The butler had been told to expect the early caller and admitted the Viscount without delay. Best of all, Jane was waiting for him in the drawing room with her parents, Lizzy, and Miss Lucas.
With a speech about the allowed time and the state of the door, Bennet allowed Hilldale to lead Jane to the study where one of Hurst’s huge footmen stood.
Just ten minutes later, Jane returned and asked Papa to join Andrew. The joy suffusing from her face, radiating from her in waves, told the three ladies in the drawing room what the question and answer had been. Jane had said nothing, but she had not needed to.
In the study, when Hilldale had told him that he cared not that Jane had no dowry, Bennet felt a certain sense of satisfaction in seeing the shock on his future son-in-law’s face on hearing that Jane’s dowry was just shy of four and twenty thousand pounds. Although he knew Jane loved Hilldale and he her, Bennet had stated his preference for an engagement periodof at least four months. Hilldale had not argued, only saying he would agree to whatever his betrothed wanted.
A few short minutes later, Bennet returned with an equally joyful suitor. “Hilldale here has asked for our Jane’s hand and I have given my permission and blessing. Congratulations, Jane, you will be a very happy woman.”
Fanny pulled her eldest into a hug and did the same with her son-in-law-to-be.
The Hursts, including Arthur and Tisha, joined the celebration in the drawing room, adding their voices to those wishing the engaged couple the best for their shared life. The youngest two Hursts did not understand what the celebration was about, but they understood everyone was happy and that was enough for them. It did not stop them from asking Lizzy for a morning story.
The Bennet carriage was ready to depart as soon as Bennet was. He was making his farewells when Jane and Hilldale approached him.
“May I have Jane accompany me to Matlock House to inform my parents?” Hilldale requested. “I have my coach here, and either a maid, or perhaps Lizzy and Miss Lucas would agree to accompany us? We will break our fasts there, if that is acceptable to the Hursts.”
“As long as there is adequate chaperonage, I give my consent,” Bennet agreed. After his final goodbyes, he took his leave.
“Lizzy and Charlotte, would you two agree to accompany us?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth looked at Charlotte, who nodded. She then turned to her mother. “Mamma, you do not object if we are not here to break our fasts, do you?”
Fanny looked to Leticia and Louisa; neither indicated an objection. “Go, we will be here when you return. I am so very happy for you, Jane. You, as do all of my children, deserve a very felicitous marriage with a solicitous partner.”
Arthur noticed that Lizzy was leaving. He was about to object when he saw Papa shake his head. He pouted but said nothing. Thankfully, Tisha had been distracted at that moment.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Even though the three Fitzwilliams at Matlock House had known what Andrew was about that morning, they were effusive in their joy in welcoming Jane and, through her, Lizzy to the family. While the engagement was being discussed, Charlotte looked up and saw Mr Fitzwilliam looking at her intently. She could not stop a blush from forming.
When Lady Matlock asked about a wedding date, a calendar was consulted. Keeping in mind her father’s desire for at least four months, Jane suggested the final Friday in October, which was more like five months away. It was tentatively chosen subject to Jane’s mother’s approval.
Before the meal, Hilldale called Jane aside and presented her with an engagement ring which had a large sapphire in the centre surrounded by six smaller diamonds.
Although she did not need anything to prove how much Andrew loved her, Jane appreciated the beautiful token of his esteem.
After a very enjoyable meal, Hilldale conveyed his affianced, her sister and friend back to Hurst House. There was one more in the coach on its return; Fitzwilliam had remembered he needed to speak to Hurst so he joined the others.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The day before Fanny and her daughters were to call at Buckingham House, the butler presented Hurst with a card. It was Bingley’s, and he was accompanied by his younger sister. Not wanting their guests to witness an unpleasant scene, Louisa and Hurst told the retainer to show the Bingleys to the study.
On entering, Hurst was pleased to see the way Bingley stood, his spine stiffened. It seemed what he had said to his brother-in-law at White’s, combined with what Bingley had read in this study, had had a positive impact.
Per the master’s orders, the butler had directed a footman to place a chair behind the desk next to the master’s.
On entering the study, before greeting the two Bingleys, Louisa and Hurst sat and did not invite the other two to sit. “Charles, Caroline, what brings you here?” Louisa enquired.
“Caroline,” Bingley prompted.
“I am here to convey my contrition to you for the way I behaved when I was a guest in this house some years past,” Miss Bingley began. “I realise that my behaviour was unacceptable. I now know that I was reaching too high in setting my cap at men who were so far above me.”
“One of whom was recently engaged. Did you miss the announcement in this morning’s papers?” Hurst was watchinghis sister-in-law when he spoke; he saw the way her face was about to pinch before she schooled it. ‘She is playing a persona.’
“Who was it? If I am ever in his company, I will convey my best wishes for him and his future wife,” Miss Bingley stated evenly.
“Lord Hilldale,” Louisa responded.
