Hurst Takes Charge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Shana Granderson A Lady
From Canon we all know the character of Hurst to be an indolent man who is only interested in food, drink, gambling on cards, and some sports like hunting and billiards.
In this tale, suggested by one of my readers, Anne Z from Germany, we see a very different Harold Hurst. His father is a civil servant, not a landed gentleman when we begin, but that all changes because the mundane job is just a cover for the work the senior Hurst performs directly for the crown.
A great service is rendered to the royal family which results in Ignatius Hurst being gifted with an estate in Yorkshire and a house in London. At that point the older Hurst decides his son is old enough to be told the truth of what his father actually does. After being sworn to secrecy, Harold is told all. He decides he wants to join his father in service to the King, which he may do, but only after completing his education at university and a two year training programme.
At Eton he meets and becomes a good friend of Lord Andrew Fitzwilliam, Viscount Hilldale. He also becomes friendly with Richard Fitzwilliam who is 2 years younger. He is acquainted with William Darcy, but not as close to him as he is to the Fitzwilliam brothers.
Rather than this tale beginning with the Bennets, it follows the Hursts, mainly Harold, and we meet the other characters through his eyes. He begins to exert his influence subtly at first, and then in more overt ways as the book goes on.
At some point, Harold meets the Bingleys. Through his eyes we see what kind of people the Bingleys, Fitzwilliams, Darcys, Gardiners, and Bennets are. Bingley does lease Netherfield Park, and Harold Hurst is there with them. As you can imagine, dear reader, much taking charge is needed in Hertfordshire.
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