I hope that you will still be able to find my story, now that I have put it in the crossover section. It seemed the most appropriate designation. I hope you enjoy Jane's reaction to her Grandfather's confeesion near the end of the chapter.

JENNY Chapter 13

Lady Catherine and her family stayed for several more weeks. I enjoyed playing with the little boy and his baby sister, and hearing stories of the rest of the family. Lord Richard spoke often of his Cousin Darcy, and his Wife, Elizabeth; they sounded like interesting people. Lady Fitzwilliam spoke of their beautiful Estate, Pemberley, describing it in great detail—she said it was one of the showplaces of Derbyshire.

Her Mother interrupted her at that point. "My dear Anne, what can you be thinking of? To be sure that Pemberley is very grand; if it were not for the arts and allurements of that woman Darcy married, it might have been your home."

"Oh Mama, truly I do not think that Pemberley would have suited me at all—the rooms there are so vast—I always felt a chill when we visited. I feel much more comfortable at Rosings!"

"Well, Rosings will be yours one day, and in many ways I think it superior to Pemberley!"

"Then, Mama, I think we are agreed."

My Grandfather had received a letter to the effect that Cousin John had arrived in Portsmouth, and that he was already at sea, on board H.M.S. Adamant, now in training as a Midshipman. My Grandfather seemed relieved that his object for John's reform had begun to take shape. "I'll grant you that it would have been better for him to have gone several years ago when he was twelve, but I say 'better late than never'—it should be the making of him. That was a bad path that he was following."

Lady Catherine had vigorously interested herself in the matter of my Governess, and had discovered several likely candidates for the post. I hoped and prayed that Grandfather would remember what I had said to him about her being kind and not a toad-eating sneak. At last, one particular young lady was selected, and would be arriving in a few days.

In the meantime a letter had arrived from my Aunt Sarah Reed—full of complaints about the way that John was being treated in the Navy. "He is a Gentleman's son," she wrote, "as such he should not be made to care for his own clothing—there should be a valet provided. I am told that he has not even a bed to sleep in, but must use a kind of sling called a hammock. They make him climb the rigging (so very dangerous!) in all weathers, whether it is raining or blowing up a storm. There is no wine at table—he must drink ale, and the bread is full of weevils! The other day, he was made to clean the deck with a mop and then he had to holystone it! I am certain that he must have blisters!"

My Grandfather laughed a long time over this letter, "I doubt he's told her the whole of it, or I should have her here ringing a peal over me! If he'll only stick to it, he may turn out well after all!" Knowing John as well as I did, I failed to feel the same optimism for his reform; but I held my peace.

Lady Catherine, her family, and her numerous entourage departed a few hours before my Governess was due to arrive. My Grandfather and I waved them goodbye from the front portico as their carriages rolled away through the gates. Lord Richard's leg was paining him from an old wound; so he rode inside the carriage with Lady Fitzwilliam and her Mother, Lady Catherine. I looked at my Grandfather assessingly, "I thought you didn't want her to come, yet you seemed to be very good friends with her. You were even calling her 'Kate' instead of 'Lady Catherine'."

Grandfather seemed a bit embarrassed, he hemmed and hawed; but I gave him a straight look—at last he confessed, "Er well, the truth is—that once upon a time—I cherished certain hopes—but it all came to nothing in the end—just as well, maybe."

I could feel my eyebrows rising, "Do you mean to tell me that she might have been my Grandmama?"

"Ah child, such a face as you are making at me! It's funny how these things turn out sometimes—but, yes—it might have been..."

I was totally at a loss for words—to think that such a starched-up person could have been related to me; it was an idea I had trouble understanding.

"Janey, you know, she seems to think very highly of you. She offered to sponsor you when you 'come out'."

"Oh Grandpapa, that's such a long time from now!"

"Not really, my pet—when you are my age, the time passes too quickly—a blink or two—and another year's gone! You'll see that for yourself perhaps, one day. Tell me, how are you doing with your pony?"

We passed the time agreeably in a discussion of Buttercup's points—both good and bad. I had found her to be rather stubborn at times, and was still learning how to make her do as I wished. Grandfather laughed when I complained that the other day, when I was trying to make her trot, she had turned about and gone back to the Stable, in spite of my trying to stop her. "You should have used the crop on her—if she does not respect your wishes, she will not obey you. Ponies can be very hard-headed sometimes, it is one of their failings. I will speak to Robert about this and see what he suggests."

I looked up at the sound of hoofbeats and wheels as the Gig came through the driveway entrance. "Grandfather, who could that be? Isn't that our rig?"

"It is indeed—I sent Robert to meet the Stagecoach; I believe you are about to meet your new Governess. I hope that the two of you will get on well and that she can teach you all the things you will need to know to get on in Society."

Inwardly I heaved a sigh, this meant that I was going to spend a great deal of time indoors, sitting at lessons, just to have 'accomplishments'. I resolved to do my best and to put a good face on things.

Here comes the Governess, and there goes the De Bourgh/Fitzwilliam entourage in all its splendor. Next chapter you will discover the mystery woman's identity. So far no one's come anywhere near the answer! Mwah haha!