A Very Different Hunsford Encounter

Through concern for both her own eldest son and her dear niece and nephew, Lady Susan Fitzwilliam imposes her will and alters the plans of several in her family. The end result is a very different Hunsford experience for a certain young visitor from Longbourn.

Chapter One – The Matriarch Steps In

Lady Susan Fitzwilliam watched with increasing frustration as her beloved nephew and niece struggled to find some common ground on which to communicate. It was as if they had somehow become complete strangers. It was easy to see that both Fitzwilliam Darcy and his sister Georgiana wanted to communicate, they just could not seem to do so.

She now felt that a portion of the blame was her own. After Georgiana's near elopement, the poor girl had shrunken into herself. Her feelings of guilt made her feel unworthy of her brother's love, as foolish as that was to others. Unfortunately, Darcy was even worse. He felt so guilty for failing his sister that he walked around with a dark cloud hanging over him. He scowled constantly and barely spoke a civil word to anyone. Naturally, his little sister interpreted his attitude as disgust with her. The two dears were total idiots. So she had assumed that the best course of action was a time of separation. Now she could see that it had been a mistake.

After watching the pair for another half-hour, Lady Susan spoke sternly, "That is enough!"

Her husband, Darcy, and Georgiana all jumped, startled. Lord Matlock spoke first, "What is enough, Dear?"

Lady Susan pointed an accusing hand at her nephew and niece, "I cannot sit by and watch these two destroy themselves with guilt for one minute longer. I thought that a period of separation might resolve the issue, but clearly it has not. You... the pair of you, have to move on from here. You both blame yourselves for what took place when it was clearly that... that scoundrel and his accomplice who planned everything..." when she saw Darcy preparing to speak, the shut him down with a glare, "Yes, there were mistakes by both of you, but it is OVER, and is time for you to both forgive yourselves and each other and become the loving family that you used to be."

The Earl smiled. He always found his wife's take-charge persona quite appealing, except occasionally when it was directed his way. "And what would you suggest, my dear?"

"The both of them are taking a private vacation to Boscastle. You will not be going there to work, Darcy. Spring planting is done and your steward is perfectly capable of handling Pemberley for now. And do not try to tell me that you must be there, because I already know that you were intending to spend the month of Easter at Rosings. Instead, you will take a minimal staff to augment our people.

"And Georgiana, you will be perfectly fine without a score of Masters dominating your days. There is a pianoforte in our cottage there, but you are allowed no more than two hours each day.

"While you are there, I expect the two of you to spend as much time together as possible. And I do not mean just in the same room. Talk to each other until you can remember how to do so without discomfort. Be honest. Yell if you need to. Then forgive yourselves and each other and move on."

To her surprise, the pair submitted to her instructions without any argument. In fact, it almost seemed that they left the room with new vigor in their steps.

After they were gone, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam cleared his throat, "I believe that you have done a good thing, Dear... but you have put me in a bit of a bind. Darcy and Richard were supposed to ride down and look over Rosings. Since Cathy is barely speaking to me at the moment over some imagined slight, I wonder what we should do about that visit?"

Lady Susan pondered this for only a minute before she smiled. "I have an idea."

oOo

Some weeks later the Matlock crested carriage traveled the sunny roads of Kent on the way toward Rosings Park. Naturally it was followed by an additional carriage conveying servants and trunks which could not fit on one vehicle alone. Lady Susan seldom traveled light, and since she intended to continue southward after the visit to Rosings, additional transport was necessary. At the moment she rode in the large carriage with only one other passenger: her eldest son James, known to most as Lord James Fitzwilliam, Viscount Ashbourn.

Unlike her easy success in sending Darcy and Georgian off on their journey of reconciliation, it had been a struggle of near epic proportions to convince James to cooperate. There were reasons, of course.

Lord James Alexander Henry Fitzwilliam had been almost as irreverent and cheerful as his younger sibling Richard until the previous year. Then he met Lady Agnes Southerton, daughter of Baron Southerton. She was the darling of the 1810 season, without equal. Every man wanted her attention and many wanted her hand. James was no exception. Up until that time he had been much like his cousin Darcy, avoiding attachments like a disease. One dance with Lady Agnes changed all of that.

Lady Susan always had her hand on the pulse of the Ton, so she was aware of her son's love-interest almost from its inception. Being a responsible mother, she made it a point to discover all that she could about Lady Agnes and, when she deemed the time right, to meet with the beautiful young lady herself. What she found did not necessarily please her. Lady Agnes quite naturally enjoyed the attention she was receiving and the countess did not begrudge it to her. But the young lady also seemed to be playing a game in setting her various suitors against each other. In Lady Susan's eyes, the girl was clearly attempting to use jealousy and competitiveness to land the largest prize.

The Earldom of Matlock was most certainly a very lucrative prize. Lady Agnes was most certainly giving Lord James a great deal of encouragement. But how many others was she also playing?

James would not listen. His heart and mind were fixed. He would hear no criticism of his love. Then one day he returned to Matlock House devastated. Shortly thereafter he removed to his estate in Suffolk and there he remained for many months. It was almost a year later that he finally told his father the tale. Knowing that Lady Agnes had removed to her father's estate for a few days, James had resolved to follow her there and propose. Not wishing to catch her at the noon hour, he had turned off of the road as soon as he was on the estate toward a hill with an appealing vista.

What he found at the peak was Lady Agnes and his own best friend, Lord Duncan, in a very compromising state under the shade of a large oak tree. From the manner of their coupling, he could easily tell that this was not a first for either of them. He turned his horse around and rode away without looking back.

James' love had been real, and so he doubted his own ability to recognize a good woman from a bad one. Instead he had chosen to shy away from any attachments and most interactions with females. It was only when his mother had appeared at his doorstep and practically dragged him away by his ear that he consented to leave his estate.

Lady Susan intended to journey as much of England as necessary to draw her son out of his stupor. Already they had visited several pleasant areas in Suffolk and Essex, steering around London and avoiding any great houses. This was not a journey to introduce her son to young eligible ladies, but a journey to help restore her son's smile... of course she had no expectation that anything in the vicinity of Rosings Park would make him smile. This first stopover of the journey was more for obligation. Everything thereafter would be for relaxation and pleasure.

James was looking out of the carriage window when he spied a very pretty young lady walking out of a trail. She was wearing a decent light green walking dress, but nothing expensive. Yet on her light and pleasing figure it looked quite fetching. Her movements suggested an athletic grace earned by regular exercise. And her face, framed in dark curls peaking out of her bonnet, was equally attractive, with a pert nose, full lips, and cheeks slightly flushed from exercise. Yet it was her sparkling eyes which arrested his attention for the brief moment before they passed out of view.

The viscount glanced over at his mother and was grateful that she had not noticed his distraction. It was clear from the look on his valet's face that he had noticed. That was well and good. He could count on the man to investigate to learn to identity of the young woman. Then James scolded himself: I am in no fit state to give attention to a young lady, no matter how fetching she may be on first glance.

The next image he saw was a ridiculous looking man in black parson's gear bowing repeatedly to their carriage as if they were royalty. His mother had seen that, and now she laughed softly. "I believe that must be Cathy's new parson. Your father met the man and said he might well be the most ridiculous man in England... and that is saying much considering the hours that Henry spends in Parliament."

The countess and her son shared a laugh. The Earl did not appreciate his son's lack of interest in politics, but the father still often told stories of some of the daily foolishness which he had to endure.

While James looked away, finally smiling, Lady Susan watched him. She had seen the young lady and had also witnessed her son's momentary fixation. The girl was probably not suitable for her son, but if she drew him out of his doldrums, then she would not try to stop him from flirting with her. Her son James was an honorable young man who would not trifle with the girl or compromise her. A little harmless flirtation might just do him some good.

~oOo~

"You're late! I was expecting you yesterday!" Lady Catherine de Bourgh barked in her usual way, just before she hugged her sister-in-law. Though the pair often argued, they actually liked each other.

"That is odd, I had not planned to visit until tomorrow. Well, we are here now," Lady Susan teased back.

When nephew and aunt also greeted each other, they all stepped into Rosings. James was always a little taken aback by the abundance and garishness of the furniture and decorations in Rosings. His mother, thankfully, preferred more simple decorating and a lot less of it. Since she was the last mistress of his own estate before she became the countess, both his home and Matlock were relaxed and pleasant places.

Anne de Bourgh made no effort to rise and greet her cousin or aunt. James could see from her pallor and slightly slumped posture that her illness had advanced. It made him sad to remember her as a spritely young girl. It also made him feel guilty for not visiting for so many years. A little of Lady Catherine was a lot, but Anne deserved better. He bowed to her and then sat beside her, "How are you, cousin?"

Her mother was still on the other side of the room, so Anne could speak with honesty, "I am not well, Cousin James. Thank you for your letters, but I am glad to see you as well. Why do you still look so drawn? That person is not worth pining over."

James did not grimace for the first time at the mention of Lady Agnes. Perhaps mother was correct and I did need time away. "I fully intend to forget her entire existence by the time that our trip is over. Mother has planned quite an extensive tour of the south of England."

Anne sighed, "I wish that I could go with you. At the moment even short little trips around the estate are taxing. Oh, cousin! I must introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet! She is a pretty, impertinent girl who is quite delightful to watch. Why, she even bearded Mother."

"Truly? I must hear about this." James suspected that the lady on the trail might be this same character. There was definitely an impertinence about her.

"Mother's parson, Mr. Collins, is her cousin, though they are nothing alike. He recently married Miss Bennet's best friend, so she was invited to visit. Mrs. Collins is an intelligent creature, but she was easily cowed by Mother. Then Elizabeth came with them to dinner and Mother conducted her usual interrogation. Elizabeth answered honestly and without a bit of concern. Then she gave her own opinions freely, without either arrogance or fear. She plays too, very well indeed. Mother says that she is not technically brilliant, but there is so much feeling in the way that she plays that it is quite enjoyable."

Before James could reply, Lady Catherine barked, "What are you speaking of? What are you saying? I must have my part!"

Anne answered, "We were speaking about our new parson's wife and Miss Bennet, Mother."

Lady Catherine sniffed and returned her attention to her sister-in-law. Anne softly said, "Mother would have you believe that she was offended, but I think that she actually likes Elizabeth's impertinence."

James smiled at this, but had to ask, "Anne, you have slipped and called her Elizabeth several times. Are you on such friendly terms?"

Anne's face showed several emotions before she answered, "As you know, Mother was expecting Cousin Darcy. When that changed, Mother was ill tempered for days. I went out in my phaeton much more than usual just to escape her tongue. Miss Elizabeth is a great walker and I encountered her several times. We talked and I asked her if she would consider riding with me occasionally. Since then we have spent several afternoons together. She is so kind and so lively that she raises my spirits."

Her face fell, "Yesterday I got caught in the rain and caught the sniffles. Mother has restricted me indoors since, but at least her temper has cooled."

Not long after that weariness caught up to Anne and she needed her rest. James had agreed to take his cousin's place in reviewing Rosing's books, so he cleaned up and immediately set to that task. Dinner proceeded as it usually did at Rosings, with Lady Catherine dominating the conversation. James was grateful for the excuse of travel. He claimed exhaustion and excused himself to rest for the night as soon as courtesy allowed.

~oOo~

Elizabeth had a great appreciation for beauty. That is why she spent so much time out of doors, appreciating the beauties of nature. So when she saw the handsome man regarding her out of his carriage window, she definitely noticed and remembered.

She saw that same man walking towards her early the next morning while on her rambles. Since they had not been formally introduced, they exchanged a bow and curtsy, along with a "Good Morning," before continuing on their ways. Both were pleased at the encounter and disappointed at its brevity. He is a very handsome man indeed. He must be the cousin that Anne spoke of. He bears some of the same characteristics of Mr. Darcy, but without the arrogant frown.

For his part, James was struggling not to look back to discover if the young lady was as attractive going as coming. She was a pretty young lady and those eyes were certainly memorable. I must have Anne make introductions as soon as possible so that I may speak with her. Elizabeth... a pretty name for a pretty girl.

~oOo~

The introduction was far easier to obtain than James feared. Lady Susan had used Anne's mention of the parson, his wife, and his visitor as an excuse to express a desire to meet the trio. Lady Catherine had not intended to give her groveling parson consequence during this visit, but she had enjoyed Miss Bennet's sharp wit. It might be fun to see how her sister-in-law took to the impertinent girl.

An invitation was delivered... which was more like a summons. It made little difference since Mr. Collins would attend either way. He would never think to do otherwise. So on the second day of the Fitzwilliam's arrival, Mr. and Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet sat down to dinner at Rosings.

Elizabeth was grateful to her aunt and Jane for thinking of her. Only just the day before a trunk had arrived with several new dresses. When she stopped in London prior to going to Kent, her Aunt Gardiner had insisted on spending an hour at the modiste. Elizabeth had protested the expense, but the dear woman had insisted. Now Elizabeth was pleased to attend Rosings in a fine dinner dress of the latest style. The viscount's appreciative expression was all that she might have hoped.

The Countess of Matlock submitted Elizabeth to a much gentler, but still very probing interrogation. Though she was not impressed with the young lady's consequence, family, or wealth, she still found that she liked the girl's intelligence and gentility. She even liked her impertinence. This was no wilting flower, but she was also not of the forward, greedy, or grasping nature Lady Susan saw so often. She could not help but notice that her son's eyes were often on the girl and that he sought her out for conversation. This had not happened since Lady Agnes. I will let it be for now. I will only interfere if I feel the need. Until then, if Miss Bennet causes my son to smile again, then I will thank her.

After dinner Lady Catherine all but demanded that Elizabeth play. She had little objection. Since Charlotte's new home did not have an instrument, she was surprised to find that she missed playing. It allowed her to express emotions which were otherwise tucked away. Elizabeth sat at the instrument now and allowed the music to draw her in. Lord James had offered to turn the pages, but she had the piece so memorized that she paid little attention. And though she was very aware at the powerful form of the man beside her, she still became lost in the music.

Of course that condition meant that Elizabeth slipped into that state which had made her playing so popular in Meryton whenever the instrument was opened. When Elizabeth stopped thinking about her playing, it ebbed and flowed and somehow spoke to her listeners just as it spoke to her. When the seven minute piece was finished, there was a momentary silence in the room.

Lord James Fitzwilliam was enchanted. The Countess was suddenly concerned. This is a much more formidable creature than I might have thought.

Lady Catherine, who was nearly tone-deaf, embarrassed one and all by pointing out that Elizabeth would never play well without more practice. The Countess and her son were further mortified when she continued, offering the pianoforte in the room of Anne's companion, "In there she will be in nobody's way."

Both mother and son noticed that the young lady endured the unintended insult with amused grace.

~oOo~

Lady Susan was watching out of the window the following day while her son walked and talked with Miss Bennet. Lady Catherine was napping upstairs, but Anne was also in the room. When she saw her aunt's frown, she asked, "Would it really be so terrible, Aunt Susan?"

Lady Susan guiltily looked over at her niece, whom she had ignored, "Pardon, Anne? What did you ask me?"

Anne sighed. She was well used to being overlooked, "I asked you if it would truly be such a bad thing if James became attached to Elizab... to Miss Bennet?"

"She is not from our circle, niece."

"That may be more good then bad. James is two and thirty. He needs to marry and beget sons. Yet not one lady of the Ton except for that vile creature has attracted his interest. The Fitzwilliams may be a younger branch of the nobility, but you are one of the wealthier families in England mostly because none of us engage in the usual ribaldry or sins of the Ton. So why would you insist that dear James marry someone from that group? Would not an intelligent wife of good character serve the family better?"

Lady Susan regarded her niece with new eyes of respect, "And what of Society's reactions to her?"

"All of your daughters are married, Aunt Susan. It will be many years before it will be time to bring your grandchildren out into Society. And do you not think that Elizabeth's impertinence and wit are equal to those people anyway?"

"Who did my niece become so wise, dear Anne?"

"Since I am mostly ignored and left to my own devices, I sit for many hours to think. It would be sad indeed if I had not improved at least a little. Aunt Susan, I like Elizabeth a great deal. I count her as a friend. I only ask that you take the time to really know her as James is doing before you rush to judgment.

~oOo~

Two days later, the day before they had planned to depart south, Lady Susan bearded her son in the study where he was finishing up his review of the accounts. "May we speak, James?"

James was aware that his quite courtship of Miss Bennet could not have gone unnoticed. He had been waiting for a confrontation. He was only surprised that it had taken this long. Closing the ledger, he said, "Of course, Mother. Shall we talk here or should we take a stroll?"

She opted for the latter choice and they were soon walking in the sculpted gardens. "I wished to ask if you wanted to delay our departure from Rosings."

This was not what James had expected, so he blurted out, "I was expecting you to rail at me for the attentions I have been paying to Miss Bennet."

"Should I?" Lady Susan teased, "Is there something objectionable about her that I should be made aware of?"

"Objectionable? Of course not! She is a true lady in every way."

"You like her then?"

"More than is reasonable, I suppose," James sighed.

"You believe that it is unreasonable to care for Miss Bennet?"

"Is it not? She is everything lovely and intelligent, but she is not from our circles."

"A very wise woman recently pointed out to me that you have found little to attract you from 'our circles'. In fact, it was pointed out to me that Miss Bennet bears all of the traits that I might desire in a daughter-in-law except for her placing in society. But if you were to marry her, would she not then be in our circle."

"Society would not easily accept her," James said ruefully.

Lady Susan actually giggled, "If she can bear up against your aunt and I, then I have little fear that she can bear up against the harridans of the Ton. The question is, can you?"

"Meaning?"

"If, even for a moment, you think that you would be ashamed to have Miss Elizabeth Bennet on your arm at any event or for any reason, then it would be best to step away. It would be unwise of you and cruel to her. Respect is essential for true love, my dear son. But if you would gladly endure any scorn to have her beside you through life, then you are worthy of her and she is worthy of you."

"You sound as if you want me to wed Miss Bennet?"

"It is too early to tell. What I desire more than anything is for you to smile again and be happy. If she makes you so, then I suggest that you take your time to know her and for her to know you. Then, if both of you feel that it is right, propose. Which brings us back to my original question: should we stay or should we go?"

James smiled and pulled his beloved mother closer, "We should stay."

~oOo~

The summer of 1812 was therapeutic for the Darcy siblings. Georgiana found her spirit again and her beloved brother found his smile. Together they strolled the length and breadth of Boscastle, the Fitzwilliam's Cornish estate. They took a brief sea jaunt, shopped at local shops, and even toured several castles.

Mostly they talked. Fitzwilliam learned to see his sister as a mature adult with grown-up thoughts and ideas. Georgiana found her voice and discussed all manner of issues with her brother. Oftentimes they just sat silently and companionably together, taking in a beautiful view or reading.

By the time that they left Boscastle to return home, they were both healed and both a little wiser.

It was well that Darcy had not thought once about Miss Elizabeth Bennet, because the first news he learned upon visiting Matlock House in London was that his cousin James was engaged to the young lady. Not only that, but one of Jame's friends, another viscount, was actively courting Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy wisely took his sister to Pemberley where he spent time caring for his estate and she took a more active role in acting as the mistress.

When it finally came time for the wedding that November, Mr. Darcy was able to attend the ceremony with no great concerns or feelings. While at Pemberley he had met a baron's daughter who attracted his notice and who fit his ideal. Georgiana even liked her.

Before the wedding Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were able to speak semi-privately. Elizabeth had heard about Georgiana's near-disaster with George Wickham from her dear James. She also heard amusing tales of his cousin Darcy's struggles with the ladies of the Ton and his resultant withdrawal. By the time they met again, Elizabeth was ready to forgive. They parted as indifferent relatives and only saw each other occasionally.

In the following years and decades, James never had a reason to repent his marriage to Elizabeth and she never had to doubt the deep and abiding respect and love that he held for her.

Anne de Bourgh never married, but she did live long enough to enjoy spending time reading with her little namesake. Little Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, James' and Elizabeth's second child, was a delightful creature who won the hearts of one and all, but most especially Anne's. Since her mother outlived her, she could not will Rosings to her namesake, but she did add a substantial amount to the little girl's dowry. Anne was mourned by many, but only Lady Catherine herself was sadder than Elizabeth at the poor woman's passing.

Oh yes, Lady Agnes married Lord Duncan. They made each other miserable and both became famous for their scandals, trysts, and affairs until they grew so old that nobody cared about what the pair of them did. Since both loved spending money, their fortunes were spent well before their time was up.

AN: Don't hate me. Please remember that not every story will end in an HEA for our canon couple. As with the previous story, this tale has been stuck in my head for over a year. I needed to get it written so that I could move on. I didn't necessarily need to subject you to it, but that's just who I am. (Insert evil laughter here).