Chapter 34

"What speculation must be abounding in the neighborhood," Elizabeth said with a laugh. "And today the local ladies wish to confirm the gossip they themselves have started. For how dreadful it would be to be incorrect? For shame what if our party does not boast 10 eligible males and 2 single females, both of them very unfortunate looking!"

"Lizzy, I doubt that our party is reported to have 10 gentlemen and 2 ladies," Jane said calmly.

"Your right! This is Newmarket, home of the racing turf. Perhaps it suffers the opposite of Meryton, an over abundance of gentlemen. Therefore we are a party of 12 females, all of us staggeringly beautiful and of large fortune," Elizabeth said merrily.

"What about a party of 8 gentleman and 8 ladies-" Anne said.

"I dislike where you are going with this, Anne," Elizabeth cut her off with mock frown. "You have them getting the numbers right already. That won't do at all for gossip."

"Ah, hold on my impatient cousin," Anne said with a laugh. "A party of 16, 8 married gentlemen and 8 married ladies, so of course we can be of no interest to them and it is as Jane says, they gossip about us not at all."

"For shame!" Elizabeth declared as they all laughed. "To not be on everyone's tongues! How shall we live with such infamy!"

"Tolerably well I suppose," Georgiana said grinning. "It seems they will not give us consequence and mean to slight us one and all."

"Then perhaps they shall not notice if we do not join Mama and Aunt Catherine in receiving them and we may have an enjoyable tea," Elizabeth said with a carefree shrug.

"Pretend carelessness all you want, Elizabeth, " Anne said. "You cannot fool me. I know you look forward to seeing my mother in action holding court."

"Do I, Anne dear? Do I?" Elizabeth asked.

"You think our Lizzy is the sort to make sport of her aunt? Is she not a demure, duitful creature, who sees the good in everyone?" Georgiana asked playfully.

"Hey!" Jane said in protest.

"There is nothing wrong with such, Jane," Anne said wryly. "But I do believe we can all agree your descriptor does not fit Lizzy."

"I would think the compilation of our party quiet satisfactory to any neighborhood, this one or Meryton," Jane said mildly. "Afterall, of the eight gentleman, 7 are bachelors. One of them titled-"

"And William is Master of a great estate and large fortune. His wealth outweighs James in some considerations," Anne said cynically. "Quite a few marriage minded would take it over a title."

"Two more of the gentlemen are decorated war vetrans," Jane continued. "Another is essentially a local, living and operating out of Harcourt, a fine estate itself, Mr. Bingley is an amiable well set up young man, " Jane said blushing. "And the last is a man of God. I am sure all will be quite welcome."

"Dear Jane, she believes that the locals will find our Issac as appealing as William or James. Come now you know better than that. Mrs. Bennet would likely toss him aside as inconsequential, " Elizabeth reminded her.

"Or she would believe he would do very well for Mary," Jane argued.

"Perhaps if he were not on the brink of an engagement," Elizabeth said. "But as such that makes him irrelevant."

"Ah, but this is gossip. They do not know he is engaged," Anne said with a laugh.

"And therefore he is the rightful property of someone's daughter," Elizabeth said grinning. "Now with the gentleman sorted, what shall they make of us ladies, Jane?"

"Our party boasts 8 ladies-" Jane began but Elizabeth cut her off, pretending to fan herself in agitation and swoon.

"Too many ladies!" Elizabeth cried in prented distress.

"This is not Meryton. Remeber Lizzy, you already diagnosed Newmarket with the opposite affliction," Georgiana reminded her.

"Right, of course, Elizabeth said straightening. Then collapsing gain she moaned, "Too few ladies! What a fine thing it would be for our sons if there were more ladies in the party. I daresay each of them shall fall in love with one of our young men."

"Yes, what use have they of the seven bachelors in their own party," Anne said dryly.

"Of those 8 ladies, 2 are married titled ladies," Jane began before being interrupted.

"Oh good lord, Miss Bingley is desirable," Elizabeth said sitting up and causing Anne and Georgiana to laugh while Jane scolded her.

"I shall take it from here, Jane," Georgiana said giggling. "Of the ladies 2 are as you said, titled married ladies. One is an elderly companion-"

"As dear as Mrs. Jenkinson is, I am afraid for the sake of gossip we must dismiss her as inconsequential. Do forgive us," Anne said playfully to her companion who smiled and went on quietly knitting, happy to see her charge laughing. " Which leaves the eligible females."

"One is not out," Georgiana began but Elizabeth admonished her, "Remember this is gossip, they have aged you and you are out."

"Very well of the remaining five females, four come with fortunes, but the fifth is the most beautiful," Georgiana stated.

"And one of those four is titled," Anne said giggling.

"Two more claim ties to the nobility as well, being the nieces of an Earl," Jane reminded them.

"And the other heiress? Her fortune is from trade," Anne said shaking her head in mock disappointment.

"Oh no, Anne! You think of Aunt Catherine, but I believe there will be less objection to where her fortune derives from here. There is nothing wrong with trade. It is her feathers and wardrobe they shall object too," Elizabeth said with spirit. "And that is before she even opens her mouth."

"Lizzy!" Jane admonished.

"Shall we see if Miss Bingley is finally done with her toliet? One would think she assumes we will be receiving a duchess during calls today," Anne said grinning.

"If only the daughter of a duke would call on us today," Elizabeth said with a sigh. "For then she might cease fawning over me with her pretenses of friendship and give me some peace, while she attempts to ingrate herself elsewhere.."