might be disappointed at not having a son, she asked her father that question.

'I do not regret it in the slightest. In you I have found the best of both. You have the aptitude to make an excellent Master of Herne, but you are also a charming young woman. How could I repine to have such an heir?' The smile he gave her had nothing of regret, only pleasure and pride.

Alexandra had rushed into her father's arms, and given him a fierce hug. 'Thank you, father. I promise I will do my best to always make you proud.'

~~H~~

From then on, the Earl had included Alexandra in all his business dealings with his steward, the tenants and his man of business. Even on the occasion when he had negotiated to purchase another estate, situated only eight miles from Herne Hyde, which was for sale because the heir had squandered his livelihood in the gaming hells of London.

The young man had blustered at the inclusion of Alexandra in the negotiation, until the Earl cut him off. 'Lady Alex is my heir. It is only right for her to learn how society functions. If you do not wish to sell your estate to me because of that, you only need to say so.'

Since the man had been desperate for the funds, he grudgingly agreed. A deal was struck, and the Earl added another estate to his holdings.

Once the transfer was complete, the Earl had taken Alexandra to the estate, and provided her another shock. 'I wish you to look over the estate and tell me what should be done with it. If you can make it profitable, I will sign it over to you.'

'You mean that you want me in charge of the restoration?'

Her father had given her a challenging grin. 'If you do not feel that you are up to it…'

'No, Father. I will make this the best estate you have ever seen,' Alexandra enthused.

The steward, who had struggled to maintain the estate despite the constant drain on funds, was rather dubious when the Earl told him that Lady Alex, then only thirteen, was to be in charge. In the end he claimed, 'I suppose the Lady cannot be any worse than my previous Master.'

The steward accompanied father and daughter on a tour of inspection, and pointed out the most urgent repairs. He was amazed when Alexandra enquired, 'is there any reason, other than lack of funds, why you have not drained those bottom fields?'

'Lack of funds is the only reason, My Lady.'

'Then why did you not mention that drainage is a problem?'

'Because Mr McGill always said it was not worth the expense to drain those fields. He would not be able to recoup the investment.'

'Probably not in one year, but I would expect in the second year the drains would pay for themselves.'

Once she had established what she wanted to do, the Earl advanced Alexandra the funds she needed for repairs, as well as installing the drainage in the low-lying fields. For several months, Alexandra, accompanied by two large footmen, made almost daily trips to the estate which she renamed Dianadale.

Within the first year, Alexandra was able to repay her father half the advance, and keep enough funds back, for other improvements to the estate.

Two months before the accident, which claimed the lives of her parents, Alexandra repaid the last of the advance, and the Earl transferred the estate into Alexandra's name.

It was the proudest day in both their lives.

~~H~~

Outside it started to rain. The noise of the raindrops hitting the windowpane roused Alexandra from her reverie.

She realised that she had become chilled, sitting next to the window. Giving the room a final look, she made her way to bed. The warm brick towards the foot of the bed, made her grateful for her thoughtful staff.

~~H~~

The following day, after a good night's sleep, Alexandra sent for the steward immediately after breakfast. She met with him in the study on the ground floor.

'Mr Brown, it is good to see you again. How is that new system of crop rotation working out?' Alexandra was eager to hear if the ideas she had discussed with her father just before his accident were successful in implementation.

'My Lady, it is good to have you home, although I was extremely sorry to hear about the death of your uncle. He was a good man.' He hesitated for a moment. 'Unfortunately, he was quite conservative. He did not permit us to fully implement the new system, although I was able to try it out on the home farm.'

He now sported a big smile, 'we had a twenty percent increase in yield.'

'I would say that proves our theory. You may go ahead and use that on the whole estate.' Alexandra was ecstatic.

Mr Brown was a little more hesitant. 'Will there be any opposition to this plan?'

'I hardly think so, Mr Brown. My aunt is my new guardian. While she is an excellent choice as the guardian of a young lady, she is no farmer. She believes in letting experts get on with their expertise. Now tell me everything that has been happening in my absence.'

For the rest of that day and several days following her arrival, Lady Alexandra was either closeted with her steward or riding the estate, to see at first-hand what her steward had reported. She also visited each of the tenants, who were happy to see the young Lady back in residence.

During those days she also made time to visit Dianadale. While she had corresponded with the steward, he was pleased to see her and show off all the improvements he had been able to accomplish in the last year. Alexandra congratulated him on his achievement. The crusty man waved off her compliments, while complaining about the dust that made his eyes water.

~~H~~

Eventually she felt she was up-to-date with estate matters and at last took time to spend an afternoon in the parlour, to have tea with Mrs Hodges.

That lady was in an ill humour. 'Lady Alexandra, I know it is not my place to tell you what to do, but I would suggest you take up your duties as Mistress of the estate, rather than to go gallivanting about. I have tried to fill in for your neglect, by discussing menus with Mrs Martin and ensuring that the house is properly run.'

'There was no need for you to do that. Mrs Martin knows I will eat whatever she has the cook prepare and she has run the house quite successfully for nearly twenty years. If she needs any direction, Mrs Martin will ask me.' Alexandra was nonchalant.

Mrs Hodges huffed, 'do you not know anything about being Mistress of an estate?'

'Obviously not as much as you would like me to, Mrs Hodges. But I was not raised to be the Mistress of the estate.'

'How can any lady of quality not learn the duties of a Mistress?' Mrs Hodges asked in high dudgeon.

'Because I was raised to be the Master of Herne Hyde.' Lady Alexandra was getting rather irate at being taken to task for doing her duty.

Mrs Hodges was nonplussed. 'Oh... I forgot. It just seems so unnatural. Young ladies are supposed to concern themselves with feminine accomplishments, not running all over an estate.'

'For your information, I was not running all over the estate, as you put it. I was not even gallivanting about. I was busy visiting the tenants, which is the duty of both the Master and the Mistress of the estate. My tenants get the benefit of both in one visit.' Lady Alexandra, calmed down and tried placate the lady. 'Cheer up, I am here now and ready to speak to Mrs Martin.'

Just then, Mrs Martin entered the room with a tea tray for three people.

'Mrs Martin, I see that you have time to join us for tea.' Alexandra smile at the newcomer. 'This is a much more civilised way to catch up on what is happening.'

Mrs Martin set the tea service and the plates with cakes on the table and said with a smile, 'I am gratified that you are following your mother's example and display the same condescension which she did.'

Lady Alexandra happily accepted the thanks and the compliment from the housekeeper. 'It always was a pleasure to take tea with you and mother,' she replied. She did not add that in her opinion Mrs Martin, despite being a housekeeper, had exquisite grace and manners, and would have been a credit to any drawing room of the ton.

Alexandra poured tea for each of her companions while suppressing any sign of the glee she felt at the reaction of Mrs Hodges.

To Mrs Hodges' surprise, Lady Alexandra fixed her cup exactly as she liked it and according to the smile on Mrs Martin's face, her cup was perfect too.

'My apologies, Lady Alexandra. Maybe I was a bit too hasty in my opinion earlier.'

'That is quite all right, Mrs Hodges. You do not know me as well as Mrs Martin.' Alexandra smiled, then she turned to the other lady.

'I wanted to thank you for rearranging the study. It made working in it much easier, without being constantly reminded of my father.'

'You are welcome, My Lady. I am happy that you approve of the changes I made.'

'Do you have to be so formal, Mrs Martin. What happened to Miss Alex?'

'Miss Alex grew up and has become Master of the estate. It would not be proper for me to use your childhood name.' Mrs Martin smiled to ensure that Lady Alexandra understood her change in address was out of respect.

'Very well, I shall accept that in public. But when in private would you be prepared to compromise and call me Lady Alex?' Alex smiled winsomely.

Mrs Martin could not refuse the request and agreed, 'mind you, only in private.'

'Very well, I shall now be all grown up and ask, have the new maids arrived?'

'An hour ago, nine maids from the Marven estate arrived, together with quite a lot of luggage. I have taken the liberty to have everything that was marked as Lady Beatrice's personal effects, put into the Mistress' suite…'

'Good. I was going to ask you to do just that. Are there any of my things as well?' asked Alexandra, because she had realised, she had forgotten some books.

'There were two trunks for you. One contained items which had obviously just been laundered, the other was marked as personal, to be opened only by you. That one I had put into your study.'

'I will look into it presently.'

'I am grateful that Lady Beatrice warned me of the influx in staff. It saves me from having to hire anyone to take care of the extra work, now that you will all be living here. The lady also sent a letter detailing the capabilities of each, based on her housekeeper's evaluation.' She handed the missive to Alexandra with a smile.

'It appears we have gained some very highly qualified staff. Will that cause any problems since, I presume, they will not be able to have the same kind of positions here for the moment,' Lady Alex mused.

'Jenny, the head parlourmaid was quite emphatic. They are happy to do any kind of work, as long as they know they will be safe from being importuned by a libidinous master,' explained Mrs Martin with a grin. 'Her words, not mine,'

Alexandra chuckled, while Mrs Hodges blushed and tittered.

'It seems that is settled satisfactorily. Now we just have to await the arrival of my aunt.'

They discussed ideas that Mrs Martin put forward to improve the house, most of which Alexandra was happy to approve.

Afterwards Alexandra repaired to her study to examine the contents of the second trunk, which contained not only her missing books but also the ledgers her uncle had maintained for her estate. As she expected, they had been meticulously kept and justified every single expense.

~~H~~