The Pemberley Chronicles 02 The Women of Pemberley by Rebecca Ann Collins

Author:Rebecca Ann Collins [Rebecca Ann Collins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jane Austen Fan Lit
Published: 2011-05-23T03:25:25+00:00

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Some weeks later, having met with Daniel and Sir Tristram Lambert for several hours, Richard returned, a good deal more hopeful.

Cassandra was pleasantly surprised to hear that Sir Tristram, having listened to him, had requested a tour of the hospital at Littleford and the parish schools at Kympton and Pemberley. "It does mean he is seriously interested, Richard," she said.

"Perhaps it does. I have agreed to seek permission for him to visit next week, and I am sure your parents would like to invite him to Pemberley," said her husband sagely, well aware of the value and prestige of his connection with the Darcy family in the eyes of businessmen like Sir Tristram.

The following week, Sir Tristram and Daniel Lambert were invited to visit the schools and hospital and dine afterwards at Pemberley together with Richard and Cassandra, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Caroline, and James and Emily Courtney.

Whether it was the hospitality of Mr and Mrs Darcy or the excellent impression created by the schools and hospital as well as the busy community hall with its popular library, they would never know; but Sir Tristram left very much impressed and, shortly afterwards, the council invited Dr Richard Gardiner in to discuss his proposal for a hospital.

Richard, accustomed to the snail-like pace of council deliberations, was astonished at their conversion. With Daniel Lambert at his elbow to reinforce his father's influence and a sheaf of plans and papers, he had expected to spend days persuading them to his way of thinking. The alacrity with which they accepted not just the need for a new hospital, but agreed to bear much of the cost of establishing it, was quite amazing. It left Richard in no doubt of the influence that a powerful industrialist and landowner like Sir Tristram could wield over a council.

Returning home he told Cassandra of their success. "Truthfully, I have to say, I was astonished. I could scarcely believe that their attitude had been completely reversed. Sir Tristram and his family have huge investments in the Staffordshire potteries and the railways in the Midlands. They must have enormous influence over council officials. Clearly, his interest in a project is the best way to ensure its acceptance."

Cassy was incredulous. "Does that mean our problems are at an end, then?" she asked.

Her husband was cautious in his reply. "One set of problems may be over, but another, related to managing the project and establishing the hospital, for which I have accepted responsibility, may be just beginning." Richard confessed that he could have left the new hospital project entirely to the council, but he had been reluctant to do so. "I shall talk to Emily and your mother before approaching Henry Forrester, but I am hopeful he will accept a position at Littleford."

"Where is the new hospital to be?" Cassandra asked.

"There are two possible sites--one in the north near Maclesfield and another closer to home, not much more than a mile or two southeast of Matlock," he replied, adding that he had expressed

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