The carriages stood at the door servants rushed here and there loading the baggage for the Sterley’s were retuning to the country. The season been over the last social calls of the season made the last farewells for the next nine months.

Now old Bonaparte locked up safe after these many years now safely halfway across the world on St Helena Island. Britain and the world now safe at last from his greedy grasp.

Captain Aubrey returning to his command while young Sophia was to return with her parents to Oakland Park. Mary now dressed in the best stood upon the step watching the activities in the street. Although she had not found a husband she was content for she knew that a number of connections had been made it would not be long before the young men of well connected families began visiting Oakland’s.

She had been particularly impressed by the handsome young lieutenant of the Kings household cavalry who seemed very nice if some what nervous in her company.

“Well lass are you ready?” asked Sir Thomas. “Oh papa I am always ready to go home she said like an old solder after another successful campaign. “Ah there you are,” said Lady Ann stepping out of the house. “Pray Mary fetch my fan,” she said. The reason for her desiring her daughter to step in side was the fact that the old woman found it unseemly that a young lady should be upon the steps while it was quite alright for the master of the house to be on the step. However she was of the opinion that she must this instant have a word or two too say to her husband. “Tom please step inside as I would have some thing of significance to say to you,” she said.

Stepping in side Sir Thomas was hurriedly followed by his wife Dear wife what is this matter of significance that you would speak upon,” Sir Thomas asked.” What a fudge is going about town,” she said “Indeed pray enlighten me,” said Sir Thomas “Well I have it of the countess of Devon that the Earl of Waterford has been heard to say that you are a coward for not taking up sooner the matter of honor for he claims he wrote to you requesting a meeting to resolve this and you refused begging his pardon and extending an apology,” said Lady Ann. Laughing Sir Thomas said well Ill be dumfounded the Earl is such an old rouge to lie lake that, I shall write to him this instant and request that our second meet to set the place and time when I can wait upon him,” said Sir Thomas drying the tears of mirth from his eyes for he had come to expect that the earl would find some way to turn the tables upon him.

Returning Mary handed her mother the fan “So me girl are you to become a tenant for life?” Asked Sir Thomas. Oh no not yet papa for I have not settled upon the right man yet,” she remarked. “ That is most gratifying there has been to much of a haste with your sisters to rush into the matrimonial bed of late I would appreciate it my dear if you take your time and choose the best of the Ton before settling upon the one that takes your fancy,” said Sir Thomas.

“Tom you will turn our girl into an old bluestocking if ever you don’t take care,” said Lady Ann


“Ann you do have the way of saying the strangest thing upon my word,” said Sir Thomas. Mary no longer able to keep a straight face burst into laughter as she had been listening to her parents banter like a young love struck couple. I n fact it was this very way that made the younger generation of Sterley’s love there parents so dearly for they had not the pretensions of other families which they knew.

“Annie come here” said Lady Ann pray go to the young men and tell them we are waiting for it is time for us to go,” she continued the maid curtsied and left the three Sterley’s. Who now seemed a little eat odds for the servants were beginning to cover the furnishings with dust cloths. It is a strange to imagine what it is like to stand in a house that is dressed for desertion.

“Mamma Annie says you sent for us” said William “Indeed I did the chaise and four is standing at the door pray find your seats,” said Lady Ann to her two older sons while the ever faithful Annie brought up the rear with young James.

“Well my dear we are for the country” said Sir Thomas. “Aye indeed we are,” replied Lady Ann as they took one last look around the house which they had come to love so dearly. For it was a happy house where they had seen many a happy evening the balls the calls now the house stood silent. “Well my dear time to leave,” said Sir Thomas. Taking his wife’s hand they left the house Sir Thomas stopped briefly to give final instructions to the senior house servants before stepping down to the carriage which stood ready to depart.

““Sophia dear dry your tears,” said Lady Ann “Oh mamma I miss James so much already and it has only been two days,” said Sophia. “My dear the frequent departures of ones husband is some thing that you will have to get used to. I am afraid for it is one of those things with which we woman must learn to live,” said Lady Ann.

“Mamma how can you be so hard?” Sophia asked “My dear you forget that I have had many years to get used to it I to missed your papa when we were first married but what can one do but try and make the best of it,” said Lady Ann. “I will try and be as brave as you always are,” said Sophia.

Tags: regency novel, jane austen