Page 5 of Aunt Felicity

I t was during the third day of their flight north that Felicity and Reggie were traversing Derbyshire, still keeping off the Great North Road. Felicity was fascinated by the wild and rugged country she saw about them.

In the distance she could see the mountains which were part of the Peak District. There were no rolling hills like she had known in Hertfordshire. Rather, the land was seldom flat, and she had noted how the road wound between hills and dales, with the former all making Oakham Mount look like a bump in comparison. She had noticed that while the outside temperature was warm as one would expect in the summer, it was cooler than she had been used to in Hertfordshire. Instead of many cultivated fields, given the uneven surfaces and many rocks, there were cattle, sheep, and goats seen in the fields.

“How far are we from your father’s estate?” she asked after she turned from the window.

“Not far,” Reggie replied as he looked at his soon-to-be wife lovingly. “The road we are on is passing a little to the west of the town of Matlock. The town is just beyond the western border of Snowhaven.”

“I could see myself exploring this part of the world with glee,” Felicity stated as she imagined all the walks she could take in the area, “but I am guessing we will never be welcome at Snowhaven, will we? You have given up so much for me, are you sure…” Whatever she was about to say was lost as her fiancé gently placed a finger on her lips.

“I am giving up nothing. I am gaining more than I ever imagined I would gain in a wife. Never again think I am not the one gaining the best of this bargain,” Reggie insisted firmly. “As far as being able to become familiar with Derbyshire, although we will not be welcome at Snowhaven, we will be visiting Pemberley.” He saw his beloved’s quizzical look. “You remember I mentioned my younger sister, Annie, to whom I am very close?” Felicity nodded. “I told you she was being courted by a man by the name of Robert Darcy. It is possible that they are already engaged by now.” She nodded again. “Darcy and I are very good friends and share a disdain for the hypocrisy of the Ton and high society in general. Darcy’s father is the master of Pemberley, an estate which a great walker like you will love exploring. As soon as Anne marries Darcy, she will no longer be under my father’s authority and will be able to keep in contact with us, which will include us visiting Pemberley.”

“I look forward to meeting your younger sister. I always wanted a sister.”

“Felicity, do you ride horses?”

She shook her head.

“To truly see Pemberley, one must be on horseback considering that the park is ten miles around. My father hates to admit it, but the untitled Darcys’ estate is far larger than Snowhaven.”

“Will you teach me to ride?”

“Of course I will. How is it you have not learnt before this?”

“Mr Bennet sees no use for girls, except to obey his every whim, so he decided it would be a waste of his or the groom’s time to teach me to ride. I do not fear horses. In fact, I find I quite love the beasts. When I was seven I begged to be taught to ride, but Mr Bennet refused out of hand.”

“Are you tired, Love? Jensen will stop at an inn in about an hour, but if you need it, we can take a break now so you may stretch your legs.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Reggie, but I will not need a stop before the one you have planned. How do we travel from Derbyshire? I would like to know what shires we will be traversing. As I told you when we left Meryton, before this journey, I have never travelled anywhere.”

“We will soon cross into eastern Cheshire, then into Lancashire. After that county we will skirt the western border of Yorkshire and travel through Westmorland. We will be at an inn in Lancashire this evening, then one in Westmorland, about fifteen miles from the border with Cumberland, for the fifth night. That next morning we will depart for Longtown, cross the border, and not long after we will arrive in Canonbie. Unless you object, we will find a blacksmith and have him marry us right away on arriving. That is if you would not like to marry in a church, or as they call it in Scotland, a kirk ?”

“No Reggie, we need not marry at a kirk , I agree with you that we should marry as soon as we arrive. After that…” Felicity blushed furiously as she thought of becoming his wife in all ways, but fought to regain her composure, “…after that, no one will be able to tear us asunder.”

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

The day after Robertson and the two footmen had begun their pursuit of his wayward son, the Earl of Matlock’s youngest daughter’s suitor came to see him. “What can I do for you, Darcy?” Lord Matlock asked dismissively.

“I have come to ask for Lady Anne’s hand. I proposed to her, and she has accepted me,” the Darcy heir stated directly.

Matlock considered refusing his permission, but he did not. An announced engagement would pull attention from the troubles with his second son. “You have my permission to marry Anne. When do you two plan to marry?” He was hoping it would be soon, the more he could use to tell the Duke he was busy, the better.

“As we courted for over three months, my fiancée and I would not like to wait too long,” Robert Darcy responded.

“Apply for a special licence before you leave London for your estate, and you two may marry in a fortnight,” Lord Matlock granted. “You will marry from Snowhaven of course.

A very pleased Darcy heir had shaken his soon-to-be father-in-law’s hand and left the study to inform Anne of the good news. Matlock hoped the news would distract the Duke of Hertfordshire who had sent word he would call before he left town after the summation of the emergency session in the Lords. He was well aware Hertfordshire could not leave his main estate of Falconwood for a month. He, therefore, would not be able to attend the wedding where he would have surely verified that Reginald Fitzwilliam was not, in fact convalescing at Snowhaven from the illness Matlock had claimed. Robertson must find his son before he was married, he must!

His musings were cut short when said Duke was announced by the Matlock House butler. “Matlock,” Lord Hertfordshire greeted curtly as soon as the door was closed. “Is your son malingering and hiding from my Elaine?”

“I give you my word of honour that Reggie is not malingering,” Lord Matlock stated honestly. “With the good news I am about to share, you will have the opportunity to see the truth for yourself.” The Duke indicated for Matlock to continue. “My youngest will be married from Snowhaven in a fortnight, and you, the Duchess, and your family will be invited to witness the happy event.”

“Did I not tell you I will not be able to travel until mid-August?” the Duke asked suspiciously.

“Not that I recall,” Lord Matlock dissembled.

“As soon as your son is well, you will bring him to Falconwood, will you not?” Lord Hertfordshire demanded.

“Of course, I will send an express as soon as I know we are ready to depart. I trust you understand that it will not be before my Anne is wed to the Darcy heir, do you not?” Lord Matlock enquired disingenuously.

The Duke gave a tight nod before he stood. “Remember, Matlock, I hold you responsible if my daughter is disappointed.” That being said, the Duke of Hertfordshire quit the room.

Matlock sat back in his plush chair and blew out the breath he had been holding. He did not want to contemplate the possibility of failure.

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

Bennet was frustrated, angry, and fast losing hope. He and his useless son had been travelling north for two days, stopping at every inn along the Great North Road and not a single inn-keeper had seen anyone who matched his disobedient daughter’s description. On this day they had crossed into Nottinghamshire and planned to spend the night at an inn just outside of Nottingham.

There were times when travelling from inn to inn when Bennet’s conscience would whisper that had he been more reasonable and not imposed a match on Felicity that she found abhorrent, she would have never run away. He chased those thoughts from his mind as soon as they formed. He had made a decision, and he would not bend, even though he knew if he eventually discovered them, and the wedding had been consummated, there was nought he could do but threaten and bluster.

He very much hoped they would be discovered well before he reached Gretna Green as the only thing he hated more than long travel in his carriage was being gainsaid.

Thomas was privately happy they had not discovered Felicity yet. He thought his father was deluding himself that they had a chance of catching up to her as she had a better than four- and twenty-hour lead. He would, of course, not say such to his sire; he rather kept his nose in his book until his father deigned to speak to him and required some sort of response.

Although he knew the chances of discovering his daughter before it was too late were slim to nought, Bennet’s innate stubbornness and refusal to admit a female had bested him made sure they continued on.

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

Augustus and Clem Collins arrived at Longbourn as had been planned. They were not well pleased that neither Bennet male was at home. Only one female was there to meet them.

“Welcome to Longbourn. I am afraid my husband and son are away for an indeterminate length of time. As such I cannot host you without my husband present. I am sure you understand,” Beth stated with put on contriteness.

“Where is my son’s betrothed?” the older Collins growled.

“That is just it. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but my daughter eloped some three or four days past,” Beth revealed.

Both Collins men looked scandalised, and the younger one especially so, as he saw the pretty Miss Bennet slipping away from him. How Clem Collins was looking forward to beating the impertinence out of her once she was his wife. Now that enjoyment had been stolen from him along with his being able to claim her maidenhood for himself.

“What has been done to recover her?” Augustus Collins demanded.

Beth related what her husband and son were attempting to do. “You must see that even if Henry discovers them before they are married, they must do so.”

“I do not see that, why should I see that?” Collins barked.

“It is widely known that Felicity eloped and not with your son. She is irrevocably compromised. Do you want a fallen woman for your son’s wife?” Beth asked innocently.

“I knew we should have never trusted a Bennet to keep an agreement. If I or one of my descendants gains what is rightfully ours in this estate, any remaining Bennets will be cast out the day your husband and son are dead. For all I care, the survivors can go live in the hedgerows,” Collins bellowed while his son looked greatly aggrieved.

“I will never forgive your daughter for humiliating me in this fashion,” the younger Collins threatened. With disdainful and angry looks, the two Collins men left the house, climbed up onto their gig, and were off.

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

Robertson could smell the bonus he would earn from Lord Matlock when he discovered the son and stopped him from marrying. The Earl had left it up to him how to split the thousand pounds. He had decided he would have six hundred pounds while the two footmen were more than pleased they would have two hundred each. Little wonder as it was more than ten years’ worth of wages.

They had ridden for one day so far, stopping only at the major inns to make enquiries. To that point, no one had seen either a man looking like the younger Fitzwilliam son or a carriage which was close in looks to the one the master had given his younger son.

It was not only the landlords and those working inside of the inn Robertson and his men questioned, but also the grooms and the rest of those who worked in the stables. As far as he was concerned, the information gleaned from those who were trained to know horses and coaches carried far more weight. No matter how many of the master’s coins he had expended, there was no information.

That night when it became too dark to continue riding, the three men arrived at an inn just outside of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire. Again, no one had seen anyone or an equipage which matched the descriptions given. It was the first time Robertson began to doubt the success of his quest.

The men slept above the stables with the grooms and manservants of guests at the inn. Before first light, they were off again.

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

“This is Longtown,” Reggie reported as they entered a market town. “We will cross the border into Scotland about three miles the other side of the town, and then we will have less than three miles more until we reach Canonbie; so a little more than an hour from now.”

“And then I will be your wife,” Felicity said reverently.

“And I your husband.” The two had the fingers of their hands closest to one another intertwined.

They watched with bated breath as the carriage left the town and continued on northward. For a short while they travelled next to the River Esk. At a point, it turned away from them, but after less than a mile, the river had made a turn and was close to them again. It was then they noticed an unobtrusive sign announcing their entry into Scotland.

The excitement built, and the two imagined that Jenson had slowed his team, which he had not. It was simply their desire to reach their destination as the anticipation built.

About a mile outside of the town, Reggie hit the ceiling telling the coachman to halt. There at the side of the road was a smithy, with a sign announcing it as McTavish’s. The blacksmith was working over his forge. They watched as he withdrew a glowing horseshoe and hammered it on his anvil. The betrothed couple looked at one another and nodded.

Reggie alighted first and handed Felicity out.

The blacksmith had flaming red hair and arms the size of tree trunks though he was not as tall as Reggie. The man had black streaks on his face where he had wiped it with his hands.

“Och aye, I dunna have time ta look at ye horses noo,” the man drawled.

“We are not here for the horses,” Reggie explained. “Will you marry us over the anvil, please.”

“It will be my pleasure,” the man, who if his sign was accurate was Mr McTavish, replied in his strong Scottish brogue. “ Mirren ,” he hollered, “I need ye as a witness. I gonna marry this gent and lady.” He looked at Jensen. “You too. We need two witnesses.”

After a nod from his master, the coachman joined them.

The lady, who the blacksmith called, introduced as Mrs McTavish, walked into the smithy with a babe on her hip. “Noo that is no summin we see e’day hereabouts,” she noted. She turned to her burly husband who was looking at her with love in his eyes. “Times a wasting, get on wi’ it.”

Felicity and Reggie stood where McTavish instructed them, just before the anvil. They ignored the heat radiating from the forge. At least the blacksmith had not recently used his bellows to increase the intensity of the fire. As soon as they were in place, with Jensen and Mrs McTavish standing as witnesses, the couple were asked if they were of age—he had to be over fourteen and she over twelve—and free, to marry. They answered in the affirmative. He then instructed the groom to place a ring on the bride’s finger and had them write their names on the certificate which he, without too many smudges, dated and completed. It was the final time to write the name Bennet, and Felicity did not repine losing it.

As soon as he handed the paper to the groom, McTavish lifted his hammer and struck the anvil. “The ringing be a symbol of your joining,” he explained. “You be married, and it be a half crown.”

The newly married groom handed over the coin with the greatest of pleasure. “Mrs Fitzwilliam,” Reggie stated gruffly.

“That is my name, husband,” Felicity replied with pleasure.

“Och, kiss the gal,” Mrs McTavish prompted.

The new husband did just that. The Fitzwilliams thanked Mr and Mrs McTavish and made the short walk back to the carriage.

“Where to, sir? May I wish you both very happy,” Jensen enquired when they neared the conveyance.

“Thank you Jensen, as to where, I think we will remain in Longtown for a night or two and then commence the journey to Ramsgate,” Reggie instructed.

“That will be perfect, Husband,” Felicity agreed. “I saw a good looking inn when we were on our way here, and as long as it is not full, we should be comfortable there.”

So agreed, it took less than an hour to reach the Flying Pegasus Inn, which was not close to full. The landlord and landlady wished the newlyweds happy and assigned them the best suite in the inn. At his master’s insistence, Jensen was given a room rather than the usual sleeping accommodations above the stables.

A maid would be sent up to assist Mrs Fitzwilliam in changing and into a bath. Once both members of the couple had bathed and changed, a meal would be sent up on trays.

As soon as she was dressed after her bath, the first thing Felicity did was to write to her mother in the care of Jenny Purvis, among others, while her husband, also, wrote some letters. Soon thereafter the Fitzwilliams ate their meal after which Reggie took his wife to the bed they would share, and she became his wife in all ways.