Page 71 of Her Favourite Daughter

Karen

She was not meant to be the one to tell him what to do and when. However, that being said, Wickham was not sorry that the end was in sight.

He grudgingly admitted to himself that Karen Younge had done very well. It would be because of her that he would get his due, while her reward was to be arrested along with that fool of a brother of hers. Their capture would give Wickham precious time to increase the distance between him and those who would pursue him. They would waste a day or two chasing a red herring before they realised that the Younges did not have Lady Bethany. By then, she would be ruined, and there would be no choice but for them to marry.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Lady Elaine Fitzwilliam was handed a missive on the first Thursday of February 1808. She and Lady Anne were seated in a smaller parlour. The Fitzwilliams and Darcys were resident at Netherfield Park in anticipation of the day when Charlotte would marry Richard.

“It is from Anne!” Lady Elaine exclaimed.

“Then read it so we can hear what my namesake says,” Lady Anne suggested.

The paper was soon open and smoothed. Lady Elaine began to read.

1 February 1808

Granville

Nottinghamshire

Mamma,

Harry and I want to thank you once again for allowing my new sister, Petunia, to reside with you while we were on our wedding trip.

I am sure by the volume of letters you realise how friendly my new sister became with Bethie and Mary. (Petunia is less than a year younger than Mary.) She loved being with so many girls, even the younger ones like Kitty and Giana.

It was very gracious of Bethie to spend so much time with Petunia while she learns about her duties as the suo jure duchess.

This is a short epistle to tell you that being married to Harry is so much better than I imagined, and to inform you that we will depart Granville on the morrow. (Petunia is most impatient to see her friends again.) With the short winter days, and without any bad weather, Harry estimates that we will arrive at Netherfield Park on Friday or Saturday.

It is wonderful that after Jane and Andy wed, all your children will be happily married. My brothers have chosen the best ladies for themselves.

Please tell all the family how much I am looking forward to seeing them.

With regards from all the Smythes,

Anne

Lady Elaine happily passed the letter to her sister-in-law. “It warms my heart to see how happy my daughter is.”

“I cannot but agree with you,” Lady Anne said after reading the one page.

“Let us go join those in the drawing room,” Lady Elaine stated as she stood. The two countesses walked out of the parlour, arm in arm.

Chapter 27

March 1808

On the fifth day of March in 1808, Bethany would turn seventeen. It was to be a very special time, as it was the first of her birthdays which would be celebrated on the actual date of her birth.

The day before Bethany’s day, the first Friday in March, the extended family had celebrated Giana’s birthday, when she had turned twelve. Rather than agree there should be nothing to mark the day for her friend and cousin—Giana had said she did not want anything to overshadow Bethie’s celebration—Bethany had insisted that Giana should have her day recognised in its own right. She had assured her cousin that the one did not take away from the other.

What made the day even more special was the fact that Charlotte and Richard Fitzwilliam had arrived at Longbourn yester-morning from their wedding trip. They had been at Seaview House, thanks to Aunt Anne and Uncle Robert making it available for their use.

The Lucases were not aware that Charlotte and her husband had arrived, so when they came for the birthday celebration, they would have a very pleasant surprise. Since Sir William and Lady Lucas had moved past their improper pride over their elevation, they had found much more acceptance and friendship among those who had previously distanced themselves. In the past, they had told themselves that those people were jealous, but now they knew better. Seeing the grace shown by Sir William and Lady Collins had been educational for the Lucas parents. The two never erred like the Lucases did in demanding that their friends use their titles.

Clem and Ophelia Collins had happily accepted the offer to join the Fitzwilliams in their coach so they too, could be in attendance. Any excuse they found to visit Caroline and William; they took with zeal. Collins was especially pleased by the reports of how well his son was doing as the rector of St Hugh’s Church in the Longbourn Village. Not that he expected any less; however, it was gratifying to hear from Meryton and others about the aplomb with which, not only William as the spiritual guide, but also Caroline in the role of the parson’s wife, were executing their duties.