Page 20 of Aunt Felicity

T hanks to Bethie and Mrs Annesley and their constant support of her, Anna began to recover, albeit slowly. Add to that, she had a mother figure in Aunt Felicity who loved her no less than she did her own daughter.

Eventually, Anna began to believe that she had made an error, yes, but she had realised it before going through with the elopement, and had told the manipulator that she would no longer elope. Rather than feeling foolish as she had in the beginning, she accepted that her tender heart had been preyed upon by two accomplished liars.

The biggest thing that aided in repairing her battered self-confidence was the unrestricted love which surrounded her like a cocoon. Before he had travelled south, William had assured his sister that he did not blame her—after all, he had heard her rejection of the elopement from her own mouth. Added to that, each time Papa had called at Snowhaven to spend time with Anna, he had reemphasised his position that all of the blame rested with those, known or unknown, who had gone out of their way to lead Anna astray.

Now all the residents of Snowhaven and Pemberley could do was hope the investigators would discover the whereabouts of either George Wickham or Karen Younge, or better yet, both of them.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Since the assembly, those in residence at Netherfield Park had—regardless of Miss Bingley’s opposition—participated in events in the neighbourhood which brought them into contact with many of their neighbours, not the least of whom were the Bennets.

No matter what Miss Bingley said in opposition, her brother was determined to be in company with Miss Bennet. She had made the mistake of stating that the Bennets were far below them in society, which had led to Mr Darcy again pointing out that as the daughter of a tradesman, she was below the Bennets on the social ladder. How she hated her roots being highlighted, especially by Mr Darcy! For this reason, Caroline decided she needed to be very careful what she said in front of the man so he would not censure her again.

On this particular evening they were to join others in the neighbourhood at the knight’s insignificant estate, Lucas Lodge. There again, when she had been sure Mr Darcy would agree with her regarding the paltry estate, he had pointed out that Sir William was landed when she had never been. If she did not know better, she would have thought Mr Darcy was purposely finding fault with just about everything she said or did. As she was sure she would be the next Mrs Darcy, she knew that was not the case. She still ascribed it to her brother’s influence.

Sir William greeted his last guests to arrive as enthusiastically as was his wont. The fact they arrived practically on time must be a compliment to his elevated rank. “Welcome to Lucas Lodge,” he enthused as he bowed to the arriving party.

“We thank you for your gracious invitation, Sir William,” Bingley returned a bow, but his eyes were already seeking out his angel.

Mrs Hurst, Mr Hurst, and William returned his courtesy with a curtsy and bows. Miss Bingley did no more than incline her head like she was a peeress of the realm. After resolving to not give Mr Darcy fodder for which to censure her, it was the first thing she did on entering Lucas Lodge. In her mind, her behaviour was impeccable.

Feeling disgust at Miss Bingley’s discourtesy, William made his way across the room to where he saw Miss Elizabeth Bennet with her friend Miss Lucas and some of the officers who had arrived to scout for a location for their encampment.

Each time he saw more of Miss Elizabeth, his wrongheaded judgements about her looks were driven home. She was perhaps the most handsome woman of his acquaintance. As soon as he saw her magnificent emerald-green eyes, he was entranced. So much so that he missed the fact he had seen those coloured and shaped eyes in two of his relatives, Aunt Felicity and Richard.

At some level he was aware of how bad his behaviour towards her at the assembly had been, but his pride in his name and position would not allow him to make an apology. That reminded him, he was in Richard’s debt a letter, which he had put off writing because as much as he liked to tell himself Richard would not censure his behaviour towards the locals, he would. Procrastination would not change that fact, so he would sit down and write several letters when they returned to Netherfield Park. Not only to Richard, but to Father and Anna as well.

As had been his habit since the assembly, William stood near the lady who fascinated him, even if he could never offer for one so far below him. In order to not raise expectations, he only listened to her conversations, never speaking to her directly. From the few times he had been in her company, he could tell that she was extremely intelligent, well read, and did not give a whit about the fortune he would inherit one day.

At this moment she was speaking with Miss Lucas, a Colonel, and a Captain. Thanks to Richard’s rise through the ranks, he was able to identify the rank of each officer. He had heard Miss Lucas introduce them as Colonel Forster, the commander of this regiment of the Derbyshire Militia, and his adjutant, Captain Carter. They mentioned a third officer, Lieutenant Denny, but his attention was being commandeered by a group of girls led by the child that Mrs Bennet had attempted to suggest as a dance partner for himself.

“Well Miss Bennet, what do you suggest as a way to introduce my officers to the local populace?” Colonel Forster asked.

“That, Colonel, is easy,” Elizabeth averred with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “A ball would ingratiate you to all of us in the area, especially as none of us would have to be slighted due to the dearth of dance partners since the war with the Corsican has begun.”

William was sure he was the butt of that particular jest. If he had attempted to assuage his conscience by telling himself she mayhap did not hear it, now he was certain she had.

“I shall take that under advisement, Miss Bennet. My officers enjoy society, so it would be the perfect way to meet those in the neighbourhood,” Colonel Forster mused.

“Anyone who does not find dancing tolerable would be advised to remain home, and not stalk around the ballroom like it is a punishment to be there,” Elizabeth added. She could not see Mr Darcy but she was positive he had heard her and understood at whom she aimed her barbs. He was a rude, arrogant, overly proud, and insufferable man, but a lack of intelligence was not something she could lay at his door.

Shortly thereafter, the Colonel and Captain took their leave of the two ladies and went to join their host and some other men of the neighbourhood. As soon as Charlotte and Elizabeth were left alone, Elizabeth turned to her friend and without lowering her voice, she asked Charlotte, “What does Mr Darcy mean by always listening to my conversations?”

“That, my dear friend, may only be answered by the man himself. I am no soothsayer, Eliza,” Charlotte smiled.

Knowing that as much as he listened to her conversations, he never partook, so it would be a punishment to be forced to speak, Elizabeth turned towards Mr Darcy. “And what thought you, Mr Darcy; did I express myself tolerably to Colonel Forster?”

“A lady always expresses herself with enthusiasm when she speaks of a ball, as did you, Miss Elizabeth.” William responded. The arch way she spoke to him, paying him no deference at all, was highly attractive. If only she was higher.

“Enough teasing of Mr Darcy, Eliza. It is your turn now. I will open the instrument and insist that you entertain us,” Charlotte stated.

“A fine friend you are, always demanding I play the pianoforte. I am sure some of our present company, who are used to the best performers in Town would have their senses assaulted by my paltry talent,” Elizabeth replied. It was not just false modesty; she did not want to provide Mr Darcy another opportunity to slight or ridicule her.

“Eliza, you know you play and sing very well, and besides which, you promised my father you would perform, and you know how disappointed he will be if you renege,” Charlotte played her trump card.

“Oh, very well, I would hate to displease your father.” Elizabeth turned to Mr Darcy and said, “there is a saying hereabouts that one should keep their breath to cool their porridge; instead, I will utilise mine to swell my song.” With that she followed Charlotte over to the upright pianoforte standing against one of the walls.

William had never heard another infuse as much feeling into her playing. Even though there were some errors in the fingering, he could not remember listening to a more pleasing exhibition. Aunt Felicity, Bethie, and Anna were all more technically proficient than Miss Elizabeth, but that did not reduce his enjoyment.

William was lost in the music, so he did not notice the shrew sidle up next to him until his senses were assaulted by her overly applied French scent. He saw Miss Bingley eyeing his arm predatorily, so he put his arms firmly behind his back. Withdrawing his arms was not a discouragement for the delusional woman.

“I can guess the subject of your reverie,” Miss Bingley cooed

“I should imagine not,” William responded tersely, hoping she would take the hint and retreat. Unfortunately, she did not.

“You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner—in such society, and indeed, I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise—the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!”

“Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. I am, after all, speaking to the most self-important person here. Not that it is any of your concern, but my mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”

Miss Bingley ignored his comment about her own self-importance and immediately fixed her eyes on his face, believing he was referring to none other than herself. “Who is the woman in such company who has inspired your admiration?” She began to bat her eyelids at him, but caught herself when she remembered what he had said the previous time she had done so. “I am sure it is a lady of great consequence who has excited such from you.”

Knowing he would set the cat among the pigeons, William answered without delay. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” repeated Miss Bingley with an extremely pinched look on her face. She resembled one who was sucking lemons. “I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite? Pray, when am I to wish you joy?”

“That is not a question I would reply to, especially from one as unattached to me as you are. I am aware that a lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would say something along the lines of wishing me joy. When I do choose that special lady, it will be to please me, not yourself.” He hoped she would finally understand she would never be his wife; unfortunately, her delusions were still in control.

“Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will indeed have a most charming mother-in-law. Of course, she will always be at Pemberley with your father, you, and your sister.”

William gave Miss Bingley a disdainful look and walked closer to where Miss Elizabeth’s perfect contralto voice still swelled with song.

No matter what she told herself, Miss Bingley could not like the result of the conversation. ‘ I have never met her, but I will have to write to his aunt. She will thank me for warning her of this infatuation with Miss Eliza Bennet! ’ She thought. She would write as soon as she reached her bedchamber. She had never been to the estate, but as it was connected to the Darcys, she had the direction.

Once Miss Elizabeth finished playing and singing, she was replaced at the instrument by Miss Mary, who was commanded to play dance music by her mother after the brash Miss Lydia desired it.

The Knight had accosted William about dancing when Miss Elizabeth came near. Sir William proposed her as a partner, and William offered to stand up with her. Then the unfathomable occurred. She point-blank refused to dance with him. How could this be? No one refuses a dance with a Darcy of Pemberley!

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Once they had returned from Lucas Lodge, there were two who wrote letters; neither one was aware that the other was doing so.

For his part, William never left his post in the salver for the butler to send, not because he did not trust Mr Nichols; he did. However, he would not put it past Miss Caroline Bingley to take his letters and read them if she thought it would give her some advantage in her doomed chase of his person.

On that subject, William knew not what more he could do to signal his disinterest in the shrew other than to publish a notice in the Times of London or knock her over the head with the information. So far, nothing he had said or done had convinced the social climbing fortune hunter to desist in her pursuit of him. Bingley had tried everything he could to convey the message as well. As such, if the harpy lowered herself to attempt a compromise, William would not hold it against his friend. The woman was delusional, and that was not his friend’s fault.

In her bedchamber Miss Caroline Bingley was putting the finishing touches on the letter she had written to Mr Darcy’s aunt. She was certain that the lady would not countenance a match between her nephew and some country nobody. How she would revel in the setdown she was sure Eliza Bennet would be receiving.

At least now she understood why her Mr Darcy had been acting so against his inclinations. Miss Eliza had bewitched him. She ignored the fact he had been the same way since he arrived at Netherfield Park—before he had ever seen the second eldest Bennet daughter. In her mind, there was no other explanation for Mr Darcy’s treatment of herself.

At least her maid had discovered some information that Caroline was sure she would be able to use to remove the lustre from the Bennets’ name. The pitiful estate was entailed to some male cousin; the Bennet sisters had no dowry until their mother passed away, and it would be only one thousand pounds each. Best of all, they had two uncles in trade, a solicitor here in Meryton and a tradesman in London. As soon as she was able, she would bring these points up in conversation. Then she would see how much Mr Darcy admired Miss Eliza’s fine eyes.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

On reading William’s letter, which had been delivered by his courier on the way to Pemberley, all Richard could do was shake his head. “William, only you would do something like this and then allow your Darcy pride to stop you from apologising,” he verbalised aloud.

“What did your cousin do?” Felicity asked.

“Here, Mother, you may read it for yourself. He did not ask me to keep what he wrote private. I did as you asked and requested that William write to me of his impressions in Hertfordshire, and he has done so.” Richard handed the letter to his mother, who was sitting next to his father at the breakfast table. Anna and Bethie had gone to their shared sitting room to read the letter the same courier had delivered to Anna.

“Reggie, we can read it together,” Felicity stated as she moved her chair even closer to her beloved husband’s in order for both of them to be able to see the letter at the same time. Felicity unfolded it, and the two began to read.

10 October 1811

Netherfield Park

Hertfordshire

Richard,

The estate is not a bad one and the buildings, including the manor house, are very sound. If one were to buy this estate and take care of it as it should be, they would be able to bring the income up over ?6,000 from the just under ?5,000 it is at now. I wonder if this would be a good estate for you now that you are no longer in the army.

I do not think Bingley will buy it. He is far more interested in local society than learning how to run an estate, and I have a feeling that he would rather remain running his late father’s concerns than allow his mother’s dreams of his raising the family to the ranks of the landed gentry to prevail. You remember his father gave him the freedom of choice. I suppose it will depend on who he eventually marries.

He has, of course, fallen in love with a new angel. Yes, she is blonde, willowy, and blue-eyed. And yes, she is a very beautiful lady; her name is Miss Jane Bennet, the eldest of five Bennet sisters who reside at the neighbouring estate of Longbourn. Truth be told, I have never seen Bingley pay more attention to one of his angels as he does to Miss Bennet.

That is part of the problem. I see no more affection in her looks for Bingley than for any other man (she smiles too much), and I have heard their estate is entailed. Those factors, combined with a vulgar matchmaking mother would, in my opinion, lead Miss Bennet to accept Bingley even if she is not; as I believe she is not, inclined towards him.

Felicity put the letter down. She felt strangely protective of these nieces she had never met. William was the last person in the world who should be judging the strength of someone’s feelings. She shook her head, said nothing, and returned to the letter.

The other issue I am having is that I have formed an infatuation (I believe that is what it is) with her next younger sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She looks a little similar to your mother, but given the vast rank and societal differences between them, I am sure it is a coincidence. The first time I saw Miss Elizabeth was at the local assembly. Bingley was importuning me to dance, and you know how much I hate dancing with those with whom I am not familiar. He suggested Miss Elizabeth (there was no attraction yet) as a partner.

I am not proud of myself, but to have Bingley desist and return to his partner (his 2nd dance with Miss Bennet) I said some insulting words about Miss Elizabeth to the effect that she was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and that I would not dance with ladies slighted by other men. It was later that evening that Bingley informed me that due to the war with France there is a dearth of young men, so the ladies each sit out 2 sets voluntarily. If she was close to my level of wealth and society, I would apologise to her forthwith, but how am I to lower myself to beg forgiveness from one so far below me?

This evening we were at an event at Lucas Lodge, the home of Sir William and Lady Lucas. He is a knight. Miss Elizabeth played and sang; I have not heard better, and once she had completed her exhibition, there was music played for dancing. I wanted to dance with her, but would you believe that the daughter of an insignificant country squire refused to stand up with me?

As far as Miss Bingley goes, I have done everything I am able to discourage her pursuit of me, but nothing helps. Bingley has stood up to the shrew; however, nothing has killed her delusion so far.

I hope all of you are well and Anna is continuing to recover from the perfidy which was attempted against her.

With cousinly regard,

William

While his mother read, Richard had been surprised to see no amusement on her face, rather she was looking very displeased. He could not account for it.

Felicity turned to her beloved Reggie, “The time has come,” she stated succinctly.

“As I read this letter, I had a feeling you would say that,” Reggie responded.

“What am I missing here?” Richard was puzzled.

“We have much to tell you, but I think we will go to Hilldale so I may speak to all my children at the same time,” Felicity replied cryptically.

Just then Dodsley entered with the salver. “A letter for you, your Ladyship,” he bowed and extended the salver to the mistress. With the letter delivered, he bowed again and withdrew.

“Why on earth would she dare to write to me?” Felicity exclaimed. “I should assign this nonsense to the fire without reading it.

“I suggest you do not, my love; you know how much you like to laugh,” Reggie opined. Knowing her husband’s counsel was wise, Felicity broke the seal on the letter and held it up for them both to read.