Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 12, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~~H~~

Friends old & new

Sir Marcus was once again having tea with Lady Alexandra and Lady Beatrice.

It did not take long for him to be engrossed in conversation with Lady Alex. When the discussion led to their parents, they discovered that they had lost their parents in the same year. 'At least I was already an adult and had just finished my education, when illness claimed my parents' lives,' remarked Marcus. 'It must have been exceedingly difficult for you to be bereft of their guidance at such an early age.'

'It was, but I am grateful that guardianship of myself and my sister devolved, first to the Earl of Marven, and on his death to Lady Beatrice, rather than one of our less pleasant relatives.'

'You have a sister? Is she too young to be in town with you, since I have never met her?'

'Daphne is almost old enough to be presented, but she has no interest in anything so frivolous as balls and even conversations, if they are not concerned with science. She has very decidedly declared her preference for remaining at Herne Hyde with her tutor, making horrible messes in the laboratory which we had built for her.'

'You built a laboratory for her? She must be quite the bluestocking to have such particular interests. You and Lady Beatrice are most generous to indulge her so.'

'It has very little to do with indulgence, and rather more with self-preservation. Some of the smells they manage to create when they test various chemical reactions… Let us just say that they would make the house not fit to be lived in, for days at least.'

Marcus laughed. 'You sound just like my mother did when I developed an interest in science.'

'Did you also dabble in making interesting smells?'

'No. I prefer to deal with more conventional methods of creating heat. But I greatly admire Mr James Watt. And although my mother always feared that the boilers would explode, I think that his work with steam engines is sure to revolutionise industry.'

Alexandra was grateful that this was a subject upon which Daphne had waxed lyrical the previous year. While Alexandra a was not expert at it, she knew enough to contribute to the conversation. She found it fascinating that while Sir Marcus appeared to have several interests in common with her sister, he was not as completely absorbed by the subject. Instead, he seemed to have found a happy medium.

She was also pleased that Sir Marcus did her the courtesy of treating her as his intellectual equal, although she suspected that he had a slight advantage in that regard. But simply to be taken seriously by a man was unusual enough to be a huge point in his favour.

Alexandra found that the more time she spent in the gentleman's company, and the more they talked, the more she liked him. She felt that she could relax in his company, and he too seemed to let down his guard slightly, allowing her to see glimpses of the person behind the urbane façade.

As always, she was disappointed that the end of his visit arrived much too soon, and that the time they could spend together had flown past at a breakneck pace, as he was saying farewell again.

~~H~~

Alexandra was going for another morning ride, accompanied as always by Larkin, when she encountered an old friend.

'Good morning, My Lord.' Alexandra nodded and smiled impishly as she asked, 'who are you today?'

Lord Robert Flinter laughed and raised his hat in greeting. 'Good morning, Countess. At the moment I am myself, the poor second son, although while I am on leave in town, I will again appear to be my illustrious brother.'

'I gather that he is dodging fortune-hunters yet again?'

'Indeed, he is, and they are getting ever more determined. Since our father married at the age of twenty, and we have already reached our majority, they think that he must be ripe for the plucking.'

'Where is he in truth?'

'He is at Denton, looking after the estate.'

'If he is safe at Denton, why do you bother to pretend to be him?'

Robert had the grace to look somewhat shamefaced as he admitted, 'I am having fun disappointing all those rapacious ladies. Alistair is kinder than I am, and would never consider being cruel.'

'Perhaps one of you is at last growing up, at least a little.'

'What can I say? It is enough for one of us to be sensible. Grandmother always claims that I have enough sense for adventure for both of us.'

'Your grandmother sounds like a woman of great sense.'

'She is indeed.' Robert sighed dramatically. 'Alas, her sensibility allows her to see much too clearly for my liking. Perhaps I should introduce you, if the occasion arises. I believe you would get on exceedingly well.'

'I would love to meet your grandmother,' Alexandra replied honestly. The Duchess seemed to be very similar to her aunt. 'Were you trying to escape her scrutiny when you joined the army?'

'Not at all. I had planned to do so for years. You now have the honour of addressing Lieutenant Robert Flinter.'

'Congratulations, Lieutenant. But I must confess I was already aware of your new role, as one of the staunch defenders of our country.'

'Has Alistair pre-empted me by telling my news?'

'Not at all. Your secrets are safe with him. But I met one of your friends, Sir Marcus Scott.'

'You have met Marcus? How wonderful.' He paused as he tried to remember his last conversation with his friend. 'Were you the lady he mentioned in such glowing terms, who broke Marven's wrist?'

'I was that lady, but I must now reconsider my opinion about the gentleman, since he exposed my secret.'

'He did no such thing. He never once mentioned your name. He simply described how much he admired the lady, who did not need rescuing. Although he seemed a little disappointed that he could not be your knight in shining armour. But hearing now that you two had met, and knowing your connection to Marven, I made the connection, if you pardon the pun.'

''Very well, I will consider forgiving him, but you were just as verbose that day. Contrary Countess, indeed.' Alexandra took on an expression of mock offense.

'Did I say that? I most humbly beg your pardon. Marcus had been plying me with some superb brandy, and I suppose my usual caution took a leave of absence. I believe Marcus mentioning this mystery woman's exploits, reminded me of another exceedingly independent lady.' He shrugged his shoulders and took on a mournful expression. 'What can I say. It was intended as a compliment.'

The lady relented, and laughed at Robert's doleful countenance. 'Very well. Since I am feeling generous, I will forgive you too.'

Robert grinned. 'I appreciate your forbearance.' He changed the subject. 'What do you think of Marcus?'

Alexandra, caught off-guard, answered truthfully. 'I think he is wonderful company. I rarely have enjoyed someone's conversation as much as his.'

'I see. Is that how it is? As soon as I am out of sight, you forget all about me. I am devastated,' Robert exclaimed, clutching at his heart theatrically. 'While I am risking my life, defending our country, you immediately find another pretty face to distract you. Oh, woe is me.'

'I am afraid that you will have console yourself with all those ladies who are chasing after your brother.'

'You are a most heartless creature,' protested Lord Robert, valiantly suppressing a grin.

'You only have yourself to blame, putting me wise to your heartbreaking activities amongst the ladies.'

'I am surprised that I have not heard any screams of anguish from your rejected suitors. I am certain there must be some.'

Alexandra gave a sardonic chuckle. 'You might be surprised how quickly gentlemen lose interest when they discover that my title and my fortune will remain mine. Grandfather was very thorough when he had the patent changed. My future husband will not even be entitled to the income from the estate; financially, all he can get out of marriage to me is an allowance… to be specified by me.'

Robert joined in her laughter. 'I believe I must stop at White's to hear first-hand the chagrin of all those fortune-hunters.'

'I wish you would, and afterwards you can join my aunt and me for dinner, and tell us all about it.'

~~H~~

Lady Alexandra and Lord Robert were not the only people enjoying the crisp morning in Hyde Park.

Sir Marcus too had felt the need to get some exercise. He was thrilled when he recognised Lady Alex in the distance, even though he could not see her clearly, he would recognise her posture, and the way she held her head, anywhere.

He broke into a big smile and was about to speed up to join her on her ride, when he belatedly realised that she was already in company. And that company was none other than Lord Robert Flinter.

He watched with envy the ease with which the two conversed. The brilliant smile, and the occasional laughter, which floated on the air, caused him the acutest of pain.

Seeing these two together, it was obvious to him that they were made for each other. The ease, the camaraderie, not to say the evident love he perceived. It could only be as he had feared. Robert, as the second son of a Duke was the perfect consort for a Countess suo jure.

Marcus called himself every kind of fool, for forgetting her rank and letting himself hope that she would consider him as a potential match. But as a lowly Baron he should have known that she would look amongst her peers in society. And yet, it was so easy to forget her rank when they talked.

The more he came to know the intelligent and kind person that the lady was, the more he was drawn to her. Marcus was not blind to her faults. Lady Alex was opinionated, stubborn and used to giving orders… and having them obeyed. But she was also caring, considerate and, even though that was a secondary consideration, breathtakingly beautiful.

But he had been right when he first met her. She was out of his league.

The only sensible thing to do, to avoid breaking his heart, was to leave as soon as possible, and try to forget her.

For once in his life, Sir Marcus acted like a coward. He would not be able to lie about the reason for his departure, when confronted with the direct gaze of Lady Alex, and he could not bear to see the relief in her eyes, if he told her that he was quitting the field.

Instead, he sent a note to Lady Beatrice, excusing his sudden departure with a supposed emergency at his estate. The same day he was on his way back to Vintington Vale.

Lady Beatrice wondered at the gentleman's sudden departure, but was pleased that Alexandra accepted the reason at face value.

~~H~~

Robert made good on his promise. At dinner two days later, he regaled the ladies with his investigation at his club.

'You should have heard them, clucking like chickens.' He mimicked Lord Barton to perfection as he complained, 'what was Herne thinking, letting that chit inherit his title…' He chuckled before he added in imitation of Gerald Stone, '…and even worse, his fortune.'

Lady Beatrice wiped tears of laughter from her cheeks as she chided, 'you are a scamp, but very talented. I could just see those gentlemen…'

'It was not all bad. Richard Fitzwilliam was there too, and he told them that at least Herne was saved from their depredations.'

'I always knew that Matlock and his family had more sense than most of the others.'

Lord Robert did not stay late that night, since he had to report back for duty the following day. His captain, one Captain Richard Fitzwilliam, would have been most unforgiving if Robert were late.

~~H~~

Alexandra had an unexpected visitor a few days later.

The Dower Duchess of Denton arrived towards the end of polite visiting hours, requesting a private word with the Countess.

After the introductions, and the obligatory refreshments and polite conversation, the Duchess commented. 'I have heard about you from my grandsons, particularly Robert, and I was curious to meet you.'

Alexandra smiled as she replied, 'He did suggest that he should introduce us, and I must admit that I too was curious to meet you, since Lord Robert spoke of you with such affection.'

'Indeed? That does not sound like him.'

'I admit it was couched as complaints, and since I was teasing him at the time, he claimed that we would get on well.'

'That I do believe. But I came here to find out how you feel about him.'

'I have only met him a few times. During those encounters I thought him excellent company. He is intelligent, personable and has a delightfully wicked sense of humour.'

'I asked how you feel about him.'

'I like him a great deal.'

'And?'

'There is no and, Your Grace. As I said. I think your grandsons are delightful gentlemen, whose company I thoroughly enjoy. I believe we can be good friends, after all, we made a pact to protect each other.'

'But you have no other interest in either of them.'

'No, Your Grace, I do not.'

'Pity. I think you and Robert would have suited each other.'

'I am sorry to disappoint you, Your Grace.'

'It is not your fault. I was hoping to keep him out of that blasted war on the continent, but if you are not interested in him, it cannot be helped.'

'Your Grace, I too would prefer it if all of our men could stay safely at home, but if they must fight, I prefer to have them under the command of an intelligent officer. Do you not agree?'

The Dowager Duchess sighed, but responded with a small smile of her own. 'I suppose that I have to agree, when you put it in those terms.' She tilted her head to one side and said with an impertinent smile, 'if you are not interested in the son of a Duke, who is intelligent, handsome, rich and likeable, you either have impossibly high standards, or perhaps someone has already captured your interest.'

Alexandra blushed at the blunt question. Before she could prevaricate, the Duchess said, 'never mind, I will not ask his name.'

As she prepared to leave, she offered, 'if you ever need help, feel free to come to me. I promised Robert that I would keep an eye on you.'

~~H~~