At Longbourn:
Jane found herself deep in contemplation, pondering the next step of her scheme. She fervently hoped that her previous actions had succeeded in arousing a sense of envy within the heart of Mr. Bingley. Now, however, it was time to divert her attention and befriend Miss Mary King.
Jane had never held any particular regard for Miss King, but she recognized the necessity of ensuring that the young lady would never accept Mr. Wickham's proposal. Mr. Wickham was a man whose involvement Jane required to further her own intricate scheme. It simply would not do for him to be engaged to another woman.
Recalling past events, Jane recalled that Mr. Carter had once been an object of Miss King's affections. In those days, when he still held the rank of lieutenant, she had witnessed them dancing together on numerous occasions. Alas, their connection had come to naught as Mr. Carter had departed for Spain shortly thereafter. However, rumors had reached Jane's ears that he had recently been promoted to the rank of captain and returned to the town of Meryton.
With this knowledge in mind, Jane saw an opportunity to manipulate the situation to her advantage. By befriending Miss King and subtly reintroducing Captain Carter into her life, she could potentially divert Miss King's attention away from Mr. Wickham and ensure that her own plans remained unimpeded.
In this intricate dance of social maneuvering and calculated alliances, Jane understood the importance of every step. The success or failure of her scheme hinged upon her ability to control the hearts and minds of those around her. With determination burning in her eyes, she set forth on this new path, ready to weave a web of connections and emotions that would shape the course of her future.
Jane knew it would not be an easy task to befriend Miss King, for the young lady was known to be rather aloof and reserved. But Jane was determined to try, and so she began to seek out opportunities to spend time with Miss King.
Their first meeting was at the weekly sewing circle, which Jane normally avoided; but she had heard that Miss King was a regular attendee. Jane arrived early, hoping to be able to sit near Miss King and strike up a conversation.
To her delight, Miss King seemed pleased to see her and welcomed her with a warm smile. Jane was careful to bring up the news of the militia arriving in Meryton, and as she had predicted, Miss King seemed startled by this information. Jane desperately wanted to mention Captain Carter, but knew she had to proceed with caution. So instead, she requested Miss King to join her at Clarke's library sometime in the upcoming week. If there still were some feelings between Miss King and Captain Carter, then perhaps being in such close proximity would ignite their former flame and snuff out any fledgling new relationships.
When she arrived home, she noticed an unfamiliar carriage parked in front; she assumed it must have belonged to her cousin, who might have possibly come to visit.
As Jane walked toward the house, she heard an unknown man's voice. Peering through a window, she spotted a tall, heavyset man with a rather plain and unremarkable appearance, lacking any particular handsomeness or charm.
Taking a deep breath, Jane composed herself and entered the house. As she had suspected, it was indeed Mr. Collins. He greeted her with a bow; his mannerisms were overly formal. She tried to make polite conversation, but quickly found herself growing agitated by his presence.
She could see the amusement in her father's and Lizzy's eyes, but Jane was taken aback by Mr. Collins' appearance. Her father had warned them about his ridiculousness, but she had never expected it to be this evident. She hid her shock with a polite smile and listened as he spoke.
She listened carefully to Mr. Collins' words despite the disdain she felt for him. From what she heard, he was an overly pompous man with an unhealthy inclination towards flattery and a strange preoccupation with his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She had no desire to converse with him, but she thought that maybe somehow she could make use of the situation.
During their conversation, Mr. Collins made it clear he had come to Longbourn with hopes of finding a wife, just as Jane had expected. Her mother started to complain about Mary's absence, but her father didn't seem to pay much attention to her words.
Jane understood what her mother was doing; Mrs. Bennet hoped Mr. Bingley would propose soon, and had noticed Mr. Darcy's interest in Elizabeth. Kitty was already courting John Lucas, while Lydia's disheveled state barred her from attracting any suitors at the time. With this being said, Mrs. Bennet was focused on getting a proposal from Mr. Collins for Mary. Jane, however, knew her mother would insist that her father write to the Gardiners about sending Mary back to Longbourn, but she had other plans.
She directed a pleasant angelic smile towards Mr. Collins.
At Lord Alexander Fitzwilliam's townhouse in London :
Alec arched an eyebrow and directed the footman to admit the gentleman. His curiosity was piqued, for he desired to ascertain the identity of this rugged-looking individual and the purpose of his visit. As he patiently awaited the man's arrival, his mind wandered, pondering around his brother's plea for information regarding the steward of Greycastle.
As the man finally crossed the threshold and entered the room, Alec's eyes instantly widened in a moment of recognition. A flicker of doubt crossed his mind.
Carl? The very thought sent shivers down his spine. Carl was a notorious crime lord whose name echoed through the streets of London. Feared by many, Carl's influence extended far and wide, casting a shadow over the city. It was during Alec's university days that he had first crossed paths with him. As a gentleman with peculiar interests beyond the realm of music, Alec found himself drawn to the darker underbelly of society, venturing into the nefarious corners of different places. It was in these ventures that he had encountered Carl, who, aside from his criminal activities, also offered protection to gentlemen seeking to explore the East End. In exchange for a handsome sum of money, Carl would ensure their safety amidst the dangers that lurked in those grimy streets.
Alec's mind raced, trying to unravel the enigma that lay before him. What could possibly bring such a nefarious individual to seek an audience with him at such a late hour? The air grew heavy with anticipation as Alec braced himself for whatever purpose Carl might have in store.
"Your Lordship," Carl said, his voice filled with deference , "I have procured some information regarding Lord Denbridge, as you had previously requested."
Leaning forward in his chair, Alec's curiosity was piqued. "Pray, do continue," he urged, his eyes fixed intently on Carl.
Carl paused for a brief moment, collecting his thoughts before resuming. "It may astonish you to learn that Lord Denbridge was not always destined to bear the title of Earl," he revealed.
Alec's brow furrowed in confusion, signalling his lack of knowledge on the matter. "What do you mean?" he inquired, eager to unravel the mystery presented before him.
Carl fixed his gaze upon him, his eyes unwavering as he began to speak in a deliberate and measured manner. "He was a distant cousin, my lord," he uttered with a nod. "The former Earl of Denbridge had a progeny who was destined to inherit the esteemed title and vast estate. Alas, fate dealt a cruel hand, for this heir was discovered lifeless, and the circumstances surrounding his demise remained an enigma that perplexed all who sought the truth. The present Earl of Denbridge, in actuality, is but a destitute relative of the original Earl, a fact unbeknownst even to himself. Whispers among the populace suggest that before his elevation to the Earldom, he served as a soldier and was stationed in India."
Alec's countenance betrayed his intrigue as he arched an eyebrow inquisitively. "And pray tell," he said, "how did you come by such knowledge?" He spoke with genuine curiosity.
Carl bestowed upon him a sardonic smile, his lips curling with a touch of mockery. "Perchance I possess my own wellspring of information, my lord," he said with an air of superiority. "And I daresay that you, above all others, would find this intelligence most intriguing."
Alec reclined in his chair, his countenance reflecting a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"Their ancestral estate, my lord," Carl began, "was ensnared in the clutches of insurmountable debts. Both the former Earl and his son were notorious gamblers and libertines. When the present Earl inherited the title and estate, he was confronted with a formidable struggle. The weight of those debts, be they incurred through gambling or even debts of honor owed by his noble kinsmen, burdened him greatly. Yet, astonishingly enough, he not only managed to settle all those debts but also resurrected the estate to its former grandeur. It is nothing short of a miraculous feat."
Alec inquired, "A miracle, you say?"
To which Carl replied, "Indeed, or perhaps witchcraft, one of the two. Lord Denbridge is renowned for his aversion towards individuals associated with trades - anything remotely connected to them. Yet it appears implausible for someone to settle such colossal debts without any assistance from tradesmen. He was an exceedingly peculiar man; rumor had it that even after inheriting the Earldom, he remained perpetually insecure about his standing in society—yearning to align himself with the most influential families of the Ton. The Matlocks wield immense power, and your own grandfather being a Marquis, he desperately sought to establish a connection with you."
As comprehension slowly dawned upon Alec, a realization of great significance began to take hold within his mind. "Ah," he murmured under his breath, his voice filled with a mixture of understanding and surprise. "That explains why he was so insistent on my union with Lady Cordelia."
Upon hearing Alec's revelation, Carl couldn't help but let out a hearty chuckle. "He had no knowledge of your existing marriage," he remarked, a mischievous smirk adorning his face. "Your esteemed lineage will undoubtedly be taken aback when they receive word of this news. Pray tell, is the viscountess in your company at present?"
Alec's eyes widened in alarm, and he hastily cleared his throat before responding. "The viscountess? Oh, dear heavens, no!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a hint of panic. "She embarked on a journey to visit her ailing mother, who currently resides on the precipice of the deathbed, I must add."
Carl let out a low whistle, impressed by Alec's quick thinking. "I see, I see. Well, no matter. We shall ensure that this information remains discreet until the appropriate time."
Alec was embarrassed that he had made such an error. He cleared his mind and focused on the issue at hand. "You mentioned Lord Denbridge and his associates using your carriages often; what could a wealthy man like him need from a crime lord ?"
Carl's expression became very stern. "My Lord, it is clear Lord Denbridge has many interests which may include activities that require discretion. We never inquired any further into the matter. All I had to do was supply them when requested and take payment afterwards; it was an easy transaction."
