Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 14, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Thanks, LFU, for your comment. While I research quite a lot of things, I did not bother with that, since the solution seemed logical to me. I'm glad that my idea for dealing with the landslide was not too farfetched. At least now I know what it is called. btw I'm sure you must be right. QC would never be so vindictive… 😊

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Showdown

1805

Lady Alex was frantic. Daphne and Amelia had returned to Herne Hyde the previous week, while she remained in London with Lady Beatrice, who insisted that Alexandra should peruse the marriage mart yet again.

During the afternoon her aunt had gone out shopping with her companion, Mrs Hodges, when they been beset by footpads.

Mrs Hodges had valiantly tried to protect her employer and friend, and received a nasty blow to the face for her efforts. By the time the footman, who had gone to get the carriage, could intervene, Lady Beatrice had been knocked unconscious, and the footpad had made off with her reticule and a diamond brooch torn from her dress.

Lady Beatrice had been conveyed to their home and a doctor was sent for. Doctor Fisher was examining the still unconscious lady while Alexandra fretted.

True, her aunt was no longer her guardian, but Alexandra loved her for the care and support she had received from the lady since her parents had died.

At last, the doctor finished his examination and addressed Lady Alexandra. 'I believe she has suffered a fracture to her skull. She was lucky that her bonnet protected her from the worst effects of the blow, but I must caution you not to get your hopes up for her recovery.'

'Is there a chance that my aunt will recover?' asked Alexandra.

'There is a chance, of course, but there is no guarantee. It will depend on how quickly she regains consciousness. The problem is to get nourishment into your aunt. She may be able to swallow small sips of broth, but if she remains insensible for too long…'

'I understand, Doctor Fisher. Thank you for being honest with me.' Alexandra braced herself before asking, 'is there anything we can do for her?'

'Keep her quiet and try to feed her broth whenever she is able to take it. Apart from that, all you can do is wait and hope for the best,' responded Doctor Fisher.

~~H~~

The following day, while Alexandra was sitting with her aunt, there was a commotion at the front door.

The butler, Mr Martin, the younger brother of the butler of Herne Hyde, came rushing into Lady Beatrice's chamber where Lady Alexandra sat, reading to her aunt. 'My Lady, the Earl of Marven has forced himself into the house and demands to see you.'

Alexandra was startled. 'He cannot be foolish enough to think that with Aunt Beatrice unconscious that he can gain any advantage,' she mused aloud.

'The Earl brought a clergyman and several rough looking footmen with him,' said the butler, trying to present a calm façade.

Alexandra's face took on a cold expression. 'Please send a messenger to Lord Matlock and ask him to attend me with all haste. We need to take care of this nuisance, once and for all.' She glanced around the room and rushed to her aunt's writing desk. It was the work of only a few moments to dash off a note to the gentleman. 'Here, take this, and have it delivered. Your messenger will have to explain that I think the Earl of Marven might try to force me into a marriage for his convenience.'

The butler took the note and hurried off to see to its delivery. Meanwhile, Alexandra asked Mrs Hodges to care for her aunt.

She then took a deep breath and bracing herself for a confrontation, Lady Alex went downstairs to see her cousin still standing in the foyer.

'Good afternoon, Cousin Frederick,' she politely greeted the Earl, while she remained standing on the bottom step to give her the height advantage. 'What brings you so unexpectedly to my house on this occasion.'

'Cousin Alexandra, it has come to my attention that your guardian has become incapacitated,' said the Earl of Marven in a gloating manner. 'Therefore, as the heir of your previous guardian it is my responsibility to take control of your wellbeing and to ensure that your estate is properly managed.'

'What makes you think that you can run my estate better than I can, Cousin?' purred Lady Alexandra. If he were not so annoying, the Earl of Marven's behaviour would have been amusing. Unfortunately, in her concern for her aunt, Alexandra was in no mood to be amused. 'Especially when you consider that my estate is profitable, while you are heavily in debt. Do you not agree that that would indicate that I am a better estate manager than you are?'

'You are an impertinent little chit. That is what you are. Cousin Beatrice has obviously not taught you proper manners. It seems I was wise to come to take you in hand. Once we are married, I will teach you how to behave towards your betters.'

'What makes you think that you could teach me anything, since I still retain all my skills?' Alexandra asked with a pointed glance at his wrist. 'Apart from that, I would never marry you, Cousin Frederick. Even if you were the last man on earth.'

'As your guardian, it is my right to choose your husband. Since I cannot in good conscience inflict your impertinence on anyone else, I have decided to be magnanimous and take you for my own wife.' He now indicated a man who had stayed in the background. 'This is Reverend Partland, he will perform the ceremony.'

The Reverend performed a minimal bow towards Lady Alexandra. 'Your cousin has procured a special licence, My Lady. I can perform the wedding within the hour.'

'Reverend Partland, you have been misinformed. I will not marry this… man. Therefore, your visit was for nought.'

'My Lady, I beg to disagree with you. Since you are still a minor, the Earl, as your guardian has the right to dictate whom you shall marry,' the Reverend retorted. To him it was obvious that the Earl had been correct about the wilfulness of the young woman. It was high time that a husband took her in hand. Her attitude towards the gentleman was truly disrespectful.

'How much did he promise to pay you, to perform a wedding with an unwilling bride?' Alexandra asked.

The Reverend spluttered, 'how dare you…'

Alexandra ignored his interruption. 'You are incorrect about several things. According to the law if I do not agree to the wedding, any ceremony you perform is invalid, not to say illegal. Therefore, it is irrelevant what words you say, without my consent they are just empty words.'

'And if I were stupid enough to consent to the wedding, neither Marven nor you would get a penny from the Herne estate. It is entailed to the heir, who had complete control of all properties and funds.' She grinned at the shocked expression on the clergyman's face.

Alexandra gave a disdainful huff. 'The final point is that the Earl of Marven is not my guardian, regardless what he might have told you.'

'As your nearest male relative, I am your guardian,' shouted the Earl, frustrated that the young woman would not succumb to his bullying. He had thought that without her aunt to back her up, she would not have the presence of mind to counter his arguments.

'No, you are not,' Alexandra responded calmly. 'You are neither my nearest male relative nor are you my guardian. I have no need for a guardian…'

'You are not yet one and twenty, therefore you are a minor and subject to a guardian. Since I went to the trouble to remove Lady Beatrice, you are in my charge,' thundered Frederick in frustration.

'No, she is not,' came a deceptively quiet voice from behind Frederick, who whirled around to deal with whoever had the temerity to interfere with his plans.

The newcomer bowed respectfully to Alexandra. 'Good afternoon, Countess Herne. It is delightful to see you again, despite the pollution in your house,' Lord Matlock smiled at the lady. He had arrived a few minutes earlier with several highly trained footmen, and listened with interest to the interchange.

'Good afternoon, Lord Matlock. The pleasure is all mine,' Alexandra smiled pleasantly at the gentleman. 'I hope you have been here long enough to hear the Earl of Marven's last statement?'

'I have indeed. And so have several other witnesses.' He indicated the footmen, who stepped aside and revealed three other gentlemen.

The Duke of Langford stepped forward. 'Marven, you are a disgrace to the peerage.'

'What are you speaking of? I have come to ensure that Cousin Alexandra was taken care of. As is the duty of a gentleman towards the weaker sex.' Marven tried to justify his behaviour.

'You just admitted to harming Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Marven, thinking that her removal would open the way for you to take on guardianship of your very distant cousin,' the Duke reminded the Earl of Marven, who turned white. 'I will have charges brought against you in the House of Lords. Such conduct is unconscionable, not to mention actionable.'

'It was also in vain, since the Countess is in charge of her own life.' The Earl of Matlock chuckled gleefully. 'I am speaking of the Countess of Herne, of course.'

Before he could continue, Frederick burst out, 'this cannot be. She is a minor. She cannot be allowed to defy my wishes.'

'As a fully invested and confirmed member of the peerage, she has legally been an adult since the age of eighteen. She has not had, or needed, a guardian for over two years,' explained the delighted Lord Matlock to a chagrined Lord Marven.

Upon hearing this, the Reverend Partland spluttered, 'how are you going to pay your debts to my family, now that that ripe plum has slipped through your fingers?'

'Are you saying that you would have married an unwilling bride to this scoundrel for monetary considerations?' asked the second of Lord Matlock's witnesses.

Reverend Partland had not paid attention to the other witnesses until this one spoke. Now it was his turn to blanch. 'Your Grace,' he addressed Archbishop Langton, 'pardon me, I did not notice your arrival.'

'Obviously, or you would have guarded your tongue. You will wait on me tomorrow, when we will discuss your future,' the disgusted Archbishop advised the Reverend.

'Your Graces,' the final member of their party spoke up. 'We can save a lot of trouble if you would allow me to meet these… ah, gentlemen on the field of honour tomorrow morning.' Sir Marcus, had been visiting with Richard Fitzwilliam and insisted on coming along when he found out who had sent the urgent message.

'No,' gasped Alexandra.

'Absolutely not,' insisted the Archbishop and the Duke.

'I would not want you to besmirch your hands dealing with this scum,' agreed Lord Matlock.

Sir Marcus looked disappointed. 'Pity, but if you insist…' He looked at the other men, as if hoping they would change their minds.

'We insist,' they all agreed.

'Now that that is settled,' declared Lady Alex. 'May I offer you some refreshments, my lords.' Alexandra was smiling pleasantly at the four gentlemen who had come to her assistance. When they agreed, she turned to her butler who had quietly stood behind her the entire time, and requested with a smirk. 'Please bring refreshments to the library, after you throw out the garbage. I feel certain that Lord Matlock's staff will assist you, if necessary.'

~~H~~

Alexandra led the way to the indicated room with her four welcome guests. Once they were in private, she thanked them. 'Gentlemen, I am grateful for your assistance. While it is true that my cousin could not have forced me to marry him, things could have turned rather unpleasant. I am in your debt.'

'Think nothing of it, my dear,' declared the old Duke with a smile. 'It is the most fun I have had in ages. I always knew Marven was an idiot, but I did not think he would go this far. Injuring a lady for his own gain. It is beyond the pale.'

'Can something be done in the House of Lords?' enquired Alexandra.

'He admitted injuring your aunt, who is also a member of the peerage, either himself or by proxy. I am hoping we can have him hanged. Apart from Gregory and his wife, the whole family is rotten. It would be best to remove them from any position of influence.'

The Archbishop reluctantly agreed, 'harsh but true.'

Alexandra looked questioningly at the cleric and then at Lord Matlock, who realised that the lady was not acquainted with his whole party. He performed the introductions and then explained to Alexandra, 'I gave them the outline of your background on the way over.'

'Thank you, Lord Matlock. But to get back to my cousin. If I understand the law correctly, if he is found guilty, his title can be revoked, not just from him, but the whole family.'

'That would be a boon for society at large. That family is rotten to the core,' declared the Duke.

'Do not worry, my dear,' said the Ear of Matlock. 'We will take care of that viper. How is your aunt?'

'Thank you, My Lord. Doctor Fisher says there is a chance she will recover, but he has no guarantees,' replied Alexandra with a sigh.

Mr Martin, entered the library with the tea trolley. After serving her guests, Alexandra discussed with them the steps they planned to take.

Soon the older gentlemen took their leave to make good on their promises.

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