October 10, 2014 – We've reached the final section of the story, the longest of the four. Now that it has been established to the best of their ability that Anne began life as Elizabeth Bennet, those involved need to come to grips with all that it will mean to their lives from that point forward. And remember, the only person who knew Anne was kidnapped was the kidnapper and he didn't know who the baby was going to himself. What a tangled web the authoress wove. ;-p
Part IV
Chapter 25
The dirt of the city gave way to the crisp, cool air of the country as the Darcy carriage rolled toward Hertfordshire. The inhabitants watched the scenery and the slow sway of their conveyance threatened to lull them back to sleep. Darcy and Anne recognized a few landmarks, having come that way just the week before. Georgiana had no idea where they were.
"Shall we arrive soon?" she asked.
They had just ridden through a small town Darcy knew to be Meryton. "Just two or three miles farther, I believe."
"I look forward to seeing Mr. Bingley and Sir John again. They are both so kind to me, Mr. Bingley especially so for allowing me to come."
"You know Charles Bingley, the more the merrier." They all smiled. Bingley truly was an amiable fellow.
Miss Bingley greeted her guests as they arrived.
"Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, you have been missed. Miss Darcy, welcome to Netherfield."
"Thank you, and I promise our current stay will be of a longer duration," Anne said with a hint of mischievousness in her eyes.
"We cannot help it when urgent matters arise. I trust everything was settled to your satisfaction?"
"Yes, quite."
Miss Bingley could see that no more information would be forthcoming, so she led her guests inside, offering them all a chance to refresh themselves after the journey.
"Charles, Hurst and Sir John should return by the time you have had a chance to rest."
"Where are the gentlemen?"
"Shooting with Mr. Bennet at his estate. This is the third time they have been to Longbourn since the Bennets returned." Both Anne and Darcy detected a bit of exasperation in her voice. He was the one who replied.
"Your brother is getting to know his neighbors. After all, he is now, by his occupancy of Netherfield, one of the leaders in the local society. It does him credit to desire to strengthen his ties to the neighborhood."
"I fear he has only one 'tie' in mind," Miss Bingley muttered, but Anne heard her. Not liking the implied scorn, she decided to be a little more forthcoming about their trip to Kent.
"Yes, but it is an association of which I highly approve. Mrs. Bennet, you see, is my cousin. Our trip to Kent was to confirm the relationship."
"Your cousin?"
"Yes, through my father. He had lost contact with them even before I was born."
"How did this come to light?"
Anne smiled. "There is a strong family resemblance between us. Miss Anne, her daughter, shares this resemblance as well. I for one look forward to renewing the acquaintance. Kinship is kinship, Miss Bingley."
"Yes, well, as I said, I expect the gentlemen to return soon. I will show you to your rooms."
That evening, as they were gathered waiting to be called to supper, Darcy and Anne gave them the edited version of their journey to Rosings, revealing Anne and Mrs. Bennet's 'cousinship'.
"You are cousins? I knew the Bennets seemed familiar!" Sir John exclaimed. "No wonder Miss Mary reminded me of you."
"Mary Bennet?" Anne noted the softness of his expression when he spoke her sister's name.
"Er, yes. I escorted Miss Mary to and from Longbourn whilst Miss Bennet recovered from a cold here at Netherfield."
"Miss Bennet stayed at Netherfield?" Anne was amazed to hear her sister had been at Netherfield in their absence.
"Yes, last week when she came for dinner she fell ill. Did not Caroline tell you?" Mr. Bingley asked.
"No, it must have slipped her mind."
Miss Bingley had been conversing with Georgiana, but heard her name mentioned.
"What must have slipped my mind?"
"Miss Bennet's convalescence here last week," Sir John answered.
"Oh yes. I invited her and Miss Mary for dinner, but only Miss Bennet was able to accept," Miss Bingley confirmed. "She fell ill and stayed several nights here until she was sufficiently recovered to return home on Sunday.
"Miss Bennet was a very obliging patient and Miss Mary visited for an hour, twice. Sir John was kind enough to see that Miss Mary made the trip without any mishaps. I believe her visits brought Miss Bennet great comfort. There is nothing like sisterly affection to soothe the soul. Is this not true, Louisa?"
Louisa agreed, but not enthusiastically. "Of course. The bonds of sisterly affection are unique to… sisters."
Sir John could not stay out of the conversation. "As an only child, I cannot give you my opinion, but it was clear that Miss Mary is very attached to Miss Bennet and I found such genuine fondness refreshing. It reminded me, Mrs. Darcy, of the attachment between you and Miss Darcy."
Anne thought it humorous that Sir John used her as an example, and not their hostess, but hid her mirth. "In that case, I should call on my cousins tomorrow and witness such felicity in person," she replied instead.
~~~/~~~
It was a full day's journey to Suffolk. Lord Perryton knew that he was probably wasting his time traveling to meet the elderly Mr. Hedges, who was most likely out of his wits, but he had promised Anne and Fitzwilliam to search for the truth and that meant he must go. The thought of delegating this meeting to anyone was quickly put aside; there were some things he must do himself. Mr. Simmons had provided a letter of introduction and another declaring the earl's intention to visit had been dispatched two days before. He would call on Mr. Hedges in the morning.
The Hedges estate was a modest one, Lord Perryton noted as his carriage rolled up the drive. The house did seem to be in good repair. A man near in age to the earl came out to greet him.
"Lord Perryton, welcome to Ryson. I am Edward Hedges, we have been expecting you."
Harold Fitzwilliam followed his host inside, and accepted the offer of refreshments.
"I understand that you wish to speak to my father?" Mr. Hedges asked once they had been seated and served.
"Yes, regarding some papers he drew up for other members of my family."
"I hate to disappoint you, for you have traveled a fair distance, but I highly doubt my father will be able to give you any help. He… his mind is gone, sir."
"So Mr. Simmons warned me. Yet I must try." He then explained as much as he dared to his host, trying to impart how important his mission was and why he needed to see the senior Mr. Hedges.
Mr. Hedges sighed. "Lord Perryton, for many years my father lived a very frugal existence. His dream was to own an estate. He was a younger son of a younger son; you can only guess how that limited his circumstances. Still, he remembered the idyllic days of his youth on his grandfather's estate. He swore his grandchildren would have the same opportunity someday. When I was old enough, I went to work for him at the practice and together we saved every shilling. One day, fate smiled upon us and one of my father's clients found himself on the wrong end of a card game. He needed money and my father offered to buy Ryson for a modest but fair amount. We had just enough saved between us to purchase the estate he had always dreamed of owning. My father and mother, and my wife and I, left London, left the practice, and moved here. We have lived at Ryson peacefully for nearly nineteen years. However, in that time my father's mind has slowly faded. He is nothing more than a child in his faculties. I will not have him distressed."
"Mr. Hedges, I understand your reticence to allow me to see him, but is there not some way I can at least ask him if he remembers a name?"
Lord Perryton watched as the younger Mr. Hedges pondered his request.
"Do you fish, milord?"
"Yes, but what has that to do with anything?" the earl asked, surprised at the turn in conversation.
"My father loves to fish. When he is well enough, I take him to a spot where he can still indulge in the pastime. Though such occurrences are rare now, I think he would enjoy swapping fish-tales, if you are up to it. Just leave the conversation to me and we will see what happens. Will that satisfy you?"
"Under the circumstances, I think it must."
~~~/~~~
The first thing the earl noticed when they entered old Mr. Hedge's room was the smell; surely an aging person must live there. Then he saw a frail looking white-haired gentleman. He appeared to be dozing. A few thin wisps of hair stuck out at odd angles from the top of his head and his chin dug into his chest.
Edward Hedges walked over to the elderly man and gently shook his shoulder.
"Father," he said quietly. "Father, I have brought someone to see you. He loves to fish as much as we do."
The old man woke. "Fish, you say?"
"Yes," the son chuckled, "I think almost as much as you. Would you like to meet the gentleman?"
"Of course, where is he?"
The earl watched the old man scan the room but it was obvious he did not see him. Lord Perryton now understood the old man was also blind.
"Father, the man I have brought to you is the Earl of Perryton."
"An earl come to see me?"
"Yes, Mr. Hedges. I have learned we share the same passion for fishing."
Old Randolph Hedges became very animated and began to recount pike, trout and salmon caught in days gone by. The son encouraged his father's reminiscing and Lord Perryton wondered if they would ever get anywhere.
"Do you like to fish in Kent? Lord Perryton told me earlier about an estate there where he has angled many times. What was the name, milord?"
"Rosings Park, the home of Sir Lewis de Bourgh."
The old man had no look of recognition on his face. "Kent? No, I prefer the family estate in Shropshire."
Edward Hedges looked at the earl, his expression saying 'we tried' and 'I told you it was hopeless'. In deference to his hosts, Lord Perryton listened patiently as the older man rambled on. It became increasingly clear that past and present were no longer distinctions. In Randolph Hedge's mind, all was a muddle and his hold on the here and now was gone. Even if he had remembered Sir Lewis, nothing he said could be taken as fact.
Once the interview was over, Edward Hedges took the earl back to his study.
"Thank you sir, I appreciate the attempt."
"You are welcome. I wish he could remember, there is so much that he has forgotten," Hedges said dejectedly. The earl understood; the man Edward Hedges knew as his father was gone forever. Only the grave held any hope for a future reunion.
"It occurs to me that I failed to ask you if you had any information that could help. You did work with your father."
"I did, but by that time, it had been many years since I had been his clerk. I had my own clients and my own clerk. And we made it a practice not to talk about business when we were at home. My mother and my wife insisted. They sacrificed more than we did to see the dream of Ryson become a reality. It was a reasonable request."
"I have taken up enough of your time, Mr. Hedges. I should leave you now."
"Please, stay for supper. My wife would never forgive me if I let you go without extending an invitation. A lord here at Ryson!"
Harold Fitzwilliam laughed. "You are very generous, sir. I would be honored to dine with you. We must keep the ladies happy!"
"In that case, let us go and find her to share the good news. She is probably anxiously waiting in her parlor with my youngest daughter. I shall introduce you."
Lord Perryton willingly went to meet his fate for the evening. He was resigned; Mr. Hedges had tried to help. It was not his fault that his father's mind was too far gone to shed any light on the mystery of Anne's past. At least he would not have to eat at the inn.
~~~/~~~
It is hard to say which household awoke with greater anticipation, Longbourn or Netherfield. The Darcys had sent a note to Longbourn the previous evening announcing their return to Hertfordshire and the intention to visit the following morning.
When Anne had declared their intent the night before, the rest of the Netherfield party announced their desire to join them. Anne had hoped to only bring Georgiana with her and Fitzwilliam, but the others seemed oblivious to her desires and more than willing to join in the call. The lone exception to this was Mr. Hurst. He never had a desire to spend more time in a drawing room than absolutely necessary. On the other hand, if they were going to Longbourn to shoot again… but as that was not the case he declared his resolve to stay at Netherfield.
Such was the size of the contingent, that two carriages were readied after breakfast for the monumental call. Anne and Fitzwilliam decided that Elizabeth should stay behind with her nursery maid. The Bingleys and Sir John occupied the Bingley coach, and the Darcys filled their equipage. Georgiana was visibly both nervous and excited. Anne felt the same way, even though she had met them all before. Still, this time she knew they were her long-lost family.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet greeted the horde that had descended upon their drawing room. Ordinarily, Mr. Bennet would have left the entertaining to his wife, but this was not a normal visit nor were these normal visitors – at least not all of them.
After the introductions, Charles Bingley took the opportunity to secure the open seat next to Miss Bennet and Sir John was just as swift at singling out Miss Mary Bennet as his nearest neighbor. Anne noticed the two gentlemen's choices and raised her eyebrow towards her husband. They had discussed their suppositions about the two potential couples the previous evening when they had retired for the night. This only strengthened her astonished conviction that her sisters had acquired two beaux from Netherfield whilst the Darcys were away.
"We are very glad to welcome all of you to Longbourn this morning," Mrs. Bennet preened.
"My sister was very eager to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Bennet." Anne informed the rest of the party. She wanted to add, 'Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are here to find gossip fodder but the men appear to have reasons wholly unconnected with me.' But she was too well bred to say it.
"Did you have a pleasant journey from Town, Miss Darcy?"
"Yes, the roads were in good condition." Mrs. Bennet waited for the girl to say more, but Georgiana had said all she had planned to say on the subject. An awkward silence descended, except for Miss Bennet and Miss Mary and their companions. They were engrossed in their own conversations.
"How was your time in Surrey?" Mr. Bennet asked.
"Very eventful, sir. Anne's cousin's wife gave birth while we were at Thigston – a boy. Anne and I are to be his godparents."
"An heir! How comforting it must be to know that all is settled. Mr. Bennet and I waited for William for nine long years. With the entail, it was a great relief when he was born. Not that I love my girls any less, but for our continued residence at Longbourn my daughters needed a brother. What would have become of us without him, or Henry for that matter? We are safe from being cast in the hedgerows, now."
Anne felt a little discomfort at her mother's speech. This was not a new phenomenon to her. Any child of Lady Catherine de Bourgh was bound to hear something mortifying at least once a week.
"Yes, yes. William has saved you from such a fate, my dear. But I am proud of all my children," Mr. Bennet interjected. "Darcy, you missed some fine shooting the other day. Can I persuade you to join us the next time your companions can drag themselves away from the women of the house to go hunting?"
"Of course. That is one of the diversions my friend promised when he invited us. I would be honored."
The conversation continued on a pleasantly superficial course until propriety called for the Bingleys and Sir John to leave. The Darcys stayed with the excuse of renewing familial ties.
Safely alone, Anne smiled. "Where do we begin?"
"Miss Darcy?" Mr. Bennet needed only to say the name.
"She has been told everything; she is my sister as well."
Mr. Bennet relaxed. "Good. Miss Darcy, I am sure all of this comes as quite a shock. Let me assure you that it has been the same for us."
"Thank you, sir. I wanted to meet Anne's family."
"I should think so did Anne," Mr. Bennet said with a twinkle in his eye. He stood up and walked over to his stand behind his eldest daughter.
"We were all introduced, but now that we know we are family, might we begin anew? This is your eldest sister, Jane. A more beautiful and graceful woman you will never meet. The prettiest young lady in the country." Jane blushed. "Mary is the scholar among your sisters. She especially loves to read guides to moral behavior. Do not let that fool you; she is a sensible girl despite it – when she thinks no one is looking."
"Father!" Mary laughed.
"You have met Kitty, or Catherine, as she is now desirous of being called after her trip to Kent. I may not forgive you, Mrs. Darcy, for this strain on my domestic tranquility." Mr. Bennet moved behind the chair where Lydia sat. "Lydia is probably the only one disappointed to meet you. She has long made it known that her business in life was to be married before all of her sisters."
"Papa!" Lydia protested. Unfortunately the effect was ruined when she giggled.
"Anne has not stopped talking about Rosings Park since we left. And that is the sum of your sisters. Fortunately for me, you have two brothers. Without them I would have to hide in my library to escape incessant prattle about female fripperies!"
"But you are nearly always in your library, Papa," young Henry replied innocently.
"Ah, but not all the time." Mr. Bennet winked at his youngest son and walked over to his other son.
"William is his mother's pride and joy. Just ask all the other families in the neighborhood. However, he is also his father's protégé and will someday make a better master of Longbourn than his father before him." William Bennet lowered his eyes and blushed. "See, he is already a humble young man. Ah, but not our Hal. Henry is the youngest, the fearless one, and will be the death of his mother, or so she says. He declares he will go to sea to make his fortune; his mother and I favor a safer profession."
"I shall go to sea! In another two years I will be old enough. And when I am twenty I will be a captain and have my own ship to command," Henry informed all those present.
"Time will tell, son."
Anne had enjoyed her father's introductions. She looked to her husband and sister and could see that they could not quite make the man out. The rest of the family did not seem too surprised. They may have tried to feign outrage, but it was obvious that they were used to such demonstrations and did not mind. Anne also sensed something else. Here was a family whose members cared for each other. She did not sense any petty dislike. They were able to laugh at each other and themselves. This was so different than the other families she had known, and to some extent their own. The Bennets were comfortable with their situation in the world and a little teasing on the patriarch's part did nothing to shake their contentment with their life.
After Mr. Bennet's speech, the tension in the room eased and the conversation flowed in a more natural pattern. Nothing of much consequence was discussed, as befitting the establishment of any new acquaintance. This continued until Mrs. Bennet asked Anne if she wished to see the rest of the house. Anne did.
"Before you set off exploring," Mr. Bennet interjected. "I would suggest a tour of the grounds. The weather is fine, and," his voice caught, "I believe Eliz…Anne and I have had a twenty year interruption in our last walk to bring to a close."
Anne Darcy startled at this. She looked at the man who had come to stand before her, hand outstretched, and saw the mingled emotions once again run across his face. She smiled and grasped his hand as she rose.
"I am ready to continue where we left off… Father."
I know, some of you are wondering why continue the cousin thing. Patience. It's complicated and they need time to decide what to do. And Anne needs time to come to her own conclusions.