Pride And Prejudice

1

"Mr. Horan is moving in next door. I heard that he's single and a very handsome man. Maybe Lottie would fancy him?" Jays best friend Alice said with a grin. She had come over for some coffee and gossip.

"You make it sound like I should marry her off." Jay laughed.

"There aren't that many suitable men in your daughter's age in this godforsaken village. It's not a bad idea to at least introduce them. I heard that he has a friend staying with him as well, a Mr. Styles. Maybe Fizzy will like him? Then two of your children will marry rich." Alice grinned.

Jay rolled her eyes at her best friend.
"Alice! This is not the 1700 century. I'm not going to find them husbands, they're free to choose."

"There's no harm in introducing them at least and I know you struggle with this place. I don't understand why you won't sell it and move to something better." Alice said and drank her coffee.

"This house has been in the family for generations." Jay protested.

"I know that but I worry about you Jay. You work really hard to take care of your family and this house. Come on! Louis can take the girls over for a visit to welcome them to the neighborhood." Alice said.

When Alice left, Jay thought about it. There was no harm in introducing her girls to a suitable man, leaving it up to them to find out if Mr. Horan or Mr. Styles would be worthy of their love. She decided to let her oldest be the one introducing them.
"Louis? Can I speak with you?"

"What is it, mother?" Louis asked as he walked into the living room.

"Alice just informed me that Netherfield Park finally has been sold to a young man. I would like for you to take Lottie and Fizzy for a visit tomorrow to welcome him to the neighborhood." Jay said.

"Is that so?" Louis replied with humor. He knew exactly what his mother was up to.

"It's the right thing to do." Jay commented.

"Sure. We'll pay him a visit tomorrow as you please. Shall I bring him a gift or are my sisters enough?" Louis winked.

Jay batted her hand at him.
"Louis!"

Louis burst out laughing. He kissed his mother's cheek before he returned to his room.

The next day he told Lottie and Fizzy that they were gonna pay their new neighbor a visit on their mother's demand. The twins Daisy and Phoebe begged him to accompany them but he knew that four Tomlinson girls would be too much for the poor man next door to handle so he declined. Daisy and Phoebe pouted and whined that it wasn't fair but Louis wouldn't listen.

He left with his older sisters and they took a frisk walk to the mansion. Jay had sent them a basket of her finest plumb marmalade as a housewarming gift. Louis had no idea what Mr. Horan would do with five cans of marmalade but he carried the basket. Lottie and Fizzy were excited to meet their new neighbor.

They rang the doorbell and a butler opened the door.
"Yes?"

"Good morning, we're the Tomlinsons. We would like to see Mr. Horan. Our mother sent us with a housewarming gift." Louis said.

The butler showed them to the saloon and announced their presence. Mr. Horan broke out in a delighted smile.
"Welcome, dear neighbors. Call me Niall."

"I'm Louis and these are my sisters Charlotte and Felicity. Our mother Johannah sent us over to welcome you to the neighborhood. Here, some of her famous plum marmalade." Louis said and handed over the basket.

"How delightful. Send your mother my gratitude. Oh, where's my manner? This is my dear friend Harry Styles." Niall said and gestured at the man standing by the fireplace.

Louis turned to look at him. Mr. Styles stared back coldly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Styles." Louis said.

"Likewise." He sounded ironic and bored. Louis hid a smirk. Mr. Styles amused him for some reason.

"So how do you like it here so far Mr. Horan?" Lottie asked with a smile.

"Oh, it's lovely, isn't that right Harry?" Niall said excitedly.

Harry snorted but mumbled an "indeed."

Louis viewed the man in question. What was up with the attitude? Fizzy and Lottie discussed the benefits of England as soon as Niall revealed that he was from Ireland. They were all laughing and talking. Louis kept looking at Harry who didn't engage in the conversation at all. He didn't even as much as glance at them but Louis could tell that he was listening in on the conversation. He couldn't help but wonder about the man in question. He was intrigued. Suddenly Harry raised his eyes and met his. Louis didn't look away. Instead, he challenged him by raising an eyebrow in amusement.

Harry just stared back. He put his arms on his back and put his chest out like a proud Peacock. Louis had to withhold his laughter.
"Girls, we should head back home. Thank you Niall for your hospitality. You're very kind." Louis said, emphasizing you're to make a point. Harry had no trouble understanding him if the grimace he just made was an indication. Louis smiled brightly at him before he looked at Niall instead.

"It has been my absolute pleasure." Niall grinned.

"You should have a ball to get to know everyone in the town!" Lottie suggested.

"A ball you say? That sounds like a splendid idea, doesn't it Harry?" Niall said and turned to his friend.

"Sure." Harry replied dryly.

Niall seemed to be totally oblivious of his friends' sarcasm.
"It's decided then. This Saturday. I will of course extend an invite to all your family members." Niall said graciously.

Louis bowed his head.
"Lovely. Then we'll say our goodbyes. See you on Saturday."

Harry mumbled a dismissive "farewell."

The butler escorted them out and as soon as the door closed behind them Fizzy wailed "Oh my God! Mr. Styles is so handsome!"

Louis cackled.
"He's not for you Fizzy, trust me. I've never met a more pompous person in my life."

"Perhaps, but you have to admit that he's gorgeous." Fizzy smirked.

"Whatever." Louis dismissed. Felicity was absolutely right. Harry Styles was indeed gorgeous but that didn't help when he didn't have the personality to match it.

"I think Niall is absolutely wonderful. I can't wait for Saturday." Lottie said dreamily.

They teased her for the rest of the way back home. Louis couldn't help but feel excited about the ball on Saturday as well to find out if Harry Styles really was that stuck-up.