~~PoP~~

Ended entail

While Mr Collins explained the details of the entail to Lady Catherine, the residents of Longbourn set out to end it. Bennet had arranged for Mr Phillips, Mr Gardiner's successor as the solicitor in Meryton, to come to Longbourn with the appropriate papers to break the entail at last.

It was fortunate that Bennet had arranged the visit for an hour after breakfast as Mrs Hill and the cook had conspired to provide a lavish breakfast since the family would not be at home for dinner.

They served all the favourite dishes of the various family members. There was even a dish of devilled kidneys which everyone except James abhorred, because Elizabeth had once casually mention that her brother loved the dish.

When Phillips arrived, he, Bennet and the twins all met in Mr Bennet's study, where Bennet introduced his son to Phillips.

'It is a pleasure to meet you at last, my lord,' the solicitor said. 'I confess I was curious to meet you ever since Mr Gardiner told me about your existence.'

James greeted the solicitor and added, 'I wish to thank you for your discretion. It has made our lives much simpler.'

'No thanks are necessary as it was simply professional ethics,' Phillips replied, although he was pleased at the acknowledgement. He turned to Bennet. 'As you requested, I have prepared the document to break the entail for your signatures.'

Bennet and James both read through the document which Phillips had written in remarkably clear language to ensure there could be no misinterpretation. Father and son were quick to sign all copies. Phillips and Elizabeth witnessed the signatures.

Once that formality was concluded, Bennet asked, 'Do you also have the document to transfer Longbourn to Elizabeth?'

Phillips hesitated before he carefully asked, 'Are you certain that you wish to deed the estate to Miss Bennet? I have heard a rumour that she is soon to be married, which would place Longbourn into the possession of Mr Darcy.'

Bennet answered with a satisfied smile, 'Your caution and advice does you credit, but you can put your mind at ease. While Elizabeth and Mr Darcy are indeed engaged, the marriage articles will specify that Lizzy will retain control of Longbourn, and I trust her not to kick out her family.'

Phillips was in equal parts astonished and relieved. 'Mr Darcy must be an exceptional gentleman to agree to such conditions.'

'He is, indeed, otherwise I would not have agreed to marry him,' Elizabeth informed Phillips with a happy smile. James suppressed a snigger as he had noticed that smile every time Darcy was around or his name was mentioned.

Having done his duty to Bennet to ensure the gentleman and his family would not suffer from the arrangement, Phillips produced the second set of documents.

This time it was Bennet and Elizabeth who read the documents and when Bennet declared himself satisfied, he signed.

Elizabeth asked, 'Are you quite certain you wish to do this, papa?'

Bennet smiled as he said, 'Quite certain. It brings me one step closer to Oxford.'

'In that case, how can I deny you your happiness,' said Elizabeth and signed with a flourish.

Phillips presented a copy of each of the documents to each of the relevant parties, taking away two copies. He would file one copy and keep the final one for safekeeping.

The business concluded, he offered the twins his best wishes for their future and finally took his leave.

Bennet smiled at his children. 'Now let us go and celebrate.'

~PoP~

Mr Collins had returned to Rosings Park and was welcomed by Anne de Bourgh in the small parlour which her mother never used. It was a small and cosy room, somewhat old-fashioned as Lady Catherine had no interest in updating such a small space, but it felt inviting.

A tea tray had just been delivered and Miss de Bourgh served Collins as soon as he was seated.

'Thank you for accepting my invitation, Mr Collins.'

'It was my pleasure,' Collins replied politely while wondering if he dared ask what the lady had found so funny earlier.

He was saved the embarrassment when Anne said, 'I was delighted to hear that my cousins appear to have met ladies to take their interest. It has been my dearest wish for Darcy to marry because then Lady Catherine would stop spouting that nonsense about a cradle engagement.'

'Mr Darcy said that you were never engaged, but I confess it is a relief to hear you say so.'

'I admit that I was worried that you might have given credence to Lady Catherine's pronouncements. But enough of that. I invited you because I had hoped that you would tell me about the ladies. What are they like?'

'I confess that after I learnt that due to their rank they were quite out of my league, even if they both had not already had swains, I did not pay much attention to them.'

'What do you mean, due to their rank? I understood that they are the daughters of a simple country gentleman.'

'That is correct, but I discovered that their grandfather is the Earl of Ashcroft and Miss Bennet's brother is Viscount Markwell and the Earl's heir.'

A slow smile spread over Anne's features, and she started to chuckle. 'Oh dear. That means that Miss Bennet and Darcy are peers in ancestry. I suspect that Lady Catherine is on her way for a huge embarrassment unless she can contain her temper.'

'What is the chance of that happening?'

'None whatsoever. But what about the other sister and what was that about a brother?'

As Miss de Bourgh seemed to have a genuine interest in his cousins, Collins related everything he knew. He even added the snippet which he had withheld from Lady Catherine… that Elizabeth and Darcy were now engaged, which caused a delighted smile and a small chuckle. In the end he sat and waited quietly while he watched Anne as she processed the information.

When Anne came back to the present and apologised for her inattention, he said, 'No apologies are necessary, but may I be so bold as to ask two questions?'

'Certainly. What would you like to know?'

'Why are you so interested in my cousins, particularly Miss Mary and why do you always refer to Lady Catherine as Lady Catherine rather than mother?'

'Those are two excellent questions,' replied Anne and proceeded to tell Collins what he needed to know… but not before sending several letters by express. She had prepared them earlier, but now changed the direction of one of the letter intended for London to go to Hertfordshire.

~PoP~

Lady Catherine was always of an uncertain temper, but being jostled about in a carriage, no matter how good its springs were, over fifty miles of road in various states of repair did nothing to improve it.

Her maid was forced to listen to a litany of complaints for almost the entire journey.

When the coach entered the small town of Meryton, the driver stopped to get directions to Longbourn. This delay only caused Lady Catherine's already frayed temper to fray a little more. Fortunately, the driver received very clear directions and a quarter of an hour later, the carriage pulled up in front of the Longbourn manor.

A footman set the step and assisted his mistress out of her coach, and she marched up to the front door. When it was not immediately thrown open, she banged on it with the knob of her cane.

In response to the peremptory knocking, Mr Hill carefully opened the door just enough for him to confront the uninvited visitor.

'Stand aside. I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and I have come to speak to Miss Bennet,' she demanded.

'I am sorry, my lady, but Miss Bennet is not at home.'

'A likely story. Tell her that I will not be fobbed off and demand to see her this instant.'

'As I said. Miss Bennet is not at home. She and all her family have gone out.'

'In that case I shall wait for her,' Lady Catherine said dismissively and attempted to push past Mr Hill. But he stood firm, holding onto the door to prevent it from being opened further.

'You would have a long wait. We do not expect them back until the early hours of the morning.'

'Where are they? I have come all the way from Kent expressly to speak to her. I will not be denied.'

During this exchange Mr Hill was thinking of the best way to deal with this situation. He came to a decision. 'They are at Purvis Lodge. If you would return to your carriage, I will send a boy to direct your driver as the road is a bit tricky.'

Seeing that by following this suggestion she would get to her destination in the quickest manner, Lady Catherine turned and stomped back to her vehicle.

Hill closed the door and sent for two men. He gave John Farrer instructions to get to Purvis Lodge by the quickest way over the fields to warn the family and a footman to direct Lady Catherine's driver on the most circuitous route.

Once the men had gone, he hoped he had done the right thing.

~PoP~

The Bennets had spent the afternoon at Purvis Lodge with the Earl and Countess of Ashcroft, as well as their houseguests.

Once they had taken care of the legal details, the Bennets had all taken time at Longbourn to have baths and make themselves presentable, but their evening clothes were carefully packed and sent in a separate carriage for them to change just before the ball.

On their arrival, they all gathered in the large drawing room. Ashcroft was delighted to introduce their friends, who had all arrived the day before so that they could have a day to rest and relax before the ball. Bennet, Elizabeth and James had met most of them, but Mrs Bennet and Mary had avoided London due to age or inclination.

As they had almost expected, the Duke of Barrington was chief amongst the plethora of peers. The Duke and Duchess of Denton turned out to be a delightful couple in their late middle age. There were also the Earl and Countess of Sefton, who, while not the highest ranked, were amongst the most influential guests.

The Earl and Countess of Matlock had a special interest in renewing their acquaintance with Elizabeth to discover what had attracted their elusive nephew to the lady. They would have been even more interested in the younger Bennet sister, if they had been aware that Richard was staying at Netherfield. But the Ashcrofts had not seen fit to enlighten them.

When seeing all the guests, James commented to his grandmother, 'No wonder you suggested that I should stay at Longbourn. You must have guests packed to the rafters.'

'It seemed only right that you should spend at least one night as the official heir in the house which could have been yours.'

'I confess that I have quite enjoyed staying with the family in Lizzy's home. It is very different from what I am used to.'

'Do you have regrets?' Lady Ashcroft asked softly.

James thought for a few moments before shaking his head. 'No. I believe that things have worked out for the best,' he said with a smile to the relief of his grandmother.

Elizabeth discovered that her first set of the ball was to be shared by her grandfather and the Duke of Barrington, who told her with an impish smile which belied his age, 'While I am still able to dance, I doubt that I have enough stamina to last a full set with an energetic young lady like yourself. It also means that you do not have to spend more than one set dancing with old fogies like your grandfather and myself.'

Mrs Bennet laughed at the antics of her peers in age. 'That is the problem with the nobility. They are so used to have everything done for them that they have no stamina.'

Nettled by her words, both noblemen offered to dance the rest of the first set with her.

'While I thank you for your condescension, I already have a partner for the first set.'

'And who is the lucky gentleman to have been granted this honour?'

'Mary's suitor, since she will be dancing with James.'

The conversation continued pleasantly while they enjoyed a substantial tea. After they finished everyone went to get changed.

The Bennet ladies joined Lady Ashcroft in the mistress's suite, while Bennet and James repaired to the master's suite with Ashcroft.

~PoP~

The hosts, their extended family as well as the Matlocks had come downstair and were relaxing in the drawing room, when the first two guests were announced who had been asked to arrive early.

The butler announced, 'Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam,' as the two strode into the room.

'You scamp. Is this where you have been hiding all this time?' exclaimed Lady Matlock.

The exclamation was followed by greetings and explanations which caused something of a hubbub for a few minutes. Before Lady Matlock could vent her ire at her younger son, the butler returned with a letter.

'Lord Matlock, this has just arrived via express from Rosings,' he said as he presented the letter on a salver to the Earl.

The company quieted immediately as the Earl accepted the letter. 'It is from Anne,' he said and broke the seal. He quickly scanned the short missive and informed his companions, 'It seems that Cathy is on her way here in a temper. She just found out about Darcy and Miss Bennet.'

'Uncle, you must speak to your sister as soon as she arrives. I will not have her haranguing Elizabeth,' exclaimed Darcy with worry for his beloved.

'There is more. Anne asks us to prevent her from returning to Rosings before Monday. It seems she is planning a coup d'etat to take control of Rosings. There is more but that is not relevant at the moment.' He passed the note to his wife.

They were interrupted before they could discuss the situation further.

John Farrer burst into the room. 'Miss Bennet, Mr Hill asked me to warn you that a Lady Catherine de Bourgh is on her way here to make trouble for you. She should be here in about ten minutes.'

'Thank you for letting us know. Take your time getting home,' Elizabeth said with a smile. While the others had been talking, she had had time to consider the options available.

She turned to Ashcroft. 'I have an idea, but I would appreciate the cooperation of your guests.'

~PoP~

A/N: Thank you all for your support. It seems the great majority like a bit of fluff. 😊

~~PoP~~

A Plethora of Peers (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023