Opposite 3 Island Street, where the Bennet family resided during their summer holidays, was Island Terrace, where the Lucas family resided during their summer holidays. As a young man, Sir William Lucas had worked in his family business, a shop entitled Knitter’s Paradise, and had enjoyed a steady income for minimal effort for many years, allowing him to be tempted into standing as a local councillor, which upon election, he devoted himself to his duties with surprising vigour and with unparalleled enthusiasm for health-and-safety issues. So much so that he had managed to close down many dangerous businesses in his local town, as well as the scouts, rugby club, Sunday school, art class, and Pilates for the over eighties, saving lives and limbs, and ultimately resulting in his presentation at St James’s for service to the community. But Sir William had paid a price for his diligence. The little town, now safe, was devoid of hustle and bustle. In short, it had become so stiflingly dull that Sir William was forced to move out during the summer months, for there was nothing for his children to do. He had cast around for a place to buy a holiday house, and being a man with a nose for fashion, realised one could not go wrong with Salcombe, and also being a man of inherited means, had enough money to be generous without causing himself too much distress. So it was with a warm heart he arrived in Salcombe, ready to sprinkle health-and-safety advice on locals and fellow holidaymakers.
His wife, Marcia, was a talented chatterbox but not too clever not to be a valuable neighbour to Mrs Bennet. They had several children, the eldest of which, Charlotte, a sensible, intelligent young woman, was Lizzy’s intimate friend.
An event like drinks on the Pemberley could not go undiscussed by the Lucas and Bennet families, and so it was not surprising to see a group of them sitting on the jetty, enjoying ice creams and conversing over the previous day’s events.
“You were favoured with early conversation with Mr Bingley, my dear Lottie,” said Mrs Bennet generously.
“Oh yes! We had a most interesting discussion about university. To think a young man should have a house in Salcombe and at the same time be applying to university. Why! It is most uncommon!”
“With such a fortune, I doubt he will take out a student loan,” added Kitty.
“A student loan! Heavens, child!” exclaimed Mrs Bennet. “A man of Mr Bingley’s means would not need such a thing as a loan. He has all the money in the world! A loan indeed!”
“University? Why I doubt he will be going anyway now he has gone completely loopy over Jane!” said Kitty.
“Really, Kitty!” interjected Mary. “How could you speak in such ignorant terms? A young man of intelligence will always choose education over romance.”
“Oh chill out, Mary!”
“Why should I? My opinions are just as valuable as anyone else’s. In fact, I would go further to say that in the present company, they are probably more valuable.” Mary licked her pistachio ice cream with vigour to prove her point.
“And what about Mr Darcy? Wasn’t he insanely rude to poor Lizzy?”
“He is very proud,” said Lizzy, smiling. “But I suppose he is a fine and outrageously rich young man who can afford yachts and champagne, so I suppose you could forgive him for being a little proud. In fact, I would forgive him for being such a bad prawn if he had not made me feel like one, too.”