Proud and Prejudiced

[Miranda]

Later that evening

After dinner, Jefferies took Belle aside.

‘Miss Belle. I intend to leave the Grange shortly. It has been an arduous few days and I need to rest,’ he said.

‘Oh yes, of course. I must tell you how thankful I am to you for intervening in this matter. And Mr Campbell of course. I cannot imagine what could have occurred if you had not come to Charlotte's assistance.’

‘In truth I have suspected Captain Harris for some time. He is the type of person who is continually plotting how to defy convention. As I have served in the militia myself, I understand that sort of person’s mentality.’

‘So you did not become involved due to concern for my sister’s virtue?’

He laughed. ‘You are too quick for me, Miss Belle. Of course that was a concern, undoubtedly.’

Just then, Captain and Mrs Harris passed by. They had emerged from Mr Buckton’s study and both appeared subdued.

‘Charlie? Are you quite well?’ asked Belle, hastening up to her.

‘Oh- yes- Papa simply-‘ she could not continue.

‘He simply called attention to the irresponsibility of our- my- behaviour,’ Captain Harris continued for her. ‘He is completely within reason of course. My behaviour was completely imprudent and it will take time for me to make amends to my father in law and new family.’

Belle noticed that Jefferies was unimpressed by the Captain’s speech. He scowled at Harris, who bowed without meeting his eyes, and escorted Charlotte away.

‘What was the conversation between you in the city? How did you persuade him to bring Charlotte back to her family?’ asked Belle curiously.

‘I merely pointed out the possibility of his new commission being revoked if he did not follow the accepted conventions of courting.’

Belle was speechless at this. He had thought of the perfect reason to appeal to the ambitious Harris. He was obviously a better judge of character than she had assumed.

‘But on to other matters. I assume you have heard of Campbell’s detachment from Miss Jones?’

‘Yes, from the gentleman himself.’

‘Do you think our withdrawal from your sister and my friend has given them sufficient time together to repair their association?’

‘Now you are too quick for me, Mr Jefferies.’ She felt disappointed that he had not sought her out for her company, but merely to facilitate Campbell and Nicole’s reunion. ‘I hope you are right. I would dearly love to see my sister happy again.’

Mr Campbell had followed Nicole into the garden.

‘Miss Nicole. I have sought you out to apologise wholeheartedly. I have been exceptionally insensitive towards you and I-‘

Nicole was wearing her most haughty and unapproachable expression, but inwardly her heart was softening.

‘I became involved with Miss Melody Jones as a dim witted youth, but now we are both mature, we have seen the folly of our connection and broken it off.’

Nicole could not repress a smile at the thought of Mr Campbell as a dim witted youth.

‘I think- I think you should have been honest with me when we first met. It would have prevented a great deal of heartbreak and time wasting.’

‘Time wasting?’

‘By which I mean that you could have made a decision between me and Miss Jones much earlier in the proceedings.’

‘B-but I did! I always- I knew that you were the one I desired as my wife from the very beginning! Forgive me for speaking rashly, but those are my true feelings, Nicole!’

She paused. ‘Those are my feelings too, Geoffrey.’

They gazed into each other’s eyes, then fell into an embrace. After a while, Mr Campbell asked:

‘May I approach your father for your hand in marriage?’

‘Oh yes!’ They fell into each other’s arms again.

Setting off.

A few days later, Miss Anne Campbell and Mr Jai Fernandez were on the deck of HMS Mauritania, surveying the coast of Australia for the last time.

‘Do you know, Mr Fernandez, it was your appearance which caused me to think of our escape to England.’

‘I do beg your pardon?’

‘I always assumed that you were a pirate king, as you appeared so exotic in comparison to other gentlemen of my acquaintance.’

‘Really Miss Campbell. I am no nearer being a pirate than you are to inventing a radical new philosophy called feminism.’

He grinned wickedly, and as he did so, the sun caught his gold tooth. Ker-ching! Anne had not noticed it before and fell deep into thought.

‘All visitors to depart! Vessel to leave in fifteen minutes!’ hooted a loud speaker. Anne watched the profile of her companion and wondered.

[Miranda]

The Wedding

Four months later, the wedding day arrived. The couple were to be married in Summer Bay chapel and hold the reception at Fotheringham Manor. Mr Buckton had been at odds with himself over wanting to provide a reception for his daughter and not wanting his home life to be disrupted again. But the latter feeling had won, and as the Manor was eminently more suitable for large gatherings, the wedding guests would return there after the ceremony.

The chapel was decorated with white and yellow flowers. It had been cleaned and polished until the stained glass windows gleamed. Mr Campbell stood at the front with Mr Jefferies at his right. They waited for the bride while the congregation entered, merrily conversing.

The Buckton family sat at the front on one side, but the corresponding side of the chapel was empty.

‘Poor Mr Campbell, he has no family, and his sister is away in England,’ remarked Ruby to Belle.

‘Perhaps the other guests could move forward,’ suggested Major Harris, overhearing.

‘Would that be correct?’ asked Belle. ‘Although you are hardly the person to ask about correctness.’

‘Touché,’ replied the Major, acknowledging the slight.

‘I will ask Mr Stewart,’ said Charlotte. ‘He is the senior resident of the bay, so he will decide if it is correct or not.’ She made her way over to the aforementioned gentleman, and began a conversation.

‘So, Miss Belle. In your considered opinion, do you and your family forgive me for abducting Charlotte?’ asked the Major, only half jokingly.

‘Well, it was definitely very bad form, and caused us much heartache. However you seem to be treating my sister extremely well, so we are half way there to forgiveness.’

‘Oh. I had hoped that you were fully forgiving of me. But are they your words, or Mr Jefferies’?’

‘Mr Jefferies? Why on earth would I be using his words?’ Despite trying to keep her feelings under control, Belle found herself colouring uncomfortably.

‘Aha, I thought as much. I believe Mr Jefferies has a great fondness for you, Miss Belle, and now I believe you perhaps feel the same.’

Belle blushed completely this time and tried to conceal her emotions by pretending to search for her handkerchief.

‘Why do you think this, Major?’ she said quietly, still unable to meet his eyes.

‘Because he is always looking at you with great admiration. Please observe, he is doing so now.’

She looked up and the Major was right. Mr Jefferies was gazing at her unguardedly, but hastily turned away as their eyes met.

‘He also visits your home frequently, Ruby tells me.’

Belle was taken aback at his candour.

Just then, Nicole arrived on the arm of her father, and everyone whispered and gasped in admiration. She was radiant in her exquisite dress, which had taken her mother and sisters weeks to embroider. Mr Campbell’s eyes lit up at the sight of his bride.

The ceremony progressed smoothly, but came to an end far too quickly for Mrs Buckton’s approval. The bride and bridegroom walked happily down the aisle and were helped into the wedding carriage by Mr Jefferies.

‘Come my dear,’ said Major Harris to his wife as the Buckton carriage drew up. ‘You desire adventure. Let us sit with the coachman.’ He whisked Charlotte up to the seat.

‘Mr Jefferies,’ said Ruby. ‘Do please travel in our carriage with us. You arrived in the Campbell carriage, but there is no room there now and plenty in ours.’

‘Oh yes,’ said Mrs Buckton. ‘Please do. We think of you as a dear friend of the family.’

Mr Jefferies paused. ‘Very well.’ He leaped up into the carriage and found himself between Belle and Ruby, while her parents sat opposite.

‘All our daughters are getting married,’ observed Mrs Buckton. ‘Soon there will be another one, I dare say-‘ She eyed Belle thoughtfully.

‘Silence, wife!’ interrupted Mr Buckton. ‘Is that not what you desired? Your daughters happily married and off your hands?’

‘Do not say it in that way. I miss my little girls.’

‘There is no pleasing you,’ sighed her husband.

Belle, Ruby and Mr Jefferies stifled laughter, as the carriage started off for the reception.

[Miranda]

The Reception

At the Manor, the ball room was transformed into a vision of white and yellow, with tables of refreshment as far as the eye could see.

The bride and groom stepped forward and danced the first waltz. They were both glowing with happiness as they glided round the floor.

Mr and Mrs Stewart smiled, remembering their wedding day.

‘Of course, it wasn’t as grand as this, was it Alfred?’ sighed the former Mrs Roberts.

‘No, but I enjoyed it as much, if not more,’ he replied. ‘Did you?’

‘Oh, unquestionably. I have not been so happy since my last husband was alive.’

‘I am glad to hear it. Now my dear, would you like to dance?’

Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Campbell had finished their first dance as man and wife, so everyone else stepped forward.

The band played ‘The Dashing White Sergeant’, so lines of ladies and gentlemen formed. Belle found herself opposite Mr Jefferies, and could not suppress a giggle.

‘What is so amusing?’ he asked.

‘It is that- oh, I cannot say- the last time I danced to this arrangement I found myself opposite you, and I thought you were the most arrogant and rude man I had ever met.’

‘Dear me! How unfortunate. I do hope your opinion has changed.’ He did not look completely offended, as there was a twinkle in his eye.

‘Oh yes, I-‘ Then the music started and they were whisked away from each other.

‘Our plan is not progressing well, husband,’ said Charlotte to Major Harris as they danced together. ‘They have been separated.’

‘Oh dear. Perhaps the later dances will give them more opportunity to converse.’

‘It is so frustrating. Belle obviously likes Jefferies and he feels the same, but a catalyst is needed.’

‘Aha. Leave it to me.’ Harris stroked his handlebar moustache thoughtfully.

Before the next dance, he sought out his colleague, Sergeant Rosetta, and had a discussion with him.

Ruby was feeling rather low. All her sisters were finding wonderful husbands but she was still alone. And she was not even the youngest daughter as Nicole had married before her. The next dance was imminent, but she had a gap on her dance card. Everyone would think she possessed some imperfection. What would become of her?

‘Miss Ruby?’ said a voice, and the gallant Mr Jefferies was beside her. ‘I see you have no partner. Would you allow me to step in?’

‘But do you not wish to dance with my sister?’ asked Ruby. They both looked over to Belle and saw Major Harris introducing her to Sergeant Rosetta. Ruby noticed that Mr Jefferies was affronted at this, so she tapped him on the arm.

‘I would be delighted to dance with you,’ she said and presented herself for dancing. The music started, and the couples twirled round gracefully.

Suddenly, Jefferies felt someone collide with him, and turned to see Sergeant Rosetta and Belle, who staggered at the impact. Sergeant Rosetta reached out for her, but Jefferies was faster.

‘Oh, Belle, are you quite alright?’ he gasped, raising her in his arms from the floor.

‘Oh, yes- yes- I am well, thank you-‘

‘Perhaps some fresh air?’ suggested Rosetta, with a slight Italian accent. ‘The garden is lovely at this time of year.’

‘Yes, a turn round the Manor grounds would be just the thing,’ agreed Ruby. ‘Oh dear, I feel faint,’ she added, pretending to swoon. Rosetta stepped forward.

‘Are you in need of water?’ he asked. ‘Please accompany me to the refreshments.’ They walked away together, smiling conspiratorially.

‘May I say how charming you look today, Signorina?’ Rosetta was saying, as Ruby giggled demurely.

Meanwhile, Jefferies ushered Belle towards the French windows which led to the gardens.

‘Splendid,’ said Major Harris, shutting and locking the windows after they had passed through.

‘Are you quite sure you are alright?’ asked Jefferies of Belle, outside in the sun.

‘Yes, of course! Why are you so concerned all of a sudden?’

‘I’m not- it is not all of a sudden! Are you really so insensible of my feelings?’ The proud look she had not seen for so long returned.

‘Your feelings?’ Belle had assumed that she had been suffering from a short lived girlish fantasy about him which would never be requited.

‘Yes! Belle, I have wanted to propose to you for months, but I thought you were set on remaining unattached! I thought you did not see mere men as equals to you, but I hoped to change your mind over time. I hoped you would grow to love me as I love you, but I cannot continue indefinitely!’

‘But- but- I have been feeling the same way! I mean, I have changed my mind about you! I first thought you were an insufferable, proud man who looked down on everyone, but now I realise you have a kind and ardent heart who will help anyone in need, and-‘

She could not continue as Jefferies caught her in a passionate embrace, leaving her in no doubt about his feelings. She felt her heart would explode inside her bustier.

‘So, should I go at once to your father to ask for your hand in marriage?’ he said after a while, a little out of breath.

‘Oh, yes- please do- I-‘ she found it hard to speak due to the overwhelming emotions.

‘Very well. It will be the next thing I do after the Campbells have departed on their honeymoon.’

‘Well, Mr Jefferies, I am impressed with your resolve-‘ she teased, giddy with the relief that he shared her feelings.

He groaned. ‘Oh, Belle please! Call me Aden.’

THE END

* * * * * * * * M E R R Y * * * * * * * * * * * * C H R I S T M A S * * * * * * * * * *E V E R Y O N E !* * * * * * * *

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