I am so, so, so sorry. I have no real excuse. Time just went right on by. I have been slowly working on this chapter and decided to cut it in half, just so I can get something out to you.
Georgiana watched all that was going on around her with awe. This was something she had never seen before. The Bennet sisters were running to and fro, getting ready. It was organized chaos, and she loved it! Though she has a few female relatives, none were her age and she could not imagine them participating in something such as this. If a maid was unavailable, the sisters helped one another. Jane and Lizzy were currently putting her hair into a beautiful, yet youthful chignon. Kate was lacing Lydia up while a maid helped Mary into her dress. Lizzy was the only one fully dressed.
"Is it always like this? When you are all getting ready for an event?"
It was Jane who answered. "Yes. It is both productive and fun. It hasn't always been this easy going. I am sure Kate has told you, but we haven't always had this kind of harmony between us."
"I remember her turmoil over Lydia. I am glad they have patched things up."
"They get along better now than they did before," said Jane as she smiled at her sisters.
"It is considered rude to talk about someone as though they are, ouch! Kate, that it too tight!" cried Lydia
"Breathe in."
"Anyways, it is considered rude to talk about someone as though they are not present."
"I am sure Mrs. Blakely will be pleased to know her lessons are, in fact, being taken in," said Mary.
"Yes! Please tell her! Perhaps she shall not bother me so much about it."
"She wouldn't remind you so much of it if you implemented it more."
Lydia stuck her tongue out and the others laughed.
"So Mary, I hope you do not think I am being too intrusive, but Jane, Lizzy, and Kate have beaus in various stages, though Lizzy denies it. What about you? Has anyone caught your eye?" asked Georgie.
"From you or my sisters, I would not consider it an intrusion. To answer your question, no, no man has sought my affections and I have handed them to no one. I am happy for my sisters, and I do hope to join them in such felicity, though I once thought to be happy with the life of a spinster."
"Oh, Mary," said Jane.
"No, no, dear Jane. Do not feel sad for what could have been. I once sought such a life, having only the example of our parents to study in the matter of matrimony. I have since been able to observe courtships not laced with manipulation, and even our parents' relationship has improved. It has given me hope that happiness can indeed be found in such a state."
Lizzy suddenly gained a mischievous smile. "So, is it safe to assume Mr. Collins will continue to remain outside the realm of possible suitors?"
"Heaven forbid I should ever be tied to such a man. It frightens me to think that I would have possibly desired it had our Aunt not decided to bestow her kindness upon us."
"What happened to Mr. Collins?" asked Kate.
"Well, he thought he would be in Mama's favor, since he is to inherit Longbourn. What he did not account for, was that Mama is not so desperate to ignore his deplorable nature. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy's constant presence has caused Mama to seek only the best for her daughters, and Mr. Collins does not fit her designs," said Jane. With that, she deemed Georgiana's hair perfect.
"When it became apparent he would receive no help from our parents to sway us, he decided to depart without grace, declaring Lady Catherine would be happy to know he would be able to continue giving his full attention to his parishioners, or really, to Lady Catherine herself," stated Lizzy.
"My aunt is truly an intimidating person. I do not see how he can abide having her as a patroness. Fitzwilliam and Richard have both declared her expectations to be above anyone else of their acquaintance," said Georgianna
"That may be, but it would appear that our dear cousin has a talent for telling ladies what they like to hear."
Georgiana beamed. She glanced around again and basked in the atmosphere. She hoped it never truly came to an end.
Richard checked his appearance one more time, and left his rooms. He had never looked forward to one of his mother's parties before. After their visit at Carter House, the gentlemen had devised a plan. They had decided they didn't like the idea of any other gents dancing with the sisters. Georgie and Lydia they would not have to worry about, as they were not out and reduced to dancing only with, or in Lydia's case, close family friends. There were to be 7 dances tonight. Each had claimed 2 with their ladies of choice, and had promised a dance with each lady. Since their dances were full, they had to enlist the help of a couple of friends to fill the rest of their dances, Dr. Thomas Anderson and Mr. Andrew Williams. Anderson had attended university with his Richard's older brother, but had become a good friend of his when he came home with Nathaniel one Christmas. Williams was a cousin of Anderson's. He became a widower three years ago when his wife fell to childbed fever. According to his friend, it had been an arranged match, and Anderson thought it time to remarry, for his own happiness and for the sake of his daughter. Both gentlemen would be arriving at the ball with them. Thank goodness his mother was the hostess.
Once he made the ground floor, he heard the bell ring. He was surprised to find that it was not the guests they were expecting, but their aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. "This ought to be good," muttered Richard.
"Where is my nephew?! Why is he not here to greet us?!"
"Mama, please…." said Anne softly. "I do not think he was expecting us. You didn't even tell me we would be coming here first."
"And why shouldn't he? This is the opportune moment."
"Opportune moment for what?" asked Richard, making his presence known.
"Richard! You can not know how happy I am to see you," cried Anne, in her ever soft voice. As she hugged him she whispered in his hear, "I tried to stop her, cousin, but she is determined. She plans to make Darcy claim me. I do not know how to stop her."
"Richard," bellowed Lady Catherine, "what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at your parents' town home?"
"I decided to stay with Darcy, otherwise Mother would think me underfoot or worse, put me to work," he said with wink to Anne.
"Well, you shall have to take our carriage. Anne and I shall be arriving with Darcy."
"I beg your pardon!" said Darcy with a bit of force. Bingley entered the room right behind him. "I do not remember making such plans. My carriage is already full."
"Surly Richard and your friend would not mind arriving in my carriage. Darcy, it is time for you to claim my Anne. It was the dearest wish of your mother and myself. She is tired of waiting."
Anne eyes got wide as she looked at her cousin in denial. Darcy, Richard, and Bingley's mouths had dropped open. It wasn't but a moment that Darcy caught his bearings, and he was angry.
"This ends now. My mother never said anything about her 'desire' for me to wed Anne. In fact, she made it a point to tell me that I should marry for great affection and never obligation. You are the only person to claim my mother had any other desire for me. I love Anne as I love Georgiana; as a most beloved sister. If you continue to pursue this, you will only cause yourself, and worse, Anne embarrassment. When I marry, it shall be a lady of my choice, not yours."
"This is not to be! You are meant for Anne! I shall not sit by and watch you deny her! Think of your family! Your reputation! There is no other who could provide you with more benefit."
"And what would a union with dear Anne bring? A bankrupt estate? Do not think we know nothing of your situation."
He looked to his frail cousin. "Forgive me, Anne, for what I am about to say." With that, Darcy turned back to his Aunt. "By your own standards, a marriage to Anne offers me nothing. She no longer has a fortune, for you have commandeered even that. She has no connections other than those that I myself can lay claim to. She is often sick, and at this point, may very well be unable to provide me with an heir. I lay blame at your feet for this as well, for she was a healthy child, until you decided to keep her locked away from the world, under your constant, watchful eye."
"How dare you! Have you no shame! Have you no honor?"
"It is not my honor that has been called into question, Lady Catherine. You need me, but I do not need you. You are my mother's sister, and in that, you have always had my respect. I will not, however allow you to control any part of me. The choice is yours; if you desire to keep me as a connection, I demand you desist in your plan to wed me to Anne, or if you continue, I shall deny my relation to you. You and I both know that no one in the Ton will look fondly upon one who wastes their wealth and tries to steal another. Not that you have much regard amongst the Ton."
"You will regret this!" Lady Catherine left the room in a rage, barking orders to have her carriage ready immediately.
Anne looked at her cousins and their friend. "I am sorry, Darcy. I never wanted it to come to this."
"We are all to blame, Anne. We allowed to believe she would get her way for far too long."
"Anne, for your own good, I believe you should leave Rosings and your mother for a while. Olivia would be happy to have you, and I am sure you would benefit from not being so confined," said Richard.
"I will speak with her tomorrow. I do not think we will be attending this evening.
The cousins saw a spark in her eyes they have not seen in many years. She bade the goodbye and follow after her mother.
"Well, that could have been worse," said Richard.
"Do not say that! Never say that!" exclaimed Darcy. Richard offered a weak smile.
"So," said Bingley, "that was Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"
"Yes, quite fearsome isn't she," said Richard. "Now you know we speak the truth."
The two missing gentlemen were lead into the room a few moments later.
"Richard, Darcy! We just saw the strangest thing. A very loud woman fell into a rather large puddle just outside your house," said Anderson.
"She was bellowing and carrying on. Anderson offered to help, but she just yelled at him, and almost blamed him for her misfortune," added Andrew.
Richard barely muffled his laugh before he said, "Very strange indeed."
"That, gentlemen, was our aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Excuse me if I find it difficult, at the moment, to feel compassion for her. Running a bit late gentlemen?" said Darcy
"Sorry about that. It was my fault. Amelia had a hard time letting me go tonight. I stayed to read one more, small story before I left to retrieve my cousin here," answered Anderson.
"No harm, I just wish to wipe my encounter with my aunt from my mind. How is young Miss Williams?"
"She is well, almost too smart for her own good. She overheard Thomas and I discussing finding me a new wife. I have decided to quit the neighborhood we currently reside in, thinking it would be easier to find a wife. Too many of Sarah's friends and family reside there. Thomas tells me you have lately been in Hertfordshire. Tell me, is it a pleasant area?"
"I find it most pleasing," offered Bingley.
"Bingley! Do forgive me. Anderson, Andrew, this is a good friend on mine, Mr. Charles Bingley. Bingley, allow me to introduce you to Dr. Thomas Anderson and Mr. Andrew Williams."
The gentlemen got the pleasantries out of the way as they carriage was announced. One the way to the ball, Andrew took the time to question Bingley about Hertfordshire. "So, you find it to be an agreeable neighborhood?"
"Yes, it is very beautiful and the families are most amiable. I have, I hope, found my own bride amongst their daughters. In fact, you shall meet her and her family this evening."
"I take it this lady is one of the reasons we have been called upon to dance this evening."
"You have guessed correctly, Andrew. There are three ladies we desire your help in keeping from the general male population," said Richard.
"Thomas! I do believe some young lady has caught our Colonel here."
"Do not forget cousin, he said three ladies. Darcy, has some young lady caught your attention? Do wonders ever cease? I never thought I would see the day that you two would allow yourselves to be taken in."
"We have not been taken in! You're one to talk, Anderson. Are you not also, in want of a wife? I am sure your mother would be happy to see you settled."
"I will be happy to settle, when I find myself a lady who cares more for mental pursuits than embroidery. Do you know how hard it is to find a woman who I can sit and discuss the particulars of my field? I need a partner, not just a pretty ornament on my arm."
"I believe you will find that is the case for all of us. Now, let us discuss our plan for the evening."
So, this happened. I couldn't find it in my heart to embarrass Anne too much, so Lady Catherine decided to force her will upon her nephew before the ball. If you want to know, yes, Anne caused her mothers' mishap. They will be absent from the ball, but I am not sure we have heard the last of Lady Catherine. I have introduced two new characters. Kudos if you know who they are intended for. I am making no promises as to when the next chapter will be out, but I am shooting for tis weekend.