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“In that case, you have my blessing. Thanks to Jane’s age, you do not need my permission.” Bennet shook the viscount’s hand. He was asked to call his possible future son Hilldale.

The two men walked to the drawing room where Bennet announced the two courtships.

Anna was ecstatic that Lizzy would become her sister, if and when William was accepted by her, and along with her, the other four Bennet sisters as well. There were many effusions of good wishes. Even Bingley was able to offer Miss Bennet and the viscount begrudging, yet sincere, congratulations.

It took Fanny some minutes before the shock wore off, and she was able to add her voice to those imparting their well wishes. One daughter engaged and two being courted. God was being good to them.

Hilldale requested the use of an escritoire. He sat down and composed an epistle to his parents; one for which they had been waiting an eternity to receive.

Chapter 32

Lady Elaine Fitzwilliam, the Countess of Matlock was beyond pleased that not only was one of her sons—whom she had believed were confirmed bachelors—engaged, but said engagement had led to Richard’s resignation from the army. Her happiness would be complete if only Andrew would fix on a woman as his future wife.

She knew that the earldom would continue as long as Anne and Richard had a son, even if her eldest never married; but each and every night in her prayers of thanksgiving to God, she added a request that He would allow Andrew to find a lady.

Even though she was not certain, Lady Elaine believed that there was something Anne and Richard were not telling her. She had not had time to contemplate her suspicions too much, thanks to her accompanying Anne to purchase her clothing and other items she needed to complete her trousseau. The countess had always dreamed of assisting a daughter to shop so she revelled in the experience with her future daughter-in-law.

Her thoughts drifted to her sister-in-law and her banishment to the Orkney Islands. Had she not been ruled by her selfish and avaricious desires, it would have been Catherine assisting her daughter to prepare for her wedding. The last report that Reggie had received some three months past told that Catherine and Mrs Jenkinson were still bemoaning their fate, but no one in the small town near their isolated cottage paid them any heed. It was fitting that Catherine who used to demand attention and obedience was ignored and thought of as nothing more than an annoyance.

She pushed thoughts of her sister-in-law from her head. There was more than a month to make the purchases and then hie to Rosings Park where the wedding would be held on the seventeenth day of January 1812. After hearing that her parson was to marry on the third day of January, Anne chose the day almost a fortnight later to make sure he would be back in Hunsford to perform the marriage rites.

Anne refused to have the wedding ceremony performed by any other, and Richard agreed with his betrothed in this.

Lady Elaine looked up when the butler entered, a salver in hand.

“Yes, Ainsley, did someone need me?” Lady Elaine asked. The retainer bowed and proffered her the salver. There was a letter addressed to her in Andrew’s hand. She dismissed the butler and broke the seal. Since Andrew had been in Hertfordshire, he had only written once to announce his, Anne’s, Anna’s, and Mrs Annesley’s safe arrival at the estate named Netherfield Park. She smoothed the paper and began to read.

6 December 1811

Netherfield Park

Near the market town of Meryton

Hertfordshire

Mother,

I pray that you are sitting when you begin to read this epistle as I am sure the contents will shock you. I have not written to Father on this subject as I am certain you will convey the news to my sire.

There is no way to say this other than plainly: I am courting a woman…

“REGGIE!” Lady Elaine yelled in a very un-countess like manner.

“Elaine, what ails you? Are you being accosted in our home?” A very concerned Lord Matlock demanded when he quickly entered his wife’s parlour followed by two footmen.

“Nothing ails me, Reggie. It is the best of news. Andrew is courting a lady. My prayers were heard by Him and He has granted them!”

First Matlock dismissed the footmen. Then he took the letter his wife thrust into his hand. “Have you read it all?”

“No, I read to this point,” Lady Elaine pointed to the place with a dainty bejewelled finger. “Read to yourself up to that point and then read the rest aloud.”

It was the work of seconds to read the part his wife indicated she had read. “I can see why you got so excited. Should we not wait until you are calm again before I continue reading?” Matlock teased his beloved wife.

“Unless you want to sleep in your own chamber from now on, read!” Lady Elaine commanded.

“Yes, Dear.” He began as his wife had instructed.

… by the name of Jane Bennet. She is the eldest of 5 sisters and no brothers. Her father’s estate, Longbourn, is entailed upon Anne’s clergyman who is to marry the middle daughter, Miss Mary Bennet.