Some two years previously the King and Queen had been travelling back to London when they had made an impromptu stop in Meryton. It had been Bennet’s turn to take over the mayorship, but he had asked his friend Lucas to add a year to his term before Bennet would be able to fulfil his duty. Lucas had agreed with alacrity as he enjoyed the tasks.
Thus, when the Monarchs stopped in Meryton and word of who was present reached the mayor, he made a flowery speech of welcome which impressed King George III to such an extent, His Majesty knighted the mayor. A month later, now Sir William and Lady Lucas attended the latter’s investiture at St. James.
On his return, Sir William decided he would like to join the ranks of the gentry. He however never forgot what had provided for his family for so many years. Hence, he sold the general store, but not the bookstore or millinery shop. With the proceeds from the sale of his largest concern, Sir William purchased the small estate between Longbourn and Meryton. Thanks to keeping the two concerns—Bennet was well pleased there would be no changes to the running of the bookstore—Sir William’s income remained essentially the same.
The eldest Lucas son would inherit the estate while his younger brother would one day own the two remaining businesses.
“Do you prefer the…estate to your house…in Meryton?” Anne enquired.
“Yes, it means we are able to keep horses and a pony for Maria, although she has been asking Papa for a full size horse since she turned eleven,” Charlotte stated as she looked at her sister indulgently. Maria was talking to Kitty and Lydia. “She will have to exercise some patience. Papa will wait until she is at least thirteen like Mary was before he considers a gelding or mare for her.”
“Anne, would you like to sit on a bench, or can thesmallmen carry you back down to where Jenki is waiting for you in the phaeton?” Elizabeth enquired.
That first time Anne and Uncle Lewis had been hosted at Longbourn, Anne had asked Jenki to inform Lizzy she was allowed to address Anne’s governess thusly. Since then, it was the way Elizabeth, and her sisters, addressed her.
It was not difficult for Elizabeth to see Anne was tiring fast. Over the years of their friendship, she had become much attuned to her best friend’s physical needs.
“I think it will be good…to return to the…phaeton, as long as John and…Brian are able to bear…my weight,” Anne jested drolly.
There were giggles from all of the girls while Biggs and Johns grinned at Miss Anne’s teasing. It was quick work before the young mistress was safely belted in the chair once again and she was being carried down the hill in her specially constructed sedan chair.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Lady Catherine was not well pleased. She had sent a letter to Clay Younge using her lady’s maid to carry the missive and post it at the nearest posting inn.
It was his impertinent and disrespectful reply, her maid had collected from the same post stop and then delivered to her, which had disturbed her equanimity. The letter was toowell written to have been scribed by that brainless piece of brawn. It was then Lady Catherine remembered Younge had a younger sister, one who—according to the brother—had been educated so she would have more employment opportunities.
It was definitely a woman’s script. Lady Catherine read the letter again.
14 August, 1805
8 Worthing Road
Margate, Kent
Lady Catherine,
No, I will not do anything for you on the promise of future money to which you aresureyou will have access.
You know my fee to assist you and unless and until you are able to provide me the required amount (£600) before I do anything, you will not be seeing me. The paltry £30 you say you have would not even convince me to hobble someone’s horse, never mind any of the things you list in your letter.
I wonder how much your husband would pay me if I sold him that letter and what would happen to you?
Unless you have funds, do not contact me again. And no, I will not provide you with the name of another.
Clay Younge
The letter did not improve after the second reading.
How dare that nobody speak to her, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, in that fashion! Did he not know who she was. She was seriously displeased. The way he had threatened her five years ago had been pushed out of her consciousness.
Chapter 9
Cloverdell was everything Richard could have hoped for. After almost a year and a half that he had been the master of the estate, Richard was quite proficient in his duties— thanks to lessons in estate management from his father, Andrew, Uncle Lewis, Mr. Bennet, and to a lesser extent William.
Even while still at university, when he had any available time, he used it to make sure he learnt everything he could. In fact, since moving to his estate once he had completed his final year at Cambridge, Richard had not ventured to London to partake in the season at all.
Even the invitation from his friend Bingley to be hosted at his London home on Curzon Street had not convinced Richard to go to Town. The fact Bingley’s older and younger sisters had both decided he should pick them as his future wife, was another deterrent to attending Bingley in London. The only respite he took from his diligent oversightwere a few days at Oak Hollow with his family (sans William), Christmastide past, and four days at Rosings Park in April of the current year. Since his graduation in May 1805, Richard had been at his estate constantly. The only major change he had made was to employ a new steward.
