~~PoP~~
Noble Neighbours
The neighbourhood was in raptures. Purvis Lodge had a new owner who had been refurbishing the house. That much had been known for months as many of the local tradesmen were employed to perform the work. But they had finished weeks ago, and nothing had happened.
But at last, the house was being reopened and the owners were to arrive and take possession of it.
While that news was exciting enough, the identity of the new owners was finally revealed. The inhabitants of Meryton could hardly contain themselves when they discovered that their new neighbour was none other than the Earl of Ashcroft and his wife the Countess of Ashcroft. Even better, the couple were to be accompanied by their grandson, Viscount Markwell, who was reportedly a handsome young man of pleasant demeanour and decidedly single.
That news, which was music to the ears of the matchmaking matrons and their daughters, was spread amongst the community with the speed and excitement of a raging wildfire.
Any family with more or less marriageable daughters immediately pledged to send a representative to welcome the newcomers.
~PoP~
One of the first to insist that a visit must be made was Caroline Bingley the moment she heard that an Earl and his family were to take up residence in the area. In her defence it must be said that her maid, who had informed her of that fact, did not know the identity of the family other than their rank.
Miss Bingley had recovered from the set-downs she had received and although she had taken them to heart and attempted to modify her behaviour, some things were too much part of her nature to be set aside quickly.
'Charles, as the master of the largest estate hereabouts it behoves you to welcome the Earl. I, of course must accompany you to welcome the countess,' she declared when she joined her family for breakfast. She was fortunate that their guests had opted to go for a ride to work up an appetite for the meal.
'Caroline, you are ignoring several facts. Netherfield is not the largest estate, Longbourn is. Also, we have only been here for two months ourselves. We have no real standing in this community. It would be presumptuous of me to importune the Earl.'
'But the Earl does not know we have been here only a short time. And surely, he must long for some sophisticated company amongst all these yokels.' When Bingley did not look convinced, Caroline added, 'Can you not see how it would benefit us to be on familiar terms with an Earl? Especially since I have heard that the Viscount is of marriageable age and still quite single.'
As Caroline preened, Bingley rolled his eyes and sighed. 'Caroline, have you not been made aware of the identity of our neighbours? The Earl and Countess are the grandparents of the Misses Bennet, and the Viscount is their brother. Do you truly believe that they would welcome your acquaintance after you have been so very insulting to the ladies?'
The explanation provided by her brother made Caroline groan in frustration. She pressed her lips together and balled her fists to prevent herself from screaming in rage and throwing crockery. Why did those Bennets always stand in her way?
The answer was simple. They had everything to which Caroline aspired. And in a rare moment of honesty, she admitted to herself that the sisters had never promoted their consequence until she had tried to denigrate them. It was herself who had caused her own downfall.
~PoP~
The four Bennets were gathered at Purvis Lodge to greet their family upon arrival.
As soon as they had a modicum of privacy, the sisters ignored propriety and welcomed their grandparents with enthusiastic embraces. 'It has been too long since we last saw you.' Both sisters expressed variations of that sentiment, while Mr and Mrs Bennet stood back and watched the reunion with pleased smiles.
'I too missed my favourite granddaughters,' the Earl teased Elizabeth. 'But you know that duties kept James and me too busy for a visit this summer.'
'I know, grandfather. But speaking of my brother, where is he?'
'He asked to spend a few days with friends. After all the work he put in over the last few months, I thought that he deserved a reward.'
'He is not going to miss our birthday, is he?' Elizabeth asked full of concern. She had always accepted, albeit reluctantly, the need for James to live with their grandparents, but every year they had celebrated their birthdays together. It was unthinkable that he would not be here for their most important anniversary yet.
'Do not fret. He promised faithfully to arrive on Friday.'
'That is cutting it rather close,' observed Mr Bennet.
'I have never known him to go back on his word,' the Earl reassured them. But the interruption was a timely reminder to greet the rest of the family.
As soon as the greetings were complete, the Bennets took their leave to allow their relations to rest after their journey, but not before extending an invitation for a family dinner that night.
~PoP~
Dinner was only the immediate family circle as Mr Collins had accepted yet another invitation to dine at Lucas Lodge… much to the delight of all the Bennets as well as the Lucas'.
Once they were gathered around the dinner table, the countess did not waste time enquiring of her granddaughters, 'So, tell me about your new neighbours. Your letters have been remarkably short on details.' Her brows rose as both girls blushed. 'I see that you have much to tell me.'
'I could never keep any secrets from you,' sighed Elizabeth, although the twinkle in her eyes belied the mournful expression. 'As you know, our neighbour is a Mr Charles Bingley and his family. He is a very amiable young man and single.' She glanced briefly at Mary before she said, 'He was quite smitten with Mary.'
'You say was. What has changed?'
'Since I had no interest in him, he has directed his attention elsewhere,' Mary told her grandmother.
'What about his guests? I understand that he has friends staying with him.'
'Indeed. You may be familiar with both of them. They are Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy.'
The countess gave Elizabeth a stern look. 'It would be easier to get blood from a stone than information from you,' she growled in mock anger.
Elizabeth answered with a mischievous smile. 'Mr Darcy and I are courting.'
'Good heavens. I never thought that man would ever show interest in any woman. What did you do to get his attention?' the countess exclaimed full of amusement.
'Oh, just the usual. I insulted him and refused to dance with him.'
That impertinent comment elicited a peal of laughter. 'Yes, that would do it every time. That man has been hunted by marriage minded females for years. Finding one who did not fall at his feet must have been quite a novelty for him.'
'It certainly was, although I must confess that at the start I truly had no interest in him. But once I came to know him, I discovered that he is all that a gentleman should be.'
'You like him?'
'Very much indeed, and I believe that it is mutual.'
'In that case you must love him, because that is the emotion which he confessed for you if I recall correctly,' Mr Bennet interjected. While he and the Earl had enjoyed a quiet conversation, they had half listened to the discussion of the ladies.
Elizabeth's blush deepened as all her family's attention was on her. 'Mr Darcy has not spoken of it since, so I do not know if our feelings are equal,' she prevaricated.
The countess smiled and squeezed Elizabeth's hand. 'Very well. I will not press you further. I will only say that I have had excellent reports about the gentleman's character, and I am pleased that you may have chosen a man who is your peer.'
'I thank you for your vote of confidence, grandmother,' replied Elizabeth and changed the topic. 'What do you know and think about Colonel Fitzwilliam. I believe that you are friends with the family.'
'We were good friends with the old Earl, and friendly enough with the current generation. Their two sons are a credit to the family, although Lady Matlock is getting concerned about the future of the family name. While their older son, Viscount Fanshaw, is married, he only has two daughters so far.'
The countess chuckled. 'I should not laugh, but I find it amusing how Lady Eleanor has been trying to matchmake for her younger son, but he keeps evading her. I suppose the training he received in the army is of great benefit to him. Why do you ask about him?'
'Every time Mr Darcy visits, Colonel Fitzwilliam accompanies him. When they are here, the Colonel frequently engages Mary in conversation…' Elizabeth informed the lady.
'Is that so?' The countess said with a pleased smile and turned to the younger girl. 'Does his attention please you?'
Mary had enjoyed listening to her sister's inquisition by their grandmother. Even though she loved her sister, and they got on well together, Elizabeth could at times be somewhat overpowering. Seeing her surpassed by the countess, even though it was done in the most loving manner, quite delighted the younger sister.
But now that the focus was on herself, Mary was considerably less sanguine. It was her turn to colour under the countess' scrutiny. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she admitted, 'I like the Colonel quite well, but I feel that I may be too young...' she trailed off.
'You like him quite well?' the countess said with arched brows.
Mary sighed. 'I like him very much indeed. I thought he like me too, but lately he has become more distant.'
'What happened?'
'I do not know. We were getting on very well and I was hoping he might declare himself, but then he suddenly became more reserved. Perhaps he is afraid of committing himself or he also thought me too young?'
Elizabeth listened and paid close attention. She had been trying to draw Mary out on the subject, but her sister had gently diverted her every time she raised the subject. She was pleased when Mary admitted that she liked the Colonel, because Elizabeth had a high opinion of the gentleman, even though she had no interest in him for herself. She too had noticed the attachment which seemed to have grown between them but had been unaware of the Colonel's new reserve.
Thinking about when the change might have occurred, gave her an idea. 'When did you notice him changing?'
Mary's brow furrowed as she tried to recall all her interactions with the gentleman. 'I suppose since Mr Collins arrived,' she said hesitantly.
'Which was just after our return from Netherfield…'
'What happened at Netherfield and what has Mr Collins to do with all this,' the countess asked.
The sisters and Mr Bennet related all the recent happenings while the Earl and the countess listened attentively.
It was the Earl who agreed with Elizabeth's suspicions. 'I suspect that when the young man discovered your true wealth, he did not wish to be perceived as a fortune hunter. Now he is probably uncertain how to proceed. Perhaps he needs a little encouragement… if you are so inclined.'
Mary grimaced as she listened to the Earl's evaluation. As she considered her desires and options, she toyed with her napkin, keeping her eyes focused on it. She liked Richard Fitzwilliam a great deal indeed, but she was uncertain if she was ready to commit to marriage. Perhaps it would be better to have a long courtship?
She had almost decided on such a course of action as another thought occurred to her. If she did not make a commitment, then there was a certainty that he would return to the continent when recalled to duty. If that happened, there was a chance that he would not return.
As realisation hit her, her eyes flew up to meet the patient gaze of her grandfather. 'I do not wish to live without him,' she exclaimed.
He gave her a nod and a gentle smile. 'It seems you have just grown up, my dear. Leave it to me.'
'Grandfather, I do not wish for him to feel obliged to offer for me,' Mary protested.
'I would never push him to do so. I desire only to clarify the situation for both of you. To give you peace of mind.'
Mary gave him a tentative smile. 'Thank you, grandfather.'
'You are most welcome. That is what I am here for.'
Having cleared the air, the rest of the dinner was conducted with pleasant conversation about a variety of subjects.
~PoP~
The next day, before anyone had a chance to do more than wait for polite visiting hours, the four and twenty families of the gentry and a few select others received invitations to a ball which was to be held at Purvis Lodge on Saturday the twenty-third of November.
Miss Bingley was ecstatic when her brother's invitation included not only him but his whole family as well. Their guests each received their own invitations to the ball.
Two further invitations were sent. Each of them invited the recipient to tea at Purvis Lodge the following afternoon.
~PoP~
A/N:
Btw I have been pretty much following the timeline (within a few days) and the major events of canon – with my own twists of course. 😊
As for Wickham, I saw no point in cluttering up the story with him, but I did not want you to miss out on his sparkling company completely…
33lisay – Would I imply that Wickham's fellow passenger had something to do with his death? Surely not… 😉
~~PoP~~
A Plethora of Peers (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023
