Page 71 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

The rain beat against the windows of Darcy House and showed no sign of abating.

Elizabeth bent over her journal, polishing her latest verse, while Georgiana sat sketching by the hearth.

Both heard the sound of carriage wheels before the front entrance, and Elizabeth looked at her sister in puzzlement.

“I wonder who that could be. Surely the rain has kept Jane from venturing out today, unless she has had a letter from home and the saga of the angry Lucas ladies has taken another turn.”

Georgiana skipped to the window and peered out, then turned back in surprise. “It is Aunt Helen!”

Without waiting, she hurried from the room and ran down the stairs. Elizabeth set aside her book and rose to receive their visitor. Moments later, Lady Helen was announced.

The butler bowed. “Shall I notify Mr. Darcy of your arrival, my lady?”

The Countess waved a gloved hand with mild impatience. “No need to trouble my nephew, Higgins. I am here to visit Mrs. Darcy.”

Elizabeth stepped forward with a welcoming smile. As they seated themselves, she asked, “Is everything well? I hope this business with those three women has not taken a new turn.”

Lady Helen clucked her tongue. “No, my dear. Nothing is amiss. Those three will not breathe a word to anyone. Their secrets are well guarded, and they are determined that they should remain so. Those hateful cats will not dare trouble you again.”

Elizabeth exhaled the breath she had been holding. “I am very glad to hear it.”

Lady Helen then explained the reason for her visit. “I came for an entirely different purpose. I am here because of Phillip. He admires you, Elizabeth, and now insists that he will not marry until he can find a woman who is like you.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Lady Helen, I must confess I am astonished.”

“He told me you have no unmarried sisters, but I wondered whether you might have friends brought up in the same manner that you were, sensible, kind, properly guided, and of good character. He is interested in a woman with a strong moral foundation. He loathes women who are tiresome or affected. And he likes that you are clever, my dear. He says you understand all his jokes and can offer quip for quip. My son would never endure a silly wife.” Lady Helen fixed her with an expectant look.

“Do you know any clever women, my dear?”

Elizabeth paused to consider. “I was raised in a small village, and our society consists of no more than four and twenty families. Yet I have two friends who may answer Phillip’s needs.

They are twin sisters, Abigail and Anise Stanton.

They are beautiful women and turned four and twenty this past March.

They have suffered a series of family losses, which is why they are not yet out.

First, they lost their grandmother, then an uncle, and last year their father.

Their brother Robert is now head of the household, though he is but six and twenty.

Their estate lies outside Harpenden, about eight miles from my home in Meryton.

They are respectable, though not titled, but they are everything you describe, gentle, modest, and well-raised. ”

Lady Helen listened closely. “Do you believe Phillip would take to one of them?”

Elizabeth smiled. “If he wishes to meet someone like me, then I believe he would like Abby very well. She is clever, some may say sharp, though never disagreeable. Witty is a better word. She has a fine figure, more in the style of my sister Jane, and she is warm-hearted. Anise is equally kind, but quieter in company. If he is drawn to lively conversation, he would likely prefer Abby.”

By the time Elizabeth had finished, Lady Helen was smiling. “I should very much like to meet this Miss Stanton. We must contrive it somehow.”

She took Elizabeth’s hand affectionately. “My dear, will you help me contrive a wife for Phillip?”

Elizabeth grinned at her. “I have been meaning to invite my friend Charlotte Lucas to Pemberley. She is a spinster, and I wish to put her in the way of the rector of Kimpton parish, or perhaps the physician. Fitzwilliam and I have discussed all the eligible gentlemen in the neighborhood, and he tells me there is also a landowner who has only just inherited and may now be in a position to consider marriage. I could invite Charlotte first, and then four to six weeks later, invite the Stanton sisters. That would provide the perfect excuse to have them visit Pemberley without raising expectations. If you like her, Fitzwilliam can invite his two cousins to fish and shoot. He might also invite his cousin Anne; perhaps being at Pemberley, away from Lady Catherine, would advance Richard’s suit. ”

Lady Helen nodded. “Yes, let us do it, Elizabeth. When can we depart from London and put this plan into motion? I care nothing for the rest of the season. If both Phillip and Richard are to marry as the result of a casual visit to Pemberley, while their cousin’s wife entertains her friends from home, I shall count the effort more than worthwhile. ”

Elizabeth laughed. “Let me speak to Fitzwilliam. He has been much engaged with his solicitor of late, but perhaps his business is nearly concluded. Once I know when we may depart, I shall send word.”

“Very good,” Lady Helen said, rising. “I shall begin packing at once. I shall travel north with you when the time comes.”

And just like that, it was settled.