"Mary, Miss Bennet, Miss Smith, allow me to introduce my cousin Lord Sebastian."
"Lord Sebastian, this is my wife Mary Barton and her sisters, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Miss Jane Smith."
Of the three ladies, the only one who was in awe of Mr. Barton's excellent connections was Jane. With a smile Mary welcomed him, "My Lord it is an honor to finally meet you. My husband has told me many stories about you. Please take a seat. Would you like tea and sandwiches?"
Lord Sebastian smiled, "No, thank you. I just wanted to meet you and invite you to dinner in two days at The Firs." Looking at the other two pretty ladies, he added, "It would be my pleasure if you, Miss Bennet and Miss Smith, would come to dinner too."
The invitation was gladly accepted by Mary and Elizabeth, Jane hesitated, but finally declined the invitation with regret. There was no point in staying, a future marquis would never notice her. A few minutes later Lord Sebastian left...
Jane was quiet during the gentleman's brief visit, but was the first to speak, "Mary, why did you never tell us that Mr. Barton has such close connections with the nobility. You realize that this connection changes your situation and even your life and that of our family. Can you imagine when our mother finds out..."
"I don't see what's going to change. I didn't marry Mr. Barton because of his connections to the nobility as you said, I married him because I love and respect him. Besides, Mr. Barton's situation is the same, he is still the same vicar that our mother despises."
Jane shook her head and insisted, "but I am sure that when our mother finds out that he is the marquis XXXX's nephew, she will understand why you preferred to marry him and not Mr. Collins."
Lizzy looked at Jane in amazement and an annoyed Mary replied, "Why didn't you marry Mr. Collins? If I remember correctly, a few years ago Mr. Collins was interested in you... You ran away Jane, you did not want the 'honor' of being his wife. 'Why did I have to do what you were unwilling to do? After all, you are the eldest and our mother's favorite daughter. Back then you didn't even have a suitor and you were already of marriageable age."
"It wasn't like that," Jane protested weakly, "Mother married Mr. Collins Sr., and so there was no need for me to marry Mr. Collins Jr. I don't know what I would have done if Mama hadn't sacrificed herself for us." "
Elizabeth noticing that the discussion was escalating decided to change the subject, "I didn't know that The Firs belonged to the family of the marquis. I thought it belonged to Mr. Adams."
Mary nodded. "Exactly, Mr. Edward Adams is the youngest brother of Lord Sebastian's mother. He is a Judge in London. His older brother Mr. Peter Adams is the owner of Netherfield Park, but as he has another estate in Kent where he lives all the year, he usually lease Netherfield. Peter Adams's sons are still too young to administrate an estate. The eldest is at university, and the youngest is at Eton. My husband's mother was the youngest sister. My husband, as well as being a vicar, inherited over £10,000 and is saving for our children's future."
Elizabeth nodded and smiled, "If I liked your husband before, now I like him much more. I am very happy that you have married a gentleman who in addition to loving and respecting you, is saving for the future."
"I wish I had been that lucky!" commented Jane with teary eyes.
"Jane, please tell us what is really happening to you. You are acting very strangely." Mary asked worriedly.
Jane sighed, for a moment hesitating to tell them about her disappointment with Mr. Bingley and what Miss Bingley said, but gave up. She didn't want to see the pitying faces of Mary and Elizabeth. Mary was married to a man who loved and respect her, and Elizabeth had a large dowry. She was the only one who depended on the charity of others and on marriage to secure her future. "It is nothing important, it's just that I feel out of place in Meryton. I don't belong here anymore."
"I feel the same way," Elizabeth said to comfort Jane, "the only reason I came to Hertfordshire is to visit Mary for a few weeks." She paused and added, "since my father died, this is no longer my home..."
PPP
After visiting his cousin, Lord Sebastian sent a note to Netherfield Park to let Darcy know he had arrived. The plan was to meet him 'by chance' the next day.
PPP
Summary: Characters and relationships.
Jane Smith: Fanny's eldest daughter (less sweet, kind-hearted, and naive than Jane Bennet.)
Lord Frederick: Georgiana's father (marquis)
Lord Sebastian: Lord Frederick's only son.
Mr. Barton: Mary's husband. He is the nephew of Lord Frederick.
Victoria Harrison: Lizzy's Aunt
Madeleine Gardiner: Victoria Harrison's cousin and Edward Gardiner's wife.
Patrick Stevens: Fanny Stevens, nee Collins, nee Bennet, nee Smith, nee Gardiner's husband.