I'm so sorry! I know I'm a day late. But my Saturday was completely busy and I went to bed around 7 pm, about 4 seconds after I walked in the door. So without further ado...
The Darcy's stood in a line in the front hall while they waited for their guests to arrive-it was a bit too chilly this morning to wait outside. Anna was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the investigators-the sooner they conducted their interviews the sooner the men responsible could be brought to justice.
She had been filled with relief that it had been only a short delay in Teddy receiving his much-needed medicine, but her anger spilled over as she listened to the boy cough throughout the story she read to him. How dare they? How dare they endanger a sweet little boy who had never done anyone harm? Not to mention the countless other tenants spending their hard earned money in town; and poor Misters Jones and Pryor, who could have been much more seriously hurt. She would be sure her father sent guards next time to protect those fetching supplies. It was sad how little trust you could place in people.
She was grateful for the speed of the men arriving; it had been only four days since the robbery and they were already here. She hadn't heard their names yet, only that they would be staying the week to conduct their interviews. She was assured they were good at their jobs by Mrs. Reynold's, in whom she had confided all her frustration; that was the important thing. The old woman had retired from her family's service a few years prior, but still remained a dear friend and confidant.
When Mr. Reynolds, her son and butler, opened the door to their guests, Anna felt her breath catch in her chest. It couldn't be.
Mr. Mikaelson stood behind a much older man, who resembled him a little, as they greeted her father. He shot a glance to her from the corner of his eye and cracked a small smile. He returned his gaze to her father when he was introduced by the older man. He bowed curtly and stood.
"Mr. Mikaelson, your reputation precedes you." She could see him stiffen a little at her father's words. Clearly he thought Mr. Darcy supported the disgraceful Lord Archer. "I'm glad to hear you're a man who cares about justice. I hope you'll fight just as valiantly for my tenants and estate."
"Thank you sir, I assure you I give all my cases and clients the same amount of dedication." Mr. Mikaelson's eyebrows were raised in surprise, but his smile looked genuine.
"Mr. Darcy, we are overjoyed to be able to assist the great house of Pemberley," The older man interrupted. "I give you my solemn oath that we will do everything in our power to bring these vagabonds to justice." He father bowed his head at him once as Anna rolled her eyes. This older man seemed more impressed with her father than concerned with his task. But in Mr. Mikaelson, at least, she could count on professionalism and hard work.
"Thank you, Mr. Price. Allow me to introduce my wife, Elizabeth." Her mother curtseyed politely. "My middle sons Richard and William." Her brother's bowed as Anna's heart beat a little faster in her chest. They were almost to her when the side door burst open and Charles and Edward burst in.
"Ah, my other two sons finally back from their ride. Charles, Edward, come meet…"
"James! My god its been two years at least man!" Edward exclaimed as he came forward and grasped Mr. Mikaelson in a firm hug. How on earth did her brother know him already?
"Met this fellow up in Brighton, friends with some chaps in the regiment, I believe."
"Indeed," he said laughing a little. If anything he looked a little embarrassed, but hid it well. Clearly he valued his professionalism, and Edward was not helping.
"Well, that makes two of my children you are already acquainted with Mr. Mikaelson. Allow me to personally thank you for coming to my daughter's aid in London last month." He looked a little surprised at being reminded of it, but recovered quickly.
"It was no trouble, Mr. Darcy."
"I had no idea you were so connected with the Darcy family, James," his uncle said through gritted teeth. He looked very stern now as he looked at her.
"My daughter Annalise," her father finally said, allowing her to speak.
"Mr. Price," she curtseyed. "Mr. Mikaelson," she said with a smile.
"Miss Darcy, I've trust you've been well since our last meeting?"
"Indeed, a whole month and I haven't lost my way once." He smiled at her cheek, while she caught Charles stern gaze and Edward's amused one over his shoulder.
"Well you'll hardly have any need for me, then."
"Well, you both have arrived in time for dinner. Mr. Reynolds will show you to your rooms. The dressing gong should sound in about half an hour," her mother said gesturing to their butler and pointedly interrupting their conversation with a look in Annalise's direction. Again, she wanted to roll her eyes.
"Thank you very much Mrs. Darcy. Mr. Darcy, might it be possible to discuss details with the case with you after dinner? I'd like to set a schedule for formal interviews beginning as soon as possible."
"Certainly Mr. Price. If you don't mind, I'd like my eldest son Charles to join us as well."
"Of course," he said with another bow, following Mr. Reynolds up the stairs. James remained in front of her, and so dipped another bow.
"Miss Darcy," his smile hidden from the view of others. She schooled her own.
"Mr. Mikaelson." She could feel William's eyes on her, which she pointedly ignored as she walked up the stairs to her own room. She had no doubt he would follow her anyway.
Sure enough, a few minutes later he poked his head around the corner of her door, startling her.
"Good lord, Will! One of these days you're going to catch me changing my clothing and then you'll be sorry for never knocking."
"Do you often change with the door partially open?"
"Shut up," she said as she put her letter to the side and looked at him expectantly. As with Richard, she often waited for William to speak his mind first, although it was more to annoy him than out of necessity.
"Charles gave Father quite a speech about 'letting you flirt with guests'."
"What?! You cannot be serious!" He laughed at her outburst, which made her even more furious. Charles was far and away the most protective of her brothers, and surpassed even their parents in his efforts to control her behavior. She marched over to where William sat on her bed and punched him square in the shoulder. "It isn't funny!"
"Ow!" He said through his laughter as he rubbed his shoulder. "Father actually defended you against him and Mother, if you want to know. And why do you care anyway? You weren't flirting were you?" His sly grin told her he was trying to wind her up, but she would have none of it.
"Of course not, I was merely greeting an acquaintance. You know how eager I am for them to start their investigation...was Mother honestly on Charles' side?"
"Are you surprised?" He said with a laugh before his expression turned a little more serious.
"How is the boy?"
"A little better, I think the medicine is helping him."
"Well, for what it worth, I'm glad they're here as well."
He laughed as he stood to leave, but paused at the door. "Even if one of them does flirt with my sister." He had already darted out the door when the pillow aimed for his head hit.
Her brothers felt the need to tease her about every young man that came through the front doors of Pemberley. Honestly, it wasn't as if Mr. Mikaelson was a viable match for her anyway.
The next morning she rose early, as she normally did. She dressed on her own and was still braiding her hair simply when she came down the stairs. Her father was, as usual, alone at the breakfast table. She greeted Mr. Reynolds as she took her breakfast and sat next to Mr. Darcy, who smiled at her before returning to his paper.
"Any plans for the day?"
"I promised the Jones children I would take them to the creek today. They are eager to explore it, and they rarely get to go. I think Mrs. Jones could use some relief as well."
"Good. Mr. Mikaelson will be interviewing them this morning, and it might be better if the children aren't there to hear it all."
"I'll keep them as long as I can. I'm riding with William and Richard after lunch."
"Richard is going for a ride?"
"I'm sure bringing a bag filled with books for when we stop," she said with a smile.
"Well that shouldn't be a problem, we'll be done by lunch."
"Alright," she turned back to her breakfast.
"I'm glad I can depend upon you, Lissie." He continued, pulling her eyes to him again. "You have a very kind heart, despite having such silly brothers." It was rare that her father paid a compliment out loud, and she stood and wiped her mouth before planting a kiss on his cheek.
"I'd better get ready to leave." She knew not to gush and make a fuss over her father's words, lest she make him uncomfortable, but just let them be.
"Have a good day, Annalise."
James rode in silence with Mr. Darcy to the first house, that of Mr. Jones. His uncle had decided that he should be the one to conduct the interviews with Mr. Pryor, Mr. Jones, and the steward, as he had more knowledge of the London streets and who operated where. He was much more suited to know what was important in this eyewitness testimony. Charles Darcy was remaining with Mr. Price to question the other tenants whose goods had been stolen, and his uncle eagerly took on the job of interviewing Mr. Darcy himself the night before. Charles and he had been ushered out of the room, and he could feel the animosity coming off the man as they did. He simply glared and bowed curtly before joining the ladies in the other room. James thought nothing of it-perhaps Charles Darcy was the proud one in the family. It was nothing he wasn't accustomed to.
"Mr. Jones has lived here his entire life. His father and grandfather before him as well. He is a strong, competent man. I had no doubts in his ability to deliver our goods from London, or his loyalty," Mr Darcy suddenly said.
"I have no intention of blaming your tenants, Mr. Darcy. As I understand, they were struck from behind. This can happen to the best of men. It might render their testimony a little gaping, but that's to be expected."
"Will that hurt us?"
"It may, but often information can be gleaned from the smallest of seemingly insignificant details. I'm very good at my job, I'm sure we'll have your goods back in no time."
"Please Mr. Mikaelson, you know as well as I that my merchandise is long gone. But Mr. Jones and Mr. Pryor are good men, and they deserve justice for what happened to them. Not to mention the possible damage this might have caused the Smith family." James was impressed by the feeling behind the man's words. He struck him as a fair landlord, quite concerned with his tenants and their well-being. Not at all the proud man he was rumored to be. He had no response as the horse slowed in front of a small house.
"Shall we?"
They knocked, then entered to a short woman who seemed quite in awe of Mr. Darcy. She also seemed exhausted.
"Mr. Darcy, thank ye so much for coming."
"Mrs. Jones, allow me to introduce Mr. Mikaelson, he'll be conducting the interview with your husband."
"Mr. Mikaelson, we are most obliged. Is there anything I can get ye? Miss Annalise brought some things when she came to collect the children…"
"No, no, that is for you and your family Mrs. Jones. We quite filled ourselves with breakfast, I assure you." Mr. Darcy cleared his throat while James squashed a small bit of disappointment at missing Annalise Darcy this morning.
"Is your husband in the bedroom?" James inquired.
"Yes sir, yes. Just the next room there," she said gesturing to the door. "Should I be there as well?"
"We'll call you if we or your husband need anything, for now just relax out here Mrs. Jones."
"Thank you Mr. Mikaelson, we are so obliged."