Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 16, a pride and prejudice fanfic

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House-party

The guests started to arrive at Herne Hyde, where Lady Alexandra and Lady Beatrice were ready to receive them. They had invited a number of friends, including Lady Alex's favoured companions, to visit for a few weeks.

The first to arrive were Lord and Lady Worthington, accompanied by their daughter Theresa.

The hostesses greeted their guests most warmly. 'We are hoping to keep this party quite informal, to give the young people a chance to actually get to know each other,' explained Lady Beatrice.

The two matrons had been on a first name basis for decades, when in private. They now extended that privilege to the two young women.

Lord Worthington was feeling expansive when he addressed Alexandra. He offered with a smile, 'since we are going to be informal, just call me Worthington.'

'Thank you, Worthington. You are being too kind.' Alexandra smiled at the gentleman with twinkling eyes. 'In that case, please call me Herne.'

Worthington did a double take. Ladies were not addressed by the name of their title; it was simply not the done thing. But he decided to go along with the lady's joke. 'Thank you, Herne, I shall be delighted to do so and I am exceedingly pleased that we understand each other.'

He was rewarded by a delighted smile from the young lady and a chuckle from his wife. 'I think I shall have to keep score. So far, it seems to be a draw.'

The others joined in her laughter. 'I think we shall have a most amusing time during your visit,' opined Lady Beatrice.

~~H~~

Over the next few days more visitors arrived. There were a few couples of Lady Beatrice's generation, or slightly younger, who accompanied their daughters.

Since gentlemen did not need the chaperonage of their parents, Lady Beatrice had decided to extend the invitation to them directly. All of them were in their twenties or early thirties. Most of them were younger sons and had a good reputation in society.

This house-party was designed to give the young people more opportunity to converse, without the pressure of all the society gossips watching them at all times.

Although Lady Beatrice did not push her niece to find a husband, she was getting a little concerned that after three seasons, Alexandra had still not made a suitable match with whom to continue the Herne lineage.

Alexandra had shown a distinct preference for Sir Marcus, and Lady Beatrice was convinced that he had feelings for Alexandra, but he appeared to have some reason for holding back. In an effort to find out the reason, she invited the gentleman. Perhaps if he saw Alexandra being courted by other men, he would overcome his hesitation.

Lady Beatrice hoped that, if Alexandra and Marcus could not come to an understanding, Alexandra would at least settle on one of the other prospects. To that end she had invited a number of gentlemen of whom Alexandra had spoken well, after meeting them in London. She had considered extending an invitation to Mr Darcy, but Alexandra vetoed the idea. 'I do not believe that he would be comfortable in such informal company,' she declared.

Lady Beatrice had managed to convince Daphne and Amelia to put aside their studies for the duration of the visit. The addition of the two young women, had allowed the lady to invite two further gentlemen, to even out the numbers. Lady Beatrice did not expect either Daphne or Amelia to be interested in any of them, but it increased the number of choices for Alexandra.

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Alexandra thoroughly enjoyed most of the first dinner, when the party was fully assembled. She sat at the head of the table, with Lord Worthington on her right and Lord Bassington on her left.

'Have you been following the discussion in the House of Lords regarding Atholl's claim for compensation from the Isle of Man, Herne?' Lord Worthington asked his hostess.

Alexandra was entertained that both the subject and Worthington's style of address caught Lord Bassington by surprise, judging by the looks he was giving them.

'I have indeed. Personally, I would have thought that claiming compensation forty years after his father sold his sovereignty over the island to the crown, is rather rich, especially since the former Duke thought that he had been adequately compensated. But I suspect the current Duke has better friends than his father.'

They fell into a discussion of the finer details of the bill which had just been passed, with Bassington trying to listen to the conversation, while engaging his other dinner partner in a discussion of the latest gossip from London.

During the second course, Lord Bassington was at last able to converse with Alexandra. 'Lady Alexandra, I was aware that you had an interest in current affairs, but I did not realise you were quite so knowledgeable about politics.'

'I suppose it could have been misconstrued that when I spoke of current affairs, I meant that I was well informed who had a new mistress. While one cannot avoid hearing about such affairs, I find politics much more absorbing. After all, politics can affect my interests.'

'I imagine your interests are also affected by the problems we are having with France. I expect that you too are hoping that our navy can keep Mr Bonaparte away from our shores.'

After some minutes of discussion, Alexandra commented, 'you appear to be remarkably well informed, Lord Bassington.'

'Since my older brother is in the Royal Navy, and various cousins serve in the army, it is a subject that greatly interests my family.'

This statement led to a conversation about their respective families.

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Another member of Alexandra's family had an enjoyable evening. Daphne discovered to her delight that her dinner partner was Sir Marcus.

She lost no time informing the gentleman, 'my sister tells me that you are an admirer of Mr James Watt, and his steam engines.'

'I am indeed. I believe that his steam engines will revolutionise manufacturing in our country.' Marcus replied, grateful that his dinner partner could distract his mind from the lady at the head of the table.

He had accepted the invitation to the house-party with mixed feelings. Part of him was uncertain if he could stand watching Alexandra being courted by any of the other men, but the rest of him wanted the pleasure of Alexandra's company.

'Not just manufacturing, mining as well.' Daphne became excited to have someone with whom she could discuss one of her pet subjects. 'Did you know that last year Mr Trevithick's steam locomotive hauled a train along the tramway of the Penydarren Ironworks in Wales?'

She and Sir Marcus became so engrossed in their discussion, they forgot about the other guests, as they exchanged ideas how some of the latest inventions could be applied to everyday life.

It turned out that Sir Marcus had a wonderful evening. His conversation with Lady Daphne had been intellectually stimulating.

Due to the fact that he had no interest in the young lady, beyond their common interests, he was able to relax and simply enjoy the conversation. He would have been shocked to realise how his interest was being perceived.

~~H~~

Even though Daphne and Marcus paid little attention to the other members of their party, several people noticed the animated conversation between the two.

Lady Alexandra felt a stab of disappointment and even jealousy, when she noticed the enjoyment which her beloved sister derived from the company of Sir Marcus. Judging that their similar interests made them more compatible, she at last understood why Sir Marcus had never seen her as more than a friend.

For the rest of the evening, she was most determined to ignore her breaking heart, although when she was alone in the sanctuary of her bedroom, she cried herself to sleep.

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The morning was clear and bright, but still pleasantly cool for the time of year. After a restless night's sleep, Alexandra took Pegasus out for a ride.

She had decided that since most of the guests kept town hours, she could attend to her duties in the early morning hours. This morning she planned to check out the west fields to see for herself how they fared after the previous year's flood. The reports had been excellent, but she wanted to see for herself.

Alexandra was racing along a path, letting Pegasus enjoy a good run, when she spotted another rider ahead of them. Her face lit up as she recognised Sir Marcus, until she remembered the interest Daphne and the gentleman had displayed in each other the previous evening.

By the time Marcus turned, at hearing Pegasus' hoofbeats, Alexandra had her emotions and features under control, and displayed a politely pleasant smile.

When Marcus recognised the rider, he unconsciously broke into a wide smile, until he saw the expression on Alexandra's face. He could not help the momentary disappointed look, which flashed across his countenance, at seeing the polite smile.

Alexandra in turn saw the disappointment and attributed it to Marcus hoping to see her sister, rather than herself.

Instead of slowing down to chat with Marcus, as she dearly wished to do, she simply nodded as she raced past him.

She attributed the tears, which started to trickle down her cheeks, to the wind, caused by the speed of her ride, irritating her eyes.

~~H~~

Marcus, who had thought to escape the house into the clear morning air, in the hope to clear his thoughts, was shaken by the chance meeting. Alexandra had only given him a polite smile and a nod as she raced past him.

It was obvious from that encounter that she saw him merely as a pleasant acquaintance. It seemed hopeless that she would ever return his feelings.

He pondered his options.

What if he spoke to Alexandra and declared his love for her? Would she respond favourably and consider him as a suitor, or…

Since he was wool-gathering, his horse had started to amble back towards the stable. As he was passing an isolated building, some distance from the main house, he was hailed by a female voice.

Marcus was startled out of his reverie, as he recognised the young lady. 'Lady Daphne, I had not expected to find you here.'

'You will not give me away, will you?'

'No, of course not. But what are you doing here?'

'I am hiding from a gentleman, who seems to think that I am looking for a husband, and would not believe me when I told him I had no such inclination.' She sighed and rolled her eyes. 'Especially with him. He has only been here for two days, but in those days he has managed to make quite a pest of himself.'

'Please forgive me for asking, but do you not have a wish to marry?' Since it looked like they would have an extended conversation, Marcus dismounted.

'Since you asked a most improper question, may I be equally improper?'

Marcus chuckled. 'By all means, feel free to be as improper as you like.'

'Why would I wish to put myself in the power of some mentally challenged man? I am not certain that particular pest knows how to count above ten without taking off his shoes. My sister has generously offered to support me in whatever I wish to do. Since I shall never need to marry for financial security, I can remain single and pursue my own interests. And enjoy my life.'

'That is a most unusual attitude. I was under the impression that all young ladies wish to marry.'

'I am certain that many do wish to marry, because most women like to have children. But many only marry because it is the only way for them to have a roof over their head and food on the table.'

'Surely it cannot be that bad?'

'How would you like to become property on the occasion of your marriage, with no rights of your own? Having to obey your spouse's wishes and even whims, not matter how ridiculous or unpleasant.'

'I would hate it,' Marcus conceded. 'Is it truly that bad? I must admit that I had never considered the rules under which women in our country live.'

'So you can understand why I would not want to give up my freedom to make my own choices. It would be intolerable to be shackled to some man, who thinks that simply by being a man, he is more intelligent than I am, when nothing could be further from the truth.'

'You have a very high opinion of your intelligence.'

'It is but the truth.' Daphne shrugged dismissively, before she broke into a wide grin. 'Thanks to Alexandra, I do not have to pretend to be something I am not.'

Marcus laughed in response to the unrepentant attitude of the young woman. 'You are fortunate indeed, to have such an understanding sister. She is a most exceptional woman.'

'Yes, I know. I must admit that I feel sorry for her. In her position she must marry and produce an heir. I just wish she would find someone she truly likes, and who would treat her with the respect she deserves.'

'Perhaps she has already met someone, but the time is not right.' Marcus remembered seeing Alexandra with Lord Robert, and the ease of their interactions.

Daphne sighed as she shook her head. 'I just wish I knew what she is looking for. I am certain that I would be able to help her find the right man.'

Marcus chuckled sadly. 'I do not believe the scientific method can deal with such elusive things like love, since it cannot be measured or quantified.'

'I never understood love. At least not the kind of love that would make somebody want to marry.'

'I believe that nobody can explain the unexplainable. But since we cannot solve this conundrum, may I escort you wherever it is you are going?'

'I suppose with you escorting me, it will be safe for me to return to the house.'

'It will be my pleasure.' Marcus offered Daphne his arm, while holding onto the reins. 'Since we cannot solve the conundrum of love, perhaps we can solve more solid problems?'

As they strolled back to the house, they resumed their companionable conversation from the evening before.

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A/N Talk about well-meaning idiots.

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