With many thanks to Mary and Tabitha, I was able to properly set up the guest bedroom for the Brooks and stock up the house for their short visit. The main person I wanted to accomodate was Dhyana given that she is Muslim and not a Christian. While under the impression that I believed she preferred to cover her hair in modesty, I did not know for certain. She never outright said that she covered her hair or her face, and while I am unaware of the history of face and head coverings is Islam, I wanted her to be comfortable in Hertfordshire, in and out of the parsonage. She is my guest, and as my guest, I had a duty to her. John schooled Walter on how to act, and Tabitha questioned why we adopted cautious approaches with what should be familiar company.
She soon learned when our guests arrived by paid carriage. Henry bore close resemblance to his brother and Dhyana's light skin helped her blend in with the pasty white british folk. There was something different in the way she looked, but maybe I just mentally imposed an image of what I thought a woman from India must look like onto her. Walter positioned himself half way behind, holding onto my arm shyly. Henry knelt in front of Walter. " Hello, Mr. Farrow,"
Walter tugged on my arm. " Can I play now?"
" Of course,"
He let go of my arm and ran off toward the house and Bud. Bud's leash dragged as they ran along toward the back of the house.
I smiled at my brother-in-law, no opened arms for him. " Welcome, Henry. I feel as I know you already through your wife," I waved at Dhyana over Henry's shoulder.
He turned toward the shorter woman who finally stepped forward. Not an inch of skin was uncovered below her chin. I already predicted her choice of fashion would draw criticism but if this is what she wanted to show to the world, then so be it. I just wanted her to be comfortable and happy here. " As I know you through my beloved Dhyana,"
She cast her eyes to the ground.
I offered my arm to Dhyana, the elusive sister-in-law that I'd been dying to meet. " Please, let us stroll while brothers unite," Her arm slid through mine, and I waved at John as we walked toward the church to give us distance and privacy.
We said nothing to each other, the comfortable emptiness of the walk preparing for us the inevitable awkwardness of a first family dinner. Outside of the wedding breakfast, we did not see family. Most of the Brooks were a mystery to me. To be fair, all of my blood is dead. While this hadn't mirrored in my modern reality, I really didn't want it to mirror in the modern reality. We both needed an anchor, be it my parents, a society, or a public mission.
Bud and Walter eventually showed Henry around the house by the time Dhyana and I settled in the drawing room. Her uncovered hair is a pretty dark brown that complimented her skin color. Her dark eyes paired with her hair and expressed so much emotion. She instructed me on how to pronounce her name, her slight accent charming. We avoided all mention of religion and and instead decided to help Tabitha with her lacing.
A carriage pulled up to the parsonage as exited the house. With the rain deciding to bless us with sunshine, we took full advantage of it. " Caroline!" Mary waved at me. Sarah's face appeared next to her.
Dhyana leaned in. " Family?"
" Distant cousins by marriage by marriage, if that makes sense. Mrs. Gardiner is the wife of the Mrs. Bennet's brother. Mrs. Gardiner is related to my father, the late Mr. Robert Banfield," I turned to Tabitha. " Did you invite them?"
" No," She frowned. " But their presence is not unwelcome,"
" Miss Long is a surprise to be sure," Mr. Bennet must've permitted the use of the carriage. A rarity, and I'm sure that tolerating Mrs. Bennet is too much for the love sick Mary. " Lizzy must be back from Hunsford,"
Time really does fly. I stopped trying to track it, and often it was Mr. Farson who reminded me of the date and year. I don't tick days off a calendar. Even the book is unclear when certain events take place. Miss a line and you lose a chunk of valuable backstory.
" How so?" Dhyana queried.
" With Lydia in Brighton as Mrs. Forster's companion, and the fact she is two years younger," I shrugged.
" Lydia did not twist Mrs. Forster's arm," Tabitha begrudged the small allowance of leniency. " Although Mrs. Forster shows a fondness toward Lydia. Perhaps it is their ages and the fact that Lydia is unmarried,"
I put my arm around Tabitha. " Marriage is not everything, my friend. It is a tool to the wealthy, nothing more. What say you, sister?" We turned to Dhyana as the carriage opened up and out poured the girls.
" Marriage is a divine union. If you are committed to it, then waiting for the right gentleman is important. Do you not agree, sister?" Dhyana tossed back stiffly.
After meeting John, I had to agree. Divine or not we learned each other and genuinely cared for each other. " Hmm. I will hold my tongue on that answer. I have no grounded opinion that will uphold to moral scrutiny. But I will say that Tabitha is happy without her mother pressuring her to marry,"
I'd almost forgotten about the Finchs. Tabitha's sister stayed in contact but the letters were few and not long. I suspected it had to do with the family trying to help the girl keep a servan'ts job. In this day and age I honestly didn't know what was worse - being a servant, being an abused factory worker, or being poor. Money only meant you had food on your table and clothes on your back and a roof over your head. What we take for granted in the future with regulations protecting our safety and health simply did not exist in these times.
" I am," She grinned and opened her arms to Mary who ran toward us. Sarah speed walked toward us while Mary took her time. When Mary reached us, she grabbed hold of Sarah in abundant nervous energy.
" You will not believe what is storming home. Is this the long awaited sister-in-law?" Mary curtised. " I am Mary Bennet and this is Sarah Long,"
Dhyana glanced toward me and then curtsied to Mary. " You must be Miss Bennet, the wise confidante. And the loyal shadow, Miss Long," Sarah nudged Mary in a " I told you so" manner. " What a pleasure to finally meet the loyal protectors of Caroline Brooks,"
" The pleasure is ours, Mrs. Brooks. Is your husband accompanying you?" Sarah asked.
The sneaky bug seemed to be circling the fences. First John and London and adopting Wallter. Now Mary Bennet and Sarah Long conspiring to meet Mrs. Dhyana Brooks. Did no one respect informing me first? Jeez.
Dhyana nodded.
" Have you met Walter? He is this tall and Bud follows him everywhere. That boy kidnapped Caroline's faithful protector. It's why we are giving her a puppy-"
" Wait-what?"
"-that Bud fathered with Miss Lanton's beagle," Mary finished mischieviously.
Tabitha chuckled.
" It's too young to be weaned but Miss Lanton forced us to promise to give it to you directly once it can be weaned from its mother,"
This is how every bad adventure starts, folks. Yep. Puppies and gossiping ladies. Do not combine the two. Ever.
" May we see the pup soon?" Dhyana turned to me.
I pat her arm. " Of course. It's my puppy. An itty bitty bundle of happiness and mischief and puppy breath-"
Sarah and Mary giggled like teen girls.
" Oh hush. I should give the puppy to Walter and plunder your plan to distract me even more," I wanted to playfully smack both of them but Tabitha and Dhyana held me hostage between them. " Looks like rain soon," My eyes drifted up.
It always rained in England. I felt like this was a land of rain, and if it didn't rain, you should probably praise the gods. I learned to appreciate mud for all its advantages and disadvantages. I also learned how to properly bathe Bud and caught Tabitha cursing the rain out under her breath as she helped scrub up mud off the floor.
We trudged toward the parsonage as a group. Thunder and heavy rainfall trapped us inside the home with John, Mr. Farson, Henry Brooks, and Walter. An early dinner for the large party occupied everyone. Walter and Bud played fetch with a stick in the vestibule connecting the front entrance to the kitchen. Mary played at the pianoforte with Sarah turning the sparse sheet music. Dhyana and I stitched together a quilt ( You remember the Jane Austen quilt, right? It's gorgeous, and I decided to try to make it myself,).
" Darling, do we have muffins to serve?"
Tabitha sprung up from her chair, but John ordered her to sit back down. " We do have muffins-"
" No one needs muffins so soon after dinner. If the thunder persists, then the ladies must stay the night," John put his book down and I put my needle down. " Are you still hungry, Miss Bennet? Miss Long?"
They both answered no.
" No muffins needed," He picked his book up again.
My jaw clenched. " Why are you being so stiff?"
" I am not," He argued quickly.
" Yes, you are. I am merely trying to be a proper host," His brow lifted. What was wrong with him?" He was born and raised in this era. I wasn't. These were cardinal rules.
No one interrupted us. Henry asked his wife to pour him tea, and Tabitha observed the stiffness too. John's stiff entertaining isn't normal. This was against social expectations and british politeness. If you're British, you won't understand what I see. Your society is so polite it's almost a side joke. But I also respected that politeness because a kind word makes an easier day.
He shook his head. " A woman's mind-"
Oh no the hell he did not! " Yes, a woman's mind," I muttered darkly, going back to my quilt. " What a myriad of confusion it must be. How dare we,"
" Caroline,"
" My apologies. Would the ladies wish to join me in my room? My mind isn't wanted in this room,"
Dhyana packed my thread and growing quilt into its basket. Mary gathered Sarah's book of poems and Tabitha mentioned meeting us up there. John tried to take back his biting retort but the damage already cut to a shallow scab of a still sore emotional wound.
" Henry is always remarking I should be quiet and not to speak unless spoken to," Dhyana comforted me. " Little does he know how often he sleeps with unclean clothes,"
Sarah gasped.
" John and I - we reached an impasse of late and it has left us wanting for peace again. He is not always this brutish," The modern Brooks really worked him over, and I was going to kill them when we got back to the future. Forget my mother sending a hit team to their house - I'd personally go there myself and put poison in the food.
Mary wrung her hands. " I was about to say. This is not the parson I remember," She appeared almost as upset as I was by the drawing room verbal spar. " What impasse?"
Sarah scolded her.
I sighed. " No. It's natural to want to know. You must understand I am part of a social requirement to serve as John's wife. The poor, the lost, the hopeless - and lately the Thomlin incident is pushing me in a new direction. He wants to give me a world. I just want a tiny corner to rest in,"
Dhyana helped me set up the quilt again in the room I shared with John. Although after tonight's snapping, he might end sleeping in the stables. Tabitha delivered a traiy of muffins and coffee to the room and closed the door with her foot. " The men are all discussing business and removing you from the inheritance directly, Caroline,"
" Is he now?" I stabbed myself with the needle.
" Or at least Mr. Brooks is attempting it. Called you weak of mind," Tabitha nodded aggressively, lips pressed into a thin line.
Sarah and Mary laughed. Mary's brow rose when she addressed Dhyana. " Your husband underestimates Caroline,"
" I am starting to see that," She too laughed. " I must apologize for Henry. His greed knows no bounds,"
Oh it would find bounds soon. Or else.
" But Mr. John Brooks insists you will inherit and Henry Brooks should look elsewhere for easy wealth," " Tabitha poured everyone coffee. " That is a wonderful man to be married to,"
Lately he seemed distant, and if I do say so at risk of being wrong, disillusioned. My pedestal finally crumbled. He didn't know how to handle it and I never changed. So his eyes opened to the real me.
" How is your sister, Sarah? I imagine Mr. Ashland insulted her honor most agrieviously,"
" She is recovered. Papa is disappointed. Mama is very determined to see that they return to Uncle's," Sarah answered. " Mr. Ashland and family are no longer welcomed with open arms and they blame my sister," Sarah explained to Dhyana exactly what occurred. Dhyana ceased pinning together diamond shaped cloth pieces to listen intently to her.
We bemoaned the lost of a sore union and Sarah complained that of all the people to travel to Brighton, Lydia Bennet would represent Hertfordshire. We all agreed nothing good ever would come from an unrestrained child unleashed on a camp full of soldiers. " And Mama wants to sea bathe," Mary grumbled.
" Sea bathing is good for one's well being, as is God's protection," Dhyana assured Mary, slowly warming up to my close companions.
I moved to the window. " It would appear you are to stay the night," I smiled at them all, pleased to have plenty of company to keep me amused in the morning. Bud didn't know what to do with all the people to choose from but he chose to lay with Walter like he always does.
Longbourn is a home for a mutiny. Kitty could not fathom being torn from the Regiment, even though Lydia was invited along. Lizzy came to terms with the deception manipulated by Mr. Wickham while Jane wanted to give Mr. Wickham an opportunity to redeem himself. Mrs. Bennet lamented the loss for her daughters and Mr. Bennet was happy to have the Red Coat madness away from Meryton.
" Mary, what of your Mr. Booth?" I asked her as Tabitha and I prepared the spare bed she'd share with Sarah. Because of all the guests we needed to reorganize all the bedding. Henry and Dhyana were in the main guest room, Walter would be down with us on a cot, and Mary and Sarah would bed in Walter's smaller room. " Why are you not accompanying?" At the monent Sarah was being entertained by Walter and Bud in the corridor.
Mary brushed her hair out of her eyes. " Papa will not pay for it. Mr. Booth does not want me near the Regiment as well. I am missing him, but I respect his opinion," She toyed with her brushed out hair raking her fingers through it.
" Time will pass quickly," Tabitha promised her.
Dhyana knocked on the door and stepped inside. " Caroline, John wished to have a private audience with you before bed," She still wore her thick evening gown that covered her neck down to her feet. For a woman who exposed no skin willingly she wore the dresses well.
" Excuse me," I exited Walter's room and prepared myself for a tongue lashing. Passing Henry in the corridor, our shoulders brushed. John welcomed me into his study and locked the door.
Knife in the back or knife in the chest?
He put his hands on my waist from behind. " I am sorry. You are firm and sound of mind. Sharp words for an exhausted mind,"
My jaw clenched. He wanted forgiveness?
" Henry tried to convince me to form an investment with his partnership," His arm wrapped around my waist. " I informed him your dowry is not for his investing,"
Knife hovering over my head maybe?
" I am still upset," I wanted to just relax, to not worry about my happiness and well being. " And I am seriously disliking your brother. Is wealth all he cares for?" Poor Dhyana to marry such a greedy-no. I'm going to be nice.
He finally kissed my neck. " I never said my brothers were faultless. He learned of our investment with Mr. Darcy through Dhyana. Our mother is aware as well and hoped I include him in our fortune,"
" What fortune? We fired a butler to create an income to retire on," The former butler still hated me, by the way.
Did I mention gold diggers are as bad as religious zealots? I'm not saying that Henry Brooks is the equivalent of the KKK or Hezbollah or Boko Haram, but he toed an ugly line.
" Mother only heard the words 'Mr. Darcy' and '10,000 pounds per annum' to assume I came into a large sum,"
I rolled my eyes. " 4,000 pounds large?"
" Mr. Darcy swears to ensure the full amount and 4,000 is more a share than 100," He tensed up, his own guilt beating him into admission. " Mr. Booth invested nearly 800 pounds,"
I breathed deeply to keep from harming him despite having the reassuring presence of his arms around me. " Why lie?"
" I wanted you to not worry," There was that excuse again. Did men really believe that we women did not want know about financial concerns? His fingers raked through my loose hair. " But that was a wrong choice. You're worrying more,"
His stupidity cleared up at least. Still...he was as stupid as he was handsome. " I hate you,"
" As long as you love me, I will gladly do everything to take care of you," He murmured against the back of my ear, nibbling on the earlobe.
Gods he is just absolutely stupid. I mean monumentally stupid. " Then stop being so stupid. I want involved. I need to help. Not to be a burden. We can't give this example to Walter to follow. Or any children we adopt," I elbowed him spitefully.
" Yes, dear,"
Idiot. Absolute idiot. " Don't 'yes,dear' me if you won't follow through. I love you but for the love of all that is holy think of the fall out," This hurt more than a moment's irritation. It damaged trust and I wanted, longed to trust him.
He swayed with me, coaxing me into kiss. It was as best an apology as I could ever expect. But I hoped he knew apologies weren't enough. I needed real change from him. If he included me in the major decisions, full honesty, I'd be willing to concede grounds. He didn't ask for anything so I knew of nothing to offer in return but love.