Once they were alone, Gardiner and Phillips shared their thoughts with their wives.
“Frank, you do not object to the plan Edward proposed, do you?” Agatha asked. She looked to Frank and her husband said that he did not. “In that case, once the house has had the odour of that man cleaned out of it, we will move to Longbourn, and I would very much like to adopt Kitty and Lydia. The Collins name must be erased.”
“Everything which was removed before Collins claimed Longbourn will be returned now. It is all being stored in Netherfield Park’s dower house, which is not part of the lease,” Phillips revealed. He looked at his wife. “If he is still interested, what say you about selling the estate to Lord Holder?”
“Write to his Lordship, Frank. If it was meant to be, he will still be interested,” Agatha opined.
After Gardiner informed Phillips the earl was in Town, an express was sent.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Over the years that their daughters had lived with them, a few people had made comments about them being foundlings. When faced with implacable resentment by the Carringtons, Fitzwilliams, Darcys, and a few of their friends, those members of theTonbacked down and worried about other things.
Unfortunately, one who had railed on the subject every chance she got was one Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Knowing that she never said anything of good sense, no one paid her heed. It was noted that her objections to the sisters began the first time she had seen how pretty and close to her nephews they were. The close and special bond she noted between Lizzy and William almost drove her insane and made sure she constantly harped on the subject.
Lady Catherine did not see it, but the more she behaved objectionably, the more she caused people to chuse not to be around her. Until her husband, Sir Lewis, passed after an apoplexy in May 1794, when his beloved daughter was but seven, the Fitzwilliams and Darcys had still made the journey to Rosings Park.
Before her husband’s death, Sir Lewis had ordered her to desist. Lady Catherine had stopped spouting her diatribes on the maintenance of the distinction of rank, so her brother, sister, and their families continued attending her at Easter. However, she began those diatribes again as soon as Sir Lewis was interred. Also, she started to harp on William and Anne becoming engaged. As before, both Darcy and Matlock told her it would never happen unless it was their own free choice many years in the future.
She could not understand why the next year her family arrived the Friday before Easter and promptly left on the Monday following. Invites to their estates and visits to Rosings Park ceased after that. Long bitter letters from the mistress of Rosings Park were consigned to the fire; they were all nonsense blaming thefoundlingsfor a rift in the family she herself had caused.
No one missed the termagant among their friends and family. Holder pushed thoughts of that woman from his mind. His cogitation turned to Jamey’s arrival on the morrow.
Darcy and Matlock were collecting the boys from Eton and Cambridge. Jamey and William were in their final year at the former, while the Fitzwilliam brothers were at the latter. Andrew was in his final year and Richard his first. He smiled as he thought how much the sisters of two of them could not wait for their big brothers to arrive home. Truth be told, Holder wondered if Lizzy was as keen to see William as she was her own brother.
Just then his musings were interrupted when the butler brought him an express. Holder did not think he knew the script. When he saw ‘Phillips’ in the return direction, his memory sparked. Yes, it was three years since he had been interested in purchasing Netherfield Park, and he had not discovered another estate close to London in the meantime, so he hoped it was good news. He broke the seal, opened, and smoothed the page before reading.
19 November 1799
Phillips Law Office
Meryton
Hertfordshire
Lord Holder,
I hope you do not see this as an impertinence, but I said I would write to you close to the expiry of the lease on Netherfield Park.
The lessee was aware we would not offer another term, and no other lease has been offered. That being said, if you continue to be interested, I am prepared to entertain offers of purchase for the property. If it still interests you and you desire to inspect the estate, please inform me.
With respect,
F Phillips, Esq.
Holder was interested, but he wanted to canvas Edith’s opinion first. Hence, he took the letter and sought her out. She was in the music room with the girls and Mrs Healy. The music master,SignoreAlberto da Funti, was working with Mary on the pianoforte. It turned out the youngest Carrington was somewhat of a prodigy on the instrument. Lizzy was also very good on the same, and Jane preferred the harp. The latter two were seated next to Edith and Mrs Healy while Mary completed her lesson.
He waited until Mary and the master finished before applauding his daughter and approaching Edith. “Are there more lessons today after Mary?” Holder enquired.
His wife indicated that Jane was next.
“Then, my love, please accompany me to the nearest parlour so that we may speak without disturbing thesignore’steaching.” Anyone not used to the expressions of admiration between the two would not do well at any Carrington residence.
“Of course, Dear.” Edith extended her hand, and Paul took it and assisted her to stand.
Once he closed the parlour door, Holder handed his wife the letter.
Edith stared at the direction, and her face lost its colour. “Paul, did you see what town and county this comes from?” she asked, her voice shaking.
