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Sir William Lucas grew up working in his father’s mercantile in Meryton, and after he inherited the business, he prospered and made a profit every year.

Since becoming a gentleman with a small estate, he discovered managing a farm and tenant farmers was harder work and often required him to be outside in all types of weather.

When a sheep escaped the pen as rain fell, he had to chase and capture it.

When John and Freddie grew old enough to find the missing ewes, he began to depend on them.

There were moments when he questioned the wisdom of selling the mercantile and becoming a gentleman.

His estate did not include enough farms to pay a steward to manage the tenants and the tasks required to make Lucas Lodge feed his family and pay the taxes.

His eldest son, John, studied estate management and farming at university and returned home to take the reins from his father’s hands, but Sir William remained engaged with the home farm.

His wife, Martha, spoke fondly of their days in the mercantile but maintained a calm facade when she dealt with Frances Bennet, Grace Phillips, and the other ladies of their neighbourhood.

This supper for the families of the neighbourhood was to display the success of the Lucas family.

~~~

The officers from the militia would attend the neighbourhood gathering, and they arrived early at Lucas Lodge with George Wickham in their company.

While Maria and Charlotte enjoyed the attentions of the officers until the other young ladies in the neighbourhood arrived, Sir William pulled Mr Wickham into the conversation.

A second gentleman, William Saunders, witnessed as Sir William insisted that Mr Wickham explain the wild tale concerning Mr Leaky and a thousand pounds.

Just as the conversation began, the Goulding and Rushing families arrived, so Sir William summoned Winston Goulding and Allan Rushing to hear the story.

Sir William addressed the visitor, “Mr Wickham, you spoke of your business the other day at the Running Pig.”

“Yes, Sir William,” the congenial gentleman replied. “The New World Tea Company.”

Their host continued, “And the story about the gentleman from Wiltshire receiving a thousand pounds in profits.”

“All true,” George said with a convincing smile.

“Mr Leaky is an investor in the company and received his dividend in London. When he learned that I was nearby, he rode out to thank me for allowing him to invest in the company just last year. His original investment was two thousand pounds, and the dividend was nine-hundred and eighty-six pounds.”

“He lost more than a thousand pounds this year?” asked Sir William incredulously. “And he thanked you?”

Grinning, George replied, “Oh, no. He still has his investment of two thousand pounds and next year will receive his share of my profits again.”

“But profits every year? How is that possible?” asked Mr Goulding. “Even in farming, some years are not good.”

“The secret is that everyone drinks tea,” George assured the man.

“In the Americas, just like in Britain, the people must buy tea. Now, I cannot sell tea in England because the East India Company holds a monopoly, but my ships sail into ports in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, where the locals buy every chest of tea.”

Remaining sceptical, Sir William asked, “How can you pay such large sums to these investors?”

Leaning closer, George confided, “The swells in London lie about profits. The men who sold you items to sell in your mercantile all dressed in fine clothes, did they not? They kept the profits for themselves and their families while telling you there were few coins to be made in your store.”

George watched Sir William, and the other gentlemen consider the words just spoken.

He had planted the seeds and knew it was time to alter the direction of the conversation.

“But enough walk about trade tonight. The wonderful company here in Lucas Lodge must not be spoiled by talk about profits and business. We would bore the dear ladies who only want to hear our praises for their offerings for supper.”

The gentlemen spoke excitedly to one another–Mr Wickham was well-spoken and shared his story freely. The news of potential riches for years in the future spread among the families in attendance at Lucas Lodge.

~~~

Shortly thereafter, the Bennet family arrived with their visitor, Mr William Collins.

The five Bennet sisters moved into Lucas Lodge like flowers floating across the surface of a pond in a gentle breeze.

Behind them, the parson stumbled when Mr and Mrs Bennet moved away from him to greet the host and hostess.

Then Mr Bennet returned to Mr Collins and led the man to Sir William to make the formal introduction.

“Sir William, allow me to introduce my cousin, Mr William Collins. Mr Collins is a pastor with a rectory in Kent,” said Mr Bennet. He turned to his cousin and continued, “Mr Collins, this is Sir William Lucas, an honourable and just man who owns Lucas Lodge.”

He looked between the two men and tried to ignite a conversation to consume the host’s evening, saying, “Mr Collins, can you tell Sir William about your position in Hunsford? And your patroness?”

Sir William turned his attention upon Mr Collins and the usually loquacious Lucas met his match in the parson.

The host could not escape for almost fifteen minutes.

Even though Sir William had been knighted by His Majesty, King George III, Mr Collins assured his host that the honour bestrode on the gentleman that day was minuscule compared to the ‘condescension’ of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Neither man understood the word meant arrogance; one thought himself intelligent using it, and the second acted as though he understood.

Mrs Bennet sent her husband to rescue their host when the man needed to welcome the last guests.

Lady Lucas and Charlotte exchanged whispers about the Bennet cousin and decided on a stratagem to provide the man with a varied audience during the evening.

As the eldest Lucas daughter, Charlotte remained near Mr Collins and directed him toward any seated lady or gentleman who appeared to need company.

And at some point in the evening, Mr Bennet took Collins around the room to introduce his cousin to other gentlemen of the neighbourhood.

Their progress was slowed when the gentlemen attempted a polite exchange of remarks, and Collins launched into a description of his appointment to the living at Hunsford, the parsonage, or the improvements to said house provided by his patroness, Lady Catherine.

Jane and Elizabeth spoke to Harriet Goulding, the Saunders and Rushing sisters, complimented them on their gowns or hair and asked about each family’s plans for the remainder of the year.

Mary spent several minutes talking to Maria and John Lucas before she found herself beside her mother among the other attending matrons.

Lydia and Kitty were engaged in animated conversations with several officers and the handsome Mr George Wickham.

Into this gathering, the party from Netherfield arrived late by the standards of politeness in Meryton. Sir William greeted Mr Bingley, Mr and Mrs Hurst, and Mr Darcy. The host inquired politely after Miss Bingley and learned that Caroline Bingley suffered from a terrible headache that evening.

“Give Miss Bingley our best wishes for her recovery,” Sir William said as he led Mr Bingley into the parlour of his home where the neighbours congregated before the meal.

~~~

The scene at Netherfield had been contentious throughout the afternoon.

At lunch, Caroline announced her change of heart and intention to attend the affair at Lucas Lodge.

Charles smiled and welcomed the change but reminded his sister, “Our carriage leaves promptly at six of the clock this evening.”

“Yes, Charles. Whatever you say,” Caroline said, seeming to agree.

Still, the afternoon was rife with shouts about cold bathing water and ribbons with creases. The chambermaid, Alice Hill, fled in terror from Miss Bingley’s rooms, and only Mrs Hobbes was brave enough to venture into the chamber to dress the young lady’s hair.

Everyone in the manor heard Caroline’s decision to change her gown only minutes before six of the clock.

At fifteen minutes past the hour, Charles mounted the steps and banged on his sister’s door.

Finding Caroline still in her dressing robe with a dozen gowns on the bed, he equalled Caroline for volume when he declared her a selfish, spoiled creature.

She yelled about being trapped in the wilderness among savages when Charles left her room and travelled back down the stairs.

It was another thirty minutes before she came down to discover that the Bingley carriage with her family and Mr Darcy had left as soon as Mr Bingley returned from his visit to her chambers.

“Did he leave me behind?” she asked the footman, who remained silent. Then she grew angry and declared, “Charles left me!”

In anger, Caroline grabbed a porcelain figure on the nearest tabletop and threw it against the wall. The figurine shattered, and Caroline ordered the man, “Summon another carriage!”

“I cannot, Miss Bingley.”

“What do you mean? There is another carriage in the stables!”

The young footman, David Hill, agreed but said, “That carriage belongs to Mr Darcy, and none but himself can order it out.”

“How dare you disobey me!” Caroline said as she stomped toward the back of the house. She stopped and asked, “Where is the kitchen?"