Chapter 1: The Journey to Hell
Monday, 23 March 1812
He tried reading to pass the time, but the jolting made it impossible.
Closing his book, Darcy glanced at his cousin snoozing across the carriage. That man could sleep through anything. Turning to the window, he watched the landscape pass as he made his annual ride to hell—his aunt called it Rosings Park.
Allowing his mind to wander with/in the boredom, he reflected upon his responsibility to protect his aunt's estate, ensuring it remained solvent and thereby supporting the community. Each year it became increasingly difficult.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the sister of his sainted mother, had never been easy company. As the daughter of an Earl, she must always receive the respect due such a position. Nothing less would be tolerated.
Upon the death of his father five years prior, Lady Catherine began touting a particular arrangement made between sisters. Each year she grew more insistent.
This year promised to be particularly demanding. Lady Catherine would once again increase her efforts, which he typically found tolerable. Now, having recently found the archetype for the type of woman he designed to marry, her demands would further salt his wounds.
If only I could simply offer for her, he thought. It would simplify the selection.
As the countryside passed, he began to contemplate creative ways to deflect his aunt's machinations. Instead, his mind drifted to the more pleasant subject of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The woman with the good fortune of being his match if not for the misfortune of her situation.
He would deny it, but the precipitous departure from Hertfordshire was due more to his attraction to her than any concern for his friend. He congratulated himself on having left in good standing. He had not raised expectations in the woman or, God forbid, her mother.
Unlike his friend Charles Bingley.
Bingley's particular attention paid to Miss Bennet raised leastways the mother's expectations, leading to what he had used to bring about their hasty removal to London: separating Bingley from a mercenary marriage.
Yet there was no denying that he had finally found the qualities he wished for in a wife. He felt certain there must be a similar, more appropriate, woman for him to marry.
Once returned to London, Darcy began his search for a suitable mate. He began by drawing up a list of the traits that drew him to Miss Elizabeth Bennet:
Attractive, but no need to be a great beauty
Witty, but not cruel
Intelligent and well read, not a braggart
Good health
Enjoys outdoors & walking
A good sister for Georgiana
After several weeks with no luck finding such a woman on his own, he gave the list to his trusted aunt, Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam. Aunt Eleanor, wife of Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock (and brother to Lady Catherine and Darcy's mother, Lady Anne), was well placed in society and knowledgeable of the available women therein.
Darcy handed the list to Aunt Eleanor, asking her to help him find such woman from the ton. He confided that he was starting to consider taking a wife, but he wanted one who exhibited the listed traits.
Aunt Eleanor looked over his list and laughed. "I wish you luck finding your unicorn. Pick three, then I shall find your bride."
Darcy returned home in frustration. He had been certain he could safely leave Miss Elizabeth Bennet behind and find a suitable replacement in London. A gross miscalculation on his part.
Now he must decide–a woman who would not suit him personally but would socially, or a woman who would not suit him socially but would personally. He sighed deeply while weighing his options.
Forcing his mind against the budding desire for a steady female companion, he returned his thoughts to Rosings Park.
Soon he would again be subjected to the daily torment of Aunt Catherine. Maybe he could shorten this year's visit to a se'ennight rather than the usual fortnight? His cousin Richard would surely approve.
He had tried to cancel this year, pleading his sister's delicate constitution after her recent illness. But in private quarters, the Earl had nearly reduced himself to begging, leaving Darcy unable to refuse.
The earl's relationship with his sister could only be described as contentious. When the two were in company, outbursts could be expected.
When Sir Lewis de Bourgh first passed, Uncle Henry rose to the occasion, stepping in to manage his sister's estate with Vesuvian results. After reading her brother's letter detailing his removal, Lady Anne Darcy convinced her husband, George, to stand up as estate guardian. She knew having her exacting husband act as guardian would ensure the solvency of Rosings Park, thus keeping Lady Catherine from being forced into polite society.
(For reasons Darcy never learned, Lady Anne had quietly severed relations with her sister years before the death of Sir Lewis. Even with their quarrel, Darcy always admired his mother's protection of her sister, though he skeptical of the "understanding" Lady Catherine insisted upon.)
George Darcy agreed, but with the explicit understanding that Lady Catherine must abide by his decisions. Else he would withdraw support, allow Rosings Park to fall, and place Lady Catherine firmly in the care of the Earl as she was no longer welcome in the Darcy homes. Lady Catherine was wise enough to never cross George Darcy.
Once Lady Anne passed, the younger Darcy began accompanying his father, learning many fine details about estate management in the process. Once a Pemberley had a trusted steward, the trips were moved to the spring so as to prepare for the upcoming planting seasons. When George Darcy passed, his son continued the spring audit trips out of habit. At Lady Catherine's request, they were scheduled to occur surrounding Easer and had become his own sort of crucifixion.
Rosings Park. The estate did well under the guidance of the Darcys, but Aunt Catherine could not be trusted to run it herself. She was the spoiled daughter of a spoiled daughter, her mother's favorite. Her father, the previous Earl of Matlock, ensured his daughters learned the accomplishments required to gain a husband but no others. Few dared or bothered to oppose an earl's daughter, so Lady Catherine heard repeatedly of her proficiency in all subjects.
George Darcy disabused her notions of proficiency regarding estate management, yet she never made any effort to improve. Her neglect of the farms combined with her extravagant personal spending habits meant that if left to Lady Catherine's care, Rosings Park would be bankrupt in a few short years.
Thankfully, Uncle Henry's younger son assisted Darcy when on furlough from the Army. It was the dearest wish of both Darcy and the Fitzwilliam's for Richard to eventually take over the stewardship of Rosings Park, allowing him to leave the military and settle down. It was something his mother greatly desired now that he was once again in the safety of London. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, though, was in no rush to trade his current Town lifestyle for the tedium of Lady Catherine and Rosings Park.
Maybe this trip will be less of a trial with Richard's help, Darcy mused. The two were close in age and of complementary temperaments, they were as much friends as they were family.
He would not acknowledge Lady Catherine's implications that he marry her sickly daughter. It had worked for him in the past and should suffice this trip as well. It was the easiest way. Any confrontation would only cause a dispute and would likely not end her insistences.
Once determined to deflect rather than confront, Darcy's mind wandered back to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and the joy he knew she would bring to both himself and his sister, Georgiana, if only she did not have such low connections. He smiled while thinking on the joy she could bring singularly to him, now thankful Richard remained asleep.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Upon their arrival, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam found Lady Catherine quite put out at being denied the privilege of introducing her nephews to the new parson, his wife, and his guests. Darcy quickly learned, much to his discontent, that the disturbing pair of fine eyes currently resided at the parsonage directly across the lane from Rosings Park.
Quickly deciding it necessary to avoid the parsonage on this trip, which was no different from previous visits, Darcy vowed to dedicate all his working hours to the precipitous completion of his task, thus abbreviating his stay in Kent.
To be back in proximity with Miss Elizabeth Bennet posed a danger to them both. Her flirtations with him in Hertfordshire made him wary that any attentions he might pay may be unfortunately misconstrued. He felt obligated to protect her tender sensibilities toward himself until he resolved his own indecisions. Once resolved, he would convince Bingley return to Netherfield for the hunting season, where he could pursue her away from his aunt's watchful eye.
For his own sake, he must take care not to enjoy her company during his stay lest this most important decision be swayed by passion rather than reason.
Having vowed to avoid Miss Elizabeth Bennet during his waking hours, Darcy fell asleep in the way he had become accustomed since December: envisioning her sharing his bed, with a pillow tucked beside him to feel her presence.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Tuesday Morning, 24 March 1812
Darcy awoke at daybreak, having slept soundly the night before. The fatigue of a day spent traveling brought him a thankfully dreamless sleep.
Looking out his window to examine the brilliance of sunrise, he saw something colorful moving in the distance. Focusing more clearly on the yellow dress, he found it topped by a cheerfully smiling face and those fine eyes he was determined to avoid.
While watching from his window, she breezed through the garden, stopping occasionally to smell a flower. Darcy realized it would be the height of impropriety for him to not call on Miss Elizabeth Bennet at least once during his visit to properly acknowledge their acquaintance. (In truth, Darcy wanted to hear Richard's opinion of the lady to assist his own quest to make a decision.)
At their morning meal, Darcy suggested a visit to the parsonage, which Richard quickly accepted. Too quickly, Darcy thought suspiciously when he realized the windows of Richard's room afforded the same view as his own. Before Darcy could contemplate Richard's motives, Mr. Collins completed his morning call to Lady Catherine, enthusiastically inviting the gentlemen to his home.
Within a few minutes at the parsonage, Darcy was rethinking his including Richard. He got on with her as if she were an old friend, while he struggled to find any socially acceptable conversation.
Darcy, still struggling with indecision, felt uncomfortable asking Miss Bennet anything beyond the health of her family. She answered with the normal civilities, startling him by then asking if he had seen her sister Jane, who had been staying in town the past three months. Darcy answered the question to her satisfaction, but disgust at his own disguise caused him to decline further attempts at conversation.
Once the gentlemen were well out of hearing distance from Hunsford, almost upon entering Rosings Park, Richard turned to his cousin wearing a large grin. "Darcy, this may well be the most agreeable visit with our Aunt Catherine I've ever had. I believe I may find religion this visit," raising his eyebrows knowingly to his cousin, "or at least find myself in the parsonage quite often." Richard congratulated Darcy for encouraging a call on the greatly entertaining Miss Bennet, then tried to pry more information out of his now scowling cousin.
Darcy had not expected his cousin to react this way. He sought Richard's opinion, never considering the man may express his own interest in her.
As they entered the manse, Richard still interrogating Darcy about Miss Bennet, Anne surprised both men with a warm greeting. "Good morning cousins."
Stunned, both haltingly returned her greeting. The gentlemen rarely spoke with their cousin, and never since childhood had they spoken to her without Lady Catherine present.
"So you have met Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" At their nod, she continued. "I find her enchanting. It's so refreshing to have such liveliness near Rosings Park. I have Mother invite them to tea or dinner quite often now that she's arrived." Lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, she confided, "I believe Mother enjoys her company as well."
None of this sat well with Darcy. First Richard's betrayal, now to learn she would be spending time in the home with Anne? Having her frequently in his company would make reaching an objective decision impossible. He did note, with some pride, his superior choice of a mate. Her ability to win over both Anne and Lady Catherine boded well for their future.
If he chose to pursue such a future.
Detachedly, Darcy stated, "She seems to be a well-mannered young woman."
Richard grinned wide in amusement at Darcy. "Well-mannered," he snorted. "She's a breath of fresh air in this place! I'm happy to hear she will join us, I find myself looking forward to a bit of lively conversation this trip." Smacking Darcy's arm in amusement, Richard ribbed his cousin. "Darcy can sit across the room not speaking and just stare at her."
"I did no such thing. With you monopolizing the conversation, I had no chance to speak."
Richard laughed as Anne started to move. "Cousins. I'm so glad you approve. I'll see you at tea." With that dismissal, the gentlemen made their way to the study to start their work, not seeing Anne turn away with a Cheshire grin. (1)
~~~oo0oo~~~
Tuesday evening, 24 March 1812
"Darcy, I find it long past time for you to starting regarding Rosings Park as your own. As well as time for you to marry my Anne. I will have an end to my frustrations."
Before the death of George Darcy, she had not the nerve to intimate a connection between her daughter and him. To Darcy's knowledge, the first time he accompanied to help his father she lightly hinted at such a match, to which his father did not reply and turned away, giving answering with a cut.
After the passing of the elder Mr. Darcy, Lady Catherine resolved the barriers to her schemes had been removed. People may lament the match-making-mamas, but those women had none of the determination and ferocity of Lady Catherine once she decided upon her course.
As far as scheming mothers went, Aunt Catherine ranked among the most vicious. In her attempts to have Darcy marry Anne, she worked Darcy's sense of filial duty in a way no other would dare, never once caring that neither Darcy nor Anne cared much for the other.
When she pontificated upon the benefits of uniting Darcy's considerable estate with Rosings Park, she gloated of reuniting the noble line of her father and leaving her descendants as some of the most wealthy and powerful in all of England.
What she would not acknowledge was that Rosings Park did not belong to Lady Catherine. It belonged to Anne.
If Anne died before her mother, (which Lady Catherine had finally admitted to herself was a distinct possibility, thought Darcy did not know it) Rosings Park would transfer to the crown, forcing Lady Catherine upon the goodwill of her family—none of whom held goodwill toward her.
The longer Darcy went without marrying Anne, the more dire Lady Catherine's situation grew. Now she was beyond desperate and would broker no objection to the union happening during this visit.
Knowing the Rosings Park succession helped Darcy once again ignore her declarations.
"Aunt Catherine, we need to make arrangements for these tenant farm repairs. If they are not completed this season, the families will likely leave to find employment in Town. As even new tenants would need these repairs, initiating them now keeps Rosings Park from losing more income."
"When you finally marry Anne, you will be the one authorizing the repairs."
"Richard and I have spoken with your steward, he has a list of repairs we need to hire craftsmen for. Tomorrow we must arrange to get those repairs started. Richard and I will visit all of your tenants and assess their farms to see if there are other items we need to address while we are here."
"We will tell Collins tomorrow to start announcing the banns this Sunday. Then we may have this business taken care of."
Darcy inhaled deeply. Four years he had deflected her, but this year Aunt Catherine refused to speak of anything else. Every conversation turned into one of his marriage to Anne. He could no longer avoid the confrontation.
Exhaling, Darcy tried to stay diplomatic. "Aunt Catherine. I understand you want me to marry Anne, but it would not be to either of our advantage. " Looking at his cousin, "I do not desire it, nor, I believe, does Anne. Please stop with this. Richard and I only have a short time …"
"ENOUGH!" cried Lady Catherine as she rose from her chair. "You will marry Anne while you are here. It can wait no longer," she pronounced with finality.
Darcy was dumbfounded. "I believe who I marry is my choice, not yours."
"As your closest relation, I have a say in the matter! You have a duty to your mother and to your estate to marry Anne thus keeping Rosings Park and its holdings in our family line!"
His aunt would not be gainsaid. Although hesitant to say things that would injure Anne, Darcy felt he must be completely honest. "Aunt. Marrying Anne will not keep Rosings Park in our family. I doubt Anne could have a child in her current condition."
Turning to Anne, Darcy gently said, "My humble apologies, cousin. I do not mean to insult you. I hope your health holds, but every year it seems I find you growing more frail."
Lady Catherine's face grew red as she inhaled to further argue her point, but Anne stood, quietly taking charge of the room before her mother could begin.
Nodding at each of her family members in the room. "Mother. Darcy. Richard. I wanted to wait for a more opportune time to discuss this, but I believe this is as good as any. Mrs. Jenkinson, we need privacy until I call you back. It may take some time."
Lady Catherine deflated, looking at her daughter in surprise and concern.
To say Darcy and Richard were shocked would be an understatement. Not only did Anne speak, she took charge, something they had never before witnessed, something they had never before thought possible.
"Richard, please close and lock the doors." Richard did as Anne asked.
Once Richard returned, Anne quietly told them, "I will not live much longer. I doubt I will see a year complete." She then paused to allow the others a moment to digest her news. "Mother. The lump on my chest continues to grow and spread. I spoke with the doctor last week, it now affects my breathing. He said there is nothing more that can be done beyond my being as comfortable as possible."
"Oh, Anne!" Lady Catherine cried out. "No, no, no. When was this! Why didn't he tell me. We will send to town, find a better doctor!"
"No Mother. I knew what was coming and I asked Dr. Pryce to allow me to be the one to tell you. I will not have my last months spent in a tortured bid to avoid the inevitable," Anne told her mother firmly. "I have been thinking on this for some time and I have a solution that will work well for all concerned, but will not be easy.
"Darcy," she turned to her cousin, "You and I will marry while you are here. Collins will start reading the banns this Sunday after the Easter service. I will not last long, freeing you to marry a woman of your choice after I pass."
Darcy, while concerned for his cousin, did not appreciate now having her trying to force him into a marriage. It showed on his face.
"Darcy," Anne huffed, exasperated at his shortsightedness, "we must marry or Rosings Park falls and Mother becomes homeless. If I die with no heir, Rosings Park transfers to the crown and will likely be neglected. My servants will lose their positions. My tenants will lose their farms. Mother will lose her home, forcing her to live with you or Uncle, and you know Uncle won't have her. Are you and dear sweet Georgiana ready for her to move in?"
Darcy was all attention now. Although his parents and uncle privately refused to allow her, publicly the family was whole. To maintain the image, she would have to be put where she could not cause a scandal but where living conditions would be considered appropriate. She must go to either Matlock or Pemberley if not at Rosings.
Darcy taking her in would be a nightmare. Georgiana, already timid, was finally recovering from her traumatic experience last summer. Aunt Catherine would squash his poor sister. The two weeks he spent with her every year were challenging, but to have to spend interminable months with the woman? Darcy grew ill at the thought.
Still.
"Even if I do marry you Anne, could you have a child? Without a child, the estate still goes," Darcy reminded her.
Anne smiled. "I've thought of that. Thankfully, God sent me the answer a few weeks ago." She looked at them all before she resolutely informed them, "Mrs. Collins' friend will have my child." As the others looked at her in astonishment, she turned toward her cousin. "Darcy, you will have a child with Miss Bennet that I will claim as my own."
Lady Catherine sat, too stunned to speak.
Richard was appalled, "Are you daft? How can you claim another woman's child? It will be obvious you didn't carry it."
Darcy's world started spinning. Anne's plan involved Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She wanted him to create a child with Elizabeth. That would mean… Dear God! He may have dreamed about it and may have pleasured himself with the idea a time or twenty over the past 4 months, but to be ordered to do it!? Impossible.
Anne continued, ignoring Darcy's horrified expression. "As Mother said, she is a pretty, genteel sort of girl. I've enjoyed her company when she comes over. Mrs. Collins told me about her situation. I've thought this through and it will work. But first, we must convince Miss Bennet to agree and we must be extraordinarily kind to her throughout the duration.
"Her family is poorly situated. When her father dies, her mother and four sisters will be in the same situation as my mother, only with fewer resources. Mrs. Collins mentioned that her mother is a spendthrift and her father has done nothing to provide for their future. Mr. Collins inherits her family's estate when her father dies." Turning briefly to Lady Catherine, "Mother, I asked our solicitor to look into breaking the entail upon Longbourn. He believes it will be easy, particularly since Collins is so attentive to your judgments. Rosings Park will pay those costs.
"Upon breaking the entail, Miss Bennet will possess the estate, displacing her father. If for some reason the entail stands, Rosings Park will purchase a suitable property for Miss Bennet and her family. This secures her mother, sisters, and herself.
"She and her sisters have no dowry. Their estate more than maintains itself, but her father has put nothing away. Her sisters are the father's responsibility, but each of our estates will contribute five thousand pounds to the dowry of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. This gives her fifteen thousand pounds for either a dowry or for her to live on if she chooses to remain unwed. Her friend tells me Miss Bennet doesn't expect to marry.
"Thus, in return for her having my child, as well as her discretion, we give her a home and fifteen thousand pounds, assuring Miss Bennet and her family are secure for life."
"But can she be trusted?" Lady Catherine barked, once again regaining her voice.
"Yes. She has not only her own reputation to care for, but also those of her four sisters. All of whom will be ruined if this becomes known. Our family must be discreet as well or Rosings Park is lost."
Richard, still shocked that his indolent cousin had come up with something this detailed and this scandalous. "Impressive, but how do you think this will succeed? A woman with child is obvious to everyone."
Anne glared at Richard. "People of our station regularly have children that are not their spouses'," she angrily pointed out. "Look at Lord Melbourne or his siblings, or the children of Lady Oxford. The men, of course, sire countless bastards, as you well know," she accused, pointing directly at him. (2)
"This will be kept properly discreet, once begun, there will be no problems." Anne relaxed a bit. "I've told you. God gave me this plan. It will work.
"First she must agree and understand all of what she is agreeing to. Then publicly, I engage her as a friend, asking her to move into the rooms at the end of my wing as my companion. With Mrs. Jenkinson leaving next week to care for her daughter's new baby, Miss Bennet will act to make the end of my life more pleasant—as the doctor prescribed. The house and the money will be arranged for her once she becomes with child. Though she will not be able to leave until after the child is born and I die, we will make the world will believe I willed the home and dowry to her in gratitude for her care of me."
Turning specifically to answer Richard, "You ask how I will succeed? Once dresses no longer hide my heir, I will take a turn for the worse. We will both be confined to my wing of the house to keep me safe from illness during the last of my own 'confinement'. Only my maid, Sally Peeke, Dr. Pryce, and the midwife, Mrs. Wilson, will be allowed in the wing from that point forward. None will expose us. Peeke will ensure talk in the servants' quarters supports our story, thus it will spread to the community.
"When the child is born, I will be the mother, Darcy the father. At that point, Mother, you will be secure."
Richard shook his head in disbelief. "What if you don't survive until she gives birth?" he asked. His mind raced with all that could go wrong, suddenly wishing he knew more about childbirth.
"Then I died in childbirth and the child is early, sickly, and can not leave the rooms. As my loyal friend, Miss Bennet will care for it. After a few months, no one will know."
"Is it not painful to have a child? If the servants hear Miss Bennet's voice instead of yours, they will know. Or if it happens after you have died."
"My wing is on the top floor of the far side of the house. Her door, the wing door, the stair doors have all been sealed to muffle the sound. When Miss Bennet goes into labor, all unnecessary servants should be either sent to work on the opposite side of the estate or given time off. Mother will hire musicians to entertain me during my confinement, their music will cover the noise."
"Miss Bennet is the perfect choice," Lady Catherine announced. "She is an active, healthy country-bred gentlewoman with four sisters and will do well with pregnancy and delivery. Her coloring is similar to yours Darcy, the dark hair and eyes. Her features in the child would be attributed as yours. Anne's method will work." Knowing she would no longer face homelessness, Lady Catherine gloated in the superiority of her noble daughter.
Richard continued to come up with other potential embranglement, still disbelieving his cousin had come up with something this outrageous.
Darcy sat perfectly still, battling to control the rage brewing within.
Richard approached Anne. "I don't know much about pregnancy or childbirth, but what if things don't go as you've planned? What if Miss Bennet won't agree?" He racked his mind for everything he knew of the subject. "What if she doesn't…ahem… take right away? What if something happens during the pregnancy or birth? Or what if you die very early on in pregnancy, before an infant could survive?"
Anne refused to entertain Richard's concerns. Using the coldest, most mercenary tone ever heard by the men, she assured them, "Miss Bennet has no choice but to agree. She won't like it, she will be humiliated by it, but she will do it because her father has left her no other option for her family's future. Saving one's estate. It is what we both shall do."
Astonished by this new version of Anne, Richard returned to Darcy's side, finally seeing Darcy's turmoil.
Anne would hear no censure. This was the only way to save scores of people. "It will work. Richard, you know how to talk men into their own death. This should be easier—you will be talking her into life." Again Anne was pointing at a surprised Richard. "I'm relying on you to convince her."
Richard fell back into the chair. "ME! You want me to approach a young lady I've only recently met and ask her to have Darcy's child! Miss Bennet is a lovely and proper young woman. How do you expect me to approach her with this? In the Collins' living room during a visit? So much for discretion!" he sarcastically spewed in disgust.
Anne sighed impatiently at her cousin. "No. Mother will invite the Collins' and their guests over for tea tomorrow. You will take Miss Bennet for a walk. When you are far enough away from the house, you will explain the situation."
Richard glared at Anne. "Returning to the front lines is more appealing. I believe we are soon to start action against rebel colonies, maybe I can get on the next ship over."
Lady Catherine, unable to keep from offering her views on every subject, lauded her daughter. Not caring about else but her own salvation, she gushed, "Anne, darling, I should have known I could rely on you to save our estate. Such an elegant plan, only one of the finest minds could conceive of …
Finally, Darcy could take it no more. The anger building inside of him exploded as he lept to his feet, bellowing "I AM NOT AN ANIMAL!"
"Excuse me?" Lady Catherine asked, quite put out over being interrupted. "We are saving Rosings Park. Would you have me end in the hedgerows?"
His furor barely contained under the veneer of civility, Darcy spoke. "I. Am. Not. An. Animal. I'm not breed stock and neither is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. This is my life you are planning. I have work to do on my estates. I have a sister who needs my guidance. I have no intention of marrying or breeding at this point."
Aunt Catherine started droning on about how Darcy would live up to his duty and how proficient Anne's mind was to come up with such a perfect arrangement, one in which every detail was accounted for and all involved would be rewarded. Anne motioned Darcy closer, where he grudgingly went.
Richard watched the exchange: the complacent look on Anne's face, the apoplectic look on Darcy's. Meanwhile, Auntie kept droning with no need for a response.
With her mother distracted, Anne quietly spoke to Darcy. "You know Uncle Henry and Aunt Eleanor will not have Mother staying with them. They may help set up a place in town, but Mother has never done well with the poor air of London. Besides, if left unsupervised in town, she will bring humiliation to the family within the month. Once I die, there will be no other choice. If she is forced to leave Rosings Park, she will attach herself to you and Georgiana. I understand this is distasteful to you, but it will save both families. As a bonus, you will add Rosings Park to the Darcy estates and come out with an heir so you will no longer be required to marry."
Anne loved her mother but was not ignorant. She knew her mother would crush Georgiana's spirit and drive Darcy to Bedlam. She knew once he seriously considered his options, he would realize he had no options. He must agree or Aunt Catherine would be his, ruining Georgiana and destroying chances for either Darcy to make a superior match.
Darcy glared at her. "You ask much of me." He nodded to his other cousin. "Why not Richard? He could use an estate."
Anne looked in earnest at them both. "Richard and I are too fair for dark haired children. Besides, he must return to his regiment in a fortnight, so he has not the time required and he has nothing at stake. Mother won't live with him. You are a man of leisure, you have stewards and solicitors to conduct your daily business while you do your part by post. I'm asking much of you for a few months. After those months, I will have freed you. And your sister."
As furious as he was, Darcy knew Anne to be correct. She had obviously spent much time thinking this scheme through and he was her easiest target. Darcy swallowed his pride as he agreed. "Fine. I will do my best. I can promise no further than that."
As the family exited the room, Anne's Cheshire smiled appeared once more.
~~~oo0oo~~~
(1) The Cheshire cat grin pre-dates Lewis Carrol's Alice's Adventure in Wonderland, first appearing in print in 1788 in A classic dictionary of the vulgar tongue by Francis Grose. I had planned on using the term "Cheshire grin" before I looked it up, just begging your forgiveness because the term fits so well with how Anne is turning out in this story. I'm quite pleased to find the term already in use during Jane Austin's day.
(2) You can look up Lord Melbourn or Lady Oxford for more detailed information. They are interesting. The paternity of Lord Melbourn, husband to Caroline Lamb (notorious lover of Lord Byron), was questioned (as was that of all but the oldest sibling) as both parents carried on numerous affairs, which didn't obviously affect their marriage. The children of Lady Oxford (another lover of Byron) were known as the "Harleian Miscellany" due to the uncertainty of their paternity. (Her husband was Edward Harley.) The marriage stayed together and, strangely, she and Caroline Lamb became very good friends even though they were both vying for Byron at the same time for a period.
Note: This story was originally posted in 2016-17 by my mother. She took it down last year, planning on cleaning up all of her stories and reposting. She was diagnosed with cancer shortly after, having to have surgery and chemo.
She's now re-reading/updating all the stories she had posted, starting with this one. She is having me post for her because it's easier. The stories are written, but she's still editing and cleaning up. After the 2nd chapter is posted, the other should come quickly after. I don't know if she will have time to comment.
Some comments based on the first time she posted this story. Most of the major topics in this story come from her life experiences or history. If you believe it unthinkable that women were having babies for others, think again.
We personally know women who were "sent away" as unwed mothers to have their child. Their children were taken at birth and the adoptive parents names put on the birth certificate. This was happening as recently as the 1970s.
Look up Lady Jane Douglas (1698-1753) - she secretly married, then had twin boys at the age of 50 in Paris, but most people think they were not her children. Some rumors are that she kidnapped them.
As for those doubting so many people could keep a secret, in the days before the internet and with the proper motivation (as in money or credible threats to your family), it wasn't so hard to do. It is still not that hard to do, look at the famous/rich people who have the people around them sign NDAs.
Besides, these may be taken from life, but the story is make-believe. There are 39 chapters unless she decided to split or change something. I hope you enjoy it.