Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 13, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Thanks for your comments.

Poor Marcus is being a gentleman, don't hold that against him. 😉

~~H~~

Surprises

It seemed to be a year for emergencies. Two weeks after the sudden departure of Sir Marcus, Lady Alex did receive an express, requesting her return to Herne Hyde.

Lady Alex and Lady Beatrice each dashed off a few quick notes, while their belongings were packed up, to inform their friends of their need to leave town. An hour later they were on the road.

Thanks to Mr Brown's foresight, arranging for fresh horses along the way, they arrived at Herne Hyde late the following afternoon, even though the last part of the journey had to be made at walking pace, due to the heavy downpour.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Alexandra jumped out and dashed into the house.

Someone must have been watching out for the carriage, since Mrs Martin rushed into the foyer just as Alexandra entered.

'What is happening?' she demanded of Mrs Martin.

'Because of the rain there has been a landslide, which is blocking the river at the border to Edgemere, where it goes through the cutting. This is causing flooding of the west fields. Mr Brown is there, overseeing the work to remove the blockage.' Mrs Martin gave a precise report, not bothering with social niceties.

Alexandra appreciated that her housekeeper did not waste time. 'Thank you. I need a horse and someone to accompany me to the site.'

'I thought you might. Perkins is waiting for you in the stable with two saddled horses, and a raincape.'

~~H~~

Perkins tightened the girths, while Alexandra put on the raincape and unbuttoned the split in her riding skirt. As soon as both finished, they took off, with Perkins leading the way.

Fortunately for Alexandra's frayed nerves, it did not take too long to arrive at the site of the landslide, where Mr Brown, and surprisingly her sister, were supervising the work to remove the blockage.

They had to carefully wade through water to come to the slight rise where Daphne had made her observation post.

After the briefest of greetings, Alexandra asked, 'what are those men doing on top of the landslide?'

'They are dragging a modified plough to create a channel through which the river can flow,' Daphne explained absentmindedly, as she carefully watched their progress.

Alexandra looked at all the water surrounding them. 'I can understand that you want to get the river back where it belongs, but would it not be easier if you waited for the rain to stop?'

'Not at all. The rain is actually helping. It is keeping the mud soft and even washes some of it away.'

'If those men are dragging a plough, why are you not using horses?'

'Because the ground is too soft and unstable.'

'Do you have an answer for everything?'

'Of course, I do, Alex. After all, this was my idea.' Daphne grinned as she briefly glanced at her sister.

'If you have everything under control, why did you send for me?'

Mr Brown spoke up. 'I am afraid that was my doing, My Lady. I sent for you immediately after the landslide occurred. I did not realise that Lady Daphne would be able to come up with a possible solution. It was her idea to use that dredge.'

Daphne grasped Alexandra's hand. 'I might have discovered a solution, but I am still glad that you have come.' She grinned mischievously. 'If only to see that some of my ideas have merit and are exceedingly practical.'

'You wanted to show off?'

'I would not have put it like that… but I suppose that is one way of looking at it.'

'If this works, I will be happy to claim that I have the most brilliant sister in the kingdom.'

They continued to watch until the light was just starting to fade, when the men on top of the mudslide suddenly dropped whatever they were holding, and came rushing to the shore of the river.

'They must have reached the waterline, and the river is now finishing our work,' Daphne exclaimed excitedly.

Daphne seemed to be correct in her evaluation, as Alexandra noticed a swirling in the centre of the dark mass, as the water which was backed up behind the mudslide, mixed with the mud in the channel the men had created, and was forcing its way through the gap. As a result, the initial small channel was widened as the mud was washed downriver.

As they watched the river starting to reclaim its course, Alexandra saw one of the men slip and fall into the swirling mess. 'Oh, no,' she exclaimed in horror, thinking that it was poor repayment to the man for his heroic efforts, to lose his life at the completion of the task.

She heard someone shout, 'pull!'

Mr Brown pointed towards a group of men who were hauling on a rope, and two others cautiously approaching the edge of the slippery mess, where a man's head appeared.

In short order, the man who had slipped was dragged into the relatively clean water of the backed up river, where after a quick rinse, he was helped to his feet.

Alexandra expelled a breath she had not realised she had been holding, as Daphne said in a cheerful manner, 'you did not think that I would not have them take precautions, did you? That was the other reason for having men haul the dredge. They are easier to haul than a horse.'

'You expected someone to slip and fall into the mud?'

'Considering the footing they were dealing with, there was a sixty percent chance that someone would slip. The percentage would increase to ninety, once the water started to flow. Naturally I had everyone secured with a rope to ensure no one would be swept away.' Daphne explained the situation in a matter of fact tone.

'Naturally,' Alexandra sighed and shook her head in consternation. She would never completely understand the scientific mind, even if that mind belonged to her beloved sister.

~~H~~

Considering how much water had pooled above the gap, the water level was slow to drop, once the obstruction had been breached, especially as it was still raining heavily. But the water-level was dropping.

Since the light was fading quickly, and no more could be done until the water drained, everyone returned to their homes. Since most of the men were servants at Herne Hyde, they were greeted with warm blankets and hot food on their arrival.

Alexandra and Daphne were glad to have hot baths to warm up, before joining Lady Beatrice and Amelia for dinner.

Daphne grinned at Alexandra, when she entered the dining room. 'Well?' she challenged her sister.

'Well, what?'

'Am I the most brilliant sister in the Kingdom?'

'I will tell you in the morning, after we inspect the situation, but I suspect that you might be.'

Daphne's pout was marred by the twinkle in her eyes, as she said, 'you are pedantic as always.'

Lady Beatrice and Amelia watched the sisters teasing for a short while, before the lady asked. 'I would appreciate it if you were a little less cryptic. What has happened.'

Over dinner, Daphne explained. 'If it were not for our money hungry neighbour, we would not have had a problem. He had all the trees, on the slope which adjoins the river, harvested at once. With all the rain we had in recent weeks, the ground softened and since there was nothing left to hold the soil in place, it turned to mud and slid into the river. Since there were rocks in that mess, it blocked the cutting.'

This explanation was frequently interrupted as she hungrily tucked into the hot food.

As she started to go into technical detail, Alexandra and Lady Beatrice exchanged a glance, before begging her to stop. 'Daphne, I am certain this is fascinating to someone with a love for such things, but your explanation is lost on your sister and me.'

'I am concerned only with results. When we left, the water-level was dropping, so Daphne's most brilliant solution seems to be working.' Alexandra smiled at her sister as she emphasised her praise, earning her a quick grin.

Since they were all tired, although for different reasons, The ladies all opted for an early night in a warm bed.

~~H~~

The next morning, they discovered that the rain had actually helped in clearing the obstruction of the river. The additional water had caused many of the rocks to be swept downriver, clearing the gap.

While the fields were still waterlogged, they did not have to wade through standing water as they inspected the damage.

The flooding had caused damage to a couple of tenant houses and barns, as well as several fences.

Alexandra threw herself into the work to restore her estate.

Despite the distractions of work, her mind wandered at times to a certain gentleman, as she wondered what kind of emergency he was dealing with.

~~H~~

Alexandra and her aunt had come to London for yet another season.

This time they were accompanied by Daphne and Amelia, who had both turned eighteen years of age. While neither of the girls was interested in spending a season in London, as neither was particularly interested in marriage, they had agreed to a compromise.

They would come to Town to be presented, and remain for a week or two. After which they would be allowed to return to Herne Hyde, to continue their studies.

~~H~~

The Countess of Herne was proud to present her younger sister to Queen Charlotte.

As Daphne curtsied, the Queen asked graciously, 'shall you be one of our shining lights this season?'

'I certainly hope not, Your Majesty. I pray that my sister will allow me to return home on the morrow.'

'If you have no wish to spend the season in Town, why did you come here?'

Daphne shrugged. 'It is the done thing, I am told, but from what I have seen so far, I believe that I would prefer to stay in the country.'

'You have no interest in society? Whyever not?'

Daphne blushed, and, at last remembering her lessons in manners, stammered. 'I… ah… would rather not say.'

The Queen looking intrigued, demanded, 'I would like to know your reasons. Truthfully.' When Daphne still hesitated, she waved at her attendants to back away and give her some privacy.

Daphne gave her sister a desperate look. Alexandra nodded with a resigned air.

Directing her attention back at the Queen, Daphne said softly, 'I find most people shallow, boring and lacking in understanding. I also have no interest in getting married.'

The Queen, with years of experience in hiding her emotions, managed to smile pleasantly, as she declared loudly, 'you appear to be a most perceptive young lady. I wish you well, Lady Daphne.' She smiled and nodded in dismissal.

Daphne curtsied again and backed out of the room.

~~H~~

That evening, the ladies relaxed with a private dinner.

Daphne, relieved that her ordeal was over, chided her sister. 'You could have told me that the Queen has a sense of humour. I was terrified that I might offend her.'

'None of us knew,' Lady Beatrice defended her niece. 'I believe that such a situation has never arisen.'

'But if even the Queen dislikes the kind of society we have, why does she not change it?'

'Because no one has enough power to change human nature overnight.'

'Oh… yes… I forgot.'

~~H~~