Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 8, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~~H~~

Return to the country

Alexandra was grateful when she could return to Herne Hyde. Even though she had not had any great expectations of meeting a potential future husband, witnessing the frenetic hunt for a match by so many young, or even not so young, people, had been unpalatable. Especially since many did not seem to care about compatibility, and were only interested in increasing their fortunes.

Admittedly, it had not been all bad, but her rank put her in an awkward position. She had met several pleasant gentlemen, but they had been put off by her circumstances. Most men were not prepared to take a subservient role to their wife. And to make matters worse for them, they would not even have access to Alexandra's fortune.

The Viscount of Harrington had seemed interested and interesting, but his estate was in Northumberland, while Herne Hyde was in Gloucestershire. The distances between the estates was simply too great, to come to a workable solution.

'I am glad that Aunt Beatrice suggested that I should take my time choosing a husband,' Alexandra told her sister, the evening after her return, when the two girls chatted privately before going to bed.

'The viscount is a very pleasant man, and if I were in a different position, I might have been tempted to encourage him. But while I like him well enough, I cannot see myself spending the rest of my life with him. There was something missing.'

'You do not love him? Is that really so important?'

'Do you remember our parents? The way they acted towards each other?'

'I remember that they were happy to spend time together.' Daphne considered the implication of her memories. 'I never really thought about it before, but I always assumed that all married couples were like that.'

'Indeed not. I have seen a number of couples who can barely stand being in the same room. Or, at best, be indifferent towards their spouse.'

'You want a husband whom you can love.' Daphne stated, rather than asked.

'That and respect.' Alexandra agreed with a sigh.

Daphne grimaced. 'Based on what you have told me about the men you met, all I can say is, good luck. You will need it.'

~~H~~

For Alexandra the highlight of the season had been her meeting with Lord Molyneux, and she delighted in relating the episode to her sister and to Amelia.

'That boy is lucky to have understanding parents,' commented Daphne.

'I suppose we are even luckier,' suggested Amelia with a shy smile. She still had trouble believing in her good fortune. She was old enough to realise that she and Daphne were unusual, but even more extraordinary was the fact that her own family, and Daphne's family, were prepared to encourage them, rather than insist that they conform to society's conventions and expectations.

'You mean because it is acceptable for a boy to be adventurous, but for girls to be intelligent is frowned upon.'

'Precisely. Remember the story I told you about that time mother took me to a bookshop, and I heard a woman berate her daughter about being too bookish and too much of a hoyden, and for that reason she would never get a husband. The girl could not have been much above ten years of age. Why would her mother worry about her getting married at that age?'

Lady Beatrice, who had listened to the conversation, suggested, 'because most girls do not have a choice, but to get married. There are very few options for women to earn a respectable living. Many men dislike bluestockings. They look down upon and denigrate them. I suspect that they do so, because they feel threatened by intelligent women. Therefore, they try to prevent these women from receiving an education, using spacious arguments about women being incapable of learning.'

'Of course, women are incapable of becoming educated… since the men prevent them from getting an education,' huffed Daphne. 'In other words, kill the threat, before it can become a threat. Very convenient.'

'Daphne, do not allow yourself get embittered by these injustices. There are some men who like intelligent, independent and forceful women. But while they are in the minority, we have to learn to deal with society as it is,' Lady Beatrice tried to calm her niece.

Daphne looked rebellious at that statement, until Alexandra reminded her, 'at least no one will ever force you into a marriage, and you will be able to live your life how you want to. If you happen to meet a man you wish to marry, that is your choice. If you wish to remain single, that is perfectly acceptable as well.'

Amelia grinned. 'Daphne, just think. The two of us could share a house and spend our life researching anything that takes our fancy. I believe you could not wish for better.'

Daphne returned the smile and exclaimed, 'very well. We shall become two eccentric old ladies together. But instead of keeping cats, we shall keep a laboratory.'

~~H~~

Alexandra, having spent three months in London, and only been able to confer with her stewards via correspondence, threw herself into the business of managing her estates with enthusiasm.

Farmers and crops and even animals were much more predictable than the people she had met in Town. Or, at least, she was able to understand them more easily. They generally did not have any hidden agendas.

Taking Pegasus out to inspect the estates was a pleasure, giving her time and the opportunity to consider the events in town. Her aunt had tried to prepare her for the reception she would receive by the members of society, but the reality of many of the reactions was still disappointing.

She felt lonely. Being in charge of her own fate, set her apart from others. Aunt Beatrice was a wonderful woman, and a great support, but something was still lacking.

Alexandra realised that she had wealth and position, but she did not have friends. At least not the kind of friends with whom she could discuss whatever troubled her. An equal, who would understand her, and not consider her ungrateful because she bemoaned the fact that her position caused her to be an outsider.

She was even a little jealous of her sister, who had such a good friend in Amelia. While Alexandra would never do anything to jeopardise that friendship, she fervently wished for such a relationship for herself.

She hoped that the next time she was in London, she would have the opportunity to meet the Denton Doubles. She had enjoyed the easy camaraderie with them, on the occasion of their one meeting.

~~H~~

The night of the full moon was approaching, heralding the monthly assembly in the village of Huntington, an event which Alexandra enjoyed for several reasons. Many of her neighbours had known her all her life and treated her as a person, rather than as an oddity. It also gave her an opportunity to catch up on the latest events amongst the people whom she saw infrequently.

As usual, Daphne and Amelia refused to attend, with the excuse that they were not officially out in society yet. They dismissed the argument that in their small neighbourhood it was irrelevant if they had made their curtsies to the Queen, or not, and that at the age of sixteen, almost seventeen, it was quite acceptable for them to attend a local function.

Since the two girls would not be moved, Alexandra and her aunt planned to attend the assembly without them.

As they were ready to leave, each lady complimented her companion on their choice of dress. 'Madam Bouchard has outdone herself with your latest gown, Alexandra. This simple and understated elegance suits you extremely well. Just enough lace to soften the outline.'

'You should know, Aunt, since you also chose one of that lady's creations. I must admit, it is a relief that her good taste is being appreciated by the ladies in Town.' Alexandra agreed with her aunt, before she asked, 'I meant to find out earlier, is there likely to be anyone of interest at the assembly tonight?'

'I believe that Mr Harper's niece is visiting for the summer. No one else has houseguests at present.'

'I hope the young lady enjoys her stay. It would be nice to have another young lady, of similar age, around.'

~~H~~

Alexandra stood by the door to the balcony, sipping on a glass of lemonade, enjoying the slightly cooler air coming in through the open doors.

She watched as young Mr Hotchkins escorted Miss Harper to the chairs, set against the wall between the balcony doors. The young woman did not look pleased with her surroundings.

Uncertain if the young lady was put out on being left on her own, or for some other reason, Alexandra decided to speak to her.

'You must be Miss Harper. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alexandra Hunt, of Herne Hyde.'

'How do you know who I am?' asked Miss Harper in a sulky tone of voice. Apparently, being left on her own was not her problem.

'I saw you arrive with Mr Harper, and since I had heard that his niece was visiting for the summer, I assumed that you must be that niece.'

'I am indeed Miss Arabella Harper.' She examined Alexandra from head to foot, taking in the restrained elegance of the gown, and seemingly found it wanting. 'Pardon me for saying so, but being unfamiliar with country manners, I am all astonishment that you would introduce yourself.'

The young woman looked down her nose at Alexandra, even though, being of similar height, she had to bend her head backwards to do so.

Alexandra suppressed an amused smile, and answered politely. 'This is a small community, and we all know one other. As a result, we generally do not stand on much formality, and we try to make newcomers welcome.'

'I suppose it must be quite exciting to have visitors from Town in your midst, presenting you with an opportunity to see fashionable dress and manners in such a rustic neighbourhood.' It seemed that Miss Harper did not only suffer from the sulks, but also from superciliousness.

'It is indeed a source of great delight to us, to observe ladies and gentlemen with exquisite manners and taste.' Alexandra gave a bland smile, not betraying the fact that she thought that Miss Harper was not such a lady. She absently noted that their conversation was attracting the notice of other celebrants.

Miss Harper, from her position of supposed superiority as a lady who usually lived in London suggested, 'perhaps you would benefit from a season in Town, Miss Hunt. I would be delighted to provide you with an introduction to my dressmaker. Then you too could be fashionably attired.' She gave Alexandra's gown a pointed look.

Since the young woman, Alexandra now refused to think of her as a lady, was determined to be contemptuous, Lady Alex could not resist commenting, 'I could not possibly impose on you like that. I am sure that your dressmaker's creations would give my acquaintances a false impression of my status.'

'My dear Miss Hunt, even if you have to save your allowance for several months, every young lady should have at least one dress in which to show off.' With every exchange Miss Harper became more patronising.

Alexandra noticed several people listening to their exchange and frowning at the visitor behind her back. 'I doubt that I could carry off such lace and feathers which adorn your gown. It also requires a particular complexion to wear such a vibrant shade of orange.'

Miss Harper preened. 'It is the most fashionable colour this season,' she declared proudly.

One of their neighbours, Mrs Peebles, pressed a hand against mouth to contain the snort she had been about to utter. Her friend, Mrs Lorrimer, was not as subtle as she muttered, 'I bet it is.'

Since Alexandra appeared to be an attentive and respectful audience, Miss Harper indicated one of the other ladies in the room. 'Do you see that woman over there? The one in that excessively plain dark blue gown.'

'Yes, I see her.' Alexandra wondered what comments Miss Harper might have in store for Aunt Beatrice.

'She looks like a crow at a funeral. Her dress is so plain that in Town only a tradesman's wife would be caught wearing it. And even they would not wear it to a ball. No feathers, no lace, no contrasting ribbons even. I wonder where she could have gotten such a plain costume?'

'I believe she had it made by Madam Bouchard,' Alexandra responded truthfully, waiting for Miss Harper's reaction with carefully suppressed glee.

'Madam Bouchard?' The young woman asked in confusion.

'Have you not heard of Madame Bouchard? I thought you knowledgeable on matters of fashion.'

'There is a Madam Bouchard in Oxford Street. She is London's premier modiste. But she would never design such a plain gown.'

'You must be very familiar with her designs, to make such a statement. Do you frequent her salon often?'

'Not yet, she has always been too busy, for me to get an appointment,' Miss Harper was forced to concede, before she exclaimed, 'how could that drab woman get an appointment with Madame Bouchard, when the lady did not even have time to see me, to make an appointment?' spluttered Miss Harper.

To her misfortune, she had been too focused on her conversation with Alexandra, to notice the approach of the lady under discussion.

Lady Beatrice smiled at her niece. 'Alexandra my dear, will you introduce me to your new acquaintance?'

'Of course, it will be my pleasure. Aunt Beatrice, this is Miss Arabella Harper, Mr Harper's niece. Miss Harper, I would like to introduce you to my aunt, Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Marven.'

The introduction, delivered with a polite smile, was received in stunned silence by the young woman, who stared at the Countess, and realised that at close quarters, she could see that the shimmering silk of the gown was delicately embroidered with the same dark blue, but matte, thread, interspersed with gold thread. The workmanship was superb and subtle.

'Miss Harper, are you quite well? Pardon me for saying so, but you appear to be quite discomposed,' Lady Beatrice enquired solicitously.

Mrs Peebles, commented sotto voce, 'I think a cat got her tongue.'

Mrs Lorrimer suggested, 'I think not. I think the cat wished she never had a tongue.'

Their musings were interrupted by Mr Harper, who arrived with a cup of punch for his niece.

'My dear Arabella, I see that you have met the two leading ladies of our community.' He handed the cup to his niece and bowed to the ladies. 'Lady Beatrice, it is good to see you again. I hope that you have been well?' Once Lady Beatrice assured him of her good health, he addressed Alexandra. 'Lady Alexandra, I am most grateful to you to entertain my niece while I was unavoidably delayed.'

'Think nothing of it, Mr Harper. I found my conversation with Miss Harper quite instructive.'

Miss Harper, who had taken a big gulp from her cup after discovering the identity of Lady Beatrice, now croaked, 'Lady Alexandra?'

Mr Harper smiled at her. 'Arabella, you are indeed fortunate to be in company with the Countess of Herne.' The gentleman transferred his smile to the lady he named.

Miss Harper looked at Alexandra in consternation, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her. Since the ground refused to cooperate, she quickly drained the rest of the punch, pressed the cup into her uncle's hands and rushed out of the hall.

Mr Harper appeared confused at his niece's reaction. 'What did I say?' he enquired of no one in particular.

~~H~~