Battle of the Dragons Chapter 14, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~O~

Managing Dragon

After receiving Elizabeth's latest letter, Isabella visited her friend Eleanor. As chance would have, Lord Matlock was at home as well.

They had tea and exchanged the usual pleasantries until Lady Matlock asked, 'Have you heard from Elizabeth lately? How is she enjoying her stay at Hunsford and the company of Catherine?'

'I received a letter from Lizzy this morning. She is enjoying her visit, but I had best not relate her opinion of certain relatives.' That comment caused her hosts to chuckle.

When Isabella only joined briefly but then immediately became rather serious, Eleanor stated, 'I get the impression that there is a problem.'

'There may be. Have you heard from your sister lately?'

'Not since Christmas. Why?'

'Elizabeth mentioned that Anne is very ill… more so than usual it seems. There are even rumours that she is not long for this world.'

'Damn Catty,' fumed Lord Matlock. 'Why can that woman never do the right thing. Does she think by not informing us of Anne's condition she can hold onto Rosings?'

'Is Rosings not hers? I was given the impression that Sir Lewis bequeathed it to her.'

'No, Anne inherited Rosings when she turned five and twenty, since there is an entail that stipulates that only someone from the de Bourgh bloodline can inherit. As Catty is not a de Bourgh by blood, the estate cannot go to her.'

'So, who is the nearest de Bourgh male? Would he let Lady Catherine remain at Rosings?'

'Oh, it does not have to be a male. That entail is set up to enforce primogeniture. It is simply that until Anne, there was always a firstborn son who inherited both the estate and the title.' Lord Matlock shrugged. 'But to answer your question. I do not know who the nearest de Bourgh heir could be. I suppose Thompson, the solicitor will have to find out.'

'While that is all very interesting, I think we should go to Rosings. If Anne is really that sick…' Lady Matlock sighed. A moment later she shook off the bleak mood. 'Perhaps it is not so bad and having visitors will cheer Anne enough to help her get better.'

The Earl and the Countess both turned to their visitor and thanked her for the information. To allow them to prepare for their journey, Isabella made her farewells.

~O~

The mention of Mr Thompson, who was also her own solicitor, reminded Isabella that she had been meaning to speak to the man about updating her will because of the change in her family circumstances.

As an explanation for the changes, she discussed the full details of her family history with the solicitor. It caused her some amusement to discover that the unflappable Mr Thompson was flappable after all.

Satisfied that the man would do all the right things, she returned to her home.

~O~

Since meeting Madeline Gardiner, Isabella had become good friends with the lady and was happy to spend time with her.

With Elizabeth gone to Hunsford and Jane being preoccupied by her courtship with Richard Fitzwilliam, Isabella's house had become quiet again. To escape the silence and for the pleasure of congenial company, she had come to visit her friend Madeline.

They enjoyed tea and conversation, catching up on the latest news of the family. Isabella smiled as she listened to the sound of music coming from the next room. 'If that is Mary playing, she has improved significantly.'

'The music master has made a big difference to the girl. She is learning to enjoy the music instead of treating it as a chore which she had to perform.'

'I am pleased to hear it… literally.' Isabella smiled and changed the subject. 'Speaking of family, have you heard from Fanny or Martha recently?'

'Funny you should ask. I received a letter from Fanny only this morning. I think she is lonely without any of her girls, and Bennet barely leaves his library. I thought to ask Edward about inviting Fanny to come to London for a while.'

'Can you stop her from being unpleasant to Mary while she is here?' Isabella asked bluntly.

'I think there should not be a problem since you were right about Mary's looks. Fanny always called her plain, and if you take that by the literal definition, she was right. As long as you equate plain with unadorned. Now that she dresses in more becoming colours and arranges her hair in a more flattering style, she has turned out to be a rather pretty girl. Not classically beautiful like Jane, but pretty, nonetheless. Also, getting attention and her lessons have given her a new confidence and a more cheerful outlook on life. Since to Fanny beauty is important, she should have nothing to complain about.'

'Except of course that Mary is not yet married,' quipped Isabella, relieved that another niece was improving. 'Of course, I have the perfect distraction for Fanny. I shall make an appointment with my modiste. Getting some fashionable and elegant dresses should keep her pleasantly occupied.'

Madeline tilted her head and gave Isabella a mock suspicious look. 'You are not perchance managing again, are you?

'Heaven forefend. How can you suggest such a thing.' Isabella placed a hand on her heart and her expression proclaimed that butter would not melt in her mouth.

Madeline Gardiner grinned. 'I am getting to know you.'

~O~

Two days later, Mrs Bennet arrived at the Gardiner residence, having been conveyed from Longbourn in one of Isabella's carriages.

Mrs Gardiner came into the foyer to greet her sister, who gushed, 'Madeline, it is so good to see you. You have no idea how grateful I am for your invitation. Ever since the girls left, it has been too quiet. Even Mr Bennet barely bothers to vex me. I had no idea that I could miss the arguments between Lydia and Kitty.'

Mrs Gardiner smiled at the enthusiastic flow of words. 'I am pleased to see you too and I am glad that I could be of assistance. But come, I shall take you to your room so you can freshen up before we have tea and a good chat.'

'That would be wonderful.'

As they turned to ascend the stairs to the bedrooms, another resident of the house came down. Seeing her in the dim light of the hallway, Mrs Bennet exclaimed, 'Lizzy, what are you doing here. I thought that you were visiting Charlotte at Hunsford.'

As the young woman reached the bottom of the stairs, Mary said, 'Lizzy is at Hunsford.'

Mrs Bennet looked her daughter up and down and declared with a shocked expression, 'Oh my. Aunt Isabella was right. You are pretty. Who would have thought.'

'Everyone except you,' Mary replied in a deliberately casual tone.

Startled, Mrs Bennet noticed the cold expression of her formerly ignored middle daughter. As the words registered with her, she blurted out, 'Oh, Mary. I am so sorry.'

'And so you should be.'

Mrs Bennet gaped. 'How can you speak to me like that. I am your mother. Do you care nothing for me?'

For once, Mary lost her temper. 'Why should I care about you. You never cared about me.'

Before Mrs Bennet could say anything else, Mary brushed past them and a few moments later, they could hear angry music coming from the small parlour.

As Mrs Bennet stared in the direction of the music, Mrs Gardiner placed a hand on her back and guided her up the stairs. 'Leave her be. It will take time for her to forgive your neglect of her.'

Mrs Bennet nodded as she considered her sister's words. She allowed Mrs Gardiner to lead her to her room where she sank onto the bed. Mrs Gardiner sat next to her and waited while Mrs Bennet absorbed what had happened. After several minutes she said quietly, 'Mary is right. I have ignored her. I thought that since she was not pretty, she would never find a husband. Aunt Isabella was right. I only ever focused on physical beauty and ignored the girls who did not measure up to my ideas.'

She raised tear-filled eyes to Mrs Gardiner. 'What can I do to make it up to her?'

'Treat her like the worthwhile young woman which she is and give her time to stop being angry. I have to warn you, it will not happen quickly.'

'Very well. I will try.'

~O~

Dinner at the Gardiner residence was surprisingly relaxed. Mrs Bennet had managed to have a long conversation with her daughter during which they cleared the air. Being told that she was not expected to simply forgive and forget, helped to reduce Mary's anger. Given time, there was hope for the future.

The next morning Isabella arrived to take her niece to the modiste.

Mrs Bennet did not miss the briefly raised brows when Madame Dupont first saw the dress she was wearing. After introductions and greetings, she sighed and said, 'I suppose I had better let you advise me on a more appropriate style.'

The modiste smiled ass she replied, 'Madam, if you will trust me, you shall be the envy of the ton.'

By the late afternoon, Fanny Bennet was exhausted from going through fashion plates and choosing styles, fabrics and trims for a variety of outfits from morning dresses to ballgowns.

Madam Dupont promised to have several outfits ready in two days and the rest within a week.

Mrs Bennet returned to the Gardiner residence for a rest to recuperate after her exertions.

~O~

Richard Fitzwilliam was happy to accept an invitation to a family from Isabella. With his parents having gone off to Rosings Park if he wanted congenial and relaxing company, dinner at Deveril House was the most pleasant option.

Eager to see Jane, he arrived early. Jane greeted him on arrival. 'I am pleased to see you, especially since I expected you to accompany your parents to Rosings Park.'

'When Darcy makes his annual visit to Rosings, I usually accompany him. Since I expect him in town in a couple of days, I thought I would wait for him,' Richard explained.

Isabella listened to the explanation with a small, satisfied smile. While she was certain that the explanation was true, she was equally certain that it was only part of his reason. For the past six weeks, ever since he and Jane met, Fitzwilliam had been an almost daily visitor. On days when he did not visit, they met at various functions. At every ball he and Jane danced the first and the supper sets. All their acquaintances and friends expected an engagement in the not-too-distant future.

As she watched him speaking to Jane, Isabella felt there was something different about him tonight. He seemed a little on edge and he kept glancing in her direction as if he wanted to say something.

Thinking to test a theory which occurred to her, she excused herself, claiming a need to check on something. 'I will only be five minutes,' she promised. She was rewarded by a relieved smile. 'Ten minutes at the most,' she amended as she exited the room, leaving the door slightly open.

When she returned ten minutes later, she was greeted by the sight of the couple being somewhat flushed and both wearing identical smiles.

Fitzwilliam bowed to her. 'Lady Deveril, Your Grace, I have just asked Jane to marry me, and she has accepted.'

'What took you so long?' Isabella asked with a grin.

'I did not want to rush Jane.'

Looking at her niece, Isabella asked, 'I gather you are happy?'

'Ecstatic. I cannot think of any man I would rather marry.'

Isabella turned back to Fitzwilliam. 'Welcome to the family and you might as well start calling me Aunt Isabella.'

'Thank you, Aunt Isabella.' Richard took Jane's hand, giving her a besotted smile. When Isabella cleared her throat, he recalled himself to the company. 'Oh, by the bye, I thought you would like to know. Tomorrow I will resign from the army and sell my commission.'

'I think you just made your mother a very happy woman.'

Richard grinned. 'That is a bonus. But speaking of parents. Should I go to Longbourn to get Mr Bennet's consent?'

Jane looked uncomfortable as she said, 'Much as it pains me to say it, there is no point. I am of age and his consent is unnecessary.'

'But I am certain that Mrs Bennet will be thrilled to give you her blessing, and you do not even have to go to Longbourn,' Isabella said and glanced at the mantel clock. 'You should be able to ask her in about ten minutes.'

Jane looked even more uncomfortable as Isabella had not mentioned that she had invited anyone else.

Five minutes later, Jane was pleasantly surprised as the Gardiners, accompanied by Mrs Bennet and Mary arrived. Mrs Bennet was dressed in a new evening gown and looked very elegant. Feeling like a queen in her new dress encouraged her to act with decorum befitting her outfit.

Her decorum slipped a little when being introduced to Fitzwilliam and discovering that he had just proposed to Jane. 'I knew you could not be so beautiful for nothing. Marrying the son of an Earl. How wonderful. I shall go distracted with happiness,' she cried.

Having heard of Mrs Bennet from Jane, Fitzwilliam was prepared for the effusion, even considered it mild compared to what he had been led to expect. But he still had to correct the lady's thinking. 'Mrs Bennet, while I think that Jane is very beautiful, that beauty is not the reason I wish to marry your daughter. I love her character. Her kindness and compassion as well as her competence. Those characteristics will remain even if her physical beauty should fade.'

Somewhat taken aback by Fitzwilliam's rebuttal, Mrs Bennet recovered quickly. 'But that is the beauty I was speaking of. My dear Jane has the most beautiful character,' she proclaimed to the astonishment of her relations. The amazement was complete when she added, 'Just like all my daughters,' and smiled at Mary.

Once everyone had recovered from their surprise, the family had a most enjoyable dinner, with only a few small slips in propriety.

~O~

The following morning, Colonel Fitzwilliam went to army headquarters and started the process to resign and sell his commission.

Afterwards he called at Deveril House and since it was a beautiful spring day, he invited Jane to go for a walk in the park.

As they strolled along the paths, they were discreetly followed by a footman and Rose, Jane's maid.

On their return, they were observed by Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, as the couple entered Deveril House. The sisters did not see the footman and Rose who used the servant's entrance.

~O~