“As I said, I cannot trust you. You put on an act for over two years in order to do what? I will not believe any words from you until I see clear evidence of actual change,” Bingley replied. “Remember, Caroline, you have two choices. There will not be any cajoling or negotiation. Do that and I will chuse for you. Perhaps thoughts of how bad your life could get will help you chuse wisely!”
Miss Bingley nodded her understanding. Bingley and Louisa left their greatly subdued younger sister in her chamber. “Do you think she will really make changes this time?” he asked.
“Only time will tell. But if she makes a sudden change, it will be highly suspect. The only chance she has to reform herself is if she goes to our aunt and uncle. And even then, it will not be easy to erase all the nonsense with which our late motherinculcated Caroline. She will have to genuinely want to change if there is to be a chance of success.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
His Royal Highness, Prince George, the Prince Regent and Prince of Wales, admitted Sir Harold Hurst to a private audience as soon as he was told that the son of the man who had saved his life was asking to see him.
“Welcome, Sir Harold,” the Regent stated. “Do not look at me so; I can use your title, as no one is here to hear us. If His Majesty had his way, you would have been a peer and not a baronet.”
“I thank you for seeing me so soon, your Highness. I am here to ask if you will allow me to use one of the boons you awarded my late father, which I understand transferred to me,” Hurst stated as he bowed again to the Regent.
“I am alive because of your late father’s actions. Also, I am aware that you still work with Fitzwilliam as needed, so ask,” the Regent replied.
“It is not for me. I would like to request for you to intercede and have the Court of Chancery declare the entail on the estate of Longbourn in Hertfordshire void.” Hurst saw the Regent’s quizzical look and knew he needed to explain the history. “A few generations ago…” He told all, up to and including Bennet reacquiring the land the first Collins lost. “Mr Bennet opined that if his son does not reach the age of eighteen, it would be very wrong for a Collins to benefit from the entail their line caused. I agreed with his logic and felt that I needed to help, if I am able.”
It took the Regent some minutes to cogitate on what Sir Harold had told him. “I agree with this Mr Bennet. A descendant of the man who gambled away half of the original estate, should not be in the line of succession. I will void the entail and have the court send Mr Bennet a new deed naming him the owner and not a lifetime tenant, but I require onesmallthing from you.”
“You know that, like my father before me, I will serve the crown as best I am able,” Hurst responded.
“I would like you to accept elevation to the peerage. We need more men like you in the House of Lords. Do not be concerned. I will not make you a duke, just an earl, like His Majesty wanted to bestow on your father.” The Regent sat back in his well-padded chair and waited.
Hurst knew he should have seen this coming. The King had never been happy that Father had talked him out of an earldom and rather into a baronetcy. If this was the price of removing the entail from over Bennet’s head, then so be it. Now he needed to negotiate a delay. “I accept your terms, your Highness.” Hurst bowed. “I ask that until the war with the Corsican tyrant is won, my title not be announced.”
“One year from today. You and I both know that it is only a matter of time before Wellesley, Viscount Wellington, runs Boney to ground. I need you in the Lords, so I will not wait longer than one year. My private secretary will be in touch regarding the title, secondary title, additional estates, and patents. I thought of the Earl of York for you, but Frederick would not find that amusing, as he is the Duke of York.” The Regent looked at Lord Harold triumphantly. He had succeeded where his father had failed. “Your friend, Mr Bennet, will have the documents from the court in a few days, at most.”
“I will have much to tell my wife and my mother, or will this not affect Mother?” Hurst enquired.
“It will touch your mother. She will be the dowager countess, as this will be dated as of the day His Majesty elevated your father. Rather than being addressed by the name of the title, I will request that Her Majesty decree that your mother will be called Lady Leticia, dowager countess and your wife, Lady Louisa, countess. That way they can grant the right to address them thusly when they chuse to,” the Regent responded. “Is there anything else you need to ask of me?”
“There is not, your Highness,” Hurst replied. “If I had, you would want to make me a duke,” he muttered insotto voce.
“I heard that,” the Regent said amusedly. He always had time for a Hurst.
Hurst bowed low and took his leave of the Regent. He and Louisa had one more year of anonymity. He grinned when he thought of his daughter being addressed as Lady Tisha.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Thanks to the almost immediate meeting with the Regent and his other business dealt with, Hurst and Holcomb began their ride back to Netherfield Park on Thursday after midday. They would be back well before the assembly, and Hurst looked forward to dancing with his wife.
Holcomb was riding next to Hurst, and they were at a medium to slow canter to keep from overexerting their mounts. He leaned over towards the valet. “Let us canter at speed for a few miles,” Hurst instructed.
“Will do, my Lord,” Holcomb responded with what was as close to a grin he ever displayed.
“You are lucky there are no others around us,” Hurst growled. The valet’s jest reminded him of the information which had been delivered by the Regent’s equerry yester-afternoon.
His title would be the Earl of Winsbury. Another estate, one neighbouring Winsdale, was being annexed to his estate, making it more than fifty percent larger. In addition, a rather significant amount was added to the Hurst fortune. Arthur was Viscount Sherwood and with his title came the estate of Sherwood Heights in northern Nottinghamshire. He now had to decide how he was to tell Louisa she was now Lady Louisa, Countess of Winsbury. At least, Mother was a dowager countess.
One year of anonymity was all they had. After that, the persona he had used to find intelligence would have to be retired permanently. He smiled as he thought of Hilldale. A few times when they had been at Eton, Hilldale had jested about his superior rank. Now Hurst was an earl, above a viscount. Perhaps he would rib Hilldale once the year was up.
His mind wandered to the morning of the previous day. Hurst had gone to Somerset House to meet with Fitzwilliam. His friend had laughed uproariously when Hurst had told him of his elevation. Fitzwilliam knew well how far his predecessor had gone to avoid being made a peer. It seemed the crown had a long memory and had finally gained through the son what had been denied them with the father. Fitzwilliam had invited him to his house for dinner that night, and Hurst had gratefully accepted.
After greeting her parents, Hurst admired the Fitzwilliams’ babe—Charlotte had delivered a daughter, named Sarah Elaine for her two grandmothers, three days before the end of August, weeks later than had been predicted. When she had been told of Harold’s elevation, Charlotte had made her congratulations without any teasing like her husband.
The dinner had been very enjoyable. Afterward, while Charlotte was feeding her daughter, the two men spoke. Fitzwilliam had expressed his agreement with the Regent’s assessment that the tide of the war had turned. He had told Hurst that he would be missed, but he had given many years of service, and it was his time to enjoy his life. It was then that Hurst revealed what had led to his acceptance of the peerage. Fitzwilliam had agreed it had been done for a good reason, and he was very happy for the Bennets, as he knew his wife would be.
On Thursday, a little before the sky darkened, Hurst was pulled out of his thoughts when the horses passed Netherfield Park’s gateposts. He was still trying to decide how to tell Louisa. He supposed plainly was best.
