The Longbourn and Netherfield inhabitants were all enjoying the peace and quiet after the drama created by the late Mr. Collins. They were too decent to be happy the hapless parson had been hanged, but they were relieved he could no longer harm anyone ever again.
They did not yet know a storm was heading their way so when an express arrived for Lord Matlock, delivered by his niece Anne’s personal courier, he was concerned that Anne needed urgent help. The missive did not indicate that she was in trouble, however, he was most surprised as he read it:
Rosings Park
July 7, 1811
Dear Uncle,
My mother received a letter from her ubiquitous ex-parson this morning telling her his cousin, Elizabeth Bennet is engaged to William. As you can imagine, she used her oft-repeated words:I am most seriously displeased.
No sooner had she read the missive and ranted, she called for her carriage and set off for Town to see you, then, of course, to see William. I have never seen her in such a fury as she was today.
While she was yelling at her maid to pack, I was able to tell the coachman to make the trip as slow as possible so I would be sure you would receive this warning before she arrives at either Matlock or Darcy Houses. She assumes William has returned to Town. Little does she know you are both still in Hertfordshire.
Uncle, it is time for me to assume my rightful place and claim my inheritance from the gross mismanagement of my mother. I request your help in this venture. I am past my five and twentieth birthday and I should have asserted my rights the day after I celebrated it, but I made the error we have all too often made in placating rather than confronting my mother.
I will leave Rosings Park for Hertfordshire as soon as I am packed now that Lady Catherine has departed. I hope I will not be an imposition on your friends. Please tell William I wish he and his betrothed all happiness.
Your niece,
Anne Catherine de Bourgh
“I knew it was too much to expect peace and quiet!” The Earl sighed with disgust.
“What is it father?” asked Andrew, frowning at the look on his father’s face even as he was passed the express from Anne which the courier had delivered. The man was drinking and eating in Longbourn’s kitchen while his mount rested and was cared for. Richard read over his shoulder while Andrew digested the short missive.
“The dragon has taken flight,” Richard snorted.
“What has ourdearaunt done now?” William sighed as he sat next to his fiancée.
Once the whole party was assembled, Lord Matlock informed them his sister was on the warpath. “For too long we have tolerated her nonsense, but that stops now!” the Earl stated emphatically. Those in the party who were unfortunate to have an acquaintance with thegreat lady, as she liked to think of herself, nodded in agreement.
“She has all but run Rosings into the ground, it is a miracle there are any tenants left, given her dictatorial ways,” Darcy explained. He and Richard, had the unfortunate duty of travelling to Rosings each Easter to look over the books and make recommendations for the running of the estate. While there they would attempt to correct some of his aunt’s worst mistakes. “I put things to right and she undoes almost everything days after I leave.”
“As Anne has requested our help, we will wait for my sister to arrive. I am sure Collins wrote from here, so when she does not find either William or me in town I believe we can expect another uninvited guest tomorrow.” The Earl said the last apologetically, looking at Fanny and Bennet. “I just remembered, Anne said she would travel to us once her mother departed Rosings Park. Thomas and Fanny? Would you object if we send the courier back with an invitation for Anne to join us so she knows it is not an imposition?”
“Please do not give it a thought, Reggie. We have heard of her from all of you for so many years we know what to expect. And unless you want her to, your sister will not be invited to stay here. Like Collins, she is welcome to visit the inn in Meryton if it is too late for her to return to London when she gets here.
“And of course, your niece Anne is more than welcome. If the horse the courier rode here is not rested, please feel free to tell him to take one of ours. Send an invitation from all of us that she is expected and most welcome,” Fanny replied for all her family.
The Earl quickly penned the note to his niece with the confirmation she was welcome to join them, reassuring her that her coming would be no imposition to the Bennets of Hertfordshire. After being supplied with a fresh horse from the Longbourn stables, Anne’s courier was on his way back toward Rosings knowing his mistress would be leaving, so he would watch for her along the road to deliver the Earl’s missive.
Anne de Bourgh arrived in the evening and was most profuse in her thanks, as she had set off without an invitation. She was reassured she was most welcome and had retired soon after being introduced to all for a short rest.
At dinner that night, she was delighted to see how happy William was with his intended and was initially caught off guard when Fanny hugged her in welcome and asked her about her gardens. She was even more surprised when Mrs. Bennet’s was followed by Elaine’s and Georgiana’s hugs.
“We have missed too many opportunities to show we love you, Anne. Fanny has taken me to task.” Aunt Elaine winked at Fanny who laughed as she held Georgiana’s and Kitty’s hands while they showed her their drawings they had done that day.
Anne sat and watched, realising she had never been with such an open and happy group. She was sure she would enjoy getting to know her soon-to-be cousins, and they would all be the best of friends.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
‘This is a backward little town,’ George Wickham thought as he swaggered down the main street of Meryton. ‘I see some nice little treats here; I wonder how many of them I will be able to bed before the shopkeepers expect me to pay my debts?’ he asked himself.
George Wickham liked his girls young. Young girls were easier for him to manipulate with his practised lies and required little true attention. A promise of a wedding and the oldif you love me, you will not make me wait for the wedding night... hint and he was more often than not able to get what he wanted from girls in towns such as this.
Occasionally a little drama followed, and he shuddered as he thought about how close the brother of one of his conquests had got to him in London. That, and the debt collectors on his trail, was one of the reasons why he used most of the funds he had left to buy an ensign’s commission in the infernal militia.
