Jest Chapter 8, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~~J~~

Council of War

Darcy grumbled when his cousin woke him from his exhausted sleep. Since he hoped to make up for the lack of sleep the previous night, he was not best pleased to be pulled from a dream in which Elizabeth prominently featured.

'What do you want?' he mumbled, still half asleep.

'I caught Aunt Cat retrieving Uncle Lewis' will,' Richard replied, while lighting several candles. He waved the document triumphantly.

That comment caught Darcy's attention. He sat up, running a hand through his hair to clear his vision, while holding out the other. 'Let me see,' he demanded.

Richard handed over the Will, and watched with glee as his cousin read the document. 'I believe we can save ourselves the time and the cost of an express,' he commented, when h=it appeared that Darcy had reached the end of the document.

'As a matter of fact, it is now even more important to send for Mr Thompson,' Darcy replied, while carefully examining the papers.

'Why? We have what we wanted.' Richard was puzzled.

'Because this Will supports Aunt Catherine's claim. See for yourself.'

The Colonel's face displayed his disbelief as he took the document and read it for himself. 'That was why Aunt Cat did not make a fuss when I confiscated the Will. It proves her claim.' He shook his head, trying to make sense of the situation. 'But I distinctly remember…'

'So do I. Which is why it is crucial to send for the solicitor and his copy of the Will.'

'You think this is a forgery?' Richard waved the document.

'I could not swear to it, but the wording, leaving Aunt Catherine in charge, does not seem quite right. I have read many contracts in my time, and this does not sound like a solicitor would phrase it.'

'Damn. Aunt Cat is even sneakier than I thought. But if you are right, it can be easily refuted when we compare it to Thompson's copy. Why would she run such a risk?'

'I think that Aunt Catherine never expected to show it to anyone other than Anne. Considering how sheltered Anne has been, our cousin would not question it.'

Richard looked thoughtful. 'I think we need a council of war with Anne. Put on some clothes, and we can go an talk to her.'

'Now? It is the middle of the night. It is most improper…'

'Darcy, Anne is family and you will not be alone with her. And I do not want anybody to know.'

His cousin reluctantly agreed.

~~J~~

When Anne woke up, she was shocked to find her cousins in her chamber in the middle of the night.

'What are you doing here?' she demanded.

'We found out that Aunt Cat has a Will in her possession which supports her claim,' Richard explained. When a distraught expression crossed Anne's countenance, he continued, 'but we think it to be a forgery.'

'Why are you telling me this now?'

'Because, until we have a document which proves that you are the Mistress of Rosings, you cannot throw your weight around. Aunt Cat would discredit any efforts on your part to take control. She might even claim that your illness has addled your mind.'

'Bugger,' exclaimed Anne, although her anger was softened when a giggle escaped her at the shocked expressions of her cousins. 'Do not get all missish. I am positive that you have used worse language, and the circumstances certainly warrant it.'

Richard chuckled. 'I am only surprised that you know the expression.'

'Since you think the Will is a forgery, I expect that you have a plan to prove it.'

'We will send an express to London at first light, asking the solicitor to bring the real Will. He should be able to get here late in the afternoon. We thought it best to delay any fireworks until we have proof that Rosings is yours.'

Anne considered the information. 'I think you should ask your father to come here as well. If, as you claim, he was aware of my father's plans for Rosings, it would be advisable to have him present. We may need his support, since Mother still respects him as the head of the Fitzwilliam family.'

Darcy had listened to his cousins' conversation, as he considered other potential problems. 'Anne, is there any way that you can stay out of your mother's way until Mr Thompson arrives? Unless of course you can act properly chastised when Richard discloses the Will Richard took from her?'

'Why do you think it necessary to resort to subterfuge. Do you not always claim that deception is your abhorrence?'

Darcy sighed. 'I am concerned how she might react…'

Richard suddenly looked alert. 'You think she might harm Anne? Her own daughter?'

'It would ensure that Anne cannot take Rosings away from her.'

'Dealing with the ton has certainly made you suspicious. To think that a member of our family could sink so low.'

'I am concerned that since Anne has a reputation of being sickly…'

Anne looked sick at the implication. 'I pray that you are excessively suspicious.' She shuddered as tears trickled down her cheeks. 'But what mother would attempt to deny her daughter her inheritance, and effectively keep her prisoner for years.'

Richard enfolded Anne in a comforting embrace, murmuring, 'all will be well,' while Darcy thought about another mother, who also schemed, but only to ensure the security of her daughters. He decided that compared to his aunt, Mrs Bennet was a paragon of compassion.

~~J~~

The cousins prepared letters. Darcy wrote to the solicitor, with whom he had dealt on behalf of his aunt, asking him to urgently come to Rosings. Richard wrote to his father, explaining the situation, and requested him to bring his head of family hat, to support Anne, if Darcy's suspicion was correct.

After Darcy woke his valet and arranged for the man to send both letters to London at first light, both cousins went to bed in the hope that their sleep would be undisturbed until they were ready to rise.

~~J~~

Despite his interrupted sleep, Darcy was awake again shortly after dawn. He decided that he might as well get up and go for a walk, and hopefully encounter Miss Bennet. Purely by chance of course.

He was about to descend the stairs, when he was hailed by his cousin. 'Darcy, are you off for your morning constitutional?' At Darcy's nod, Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned and suggested, 'I believe that I shall join you. I hear that there is all sorts of unpredictable wildlife hereabouts.'

'I shall be grateful for your protection then,' Darcy agreed. Having Richard along might hamper conversation with Miss Bennet, but it might also aid him.

They were scarcely past the gates of Rosings, when they encountered another early riser, who was enjoying the crisp morning.

'Good morning, Miss Bennet. What an unexpected pleasure to meet you on this fine morning,' exclaimed Richard mendaciously.

'Good morning, gentlemen. I did not expect to see you. Did you not say that you were planning to leave today?'

Darcy replied with a bow and a pleased smile. 'I did indeed say that, but a situation has arisen which necessitates us to remain at least one more day, perhaps even several.'

Elizabeth blushed, thinking that Mr Darcy did not wish to be parted from her. Before she could say anything, Darcy added, 'Our cousin Anne needs our assistance. We have sent for our family solicitor and the Earl, and must await their arrival. Their counsel will determine the date of our departure.'

'I see. Your cousin must be pleased to enjoy your company somewhat longer.' Elizabeth wondered if they needed the services of the solicitor to draw up settlement documents. Had Lady Catherine prevailed and forced Mr Darcy to give in to her demands?

Richard, who was more attuned to nuances of expressions, hastened to explain. 'There seems to be a question about some details in the Will of Sir Lewis, which requires our solicitor to clarify.'

The Colonel was gratified seeing the look of relief, which Elizabeth tried to suppress.

Darcy thought that if, as he hoped, Miss Bennet was to be a part of the family, it would do no harm to disclose the current situation to her. 'There is a discrepancy about what we were told were Sir Lewis' wishes for his estate and Lady Catherine's claims. We have sent for the solicitor to clarify who is correct.'

'Pardon me for asking, I can understand that you may need the solicitor, but why did you send for the Earl as well?'

'Because if we are correct, and our cousin inherited the estate on her twenty-fifth birthday, Lady Catherine will not be best pleased to be ousted from her position as Mistress of Rosings.'

An unpleasant thought occurred to Elizabeth. 'I believe someone mentioned that Miss de Bourgh's birthday is soon. Is it on that day that she attains her majority to inherit?'

'No, Miss Bennet, Anne turned five and twenty last year. Why do you ask?'

Elizabeth looked uncomfortable, cursing her curiosity and unthinking words. But if the management of Rosings was about to change, the issue she had thought of would come to light, irrespective of whether she kept quiet now. 'Mr Collins was appointed to the living after Easter last year. If I remember correctly, Miss de Bourgh's birthday was just before Easter.'

Colonel Fitzwilliam grasped the significance of those dates immediately. 'Aunt Catherine was not entitled to grant the living.' He glanced at Elizabeth who looked chagrined. 'You are concerned about your friend, Mrs Collins.'

'Indeed, Colonel.'

'I suppose that between Mrs Collins and Anne, they could teach him how to be a proper clergyman,' Darcy mused aloud, before he coloured. 'Pardon me, Miss Bennet. I had not meant to disparage your cousin.'

'Mr Darcy, do you remember the advice Mrs Collins gave us yesterday? I suppose, this falls into the category of honesty rather than propriety.'

'Thank you, Miss Bennet. Please feel free to speak your mind about my relations. I suspect that I will agree in every instance.'

'As long as you have regard for my tender feelings, Miss Bennet, I am pleased to support my cousin,' Richard teased.

'You think then that Miss de Bourgh would consent to continue having Mr Collins as the parson?'

'I believe that she has become quite fond of Mrs Collins, a friendship which I can completely understand. At least from my cousin's perspective.'

'I admit I cannot venture an opinion on Mrs Collins' behalf, since I have exchanged barely a dozen words with your cousin.'

Richard had an idea. 'Perhaps it would be convenient for our cousin to visit with you and Mrs Collins today, until the solicitor arrives.'

Elizabeth was puzzled why the Colonel would suggest that Miss de Bourgh should spend such an extended period of time at the parsonage, until a horrific thought occurred to her. She gasped at the realisation. 'You wish to keep your cousin safe…'

Darcy tried to reassure her. 'It is merely a precaution. As you have experienced the forthrightness of Lady Catherine's speech, we wish to shelter Anne from upset.'

'Of course, Mr Darcy. Please forgive me if you thought I implied anything else.'

Elizabeth glanced at Colonel Fitzwilliam, who muttered, 'I quite happily forgive you for assuming the truth.'

~~J~~