Chapter Eleven:
The trip from London to Hunsford was pleasant and uneventful the sisters traveled with Edward and his nurse, the journey was managed quickly as they only had to stop and change horse once. They had left their own personal maids in London as they thought Mary may not have the space to accommodate them all and it was vital now than ever that the young viscount always be accompanied by an adult that was a loyal trusted servant especially when traveling.
The coach and four rolled to a stop outside a pretty little house that sat on the edge of a park. Jane knocked on the roof and presented her Postillion with hers and Lizzie calling cards to deliver to the house while they waited within the carriage to see if they would be accepted.
The Ashbrook postillion knocked on the front door to the Hundsford parsonage, which was answered by a girl of all works, that assisted Mary twice a week. Mary was taking a well-earned break, she was more tired now she was with child and her husband hoovered far too often around her, he was beginning to test her patients. So she had encouraged him to visit Rosing park to consult with her patroness on this week's upcoming service. The maid located Mary in the parlor and presented her with the beautifully printed calling cards of Mrs. Jasper Brodwick - Countess of Ashbrook and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mary cried with delight and ran out to greet her sisters in a very un lady-like way, but it had been nearly four years since she had seen them and she was overjoyed. Jane introduced her son Edward Viscount Ashbrook, Mary was ecstatic to finally meet her nephew who was a lovely shy boy who resembled Jane in looks.
The house was rather small but well built, it appeared to be convenient with well-proportioned rooms. Mary ensured all the rooms were fitted up with a neatness and consistency that would never be found at Longbourne. The ladies sat down to tea and to catch up, Mary was delighted to learn her sisters wished to stay at her home especially when they would be used to the grandeur a countess would accustom to, excusing herself to speak with the maid to firstly arrange the room she also quickly penned a note to her husband advising of their guest, she was proud of her husband and wanted to introduce him to her more, deserving sisters and for them to meet him.
Lady Catherine sat in her throne-like chair looking down upon Mr. Collins, as she dictated the Sunday sermon to her clergyman when they were disturbed by a knock on the door.
"Enter" called the great lady.
"A note, Mam for Mr. Collins" the footman conveyed, the lady nodded to indicate to footmen to deliver the note.
The footman walk to the mand and handed him a short note which he read quickly, Mr. Collins shot to his feet, to begin making her excuses to Lady Catherine so he could leave, being a man with great respect for the higher ranks he strongly felt he couldn't linger with her ladyship when he had a countess in his own home who had come to stay.
"I do hope all is well Mr. Collins" declared she.
"My deepest apologies my lady, but I must leave at once " he bowed as he headed towards the door. "The countess of Ashbrook has called on my dearest wife and I must return home"
"Mr collins why on earth, would the countess of Ashbrook be calling on your wife" questioned the great lady she was surprised by Mrs. Collins's connections. Lady Catherine also knew, Adelaide Brodwick now the dowager countess, she knew the second son had inherited the title but she had never met the man or his wife.
"Why Lady Catherine, the countess is my sister through marriage, she has traveled here to visit my dearest Mary alongside there middle sister Elizabeth, I must rush back and greet my dear sisters"
As she was acquainted with Adelaide she knew she would need to invite her daughter for dinner. Lady Catherine was astonished to learn that her clergyman had such acquaintances, his connections were certainly better than she thoughts with an Earl for a brother, She had presumed Mrs. Collins sisters had all Married local gentleman farms, not future Earls may be the Bennet family was better acquaintanced than she originally thought.
"Mr. Collins, I will allow you to leave, tell Mrs. Collins I will send her a note inviting her and her sisters to tea tomorrow which I insist she accepts I must certainly meet the Countess as I know her dear mother the dowager countess... ow Adelaide is such a dear friend to me" she continued to an empty room.
The ladies were sat in the personage enjoying each other company, updating each other on their lives, when Mr. Collins barged into the room, he was a tall, heavy-looking man of five and twenty, his air was grave and his manners were stately and formal he bowed to the ladies and begged her wife for an introduction to the fine ladies sitting before him in his own modest parsonage.
"Mr. Collins, These ladies are my two older sisters you, never had the opportunity to meet. This is Jane who is Mrs. Jasper Brodwick, Countess of Ashbrook and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, now the oldest Miss Bennet, finally this fine young man is our nephew Edward the viscount of Ashbrook" The small child bowed as on cue to the man. Mr. Collins had been so excited by the thought of having a countess in her house that he had not even noticed the small child but he quickly recovered and returned the bow and the women praised the child on his manners.
"Jane, Lizzie, this is my husband Mr. Willam Collins he is the clergyman of Hunsford parish " the man bowed for a second time.
The family spent the remaining of the day, enjoying each other company, even Mr. Collins who insisted on being called William as promised by their father he wasn't the most sensible man. As promised a note arrived inviting the ladies for tea with Lady Catherine the following day. When Mr. Collins left the lady to their own devices Mrs. Collins took the opportunity to tell her sisters about Lady Catherine De Borgh who would be their host on the morrow.
The Ladies left the parsonage the following day allowing plenty of time for them to take a leisurely walk to Rosing Park. Rosing Park was a beautiful larger modern building, set in a pretty park. The house itself was a fine stone building with heavy oak doors. The sisters arrived at the park and handed over the calling cards to the butler, the butler who was expecting them then took them straight to the most ostentatious parlor that Rosing Park had to offer after waiting for five minutes, they were taken to the parlor where the lady awaited them. The room was lavish the affluence balanced with the immaculate taste of a woman of fine society, characterized by sophistication and elegance with a slight air of gaudiness.
Lady Catherine liked to observe proprietary and rank so she would offer a countess the best, she could offer it was her duty as the daughter of an earl. Jane as the countess of Ashbrook requested her sisters to make the introduction to Lady Catherine of her sisters Jane the countess of Ashbrook and Elizabeth Bennet. Once introduce were made the Lady Catherine had time to look at the sisters they were better dressed than Mrs. Collins in the finest fabrics in the latest London fashions, their gowns were far from ostentatious that the nouveau rich of the ton favored the older sister clearly had good taste and manners. Mrs. Collins was not a beauty, so the lady was surprised that older sisters were very beautiful women. The countess was more classic English rose slim, sleek blonde hair, rosy cheeks, and sparkling blue eyes. Miss Bennet was just as beautiful she wasn't a classic beauty like the countess but still with her curly brown hair, curvier more womanly body, and huge sparkling brown eyes.
Lady Catherine as the hostess carried most of the conversation, asking questions about the older sister's travels in America, their time in London she asked Jane about her mother-in-law as the lady advised they were great friends, and finally the young viscount. Then she turned to Miss Bennet who she asked about her age and lack of marriage, she found her to impertinent, but she admired this quality in women as it reminded her of herself when she was younger there was something familiar about the young woman, especially her eyes, she could not place. Elizabeth Bennet reminder her of someone but she couldn't place who.
It was soon time for the women to take their leave, Lady Catherine offered for Jane and the Viscount to stay at Rosing Park while they stayed in Hunsford, Jane graciously declined and advised they were already settled at her sister's home but she was grateful for the kind invitation and invited the ladies to stay at her own home if she found herself in Staffordshire. Lady Catherine insisted that she must have the countess for dinner, it was settled for three days' time, Jane advised that she would be joined by her husband by then who she would love to introduce to the lady. The whole party from the parsonage was invited to join the dinner, lady Catherine declaring they would play cards and be merry.