Page 101 of Hurst Takes Charge

Catherine Bennet had waited until both Gigi and Lydia were eighteen before she came out. By the end of her first season in 1814, she had met, become engaged to, and married the owner of a large estate in Cheshire. They had five children so far.

Lydia had gone three seasons, much to Bennet’s delight, before she had met the man with whom she fell in love. Ithappened to be the eldest son of Lord Stephen Ashby, the new Earl of Ashbury. Lydia had become a viscountess in 1817, and the two had four children to date: three sons and a lone daughter.

Six months after Lydia, Gigi met Lord George William Russell, second son of the Duke of Bedford. He owned an estate in Leicestershire, a little more than thirty miles from Pemberley. He was a year older than Elizabeth Darcy and shared a love of music with his wife. So far, they had three children: a son and two daughters.

Lizzy and Darcy had eight children, thanks to a second set of twins ten years after Ben and Bethie were born. They had five sons and three daughters. Thankfully Darcy owned enough satellite estates for his other four sons.

Mary and Bingley had added six to the brood of grandchildren: four daughters and two sons.

Hurst looked down at his daughter. He finally understood the feeling Bennet had as he gave each of his daughters to another man. She loved Tommy with all of her heart, as he loved her. There was mutual respect, integral for a long and felicitous marriage. Knowing all of that would not make it easier when he placed Tisha’s hand on Tommy’s arm or when he had to answer the rector’s question about who gives the bride away. Like many fathers before him, he would do it because that is what fathers who loved their daughters did.

Tommy had been running Longbourn for two years already, and on his marriage, Fanny and Bennet were moving to the dower house. If only Longbourn had been closer to Winsdale. Netherfield Park was the saving grace. The Hursts would be visiting that estate quite often.

Arthur was courting one of the Duke of Devonshire’s daughters, and Hurst expected there to be a proposal in the next few weeks. At least at not quite two and twenty, Ignatius was still single, although since graduating from Cambridge, he no longer lived at Winsdale. That was because he had been managing Netherfield Park on his own. It would be his in three years.

It was time. The inner vestibule doors opened, and Hurst began to walk with Tisha; Bethie following them, holding Tisha’s bouquet, a few steps behind.

On this day, there was nothing for Hurst to take charge of. Tisha and Tommy were, as were the rest of the younger generation, the future.

As he walked, Hurst saw the love shining from Louisa’s eyes. All was right with the world.

~~~The End~~~