NEW FRIENDS

[MISS JANE BENNET]

(( Tag: Miss Felicity Cadwallader and or Mr. Goulding? ))
Jane was back at home after two weeks of being confined to a bed in a guest room at Netherfield Park. It was bittersweet really, although sick as a dog she had formed quite the attachment to a certain red-headed gentleman in the house. He had been the kindest of gentlemen and Jane found herself to be entirely besotted with him. However she was not quite willing to admit that to anyone yet. It had been such a short time since they had met. Could it really happen that fast? To form such a close and intimate attachment? Jane had tried to tell herself over and over that it was far to early but in her heart she just knew. But she would keep mum on the subject for now, lest her family try and interfere and mess things up.

So Jane had reluctantly returned home with the hope that she would see him again. In her absence life at Longbourn had gone on. It seemed as if nothing had truly changed, Papa was still locked in his study, Mama was forever intruding on matters that didn’t concern her and the girls were well the girls. Whenever Lydia or Kitty mentioned Mr. Bingley a certain tell tale blush began to emerge across Jane’s face that was enough to warrant a lecture on propriety from Mary. But Lizzie, dear sweet Lizzie bit back a knowing smile and said nothing for which Jane was eternally grateful.

That morning while the family was partaking in breakfast Jane received a letter from a rather unexpected person, a Miss Felicity Cadwallader. Jane had met her briefly during the assembly at Meryton. If she remembered correctly she was the ward of Mr. Nicholas Goulding. A native of Meryton and but a few years older than Jane they had known each other since childhood. Mrs. Bennet at one point had singled him out as the future object of Jane’s affections when they were but small children but it had not quite worked out that way.

Although some could call Mr. Goulding a rather gruff and disagreeable fellow Jane had always found him to perfectly amiable in his own way. After all not everyone could boast the pleasant manners of Mr. Bingley! He had always been kind to her, asking her for a dance or exchanging pleasantries when they were younger. He had surprised her greatly after the ‘incident’ five years ago, after Jane’s beau had left he had been kind enough to ask her to dance when her family had attended the next assembly. Jane had been so fearful that she had acted quite the fool and she would be shunned and therefore had never forgotten that small glimmer of kindness from Mr. Goulding.

So upon receiving the invitation to luncheon with his ward
Jane was all too happy to accept. Upon showing the letter to her mother and sisters there was great jokes to be had about this luncheon going better than Jane’s previous one. But after a little cajoling she was even lent the carriage to head off the risk of a impromptu stay although Mrs. Bennet thought it might not be bad for Mr. Bingley to have a little competition! And at the appointed hour she stood upon the doorstep of Haye Park eager to further her acquaintance with Miss Cadwallader and perhaps count her among her friends by the time the luncheon was over.

When the door opened she introduced herself and asked to see Miss Cadwallader. Unsure of what to expect from the woman she entered somewhat timidly, for Jane was of a shy nature but she had high hopes for the occasion. And upon being led to her hostess she smiled and greeted the young lady with a proper curtsy, the folds of her blue gown dipping as she initiated pleasantries. “ Miss Cadwallader! How very pleasant to see you again.” she exclaimed. “ Thank you for your most kind invitation she said pleasantly.


(( Hope you don't mind, I established a little bit of a back story for Nicholas and Jane, if you don't like message me and I'm happy to fix it! Sorry it took so long ))

[Miss Felicity Cadwallader]

Following the assembly in Mertyon, Felicity had sent a barrage of letters all over the near countryside. Wherever she went she was determined she would not be lonely; in Bath she had enjoyed some of the best society, and even the desolate nature of officer’s encampments had not been enough to simmer down the girl’s bubbly enthusiasm for company. Where there were friends to be met, meet them she would, and she hardly ever entertained any idea of her not liking someone. The assembly had been -- for many reasons -- entirely charming. If there had been any unpleasantness in the atmosphere then Felicity had not noticed it, for she had been too busy giving everything her glowing approval to look for any tarnish.

It had been just exactly the sort of welcome that would set her well within the local neighbourhood, and put her in the best position to notice which young ladies she might become particularly acquainted with. Her cousin had (somewhat begrudgingly) explained to her the situations of most of the young ladies in the surrounding area including the Miss Bennets and the Miss Lucases, and being able to put faces to the names during the course of the evening had been a great source of pleasure for Felicity. It was very hard, being both new and overshadowed by news of Mr Bingley’s arrival, but she had borne it as best as she could and had resolved to send her letters the very next day. Miss Jane Bennet had been the first to accept her invitation to luncheon.

Felicity was delighted.

Nicholas as not.

“Whatever do you mean, that you are expecting guests?” he asked her abruptly, when they had retired to the drawing room after breakfast. She had managed to convince him to play chess with her, and had only seen the error in her judgement when he had started to become cross with her because she clearly did not know how to play chess and had obviously meant it as a distraction for him.

“I thought it would be a good idea for me to bond with some of the ladies of the surrounding families,” she replied airily, incorrectly jumping over his army of ebony pawns with her bishop to take his queen.

“And so it would – were they not all of them part of an elite, secret society. This isn’t checkers – your move is illegal.” He replaced the pieces huffily.

“A secret society!” she exclaimed, having quite forgotten about chess. “Which one?”

Nicholas fixed her with a look of exasperation. He made no allowances for the fact that they were still rather unacquainted themselves. Other, more forbearing people in his intimate circle (bearing the last name of Delaford) would have seen his sarcasm for the biting intrusion that it was. “The type of society that only allows the very silliest of members,” he explained with a rolling of his eyes. “Then again, perhaps you are suited for inclusion after all, if you think this formation will do. Have you been taking lessons from Delaford on how to play chess? I confess I have not seen such a sloppy assault since last I played him.”

“No I haven’t,” she replied, indignant, but only because she hadn’t thought of it first. “And don’t change the subject! You mean to bully me into keeping my own company – or yours! – when neither would do so well as the companionship of other young ladies!” She crossed her arms petulantly over the front of her dress, her blue eyes narrowed as she looked up at him to where he had taken to pacing in front of the fireplace. “But the joke is on you. No matter what the rest of Meryton thinks, I am not afraid of you, cousin!” Looking very pleased with her steady declaration, Felicity moved her knight forward in a diagonal line that would have done very well for her bishop. Nicholas resisted the urge to groan.

“I should like it a great deal better it you were,” he told her at last with a rueful nod. “For then you would be more inclined to do as you were bid!” When she ignored him in favour of scouting out her next move, he finally gave in to a heaving sigh before striding back to the table. After a moment’s silence, he bent to move one of his pawns to take her imposing knight.

“You can’t do that!” Felicity glared up at him.

“Yes I can,” he informed her smugly.

“No, you cannot!” she insisted.

“And whyever not?” he asked her, though he wished it unasked the very next second.

“Because a pawn isn’t powerful enough to take a knight!” And before he could object, Felicity replaced her knight on the board exactly where it had been moved, against all rules and sense. Nicholas was saved from another maddening rendition of what the use of pawns were in the grander scheme of the intellectually stimulating game of chess by Rawlins opening the door.

“Miss Bennet,” he announced, glancing between his master and his mistress.

“Thank you, Rawlins! Do show her in,” Felicity chirped first, more eager than any early-bird ever was.

“Thank God for that,” Nicholas replied crassly. “If an endless procession of ladies through my dining room will spare me the trouble of entertaining you, then I am only sorry Hertfordshire has not enough young ladies to invite.” With a withering look in the direction of his cousin – who only smiled sweetly at him in return – he began for the door.

“Are you not staying for lunch?” Felicity yelped after him.

“I shall eat in the village – I have business to attend to. My apologies, Miss Bennet,” he said to Jane, as she appeared at the doorway to the drawing room. Upon seeing her guest come at last, Felicity all but leapt to her feet. When her cousin was gone and Miss Bennet’s kind words washed over her in the most welcoming manner, Felicity knew she had done the right thing no matter what Nicholas might have to say about it!

She curtsied very prettily, and then extended a hand to Jane so that she might be seated while Rawlins saw to the tea order.

“Oh – goodness! You are the kind one, Miss Bennet! Thank you so much for coming. I do hope you are well. I had heard that you had been ill. There is nothing more dreadful than a cold at this time of year!”

[MISS JANE BENNET]

“Thank God for that,” Nicholas replied crassly. “If an endless procession of ladies through my dining room will spare me the trouble of entertaining you, then I am only sorry Hertfordshire has not enough young ladies to invite.”

Oh this was going to begin well. Jane thought to herself as she overheard the last part of the conversation between cousins since Rawlins had left the door open a crack. Jane was certain had anyone else heard the crass way in which Mr. Goulding handled his ward they would have fled in terror. But Jane was made of more stalwart stuff than most. Besides, it would do well for her to have a friend outside her sisters. She loved them all dearly, there was no disputing that but sometimes it was far better to seek the haven that a friendship outside the family could provide.
But bravo to Miss Cadwallader! She handled him perfectly and did not seem a bit phased by her cousin’s shall we say gruff behavior. When she entered she paused as Mr. Goulding fled the room and inclined her head in kind. Her own deep blue eyes shaded for a minute beneath veiled lashes. “ Of course, Mr. Goulding. Another time perhaps.” she murmured before pressing onward.

Whilst she did not dislike Mr. Goulding, she was not exactly eager to be confined with him for the duration of a luncheon. As his personality was not particularly complimentary to Jane’s softer and gentler one. So secretly she was rather glad of his departure. Besides it was always easier to discern the true nature of a young lady without the overbearing family present. And that was Jane’s true goal in this luncheon, to see if she and Miss Felicity might begin a friendship.

After pleasantries had been exchanged Jane began to feel slightly more at ease in the presence of this young lady. Certainly she was not nearly as intimidating as the elegant and refined Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst! There was an eagerness and pleasant aura about her that Jane quite liked. As Jane was seated she carefully arranged the folds of her pale blue gown to fall around her in the proper fashion. When Jane listened to her speak as to the nature of Jane’s health a faint pink tinge began to appear upon her cheeks.

“ My word travels fast. Ah yes, I was caught out in a storm but a couple weeks ago and caught a nasty head cold. Terrible business, I do not recommend it. ” she joked prettily using her hands to brush off the point as if it were hardly worth mentioning. When Rawlins served the tea she thanked him quietly before hoping to steer the conversation towards a neutral topic.

“ Did you enjoy the assembly? Although perhaps not as grand as the balls in London I cannot recall a time when I have not enjoyed myself immensely at one the Meryton assemblies.” Jane commented wondering how the girl felt about her new home. “ I do hope Mr. Goulding introduced you around. There are many young ladies in the area that would be pleased to make your acquaintance.” she added with a pleasant smile. She was sure her own four sisters would be among them.

[Miss Felicity Cadwallader]

Felicity could not help but notice Miss Bennet’s subtle blush, and though she thought it looked very pretty on her, Flick felt instantly sorry for having brought it about. The remark about word travelling fast only served to censure her more, and as she offered a small smile to hide her embarrassment Felicity lowered her head to busy herself with attending to her tea cup. She should not like Miss Bennet to think that she had only invited her here under the pretence of gossiping, for that would never do! She was very much glad for the change of topic, and took to it with enthusiasm. Her smile became instantly brighter, her eyes naturally more lively.

“I thought it was perfectly charming! Upon my word, I do not recall a happier occasion; the assembly halls in London are much overrated, I believe. I would certainly rather an intimate gathering of those I know and love rather than a room full of strangers!” With a small laugh, Felicity sat with her cup and saucer poised on her lap as Rawlins placed a plate of biscuits on the table beside them. “I was introduced to a great many people – which is all the more of a feat, as my cousin does not much like being out in company as you may know.” Felicity then looked a little sheepish, for though it felt somewhat ungrateful to speak about Nicholas, she could not help but feel as though having a female companion to hear of one’s vexations would be a precious commodity indeed.

“Nicholas lamented that there should be so many people who do not live in the neighbourhood,” she added, her expression showing nothing but distaste for the notion, “but I only thought it added to the mystery of the evening! It was such a happy occasion. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to have found myself in Meryton, with you all.” If there had been any doubt in Miss Bennet’s mind as to Felicity’s temperament and disposition, hopefully all fears would now be allayed as she displayed herself as a genuinely pleased individual, who set out to genuinely please others as best she could.

"I trust that you also enjoyed yourself, Miss Bennet?"

[MISS JANE BENNET]

The Bennet family was a near constant source of gossip for the inhabitants of Meryton. If it was not Mrs. Bennet and her matchmaking, it was Lydia and Kitty in their trouble making, or Mary showing off talents that perhaps only resided in her head. Thankfully for most of their lives Lizzie and Jane had managed to stay above it. Lizzie and Jane had always been praised of being most polite and kind, whereas the rest of her family was ridiculous. However, upon her connection with a certain red-headed gentleman in town Jane was a source of gossip as well and it pained her immensely.

So thankfully the topic was changed quickly and Jane was alleviated from having to suffer the pain of another inquiry into the true nature of her visit to Netherfield. Those that knew her would never think her so manipulative as to force herself upon the Bingley party by faking an illness but perhaps Jane didn’t know everyone in Meryton as well as she thought. She brightened considerably herself when Miss Cadwallader declared an intimate gathering far more agreeable. “ Here, here. Most well said.” Jane commented with a small smile upon her face.

Jane giggled quite unintentionally when she mentioned her cousin’s less than sociable tendancies, sheepishly putting her hand over her mouth to silence them. “ Quite true. I’m afraid Mr. Goulding and I have known each other most of our lives as natives of Meryton. But perhaps there is hope for him yet with you to coax him out of his shell.” she replied with an almost apologetic look. From the look of it Felicity was sunshine and light herself, with such a pleasant disposition. Perhaps she could be the sunshine that Mr. Goulding needed to come out of the darkness.

“ Oh I agree! As pleasing as it is to be surrounded by loved ones and friends it is always terribly exciting to make new friends. I thought the newcomers to be most amicable, yourself included.” Jane said brightly, her own shyness beginning to fade as she warmed up to Felicity. Jane was shy by nature, having such vivacious and outgoing sisters could do that to a girl. But once the ice was broken Jane was quite friendly and was able to warm up to a person quickly.

“ Yes. I believe I shall remember that assembly for all my days.” Jane said with a softer, whimsical smile gracing her face. It was no secret that Mr. Bingley and Jane had taken to each other at the assembly. But Jane didn’t wish to broadcast the fact to everyone. It would hardly due for her to look like a love sick school girl at her age. As a way to snap herself out of it Jane sipped her tea and then regarded Miss Cadwallader with interest.

“ Please Miss Cadwallader, won’t you tell me a bit about yourself? From where do you hail originally?” she asked hoping to learn more about her new friend.