FF PRIDE and PREJUDICEAU NOT Cannon

Check-Mate

I do not own the copy rights to the book, or BBC special, Pride and Prejudice

*A/N since the book does not give Mrs. Bennet a first name, and since other books Austen's have the oldest daughter with the same name as the mother's , I am going with Jane. I also took the liberty of giving her a middle initial, but only as a way to keep her and the oldest daughter separated.

Cemetery meetings OOO Another Private Talk

Ch. 7

Wind blows throughout the churchyard and over its graves. I pull back and do not depart from the shades of an overly large oak tree, at least I think it's oak. However, if pressed I'd need to acknowledge I am not an expert on such things. Ignoring what I am, or am not an expert on is not something which is totally accomplished for I am watching the burial of Mrs. Bennett.

I can't help but wonder if I'd gotten to her sooner, or had more medical knowledge, she'd have survived. It is only when I hear a 'not likely' do I realize I'd spoken my thoughts out loud. I turn my head and see Anne de Bourgh. Okay, well, that was not who I'd expected to see.

"What makes you say that?" I look from her back to Mrs. Bennet's family gathering near her grave. "And, no insult, but I'm shocked you're not with your mother."

"In spite of popular belief, I am not tied to her apron strings." She then nodded towards the Bennets. "She had an excellent doctor; how Mr. Bennett paid for it I have no idea. Nonetheless, if someone as good as Dr. Pratt could not save her what makes you think you could have?" Without waiting for an answer, she suggests we go pay our respects.

"Go ahead, I'm not convinced I shouldn't just turn around and go home." I don't mean to the place I just moved into only Anne does not know that, nor do I bother explaining. She urges me again only to end up going by herself with me remaining right where I was.

I tell myself I should just leave, but my feet remained rooted to the ground. My talk with Tamara and Mr. Darcy let me know he had no intention of saying anything at the funeral; he doesn't and they leave with only a nod. I then see Jane, Mary, Lydia and Kitty all look at me. I can't see any signs of anger, or hate, but I am confused when it appears they alternate between sympathy and gratitude. It is mostly that confusion that keeps me quiet, and unmoving, even when Charles and Jane approach me.

"We can't thank you enough." Jane reaches out and takes my hand. Her husband reiterates her statement as do Mary and Collins. By the time they leave, I am facing Lydia and Kitty who repeat the same thing as the others have. My mind is racing a mile a minute, but I can't seem to move my mouth. It does not appear to bother them, and they leave me as their father walks up to where I am standing.

"My daughters weren't just being polite; we really do thank you."

"For what?" I finally manage to find my voice. "I failed to save their mother, your wife."

"There was no way to save Jane." Mr. Bennet shook his head, but his mouth turned into a small smile. "However; the doctor told us all my wife's...cousin's actions..." His eyebrow lifts just a little but goes on without asking for the exact ties to his late wife, "...that kept her alive long enough to be with family before she passed away." Liz's father tells me Jane managed to come around long enough to say good-bye to her daughters and to make peace with him.

"Make peace?" I was confused. No, from what I remember reading, they didn't have the best of marriages, but it hadn't seemed they were all that uncomfortable with it either.

"Yes, peace." Mr. Bennet speaks softly, "No one in their right mind would think we didn't have issues." He then tells me I am to feel free to come to Longborne anytime I wish. "Can't say there will be much to see at the place, but the invitation still stands." He then heads towards his carriage, and I found myself walking up to Mrs. Bennet's grave.

"What a fine mess J...Tamara and I are in." I look down at the headstone reading Jane L. Bennet "I really did hope to see you pull through." I kept on talking unawares Mr. Bennet did not have his carriage move for a solid two, or three minutes. He'd later tell me he had the urge to put boots on my feet and hand me a hat for the way I stood shouted I was used to being on a horse. However, by the time I'd quit talking he, and his family were gone.

Walking slowly away from Mrs. Bennet's grave my mind turned back to J….ugh, Tamara and why Bryant would want her back so bad. I don't know what made things click, but the pieces fell into place. I kicked myself hard. It should have been as plain as day. Looking around, more out of habit than anything else, I am relieved to see no newcomers who might know my friend, or myself. Also, jumping back from a shadow might have been an option only, upon closer inspection it was only an overgrown bush, and I breathed a sigh of relief. However, that did not stop from making a beeline to a place I moved to shortly after spending a few days with my friend- and then do not drag lead in getting to Tamar's home.

I cannot seem to stand still, and I find myself pacing back and forth in the foyer of Pemberley. Mr. Darcy is not home, and their butler has gone to get my friend. I only stop moving when Tamara comes down a set of marbled steps, her hand tracing the railing. My friend has a smile on her face, one that flees as soon as she sees me.

"What is wrong? Is Bryant here?" When I shake my head no, but we need to talk -privately – she takes me up to the room she had me stay in when I first got here.

"Is there anyone else that survived that fire besides yourself?"

"Alan, but he was only a few months old. I was able to smuggle him out of the country. Changed his name, slipped papers into his blanket and dropped him off at a convent far enough away from anyone no one would make the connection. Last time I checked he was adopted by some military guy oversea. I even managed to get a picture of him a few years ago. He looks nothing like the family, not any one close enough as to raise suspicion that is. He's better off that way. As far as anyone is concerned Alan is dead." She shook her head when I asked if Bryant or Maynar knew that. "When it comes to Bryant? No. Thank heavens. Maynar, if he knew anything, never said anything. If so, I chalk it up to you having woke him up to what was really going on. Are you going to go home and tell Bryant? It's not like our family was royalty."

"Good heavens, no, I am not going to attempt going back to get him." I than ask if she still thought Bryant to be behind the fires.

"Yes. He wanted my hand in marriage. It was all a political move to him, could have cared less about me. My father knew that and when he refused, and continued to do so...well, you know what I saw. I told you of seeing your brother rail on that poor lady, and what he was saying about my family."

"Still wish others had heard him."

"Me too; no one would listen to me but you."

When I informed her Bryant was still looking for her, and what I suspected, Tamar paled. "I can't go back; I won't go back. I'm already married." Her hands flew to her face. "Would he try to harm Mr. Darcy?"

"If he were to come probably; which I am doubting. However, to play it safe, we simply change your looks which; praise be, with you isn't hard." I also point out it would help if she all a sudden acquired a taste for plenty of lace and fans. "

"How am I going to tell Mr. Darcy?" Tamara rubbed her hands and shot me a 'ha ha very funny' when I replied that it, preferably, should be done in English.