An Incident at the Royal Rest Inn
A savage storm, two distressed young couples, and an exhausted nursemaid change the courses of two little lives. Twenty years later, it becomes the burden of Fitzwilliam Darcy to discover and reveal the truth. But who will thank him and who will despise him for his efforts?
Chapter 10 – Pandora's Playground
Urgent A/N: This is an urgent call for help: I need to correspond with someone who knows Great Britain well and would have at least a rudimentary knowledge of England around 1811, specifically geography and roads. My own research of the available maps is not yielding the answers required and could result in a total plot failure. Please PM me if you can help (warning, it will result in spoilers for you, but I will also give you credit for your assistance.
Another quick note: To clarify: Elizabeth is not a direct heir for the Dukedom of Argon. That passed down the line of the dowager duchess' firstborn son. She is the direct heir for the Dukedom of Caerleon. Further details for that will follow as the story progresses.
Netherfield Park, late evening
The Darcy and Bingley carriages came to a halt in front of the entrance to Netherfield in the chilly dark of a cloudless night. A very exhausted group exited the two conveyances and proceeded up the stairs. There was a great variety of moods that evening, not all of which were concealed behind bland expressions.
Mr. Hurst was surprisingly alert and sober. He had been completely in the dark about Caroline's true identity and the machinations leading up to tonight's fateful dinner. He was not a stupid man and he had not always been a drunk. In truth, when he married Louis he had felt an honest infatuation for her, not just for the contribution that her dowry had made to his dwindling family coffers. Then he met Caroline and discovered how much of a part of their lives that Caroline would be. Now there was an end in sight and he was quite overjoyed. He was intelligent enough to sense that there was a lot going on in the shadows, but he was content to sit back and watch.
Louisa Hurst was nervous. She had lived with Caroline for twenty years, barring the blessed relief that her first years at finishing school had afforded her. Mr. Darcy and the Colonel's ploy, as modified by Mr. Bennet, had worked beautifully. Caroline had practically leapt on the story, her effusiveness and excitement over becoming a Bennet completely in contrast with all of her previous derision for the family. Of course all of her evening's perorations were aimed at emphasizing her perceived elevation in contrast to Elizabeth's precipitate decline… at some point Caroline would get past her euphoria and begin to look more closely. Elizabeth, the Colonel, and even Mr. Darcy would be gone, leaving Louisa and Charles to bear the repercussions themselves.
The Colonel was pleased, not only with the success of a hand well-played, but with the fact that Miss Mary would be accompanying them north. Though he had only just met her, he was intrigued by her sharp, perceptive mind and her care for her sister. She might not be the most beautiful of the Bennet sisters, but by herself she certainly stood out from the crowd. Besides, there was just something that appealed strongly to Richard.
Charles was off in his own little world. His mind was only on his "angel" Jane. While he was aware of the sudden change in reality that the dinner announcement entailed for all and sundry, his only concern was for how it would impact his beautiful Jane.
Caroline was floating. As soon as the passengers disembarked from the two carriages, she had moved over to and seized Mr. Darcy's arm. With her new status as a gentleman's daughter she knew that it was only a matter of time before she was further elevated to becoming Mrs. Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley. Until then she would put up with the effusiveness of Mrs. Bennet and the ridiculousness of the rest of the family. Jane was a dear sweet girl, if a trifle blank like Charles.
She had contemplated Jane's attachment to Charles from all angles. True, it would mean that she (Caroline) wouldn't be completely shed of the Bingley family or their ties to trade, but there were benefits: The Bingleys had wealth. Caroline's continued relationship with the family through Jane would allow her to continue to make use of the available funds… Charles was such a puppy and Jane was little better. They would be so easy to manipulate. Besides, Caroline couldn't deny that Jane was the most beautiful. By marrying her off to a tradesman's son Caroline could ensure that the chit would be excluded from the first circles of London society. Caroline could move alone and with impunity among the best of the best without her sister's competition!
Mr. Darcy was troubled. At some point during the evening he had observed the two youngest Bennet daughters and their childish behaviors. It made him think about Georgianna. True, she was as different from those two girls as night and day, but still she was full young to be off on her own. It was a niggling thing, an irritating itch in Darcy's mind… but he suddenly felt uncomfortable having his little sister so far away in the company of strangers.
Perhaps a detour to Ramsgate was in order before heading to Leicester?
oOoOOoOo
Unable to come to rest, Caroline flitted around her room painting dreams of her future. Why, with such a notable rise in her circumstances and the surety of her pending marriage, the whole Ton would have to take note of her. If she played her cards right maybe she could even take her rightful place as a patron of Almacks! Some of those old birds needed to be plucked and retired anyway. It was time for new and vigorous blood to steer the course of the first circle into the future. All that was wanting was a title, but with the Darcy wealth it would be nothing to purchase the patent. Lady Caroline Darcy, leader of the Ton. That is as it should be.
Caroline opened her writing desk, extracted her finest stationary, mended her pen, and began writing. It was nearly dawn when she completed the last missive to her satisfaction and sealed it. Not wishing to brook interference from her former brother, she rang for her maid and gave specific instructions to the exhausted young girl.
Then Caroline Bennet finally rested her weary head on her pillow and drifted off to a blissful sleep.
Oakham Mount, dawn
Elizabeth watched the sunrise paint the eastern sky over Longbourn for perhaps the last time and sighed. The evening had been just as awful as predicted.
Once Mrs. Bennet was woken from her faint with smelling salts she had effusively praised her long-lost daughter Caroline for her style, her grace, and her many accomplishments. In contrast she had shot baleful glares at Elizabeth, repeatedly implying that "the imposter" had been stealing her beautiful daughter's rightful place for twenty years.
It had been hurtful to Elizabeth even though she had never known Fanny Bennet's love and she had been expecting the older woman's reactions. Mrs. Bennet had been all for packing Elizabeth up immediately and casting her out, but Mr. Bennet, Jane, Mary, and the other men intervened. All worked together to convince her that it would be better to wait until the following day to make any alterations. It was already dark and the night cold, certainly much too late for such activities.
Caroline had watched the entire proceedings with a gleeful smirk on her face. She made sure to take every opportunity to throw barbs at the displaced Elizabeth.
Jane was both confused and concerned. It was in her nature to think the best of everyone and it hurt her soul to admit when she saw meanness and pettiness. She had long since recognized certain undesirable traits in her mother where Elizabeth was concerned, but she had wanted to like Caroline. She also had a selfless, empathetic soul and she could feel Elizabeth's pain. On more than one occasion she tried to commiserate with the woman she had called "sister" for twenty years, but Fanny deliberately kept "her girls" away from "the imposter."
Lydia was as horrible as her mother, though she contented herself with cruel jokes and snorts at Elizabeth's expense.
Kitty was much more circumspect. The invisible child, she had tied her line to Lydia for years as the only way to claim any notice at all from her parents. She wasn't unintelligent nor was she blind to reality. Elizabeth had always treated her kindly, albeit with exasperation for Kitty's childish behaviors and refusal to make her own decisions. Kitty had spent the occasional late night crying on her diminutive sister's shoulder over Lydia's petty cruelties. Trading Elizabeth for Caroline was not an appealing prospect.
Mary, who had only ever been significant to her mother for not being Elizabeth, had more success in stealing moments with the beleaguered girl.
Charles, Mr. Darcy, and the Colonel had deliberately stayed out of the fray, as per prior agreement. They did not want to give Caroline any reason to reevaluate her current euphoria. The longer it took for her to see the truth, the better.
Fanny Bennet might have continued her behavior late into the night, but Mr. Bennet had slipped something into her drink and exhaustion eventually sent her to bed. With only a perfunctory exchange with Caroline, he sent the Netherfield party off to their own residence.
Once the two youngest were sent off to bed, Jane joined Mary in Elizabeth's room. The three talked late into the night, with Elizabeth comforting a tearful Jane rather than the reverse. It took both Elizabeth and Mary's persuasion to ensure Jane that Elizabeth would be well. They told her about the trip in the offing, but neglected the more amazing details. It hurt Elizabeth to do this, but Mr. Bennet had expressed concerns about either Jane or Mr. Bingley saying too much too soon. He wanted Elizabeth well away before any word of her true pedigree reached baleful ears.
Jane was hurt at first to find that Mary would accompany Elizabeth while she was to be left behind, but a reminder of her engagement quelled her distress. "Charles won't want you so far away and Mama would never allow it," Mary explained, "I don't matter much, so she shouldn't object too long."
"And is the Colonel going along on this journey?" Jane teased, thereby demonstrating that she wasn't as oblivious as some might think.
Mary blushed and nodded. Soon after that Jane retired to her bed and Mary returned to her room to continue her packing. Mr. Hill and John the footman collected the trunks at pre-dawn. Elizabeth grabbed her bonnet and shawl for one more morning ramble.
Now Elizabeth watched as the sunrise colors faded sky turned a solid blue. She expelled one more deep sigh and thought, It is time.
Elizabeth stepped into her home of twenty years and was shocked to see that it was a hive of activity. Mr. and Mrs. Hill were scurrying to Mrs. Bennet's dulcet shrieks; Sally the maid and John the footman were carrying furniture and small items. And Mr. Bennet and the girls were seated in the morning room eating breakfast.
Lydia scowled at Elizabeth, "Lizzy, you sneak. You already packed your things? How do I know that you don't have something of mine hidden away!?"
"Lydia," Mr. Bennet barked, "That is enough! Now you've eaten your meal, so now you can go to your room." Lydia pushed back her chair in anger and stomped away. Elizabeth met Mr. Bennet's eyes, "I take it that Lydia woke up early to sort through my things?"
Mr. Bennet nodded. Jane, Mary, and Kitty looked sheepish. It was Mr. Bennet who spoke, "Yes, and Mrs. Bennet woke up early to redecorate Caroline's room." Kitty started crying and fled the room.
Elizabeth tried not to let the hurt show about her former mother's actions. She asked, "Does… Ma… Mrs. Bennet know about the trip, and about Mary?"
Nodding, Mr. Bennet smirked, "She believes that you are being sent to live with a spinster Bingley aunt in Shropshire. She threw a fit at the idea of even sending Sally as an escort until I mentioned that the Colonel would be travelling that direction as well and had offered to ride alongside the coach for protection. Then she tried to send Lydia instead. I told her that the Colonel had indicated an interest in Mary and she finally relented."
Mary blushed bright red, but couldn't entirely conceal a smile.
Mrs. Hill stepped in to inform them that the hired coach had arrived and that it was loaded and ready to depart. Jane hugged Mary and Elizabeth tearfully, demanding letters as often as possible. The two sisters stepped out of the room leaving Elizabeth alone with Mr. Bennet. He stood and she rushed into his arms. "Papa!" He hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head, "You will always be my beloved daughter, Little Lizzy. Don't ever forget that."
"I won't, Papa. I love you." They stood that way for another minute before he finally pushed her away with shaking hands, "Off you go, my dear. It is time to seize your destiny." Elizabeth gave the only father she had ever known another hug. She feared that she might never see him alive again, but time was pressing and she needed to go.
Elizabeth stepped out of the front door of her childhood home. She had only taken three steps when she was seized from behind and wrapped in a fierce hug. Kitty's sandy blonde hair fell over Lizzy's shoulder. "Please don't forget me, Lizzy? I couldn't bear it!"
Elizabeth turned and returned Kitty's hug with an equally tight embrace, "Never, Kitty. Don't you worry. When the time is right I will send for you… I can't explain more now, but things are not as bad as they seem. Please don't say anything to Lydia, Caroline, or your mother?"
Kitty didn't fully understand, but she trusted Elizabeth completely. "Yes Lizzy. Please be safe."
Jane and Lizzy exchanged another hug. Then Elizabeth joined Mary in the coach. The driver snapped the reins and the coach headed down the drive. Neither Mrs. Bennet nor Lydia made an appearance. The staff would have dearly loved to say goodbye, but Fanny Bennet was too busy redecorating the room that had once housed that "hateful imposter."
They drove through Meryton and then veered north. The coach proceeded to a remote crossroads and then pulled to a halt behind a much fancier carriage. While Mr. Darcy and the Colonel handed the two young ladies out, the drivers and footmen relocated their trunks to the Darcy coach. A friendly-faced maid from Netherfield was waiting inside the vehicle, and was introduced at their new lady's maid. Then, before they climbed in and proceeded onwards, Darcy asked to speak to Elizabeth for a moment.
"I apologize for the change of plans, but I need to take a detour, Lady Elizabeth. I want to ride to Ramsgate to collect my sister. We will join you in Leicester." Elizabeth smiled and nodded, though a part of her regretted the separation deeply.
"You will be safe with the Colonel," his eyes seemed to return her feelings on the matter. "We will be travelling longer days so that we can catch up to you at Leicester or sooner. I look forward to introducing you to the Duchess. Until then, please be safe." He gave a lingering kiss to her hand and Elizabeth blushed.
"You take care as well, Mr. Darcy. I look forward to meeting Miss Darcy."
The hired coach drove southward to be returned. The Darcy coach proceeded north, and a lone horseman rapidly hurtled eastward.
Nobody was aware that a fistful of letters was posting toward London and other parts of England. Nor did any of the aforementioned party know that another coach was being leased in Ramsgate by a handsome and devious rake. He would also be taking a trek north for both wealth and revenge.
Pandora's box had been opened and all of her little minions were dashing out to play.