Because stories have been stolen from Fan Fictions sites:
Copyright © 2016-2021: All rights reserved. No portion of this creative work can be republished without the express written permission of the author.
...
Story summary: Rosings Park was left to Anne de Bourgh when Sir Lewis de Bourgh passed. Knowing that her upcoming death will mean hedgerows for Lady Catherine, Anne arranges a nefarious scheme to allow her mother to stay at Rosings while giving her new friend, Elizabeth, independence.
This is primarily EB&FD, who will end up with a HEA, but is not a story for everyone. Most of the major themes come from history or events the author has experienced. Many of the characters are based on people the author has known. As in life, there will be angst.
A few things before we begin again in 2021:
First: I'm not kidding, this isn't a story for everyone. If it offends your sensibilities, please move on.
Jane Austen has 12 "-n't" contractions used in speech in P&P. Some by Lydia or Mrs. Bennet, but Mrs. Gardiner and Jane also use them. So I reserve the right to use contractions to keep speech from sounding so stilted.
Many of the words used in this story were researched to ensure they were in use at the time and what the meaning of the word was in 1810. The primary research engine was "Historical Thesaurus of the English Language" by the University of Glasgow.
The phases of the moon will be mentioned, they were researched before writing this story as natural light was important before electricity.
The story uses the etiquette rules taught to me by my great grandmother. Anyone who was not a very close friend or relative would call Jane "Miss Bennet" and Elizabeth "Miss Elizabeth Bennet" except for those in Kent where Jane was not known. (It may sound impersonal now, but back in the 70s, when it was the social norm for my area, it wasn't. It was second nature for us to call people by their correct titles.) In introductions, the more important person was always introduced to the less important person - which could get a bit dicey at times - except for the overarching rule that women were introduced to men.
This story was originally published in 2016 as "Lady Catherine Heading for the Hedgerows". I began writing it in July 2016, but with all that's happened since it seems like forever ago. I removed all my stories from the FF sites at the start of 2019 to make publish-ready before reposting.
Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with cancer shortly after and had to shift focus on getting through the treatment.
Once the treatment was mostly finished, the madness of 2020 started. Having faced cancer and come out on top, I realized now is as good a time as any. Having given up graduate school two decades ago due to work and family obligations, I decided going back would be the perfect distraction from 2020-craziness. They accepted me, so since that time, most of my energy has/is used to brush up on material I learned 3 decades ago and learning the new way of learning (online). My peers and professors are decades younger, so I'm quite the oddball.
In April 2020, I started working with my daughters to repost this, but once in grad school, all my time ended up going toward accomplishing success there. With the first semester complete, I set aside time each day over the holidays to go through this entire story. I acted with "posting now" vs "publication-ready", so it's not going to be a polished story. It was originally posted as a WIP. In re-reading it, I realize I need to go through most of the chapters and rewrite them as "showing not telling". Please forgive that along with all my other mistakes: typographical errors, head-hopping, inconsistencies, etc. One day I'll get back to it. Maybe.
It's a total of 39 chapters, with the last 3 being additional material/epilogue.
Posting should be at least once or twice a week but depends on work, exams, and projects. Comments are always welcome, though I may not have much time to respond. I hope you enjoy the story and away we go...
...
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 across the carriage. His cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, a colonel in His Majesty's Army, was also drowning in boredom.
"Another tiresome ride to Hell," Darcy grumbled.
The colonel drug his head Darcy's way before a smirk grew. "And here I was, believing this to be a journey to see your beloved," he asked with feigned innocence. "Will you finally offer for her during this visit?"
Darcy's glare gave the entertainment he desired.
Fitzwilliam laughed. "Each year she becomes more insistent that you marry Anne. She 'is not to be trifled with'," he mocked.
"I've avoided it these past few years. Why should this trip be any different?"
"Because someone," he taunted, wagging his finger at his cousin, "is looking for a wife. He gave my mother a regular shopping list of what to look for." Richard leaned back, grinning. "Mother found it highly entertaining. If Lady Catherine has learned of it, she will be relentless."
Lady Catherine de Bourgh, sister of his sainted mother, had never been easy company. As the daughter of an Earl, she must always receive the respect owed to anyone of her birthright—nothing less would be tolerated.
Yet Darcy had been trifling with her wishes for the past few years. She insisted on his marrying her sickly daughter, Anne. Well, not trifling with exactly. What he did was better described as deflection. It allowed him to perform his duty to ensure Rosings Park was well managed and would remain solvent, thereby continuing to support the surrounding community, and saving him from uncomfortable altercations.
"I thought your mother was trustworthy or I would not have gone to her," Darcy scowled.
Before Hertfordshire, Darcy felt no compelling urge to have a constant female companion. He had his sister to care for, his estate to look after, his entertainments to pursue.
Then he met Miss Elizabeth Bennet and learned he would very much like to have her as a constant companion. The woman had the good fortune of being his choice of wife but the misfortune of an unsuitable family. Otherwise, it would already be done.
His increasing attraction to her during his stay had compelled him to abandon Hertfordshire earlier than planned, causing Bingley to do the same. Thankfully, he left without having raised any expectations in the woman or, God forbid, her mother.
Unlike his friend Charles Bingley.
Bingley's particular attention to Miss Bennet had raised the mother's expectations, giving Darcy an excuse for their hasty removal to London: separating Bingley from a mercenary marriage.
Not long after arriving in London, Darcy could no longer deny that he was ready for a wife. He would not be able to offer for her, but now he knew what to look for. To begin his quest—finding a suitable mate among the ton—his first step was to draw up a list of Miss Elizabeth Bennet's charms:
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, he handed the list to his trusted Aunt Elenor, wife of Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock. She was well placed in society and knew of all the available women. Confiding to her that he was considering taking a wife, he shared the list of required traits. Aunt Eleanor looked over his list and laughed. "I wish you luck finding your unicorn. Pick three, then I shall find your bride."
Returning home in frustration, he began to question himself. He had been certain that he could find a suitable replacement for Miss Elizabeth Bennet in London. That may have been a gross miscalculation on his part. Now he must decide–to select a woman who would suit him socially but not personally, or select a woman who would suit him personally but not socially?
"Mother is trustworthy," Richard reminded him, snapping Darcy from his musings. "I happened to be in the next room and overheard it. Let me know if you find this magic woman so I can pursue her sister."
Ignoring Richard's shameless provocations, Darcy brought the subject back to Rosings Park. "If the steward has done his job, we may be able to reduce this trip to a se'ennight. He is a capable fellow, one you could learn much from."
It was Colonel Fitzwilliam's turn to be annoyed. "I'm not ready to give up my entertainments to become a steward, no matter how much Mother desires it. Besides, I fear Aunt Catherine will not allow us to leave until you agree to marry Anne. She wants Rosings Park to remain in the family." Pausing for a moment to consider, he went on. "It may be that Anne is becoming more ill. If she dies without an heir, Rosings Park goes to that cousin of Sir Lewis, the drunkard who is already deeply in debt from gaming."
"Anne is getting worse?" Darcy's only news from Rosings Park came from the steward. Lady Catherine's voluminous letters of complaint were often flung into the fireplace with barely a scan. He did not correspond with Anne.
"Mother was telling me of it before I left. She insisted I send a letter tomorrow describing Anne's condition." Leaning forward, confiding in his cousin, Richard continued. "Mother and Father are concerned. Anne's death turns Lady Catherine into their responsibility. You know how she and Father get on."
Vesuvian. That was the best way to describe the two being in each other's company. Both being sired by an earl and indulged since childhood, they struggled for superiority when together.
"The two are impossible together," Darcy acknowledged. "It was why Mother had Father take over Rosings Park when Sir Lewis passed." Darcy's mother had been concerned Anne's inheritance would be frittered away by Lady Catherine. His father, George Darcy, agreed to the task, but with an explicit understanding that Lady Catherine would abide by his decisions. Else he would withdraw his support, and all knew that meant Rosings Park would fail. Lady Catherine was wise enough to never cross George Darcy.
"You know, I never understood that," Colonel Fitzwilliam pondered. "Your mother severed relations with Lady Catherine long before Uncle Lewis died, yet she sent your father to keep the place in good order."
"Mother didn't want her brother and sister to suffer," Darcy responded. He had never learned the source of the dispute between his mother and aunt but respected his mother's compassion.
"It worked! It kept the illusion of family unity, and kept Lady Catherine tucked away in Kent and out of polite society," Richard quipped. "My parents greatly appreciated it."
Darcy gave a quick laugh before turning to look out the window. Realizing Lady Catherine would again claim an arrangement for him to marry Anne, which he knew could not be true, he decided that he would once again ignore her when she mentioned it.
Having decided how to manage his aunt, Darcy allowed his mind to wander 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 of the joy she could singularly bring to him, thankful that Richard had fallen asleep.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Upon their arrival, Darcy learned, much to his discontent, that the disturbing pair of fine eyes from Hertfordshire were currently residing at the Hunsford parsonage. He quickly decided it would be necessary to avoid the parsonage on this trip, which was no different from previous visits. Vowing to dedicate all his hours to the completion of his tasks, Darcy hoped to shorten his stay in Kent.
To be back in proximity with Miss Elizabeth Bennet posed a danger to them both. Her flirtations in Hertfordshire made him wary that paying her too many attentions during their time in Kent would be, unfortunately, misconstrued. He felt obligated to protect her tender sensibilities toward him until he resolved his own indecisions.
If he ended up deciding to ignore her reduced circumstances and marry her, he would convince Bingley to return to Netherfield for the hunting season. There he could pursue her away from his aunt's watchful eye.
For his sake, he must be careful in her company lest this most important decision be swayed by passion rather than reason.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Tuesday Morning, 24 March 1812
Awaking at daybreak, Darcy looked out one of his windows. Toward the sunrise, a colorful fabric dancing in the distance caught his eye. Looking closer, he found the lively dress was topped by a cheerful face containing those same fine eyes he had been determined to avoid.
She breezed through the garden, stopping occasionally to smell a flower. At that moment, Darcy realized the flaw in his initial conviction to avoid her. It would not do, for he would be expected to acknowledge a friend he knew to be touring in the same region. A visit would properly recognize their acquaintance. (In truth, Darcy wanted to hear Richard's opinion of the lady. It would aid his decision making.)
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. Before Darcy could contemplate Richard's motives, Mr. Collins arrived to enthusiastically invite the gentlemen to his home.
Within minutes of their arrival, Darcy began to rethink including the colonel. His cousin got on with her as if they were childhood friends, while he struggled to find any socially acceptable conversation. Unable to ask Miss Elizabeth Bennet anything beyond the expected platitudes, he was surprised when she offered that her sister had been in London the past three months, asking if he had happened to see her. Darcy managed an answer that satisfied her. However, his abhorrence of disguise caused him to attempt no further conversation. After all, he had taken part in hiding Miss Bennet's presence in London from Bingley.
Once the gentlemen were well away from Hunsford, Richard turned to his cousin wearing a large grin. "Darcy, this may well be my most agreeable visit to Kent. I believe I may find religion this visit," he raised his eyebrows mischievously, "or at least find myself in the parsonage quite often." Richard chattered on about the greatly entertaining Miss Elizabeth Bennet, trying 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 without considering the man might express an interest in her.
As they entered the manse, 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 not since childhood had they spoken to her without Lady Catherine being 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." Lowering her voice to share a secret, she confided, "I believe Mother enjoys her company as well."
None of this sat well with Darcy. First, there was Richard's betrayal with all that flirting, now to learn Elizabeth spent much of her time with Anne? How could he reach an objective decision about offering for her if she were frequently in his company?
He did note, with some pride, his superior choice of a mate. Her ability to win over the colonel, Anne, and Lady Catherine boded well for their future.
If he chose to pursue such a future.
Darcy stated detachedly, "She seems to be a well-mannered young woman."
Richard grinned 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 look forward to a bit of lively conversation during this trip." Smacking Darcy's arm in amusement, Richard ribbed his cousin. "Darcy can sit across the room, silently staring at her."
"I did no such thing. With you monopolizing the conversation, I had no chance to speak."
Richard laughed as Anne began to move on. "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 that Anne turn away with a Cheshire grin. (1)
~~~oo0oo~~~
Tuesday evening, 24 March 1812
"Darcy, I find it long past time for you to start regarding Rosings Park as your own. As well, it is time for you to marry my Anne. I will have an end to my frustrations."
Before the death of George Darcy, she had not had the nerve to forward a connection with her daughter. The first time he accompanied his father to Rosings Park, she had lightly hinted at such a match, which his father responded by silently turning away to pursue other tasks.
After the passing of the elder Mr. Darcy, the barrier to Lady Catherine's scheme had been removed. She never once considered that neither Darcy nor Anne cared much for the other. Concerned only with uniting Darcy's considerable estate with Rosings Park, she gloated about reuniting the noble lines of her father and leaving her descendants among the most wealthy and powerful in England.
What she would not acknowledge was that Rosings Park did not belong to Lady Catherine. It belonged to Anne, as the entail allowed for either a male or female child to inherit. If Anne died before her mother, Rosings Park would transfer to a de Bourge cousin. Not only would it force Lady Catherine upon the goodwill of her family—none of whom held goodwill toward her, it would mean Rosings Park would be taken by the many debtors the cousin owed.
The longer Darcy went without marrying Anne, the more dire Lady Catherine's situation grew. Now she was beyond desperate and would broker no delays to the union. It must happen during this visit.
Darcy continued to ignore her demands.
"Aunt, we need to make arrangements for these tenant farm repairs. If they are not completed this season, the families will leave to find a better situation in Town. As any new tenants would need these repairs before they could take over, beginning 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 the work that is needed. Tomorrow we will arrange to get those projects started. We will visit all of the tenants and assess their situations to see what other items we need to make note of."
"Tomorrow we will tell Collins to begin announcing the banns this Sunday. Then we may have this business taken care of."
Darcy inhaled deeply. For four years he had deflected, but now Lady Catherine refused to speak of anything else. Every conversation was turned into one about marriage to Anne. He could no longer avoid the confrontation.
Exhaling, he tried to stay diplomatic. "Aunt. I understand you want me to marry Anne, but it would not be to either of our advantages. " 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. It can wait no longer," she pronounced with finality.
Darcy was dumbfounded. "I believe whom 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. It allows Rosings Park and its holdings to remain in our family line."
His aunt would not be swayed. 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. Do you believe Anne could carry 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 seems to find you more frail."
Lady Catherine's face grew red as she inhaled to further assert her point, but Anne stood and quietly took charge of the room. Nodding at each family member, she began. "Mother. Darcy. Richard. I wanted to wait for a more opportune time to discuss this, but I believe this will have to do." Turning to her lady's maid, she instructed, "Mrs. Jenkinson, we need privacy. It may take some time."
Lady Catherine deflated but showed her surprise as she watched her daughter take command.
To say Darcy and Richard were shocked would be an understatement. Not only was Anne speaking, she was taking control, 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 physician!"
"No, Mother. I knew what was coming and asked that Dr. Pryce allow me 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 have a solution that will work well for all concerned, but it 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 linger much past a year, freeing you to marry a woman of your choice."
While concerned for his cousin, Darcy did not appreciate having Anne trying to force him into a marriage. It showed on his face.
"We must marry, Darcy," Anne huffed, exasperated at his shortsightedness, "or my estate will fall. My servants will lose their positions. My tenants will lose their farms. Mother will lose her home. She will be forced 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 and where living conditions would be considered appropriate. When she left Rosings Park, she must go to either Matlock, Pemberley, or the grave.
Taking her in would be a nightmare. Georgiana, already timid, was finally recovering from her traumatic experience last summer. Lady Catherine would squash his poor sister. The two weeks he spent at Rosings park each year were onerous, 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 Miss Elizabeth Bennet. 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 four months, but to actually 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. Mrs. Collins told me about her situation. I've thought this through. It will work. But first, we must convince Miss Bennet to agree and we must be extraordinarily kind to her for 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 the family estate when her father dies." Turning briefly to Lady Catherine, "Mother, I asked our solicitor to look into breaking the entail that is currently on their estate. He believes it will be easy, particularly since Collins is so attentive to your suggestions. Rosings Park will pay those costs."
Lady Catherine blindly nodded. Though she knew nothing of the process or the law, she could make suggestions to Collins. She already did.
"Upon breaking the entail, Miss Bennet will inherit the estate. 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 for Miss Elizabeth Bennet, each of our estates—Rosings Park, Matlock, and Pemberly—will contribute five thousand pounds to an account for her. The fifteen thousand pounds allows for either a dowry or for her support if she chooses to remain unwed."
"Remain unwed?" questioned Richard. "Certainly not."
"Her friend tells me Miss Bennet has no expectations of marriage," responded Anne, before going on with the details of her plan. "It will be her choice. In return for her having my child and her life-long discretion, we will give her a home and fifteen thousand pounds, ensuring that Miss Elizabeth Bennet can care for herself and her family for life."
"But can she be trusted?" Lady Catherine barked, once again regaining her voice.
"Yes. It is not only her reputation but her four sisters as well. All of whom will be ruined if this becomes known. Our family must be discreet as well."
Shocked that his indolent cousin had come up with something this scandalous, yet so exacting, Richard interrupted. "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, 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. 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 what she is agreeing to. Publicly, I will engage her as a companion. Mrs. Jenkinson leaves next week. Miss Bennet will step in to make the end of my life pleasant—as the doctor prescribed. The house and the money will be arranged for her once she becomes with child. She will not be able to leave until after the child is born and I die. To the world, I willed the home and dowry to her in gratitude for her care of me."
"This is madness, Anne," Richard pronounced. "I ask again, how will such a plan succeed? A woman carrying a child quite obviously shows what is in her belly."
Turning to answer Richard, "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 'confinement'. Only my maid, Dr. Pryce, and the midwife will be allowed in the wing from that point forward. None will expose us. My maid, 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 details that could go wrong, wishing he knew more about childbirth.
"Then I died in childbirth and the child is early, sickly, and cannot 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 on the far side of the house. All doors will be sealed to muffle sound. When Miss Bennet goes into labor, all unnecessary servants will be either sent to work on the opposite side of the estate or given time off. Mother will hire musicians to cover the sounds if necessary."
"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 plan will work." Now that she no longer faced homelessness, Lady Catherine enthusiastically embraced the plan of her noble daughter.
Richard continued to come up with other potential difficulties, still disbelieving his cousin had come up with something this outrageous. Darcy sat perfectly still, battling to control the rage brewing within.
Richard interrogated 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? Or it dies in childhood?"
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 will not 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 she and I both shall do."
Astonished by this new version of Anne, Richard retreated to Darcy's side, finally seeing Darcy's turmoil.
Anne would hear no censure. "It will work. Richard," she pointed at him. "You know how to talk men into their own death. This will be easy for you—talking her into life." Anne pointed at a surprised Richard. "I am 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 spewed in disgust.
Anne sighed impatiently. "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 anything 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 no more. The anger building inside of him exploded as he leaped 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 am not broodstock and neither is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. This is my life you are planning. I have my estate to manage. I have a sister who needs my guidance. I have no intentions of marrying or procreating 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 let her mother babble but went to Darcy.
Richard watched the exchange: the complacent look on Anne's face, the apoplectic look on Darcy's. Meanwhile, Lady Catherine kept talking 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 stay 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, 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 her mother would ruin Georgiana and destroy chances for either Darcy or his sister 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 and he does not have the time required. Besides, 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, you will also be rewarded."
As furious as he was, Darcy knew Anne to be correct. She had obviously spent much time thinking this scheme through. Swallowing his pride, Darcy agreed. "Fine. I will do my best. I can promise no further than that."
As the family exited the room, Anne's Cheshire appeared once more.
~~~oo0oo~~~
(1) The Cheshire cat grin pre-dates Lewis Carrol's Alice's Adventure in Wonderland. It first appeared 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 Austen'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 for a period they were both vying for Byron at the same time.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Notes based on comments received in 2016:
It is interesting how different a world it is since this story was written. Living in isolation to protect ourselves from illness, exactly what Anne manipulates to make her plan work in this story, and my own diagnosis of cancer in 2019, which is the illness I gave to Anne for this story when written in 2016.
There are many topics touched upon in this story, all come from my life experience or reading about things that have happened throughout history.
If you believe it unthinkable that women have had babies for others, think again. I know women who were "sent away" as unwed mothers. Their children were taken at birth and the adoptive parents' names put on the birth certificate. This was happening as recently as the 1970s and the DNA tests have illuminated quite a few surprises for people. I know of at least 3 who found out their parents aren't who they thought they were. If you need more proof, 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 who doubted so many people could keep a secret, with the proper motivation (as in money or credible threats to your family), it isn't hard to do. Look at the famous/rich people who have NDAs to protect what they do behind closed doors from getting out. Having been in the military, I've also seen larger groups than this keep secrets and seen contrived information leaks so the desired story is reported vs what was really happening. I've also seen good people forced to do unethical things for the good of their family, then hide them. If you haven't experienced any of this, then I am genuinely happy for you and it's nice to know some people haven't had to deal with these types of things. (This was written on a GoodReads review of the story, listed under its original name "Lady Catherine Heading for the Hedgerows".)
One more thing that may not be as obvious is all the manipulation, hypocrisy, and self-delusion. There will be much of it throughout the story and it is intentional. I also like to throw in double entendres when I can, so there is a good chance when you see something like that, yes, I probably meant it that way. Or I tried and failed.
Though these scenarios may be taken from life, the story is make-believe changeup of a make-believe world. There are 39 chapters unless something gets changed up. I hope you enjoy it.