Chapter Two

Bennet's Winter Lodge.

Evening.

Sophie heard a pound on the door and a voice exclaim. "Late night arrival! Is anyone there to open the door?!"

Sophie was by the front desk and she raised her eyes. Making a face she beheld a tall, muscular man who seemed to peer through the glass doors. Wasn't it obvious the Bennet's Lodge received more than one uncalled for visitor at this hour? She held her posture finely as she answered. "Yes. The doors are open."

The tall man looked over his shoulder as if someone called him. Then he looked back to her as he replied. "A Miss Vivian Queen has arrived and she insists she make a grand entrance. Could the doors be opened by another means?"

"Miss Vivian Queen? Lizzy Bennet's cousin?" A voice from behind asked.

Sophie, who recently returned to the main lobby, didn't say anything at first before she answered. "Yes. Her cousin is here and yearns to make her appearance."

"Best follow through with what he asks. If I know Vivian she's going to demand to have the first room of the third floor."

"Indeed." Sophie replied.

She watched as the muscular man turned around before he left the doors. Outside it was evening but Sophie knew Vivian would most certainly express a yearning to be on the third floor of the lodge. Sophie was thankful night shift was less chaotic but with the news Miss Bennet's cousin arrived? And was demanding to have a room to the finest? As she opened the folder for the third floor, Sophie thought. "And on time. Miss Bennet's cousin has made her appearance and it is a little unannounced."

Here Sophie leaned back and whispered to the main office. "This wasn't called for. Miss Bennet never likes unexpected surprises. She informed us earlier her letter was sent this morning and her cousin is here?"

"You would be surprised what kind of a lady Miss Queen is. She and Miss Bennet have not been on perfect terms since the passing of Miss Bennet's parents."

"I am aware of that, yes. Yet she likes to make her appearance unannounced?"

"Yes. That's what she likes most."

Sophie didn't have much time to ask when the doors opened and two men, the first who was younger and then another older gentleman, pushed the doors opened and in the middle was the lady Sophie heard about. She remained calm when she watched as she made her appearance. If Sophie could have put it in the correct context Vivian Queen was most certainly beautiful. As Sophie rose to greet her the younger man announced. "Miss Vivian Queen."

Sophie nearly smirked when the finely dressed lady entered. She was holding a fan in her hand where as she was decorated in the most elaborate gown any woman could afford. Her hair was in a unique up do and Sophie wondered what kind of perfume she was wearing. Even from her place Sophie could smell it. As the gentlemen closed the doors behind her Sophie smiled as she welcomed.

"Welcome to Bennet's-"

"Yes, indeed, child; now where in the world is that room of mine?"

Sophie blinked when this was stated. Did that sound more like a command rather than a request? Thankful none of the other travelers were there Sophie answered. "Your room-"

"Is on the third floor and one of the finest?"

"Yes…"

"Well then best make yourself useful while I ascend, shall you?"

Sophie stared at Miss Queen as she made her way forward. Fluttering her fan she observed how Miss Bennet's cousin made her way over to the stairs. With her elegantly gloved hand, Sophie followed the woman with her eyes as she ascended. Her grace and elegance were those of a queen and Sophie wondered if she should ask if she wished to have anything. The lady didn't pause as she continued her way up and here the younger gentleman appeared by the stairs. In his hands he was carrying a large suite case and he seemed to struggle with it a little. Sophie paused in her movements as she inquired.

"Need some help?"

"No. I thank you though." He replied as he made his way up.

"Ah. Samson Barr." The voice from the office remarked.

As Sophie watched, the youth, who appeared to be in his early twenties, made his way up turned as she inquired. "Samson Darcy? Whoever is he?"

The door to the office opened partly and though the figure didn't make his appearance known he answered. "The Darcy Family are Catholics, Sophie. Nothing perfect comes from them."

"You act as if they're the plague."

"Yes indeed. They're not supposed to be even here at the lodge! Let alone seen by the public!"

Hearing this Sophie wanted to know more but at that moment, another figure appeared. Sophie met the eyes of a taller gentleman but his countenance was gentle. He was standing by the front as he asked. "You have Miss Queen's name written I presume?"

"Oh yes!" Sophie answered as she resumed her work. She felt a little embarrassed when she realized this gentleman was the one out of the two who arrived with Miss Queen. His expression was calm and Sophie liked how he didn't make her feel uncomfortable. She found herself writing Miss Queen's name in a form which wasn't bothering and the gentleman remained silent. Footsteps were heard on the stairs when she peered over and saw the young man making his way down. Sophie bounced her eyes from him to the gentleman and realization dawned when she noticed the features were the same.

"Father and son." She concluded as she finished writing Miss Queen's name.

"He looks exactly like his father though in younger form."

"Samson? You were able to get the first in?" The gentleman asked as the youth looked up. Sophie, out of the corner of her eye, observed how he nodded as he answered. "Yes."

"No doubt indeed she wants the rest. You fetching them?"

"Yes."

"Alright. Go on and I'll meet you later. I'll finish business here."

The youth nodded before he went to the front. Sophie watched as his stride was calm but he was a little more muscular than his father. The last name Darcy entered as she looked at the gentleman as she asked. "Is there anything else Miss Queen would like?"

Lizzy swallowed when one of the elder ladies asked.

"Miss Bennet? Were you able to recover from the knock out?"

"Yes though it took a moment." Lizzy answered as she looked at herself in the mirror. After Sophie found her, Lizzy asked for one of the older ladies, who was a mentor to her, to help her with dressing. Lizzy found she was flustered and shaken from the experience and when the ladies found her, it was a blessing to not have aroused the rest of the travelers of the event. Lizzy felt her heart beat a million times faster as she looked at the scene after the event occurred. She felt a motherly hand touch her when the lady, who name was Anne, looked at Lizzy and her eyes were understanding. Lizzy was in another part of the lodge, her private quarters, and when she looked at Anne, she nodded. Her hand softened on her shoulder when Anne remarked.

"Lizzy? This was something no one expected."

"Yes. I know. I wasn't expecting it either."

Lizzy and Anne were in the private quarters of Lizzy's late mother and Lizzy never much spent time here. She'd been orphaned when she was born and Lizzy wondered what occurred when her mother had passed away. But she'd been informed something which was meant to happen after she grown. Looking at herself, Lizzy saw the beauty God made her and she smiled. Anne smiled too but she also added. "Miss Bennet? Will you be able to remember who he was for the police?"

Lizzy sighed as she answered. "I will do what I can. It happened and all I remember was he held something in front of me before I blacked out."

"Extend your arms out so I can measure you."

Lizzy nodded as she held her arms out. She looked at the mirror as Anne started to measure her. Lizzy breathed in and out as the lady worked. Lizzy's incident occurred later that evening and she heard footsteps approaching. Wondering who it could be Lizzy waited to know if it was one of the ladies or guests. But then a loud pound echoed and both ladies heard.

"Care to let a queen in?!"

Lizzy instantly felt an increase of energy enter as she made a fist. She looked at Anne as she softly remarked. "Vivian Queen. My cousin. She's arrived."

Anne frowned when she gestured towards Lizzy's mirror. They both looked and Lizzy realized what Anne's message was. Lizzy wasn't even proberly attired to greet her "queen cousin" and Lizzy wasn't sure if she should inform Vivian of the event from earlier. She prayed as her cousin pounded on the door as she exclaimed. "I know someone is in there! Open or I shall ask my men to break it down!"

"For goodness sakes, Miss Queen, do you have to shout and rouse the rest of the travelers?"

Another voice came in the defense of the two ladies. Lizzy felt relieved when it was a masculine voice but she knew Vivian. As both ladies heaved a sigh of a temporal relief Lizzy heard Vivian answer. "And who needs help from you, you lowly man? Just pound on the door or I will ask you to break it."

"We're nearly finished with Miss Bennet's dressing. I will open the door shortly." Anne answered and Lizzy looked at Anne. She narrowed her eyes and her fist increased when Lizzy realized Vivian had done one thing she disliked most: unannounced.

Anne knew Lizzy. When she finished with the last measurement, she eyed her as she remarked. "She did it again, didn't she?"

"Yes. An uncalled entry and one which I dislike most."

"The two of you. There's another dress in the closet. Put it on while I greet your cousin."

Lizzy nodded as she stared at the closed door. She envisioned the pounding of her cousin as she would make her mother's quarters her domain. If Lizzy was thankful for anything it was tolerating how her cousin always made a display of herself. Well there was one thing she need be thankful for. As Lizzy made her way into the private wardrobe, which held a beautiful dress, she was thankful Vivian came to help!

"I would take her unexpected appearance to not responding at all." Lizzy finished as she closed the door behind her. When she looked at her late mother's wardrobe, Lizzy smiled when she looked at each of the dresses. It was something where Lizzy was informed about her mother always wanted if she had a daughter! Lizzy made her way over to a particular dress which she would wear for the moment. After what occurred she prayed and though her hands trembled, she put on a dress which would be perfect when she would greet her cousin. She sighed when she put the dress on but was thankful when Anne was heard opening the door before she greeted.

"Miss Vivian Queen!"

"Indeed. And this is where I shall be. Now where is that cousin of mine?"

"There's…"

"Ah, yes. The wardrobe. Preparing herself to meet me."

Lizzy finished with the last of the strings on the dress. She listened to the two ladies and she guessed how Vivian was making her appearance. She was probably dressed in the most elaborate gown she could have afforded and Lizzy knew too she was holding a fan. Out of place for a few occasions but Lizzy knew Vivian liked to use her fans to flutter her eyes at the gentlemen. The last time she'd visited she must have fluttered her eyes so much even a dove would blush!

"And here is where I want the last of the luggage to go. Samson? Would you care to bring the rest when your father is finished at front? I want to make sure this place is well prepared for my stay."

"I only asked her to stay for two weeks." Lizzy thought as she finished. She was already bothered by her cousin and she knew the minute she entered the two would stare at each other like two queens on a chessboard. When Lizzy rolled her shoulders back she offered a prayer as she finished. "Best make what I can. Vivian is going to demand to have what she wants and this wouldn't be pleasant for the rest of the staff.

"The last of the luggage is on its way, Miss Queen." Lizzy heard another voice answer. It was masculine and Lizzy guessed he was one of the coachman who occupied her cousin. Lizzy prayed before she turned and made her exit. As she assumed correctly when she looked up the woman, who was her cousin, was standing by the windows when she entered. Without even looking her way, Lizzy heard Vivian remark.

"Ah. There you are, cousin. A little tardy to greet me at the door?"

"As if I needed to." Lizzy answered in a voice which was prepared for the meeting.

Vivian turned and when Lizzy watched her guess was correct. Vivian arrived in her best attire and Lizzy wished she could have saved that for Mass! She didn't voice this when her cousin, with the fan in her hand, raised a brow at her as she answered. "You seem to be a little out yourself. Inform me: did you have incorrect hair day? Your hair is disarrayed."

"Miss Bennet was preparing herself for you arrival." Anne answered.

Lizzy inwardly swallowed when she remembered the rape event and she didn't want to tell Vivian of what occurred. She knew her cousin wouldn't want to think about the event and Lizzy confided it only to Anne and Sophie. The three women looked at each other before Vivian replied. "Well, since I have made my arrival known, shall we venture to the main lobby? I'm sure Fitzwilliam and Samson have the rest of my belongings on the way. And Lizzy?"

Lizzy didn't need to answer as Vivian added. "Care to make yourself useful? That dress is the most unattractive I've seen. Not becoming of you."

"I should mention…"

"Indeed. None of that. To the main lobby where we can watch as they bring the last up, correct?"

Lizzy knew Vivian didn't want to talk with her about anything. Other than Lizzy prayed for the strength as she answered. "Yes. And front desk responsibilities."

"Quite indeed, cousin. To the main lobby it is."

Lizzy disliked how Vivian was already taking over the lodge. The moon' slight glowed as the three exited and Lizzy observed the young man. He was standing in the room but he was carrying another large suite case in hand. As she passed him by he nodded to her before he entered. Anne was behind Lizzy and once he was out of ear hearing she whispered. "He's one of the coach drivers, Miss Bennet. The other is in the main lobby with Sophie."

"Thank you for informing me." Lizzy answered as she kept her eyes on Vivian. The lady was walking in an elegant manner and Lizzy only pictured how she would make her appearance known the following morning. Normally Lizzy would travel to her family's manor bur after the incident? She knew she would have to talk with the local sheriff and report what she remembered of her rapist. She felt Anne's assuring hand on her shoulder again when the lady calmed. "We're in the Hands of God, Lizzy. You and I both know this."

"Yes."

"The two of you will join me in the lobby." Vivian called as she placed her hand on the staircase. Lizzy looked at Vivian and her cousin stared at her hard. Lizzy knew Vivian was either tired or expressing her wishes to take the evening shift. Well at least Sophie would be relieved but Lizzy also knew Sophie didn't like working at night anyway. She was thankful for Anne's help and this brought her more energy. Praying for the courage Lizzy followed her cousin to the first floor. She kept mute about the rape but Lizzy hoped she would remember enough to at least find him.

What unnerved her was there were no traces of his footprints when the incident was over. She informed Anne about it and Anne been generous enough to check. She too was not pleased to observe there were not footprints and she prayed with Lizzy for healing. As Lizzy made her way to the main lobby she prayed he would be found. And she would recover from the incident.

Fitzwilliam was in the back when Samson approached.

"Everything for Miss Queen is up in her room, Father."

Fitzwilliam was finishing up with the last of the horses when he looked at his son and smiled. He was thankful Samson accompanied him yet he was still bothered by how Miss Queen insisted she bring her entire room with her! Samson, who showed the features of his father, placed his hands on his hips as he continued. "Father? She is a lady indeed but I'm concerned how she expressed her desire to arrive announced."

"For the Bennet's Lodge it's understandable, Samson." Fitzwilliam replied as he gave the lead horse a rub. The horse, who was exhausted from the journey, nudged Fitzwilliam and he smiled when he felt this. As the horse rejoined the others, Fitzwilliam continued. "Traveling in this weather is challenging and with the growth of travelers who would blame her? The lodge is a haven for the men and few ladies are here, too."

"Yes. But they weren't welcoming when we showed up." Samson replied and he folded his arms. Here, Fitzwilliam paused and looked at his son with his fatherly expression. He knew this anywhere.

"Samson? You're not going to pout again, are you?"

"Well you asked me to travel when the rest informed me the wolves were seen again. I wanted to help but you asked me to come and help with Miss Queen instead."

Fitzwilliam watched as his son kicked a nearby pebble. It hit against the wood of the stables with a tiny tap but Fitzwilliam knew Samson's disappointment when he acted in this way. Fitzwilliam looked at his son and offered a prayer. His oldest was one to be quiet headstrong but he was also a reasonable youth. Fitzwilliam waited a moment before he replied. "Offer it as a sacrifice and when we return you'll be content with your regular responsibilities."

Samson sighed but said nothing. Fitzwilliam watched as he peered up towards the evening moon as he frowned. Samson was in his early twenties but he was still full of youth and the features of his mother were in him. Fitzwilliam remembered how his wife passed away due to an accident and he'd given his prayer to God he would never marry again. Fitzwilliam knew Samson was the oldest of six children; all of whom were boys. Fitzwilliam was the father and the Darcy Family were known in the town of Cherry Creek but not welcomed. That would be something only time would inform the residents about but for now? Fitzwilliam waited to hear what Samson would say next.

"Alright."

Fitzwilliam was thankful when he replied. "Thank you, Samson. Now," he gestured over to the carriage, which was in the barn, "would you help me with putting this away? Then we can rejoin the others and you won't be concerned about returning home."

Then both of the men left to tend to the carriage. Then they would rejoin the others in the lodge.