Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 22, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Here is the chapter you have been waiting for.

The first bit should have been at the end of chapter 20.

Btw I'm nearly finished.

Next week I will be editing the story in preparation for publication – probably the middle of the week. Which means I will have to pull most of the story.

Thanks to all of you who stuck with this story despite the fact it is not about ODC. 😊

Based on the number of views only 10% of you are ok with something a little different. But I appreciate every one of you.

My next stories should be more to everyone's taste. I just had an idea for a series of shortish stories, which will all come together in the end.

Enough waffle, I let you get on with the story.

~~H~~

End of Chapter 20

A few days later, the weather cleared sufficiently for Robert Flinter to continue his journey.

Marcus was grateful that Robert had enough sensibility to avoid the subject of Lady Alexandra for the rest of his stay.

Once he did not have to worry about entertaining his friend, Marcus did sit down to consider Robert's ideas.

He still thought that the lady was out of his league, and he had nothing to offer her. While it was true that he had nothing in a material sense to offer, he could offer his love and respect.

Marcus had claimed that he was afraid of being perceived as a fortune hunter, but that was not quite true. It was only the smallest part of the whole picture. Most everyone who knew him, was aware that financially he was extremely comfortable. Some of those inventions which he had tinkered with for years, turned out to be very commercially successful.

Even his knighthood was earned. Which was why he preferred to be known as Sir Marcus, rather than Lord Scott, Baron of Vintington.

No, the truth of the matter was that he was afraid that Alexandra would reject his suit, and in the process, he might also lose her friendship.

But what of the lady?

Could she have feelings for him? He remembered every instance during the summer when he was in her company. Her face always lit up when they met.

He had been telling himself that it was simply that she enjoyed his company as a friend. But could it be more?

Marcus considered that in their society it was not acceptable for women to make the first move. They were expected to wait for a man to make his preference known.

Alexandra had mentioned that due to her unusual position in society, she had to be extra careful about her actions, and how they might be perceived. She did not wish to alienate herself from her peers.

Could she be waiting for him to declare himself?

There was only one way to find out.

~~H~~ ~~H~~ ~~H~~ ~~H~~ ~~H~~

Chapter 22

Advice

It had been a month since the dinner at Lord Sulwood's house and Alexandra had still not heard anything from Sir Marcus. She wondered how extensive the needed repairs were, or whether he had changed his mind about coming to Town.

She was still debating what to do when she received an unexpected visitor.

'Your Grace, it is an unexpected pleasure to see you again,' Alexandra greeted the Dowager Duchess of Denton.

'I wanted to thank you for the assistance you provided to my grandson. It was exceedingly well done.'

'There is no need to thank me. Your grandsons and I have a pact to save each other from the pitfalls of society. I just hope that Miss Simpson decides to refrain from her attempts in future.'

Alexandra arranged for tea to be served and the ladies settled for a chat.

The Duchess was pleased to inform Alexandra about new developments. 'It appears that when Miss Simpson became tired of waiting for a chance at Alistair, she chose another quarry. The gentleman in question did not even need much persuasion to sample her charms.' The Duchess related the tale with a certain relish. 'Unfortunately for her, when she cried compromise, he laughed at her. She is only lucky that he has no interest in spreading the story beyond his own circle.'

The Dowager Duchess paused for effect. 'It seems she thought that if she could not be Alistair's wife, she would be his mother.'

'Miss Simpson tried to compromise the Duke of Denton?' Alexandra exclaimed with a laugh.

'Indeed, she did. I suspect she now regrets that action. He has never considered marriage after his wife died.'

They continued to converse pleasantly for a few minutes, until the Dowager Duchess suddenly asked, 'how do you feel about Sir Marcus?'

Alexandra was caught off-guard by the blunt question. 'I… ah… find him excellent company,' she managed to prevaricate.

'That is not what I asked. Do you love him?'

'What business is it of yours to ask such questions?' Alexandra responded with some asperity.

'My dear girl. I am an old woman. I do not care to beat about the bush. I need to know if you love Sir Marcus.'

'Why do you need to know?'

'I will answer your question if you answer mine... honestly.' The Dowager fixed Alexandra with a gimlet stare.

Alexandra looked the Duchess in the eye as she considered her answer until she declared firmly, 'yes, I do.'

'Good. That solves one problem.' The impish smile which the Duchess sported, would have been more suitable for a street urchin.

'I have answered your question. Will you now answer mine?' Now it was Alexandra's turn to be adamant.

'I have it on very good authority that Sir Marcus is hopelessly in love with you. But that silly boy suffers from nobility. He believes you are too far above him, and is determined to suffer in silence, so that you can marry someone of your own station. Like my grandson Robert.'

'Robert?' Alexandra laughed. 'He is more like a brother to me.'

'I know. I also know that Robert feels the same way about you. Therefore, he wants you to be happy.'

'I appreciate Robert's sentiments. But why are you telling me this?'

'Because Robert asked me to speak to you. According to him, Marcus will never offer for you due to his misplaced humility. He suggests that if you love Marcus, you will have to speak to him. He also advises the use of a mace, or at least a large stick, to beat some sense into Marcus' thick head. Subtlety will not work.' The Duchess grinned as she passed on the advice.

'I had considered this option, but was afraid that if I spoke openly, it would chase him away, and I would lose all chance at a future with him.'

Alexandra sighed. 'There is also such a thing as propriety. All my life I have been taught that men get to make those kinds of choices and react badly when a woman usurps what they consider to be their rights. Even the daughters of Dukes do not propose to men.'

'That is generally true. But you are in an unusual position. The daughter of a Duke may have a courtesy rank equal to a Marquess, but she has no power. You have the rank, the title, and the power. Use it.'

Alexandra grinned. 'Does anyone ever win an argument against you?'

'Not if they know what is good for them,' the Duchess answered in the same tone of voice. 'I am gratified that we understand each other.'

Both ladies shared a quiet laugh.

~~H~~

Marcus was chafing at the need to oversee the repairs to his estate. The storm which had brought Robert to his door, had also caused significant damage to several tenant houses and barns, as well as a bridge.

It had taken weeks to effect all the necessary repairs, and while his steward would have been able to supervise, Marcus felt it was his duty to take care of his tenants personally.

Of course, he was not procrastinating, he told himself. It was simply that his tenants had priority over his personal preferences.

But eventually, everything was put to rights. He made a final inspection before returning to his manor, looking forward to a long hot bath and a meal. Afterwards he would relax for the rest of the day and tomorrow he would head for London.

He was uncertain if the imminent interview made him feel elated or filled him with dread.

~~H~~

Alexandra exited her carriage and walked up to the door, which had opened, and declared to the footman, 'I am the Countess of Herne, and I need to speak to Sir Marcus.'

The footman was too startled by the imperious demand, that he stepped aside and wordlessly led her to the library. As he opened the door, he found his voice. 'The Countess of Herne is here to see you.'

Marcus rose from his chair by the window at the announcement. Before he could say anything, Alexandra pushed past the footman and closed the door in his face.

Taking her courage into both hands, she marched towards Marcus, stopping barely an arm's length from him.

Using the proverbial stick, and without preamble she declared, 'I love you and I want to marry you.'

Marcus was dumbfounded. 'You what? What did you say?' he stammered.

'I love you and I want to marry you.' Alexandra repeated carefully.

'Are you serious?'

'I have never been more serious in all my life.' Alexandra grated through clenched teeth, holding onto her temper and her tears of frustration as well as embarrassment, by the slightest of margins.

The reality of the situation was starting to sink in as Marcus stared at the determined face of the lady he loved. Lost for words, he responded by taking a step forward and pulling Alexandra into his arms.

His kiss, which he intended to keep to a gentle brush of his lips against hers, inflamed his senses, and within moments, all the pent-up passion he had felt for Alexandra broke through his barriers.

Giving himself up to the sensation, he had only enough awareness to note that not only did he not receive a slap, but Alexandra was responding in kind.

When they broke from their kiss and caught their breath, Alexandra asked with shining eyes, 'I gather the answer is yes?'

'I should not, but yes, if you truly want me… I would be proud to accept your hand in marriage.'

'After a kiss like that, you do not really have a choice but to accept the rest of me as well.'

'But you do know that it is a bad idea, do you not? Society expects you to marry someone of similar rank.'

'Society can go hang. But speaking of rank… You do know the law regarding titles…'

'You mean that when we are introduced it will be as the Countess of Herne and the Baron of Vintington.'

'Does that bother you?'

'Should you not have asked this question before you bludgeoned me into accepting your proposal?'

'Was that the reason you did not propose to me?'

'No. I just thought you deserved someone better than me.'

'Better than you?'

'You know, like Robert Flinter, or even his brother.'

'I love Robert… like a brother. The idea of marrying him, feels simply wrong.'

'So, you did think about marrying Lord Robert Flinter?'

'Naturally. I considered every single man of the nobility and the gentry, who is of an appropriate age. Some of them I like well enough… as friends, but not as a husband. Lord Robert and his brother fall into that group. But none of them are you.'

'But I cannot understand what you see in me,' Marcus still protested.

Alexandra smiled mischievously. 'I will be happy to explain to you in detail… when we have a spare year or two.'

Marcus shook his head trying to understand, saying, 'but…' only to be stopped by another kiss.

When they eventually stopped kissing in favour of breathing, he conceded, 'I believe that you suffer from insanity, but I am prepared to enjoy the consequences.'

Alexandra drew herself up to her full height. 'I do not suffer from insanity,' she protested in mock indignation, before breaking into a grin. 'I thoroughly enjoy it.'

Since he could not refute her logic, Marcus settled for another kiss.

~~H~~

A loud grumble interrupted them.

As they broke apart, Alexandra explained with a chagrined smile. 'I was too nervous to eat on the journey.'

Marcus laughed. 'I am relieved to hear that I am not the only one who dreaded proposing.'

'You were planning to propose? To whom?'

'To you, My Lady. As soon as I arrived in London.'

'And when, if ever, did you plan to go to London?'

'Would you believe tomorrow?'

'Truly?' When Marcus nodded, Alexandra huffed. 'Does that mean I wasted this journey?'

'Not at all. I am most grateful that you took the burden of the proposal off my shoulders.' He smirked. 'And I shall always treasure the look of determination you wore. Apart from that, I shall have a story to tell our children and grandchildren, of how the love of my life proposed to me.'

Before Alexandra could reply, her stomach protested its emptiness again. 'I think I had better call for some food, otherwise I will not have the opportunity to tell the story if you die of hunger.'

Marcus rang the bell to ask for some food to be brought.

The butler entered only moments later and with a rigorously suppressed smile informed his master, 'the countess' companion has suggested that the Countess would be hungry. Dinner will be served momentarily in the dining room. I have also taken the liberty to prepare the blue suite in the guest wing. The lady will join you in a moment.'

At the mention of her companion, Alexandra exclaimed, 'oh,' and reflexively clapped a hand over her lips.

Marcus turned to Alexandra with a quizzical expression. 'I forgot all about her,' she exclaimed blushing furiously.

'I thought you might, which is why I took the liberty of making arrangements for dinner and our stay. I hope that you are not offended, Sir Marcus.' The lady appeared behind the butler.

'Lady Amelia, I am so very sorry…'

Marcus turned towards the newest intruder. No, not intruder, distinguished guest, he corrected himself as he recognised the lady. 'Your Grace, welcome to my home. I am honoured by your visit.' Marcus was proud at his quick recovery.

'I could not let my young friend travel without a proper chaperone. Apart from that, I needed to make certain that you children did not make a complete… bungle of this.'

Alexandra regained her composure and smiled as she declared, 'I think we managed to handle the situation rather well, Lady Amelia. Sir Marcus and I are engaged to be married.'

'Congratulations. It is about time.' The Dowager Duchess of Denton smiled with real warmth at the news.

A footman arrived to inform the party that a meal was ready to be served. As soon as he had delivered the message, he hurried below stairs to bear the glad tidings, although some less generous souls might have called it gossip.

~~H~~