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“That goes for you as well, Fitzwilliam Darcy,” that man’s wife, said as she shot him a look that told him that she would brook no opposition.

“Yes, Dear,” the two men chorused, looking somewhat chagrined.

“It will be hard to part with all four of them to other men,” Lady Rose added. “Do you think that it is any easier for Cyril, as he could not run and hide in the country as you two did.”

“We are not hiding,” said Lord Thomas somewhat petulantly.

“Do you think it is any easier on me, Anne, or Priscilla to see our daughters leave our homes?” Lady Sarah asked.

Both men shook their heads. “It is the lot in life for women to leave our homes that we have known all of our lives and cleave ourselves unto our husbands in a new home and location. When it is a love match as it was for all of us, and will be for all four of the girls, it is still hard to say goodbye, but it makes it so much easier to know that our daughters will be loved and respected.”

The men agreed that they were being somewhat selfish.

William especially knew how hard it would be for his mother not to see his sister every day.

Lady Sarah called for tea and the conversation turned to the arrival of the rest of the family at the end of the month and that of Sir Frederick and his nurses.

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

Harrison Wright was a very self-confident young man of four and twenty.

Since completing his studies at Oxford at twenty, he had immersed himself in helping his father run their extensive shipyards.

For most of the last year he had been learning all there was to know about estate management since his father purchased Oakmont Court, giving the very wealthy tradesman an entrée into the circle of landed gentry.

But on this day, he was very nervous, for maybe the first time in recent history.

He was approaching the De Melville’s townhouse to request a formal courtship from the Earl of Jersey.

Harrison had been beside himself with joy when Lady Loretta De Melville had gladly accepted his petition for a courtship but day before.

He knew that her family, like the rest of her extended family did not see him as unworthy because of his family’s roots, but until the Earl granted his petition he could not rest easily.

At exactly ten in the morning, the Wright heir released the knocker, and the door was opened within seconds by the butler.

Harrison handed the old man his card and was shown directly to the master’s study.

Lord Jersey, who was known as a very forthright man, did not beat around the bush and asked the younger man what his purpose was in requesting an audience, although he well knew, as Loretta had let him know that she had happily accepted a courtship pending his approval.

Both his wife and daughter had made it abundantly clear that he was not to toy with the young man and that no answer, but his full blessing and permission would be acceptable to them.

“Yesterday I asked Lady Loretta of she would accept a courtship with me, my Lord,” Harrison said evenly. “She has done me the supreme honour of agreeing to my request, pending your agreement and blessing.”

“I could ask you all sorts of inane questions, but I already know the answers,” Lord Jersey said as he looked at a point in the distance seeing his daughter leaving his home.

“As Loretta has accepted you for a courtship, you have my approval and blessing. Just never hurt her. If you do it will not go well for you.” He said the last only somewhat in jest.

“I would sooner die than ever make your daughter unhappy, your lordship,” Harrison replied seriously.

“There is no doubt in my mind,” Lord Jersey said as he stood to shake the younger man’s hand. “I would never have parted with her to one who was less worthy of her love.”

The men walked the short distance to the family sitting room, and as soon as they entered, Loretta saw how happy both men looked and received an imperceptible nod from the man with whom she had fallen irrevocably in love.

She almost forgot herself and was about to let out a girlish squeal of delight but checked herself as she received the heartfelt wishes of her parents.

Wes would be informed later, he was where he was whenever he had time, at Matlock House visiting the lady that he loved.

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

The following day, Lords Wes De Melville and Mark Creighton arrived at Matlock house at the same time in the morning as if they had coordinated their schedules, though the truth was that it was pure coincidence.

Both requested an audience with Lord Matlock, so after verifying that his master was available the butler showed the two young men, who visited on a daily basis, into the Earl’s study.

“Welcome gentlemen, you asked to speak to me,” Lord Reggie said, although he was very sure why the men where in his study.

The two friends looked at each other waiting for the other to speak first, their indecision amusing Lord Reggie so much he let out a guffaw.

“Come now, I will not bite. However, you must know that even though Ladies Mary and Catherine are under my protection, I do not have leave to act in their father’s stead. ”

Wes found his voice first, “I know that, Uncle Reggie,” he said as he regained his confidence, “I will seek an audience with Uncle Thomas as soon as we arrive at Longbourn at the end of the month. I am requesting an audience with Mary today, and depending on her answer I will know whether I need to speak to Uncle Thomas.”

“I would like an audience with Lady Catherine for the same purpose,” Mark said.

“But my sister is far too old for you, Lord Chatsworth,” Lord Reggie decided to have some sport with the young Creighton.

“Y-y-your sister?” Mark sputtered.

“Yes, my sister, Lady Catherine…” Lord Reggie ribbed the younger man while Wes sat alongside his friend with a huge grin.

“I am asking to speak to Lady Catherine Bennet , my Lord,” Mark clarified, at last understanding that he was the butt of the Earl’s joke.

“In that case, I grant your requests. You will have five minutes with your respective lady, and the door will remain half open,” the Earl stipulated. Wes was told to remain in the study while Mark was shown to a private parlour while the ladies were summoned.

On seeing Wes waiting for her in Uncle Reggie’s study, Mary beamed as she was certain she knew his purpose as the three months of her season had passed the day before.

“Mary,” Wes said without preamble, “I love you, and unless something has changed, I know that you love me.”

“Nothing has changed,” Mary admitted with supreme pleasure. “Well, to be truthful, there has been one change.” Seeing his questioning and concerned look she did not keep him in suspense. “My love for you has grown deeper, Wes.”

“As has mine for you, Mary,” he vowed as he took both of her dainty hands in his.

““Mary, will you allow me to formally court you? I want all of society to know that I will have none other than you. I have known for many months that you are the only woman for me, and without you, I would be a hollow shell of a man. If you accept the courtship, I will be asking for a betrothal in three months.”

“Yes, Wes. I will accept a courtship with you,” Mary said as she glowed with happiness.

“I know that you are the only man that I would accept. I will have to work on Papa to relax his restrictions as I find myself impatient to become your wife.” Mary blushed at her forward speech, but did not repine the words that she meant with all of her being.

“If Uncle Thomas changes his mind, I will be most pleased,” Wes agreed. “You know that I will not go against his word, so if he does not give us leave to shorten the three-month periods for courtship and betrothal that he has stipulated, we will have to wait, no matter how much we prefer not to.”

“Do not worry Wes,” Mary said with a determined glint in her eye, “he will change his mind.”

In the private parlour, Mark turned as he heard the swish of skirts behind him as he stared out of the window onto Grosvenor Square.

He turned to see a smiling young lady looking at him quizzically.

“You asked to see me, my Lord?” Kitty asked as she arched an eyebrow very much like her mother was wont to do.

“Have we not called one another by our informal names these many months, Catherine?” Mark asked to which she nodded her agreement.

“I am here by your request, Mark ,” Kitty said archly.

“Kitty, Catherine, we both know that when we were first acquainted at Broadhurst, I did not give the best impression.” he smiled ruefully.

“That is putting it mildly,” the lady interjected.

“After we spoke and started again, it was not long before I had tender feelings for you, which have grown into a deep and irrevocable love,” Mark stated as he looked into Kitty’s eyes.

“As much as I would have liked to declare myself the day of your coming out ball, your father’s wishes were honoured, and the three months are now past. Will you, Lady Catherine Bennet, please grant me a formal courtship pending your father’s approval? ”

“Yes Mark, I absolutely want to be courted by you so long as you promise that at the end of this, I will also not just be your wife but your happiness,” Kitty said as she glowed with happiness, “Even when you acted distant, rude, and arrogant, I knew that I was attracted to you, which was very frustrating to me, that being interested in one who was as arrogant as William used to be. But after we started over and I came to know the man behind the persona you displayed for the Ton, I too fell head over heels in love with you and find that you are the only one for me.”