Thank you for your reviews. Somehow "Mr. Hurst" decided to write himself and I am considering to change his character, I'm thinking about to remove the whole "messing with the maids" part. He would still be the drunken glutton, but without the inappropriate touching. What do you think? Enjoy!
"Finally" Lady Matlock sighed as she read the first few lines of her nephew's express.
"Did you say something, dear?" Her husband, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock asked.
"Goodness gracious, this is outrageous, unthinkable, the nerve of that social-climbing upstart."
"Eleanor? What happened?" Matlock asked again.
"Forgive me Henry, have you read your express from Darcy?"
"Not yet, is something amiss?"
"Please read it and we will see what should be done." She suggested and he obliged.
Two minutes later he also experienced relief as well as anger and "finally" was indeed appropriate.
"Did she really turn an ill guest out of the house in the rain?" Disbelief showed on his face. "I am immensely happy he cut his ties with this family of tagalongs, but at the same time displeased he waited so long to see the light and that it had to be under such circumstances."
"Oh Henry, he is not the seven year old anymore, who hang on your words and thought you to be the greatest uncle in the world. He is twenty-seven and the head of his family. We can advise him, but he has to make his own decisions. Now we need to discuss our next moves." The resolution in her voice startled him a bit and the smile on her face foreboded a storm of epic proportions for the haughty Bingley sisters and their spineless brother.
"Do you wish our sons to be involved in this discussion?" The Earl asked.
"I believe I do. Especially James, as Viscount Ashbourne he has the opportunity to influence a lot of the younger gentlemen." Lady Matlock stated.
"I am not yet that old." Her husband pouted.
"Of course you are not, but it would be suspicious for you to talk about the Bingleys with gentlemen you do not usually socialise with." Almost thirty-five years of marriage had shown her the power of a few well placed words to placate her husband. She loved her husband and had been lucky enough to marry not only for money and connections. But like every male Henry wanted to be seen as youthful, of sound mind and full of strength.
A footman was sent to summon both sons. Lady Matlock used the meantime to form a plan of action. It was by chance her day at home, so she would at least not need to go out.
Five minutes after the footman left, James, Viscount Ashbourne and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam entered the morning room.
The Earl bid them both to sit and read the express sent by Darcy aloud. "Dear Uncle Henry, I write to inform you that I have ended my friendship with Mr. Bingley and threatened to cut the whole family if any of them have the temerity to approach me or mine in public or private. I vacated Netherfield, the estate Mr. Bingley is leasing, and reside for the next few days at the inn in Meryton. Three days ago Miss Bingley denied hospitality to an ill gentlewoman from a neighbouring estate and demanded she left the house to ride her horse in the rain. The incident did not stay hidden, the neighbourhood is appalled and the residents of Meryton have already cut the Bingley sisters. Their brother it seems does not see the evil of his sisters. I am staying at the inn to mitigate the gossip, Meryton is just twenty-four miles from London and gossip travels fast, and hope for your help to control the situation in the drawing rooms in town. A similar express has been sent to Aunt Eleanor. Yours etc."
The Viscount and the Colonel did not disappoint. Their faces showed the same disbelief, anger and some kind of felicity their parents had as they each read their express. The military mind of the Colonel began additionally working on scenarios to get the best possible result in the shortest of time.
Lady Matlock, being aware of her son's way of thinking, chuckled and told her family she had a plan. "All the callers today will hear of the break and the reason for it. For once I will like spreading gossip, oh forgive me I misspoke, I meant telling important information to very important ladies." The men in the room laughed aloud at her good humour. "Henry, you will visit White's and speak to every one of your friends and acquaintances how happy you are Darcy got rid himself of the Bingleys, James and Richard, you will do the same at your fencing club, Gentleman Jack's, the Rotten Row and everywhere else you can have an audience. Please don't forget to mention the reason for his actions, that it has nothing to do with their roots in trade, but only with their despicable behaviour. Time is of the essence here. We are already three days behind, who knows what happened in the meantime. Darcy is right, twenty-four miles are less than four hours by carriage and Miss Bingley likely told the whole town of Darcy's visit. What are you waiting for?" She asked as the men stared at her with incredible pride.
"Yes, sir! General, sir!" The Colonel saluted.
"Don't try me, Colonel, I still know all your embarrassing stories from your childhood!" His mother threatened. "Now go and do your duty. I am sure you will enjoy it."
After the gentlemen left, she asked the housekeeper to meet her in the mistress study.
"Mrs. Hold, today's morning calls might deviate from the normal. I can say with certainty that there will be a lot more callers than usual. Please speak to cook. Tea shall be served without delay and until I say otherwise, every fifteen minutes a fresh pot shall be brought in, together with a full tray of pastries and cakes. Tomorrow and even Monday next will have the same number of callers, possibly more. Please make sure everything is in order and give Cook my gratitude. As it was just to be a family dinner tonight, nothing elaborate shall be prepared. Just some soup, cold meats, perhaps boiled potatoes. Something that is already cooked or takes the least amount of time." Lady Matlock knew the extra baking at short notice would disrupt the kitchen and serving a full dinner with three courses was unnecessary. Mrs. Hold was dismissed and the countess headed for her suite to change.
Thirty minutes later she sat in her best drawing room and awaited the first callers. As the butler knocked on the door Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam, the Countess of Matlock braced herself and put on a smile. "Let the games begin"