Note: This is a one-shot with no connection to the previous stories.

Chapter Six – When silence is the best answer

Biggs the butler was a man with a mission: to protect his master's beloved child

Led by the head man himself, a cadre of servants at Rosings have to work behind the scenes to serve
and protect the true Mistress of Rosings.

Deep in the Heart of the County Kent, near the town of Hunsford, there existed the grand estate of Rosings Park. It was not considered one of the "great" estates, like Blenheim or Chatsworth, but is was most certainly grand. Built in the Gothic style it boasted no less than four towers, six tall chimneys, and a plethora of windows. It also had a large number of tenant farms under its purview to guarantee the grand estate's continuing prosperity.

Ruling over the great house, the park, the tenant farms, and well beyond the actual limits of Rosings estate there lived Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Catherine was actually only the widow of a minor baronet, but she was the daughter of an earl. She was also the sister of an earl, but that was of little significance, at least in her mind, because if life was fair, then she would have inherited the title, not her fool of a younger brother! Nevertheless, since life and English Law had failed to assign her to her proper role, she ruled over that estate which she did possess in a most attentive manner.

She knew everything about every person within her little domain, mostly because she had weeded out the malcontents and the disloyal long ago. Now all of those in her little world were fearfully obedient to her. At least, that is what she thought...

Rosings Park, beginning in 1785

Benjamin Bagherty was fourteen when the master brought the new mistress of Rosings home. Like many going into service, he had left the fields when his father, a tenant farmer, died from an accident with his wagon team. It had been the only life Benjamin knew or wanted. Thankfully the Master of Rosings Park was a kind man. He gave the lad a job which would allow him to continue to feel the soil through his fingers. He was training as gardener and quite happy in that position.

The arrival of new mistress changed all of that.

Sir Lewis de Bourgh had always been an odd sort of man who moved from project to project in a haphazard manner and never seemed resolved on anything. Lady Catherine de Bourgh... she insisted upon being addressed always in that formal manner by everyone but the servants, who must always address her as "Your Ladyship," was firmly resolved about everything. From the very beginning she had a firm opinion on every detail of every aspect of every inch of Rosings Park, her husband, her tenants, and her servants. Her word was law and heaven help the person who crossed her.

Through whispered gossip, Benjamin knew that she was causing quite an upheaval in the great house, tossing away older pieces of furniture in favor of gaudier styles, forcing the house staff into "proper" and uncomfortable livery, and implementing a demanding cleaning schedule which kept everyone working from dawn to dusk. Worse, she was never satisfied.

Sir Lewis had taken to escaping into the gardens, smoking his pipe, fidgeting, and casting unhappy glances towards the manor. Often he would call young Benjamin over and ask him how he was getting on, how he liked his work, and about his ambitions for the future. The last was easy: Benjamin loved the soil. If he could not farm, then he wished to garden. At first Sir Lewis had promised to put him on a tenant plot when he came of age; under the reign of the new mistress, he refrained from making such promises.

More than one servant had a snide comment about the marriage bed when Her Ladyship became with child. Benjamin was still young and somewhat naïve, but he knew enough to wonder how his poor master could endure such proximity to his that woman. He chose to keep his focus on the gardens and give the concept no more thought. It was impossible to ignore the woman's pregnancy however because she became even more strident and demanding... if that was even possible.

Her attentions were not over. From the first day she had insisted upon a certain "appearance" from her staff. She wanted the maids who were seen to look a certain way. They could not be too pretty or too plain. They must ornament, but not allure. They must not have one single inch of undesirable plumpness. In essence, according to what Benjamin heard from the great house, she was all but starving the girls to achieve her ideal.

She also seemed to have an ideal for the men. The butler must be tall, stern, dignified, and as unemotional as a statue. The footmen must be handsome and tall, well-formed and also unemotional. Those staff members who could not achieve this ideal were either shunted off to "back of the house" positions or sent away without reference. Of course Sir Lewis did secretly write each one a letter of reference, but he seemed unable to impose any authority over his wife.

Unfortunately, Benjamin Bagherty was steadily growing into Her Ladyship's ideal for a footman. He was a handsome boy, strong of build, and promised to grow over six feet. At seventeen, his dark hair shrouded an already manly face and his mother's green eyes. Lady Catherine took one look at the boy and decided that he was wasted on the grounds; to the manor he must go! To add insult to injury, she was positively livid upon learning his family name, "I will not have any taint of Irish ancestry acknowledged in my home! You look English enough despite your unfortunate heritage. From now on you will be Benjamin Biggs."

Benjamin would have quit on the spot, but his entire world had centered around his father's farm and Rosings Park. He had no idea what else was out in the world or how to find another position. So "Biggs" he became. Her Ladyship must have liked his looks, because she kept him nearby throughout the day. That was the only sign of favor, however, because she never ceased to throw out instructions and orders, running him ragged and always accusing him of being a sluggard if he took even a moment longer to complete a task than she had estimated... which was true of every task.

Sir Lewis made himself scarce as often as possible and Benjamin quickly understood why when he saw the pair together. Her Ladyship never ceased to harangue her beleaguered husband, criticizing him, his family, and the shoddy way he managed the estate before she came to set things to right. To his credit, he did argue back at times, but Her Ladyship's will overpowered his and she always beat him back down to cowed submission.

Sir Lewis made young Benjamin into his confidant, perhaps due to their previous garden conversations... or perhaps because his wife had already replaced any other servant whose loyalties leaned towards her husband instead of her. While his wife napped in the early afternoon, Sir Lewis shared his woes, often while drinking too much. Benjamin learned that Sir Lewis had set his sights on a different young lady, but an "accident" had left him honor-bound to offer for Lady Catherine. Though he knew little of the world, Benjamin suspected that Her Ladyship had engineered the accident.

He also learned that Sir Lewis' health was not as it should be, and he needed an heir to pass on his estate. In fact, he was the only servant attending the master when he met clandestinely with his solicitor to change his will. Ben... as Sir Lewis now fondly addressed the footman in private... was asked to promise his absolute silence concerning these meetings. Oddly enough, the master did choose to pass on the gist of alterations: Boy or girl, the newborn child would became the sole heir of Rosings Park and Sir Lewis' vast fortune. If Sir Lewis died before the child was of age, then the estate would fall under the management of Her Ladyship's brother, the Earl of Matlock, or his designated representative. Her Ladyship would receive her dowry and jointure, but not a farthing more.

Her Ladyship's family visited as she neared her confinement. The staff were quite surprised to find them nothing at all like their mistress. They were certainly aware of their superior position, but still a cheerful, well-spoken, and pleasant group. Lady Anne Darcy, Her Ladyship's younger sister, was beautiful and the opposite of the mistress in every way imaginable. She had a little five year old son who was already quite the little gentleman... except when he and his cousins, the Earl's sons, got up to mischief.

Lady Catherine was livid when she delivered a girl child. For almost a week she would not even allow the rebellious infant into her presence. Then she fixated on the idea of marrying the child off to her sister's son when they came of age. Lady Anne laughingly pushed aside the idea. Mr. Darcy was less sanguine about Her Ladyship's assertions. Within Ben's hearing, he told his wife, "Your sister will never have any claim or control over Pemberley, Darling. On this issue I will never bend."

The family returned to their own lives and homes. Lady Catherine quickly regained her former strength and continued making life miserable for all within her reach. Although she demanded Sir Lewis' attentions in order to produce an heir, there was no amity between them. Whenever possible, however, Sir Lewis would sneak off to spend time with his little infant daughter. He loved the child dearly and played with her whenever he could steal a moment with her. The staff wisely chose to keep this a secret from Her Ladyship.

One day Sir Lewis pulled Benjamin aside for a private conference. Once assured of no listening ears, the master shocked the young footman by handing him an envelope with ten-pound notes amounting to two-hundred pounds. Benjamin had difficulty believing that so much money existed, much less that it was now in his hands, "Ben, I know that I can absolutely trust you, and I need to trust you now absolutely: I do not feel well. I have not felt well for a long time. You were with me when I made provisions for my dear little Anne, but my wife is a fearfully determined woman. She may find a way around my provisions. So I am giving you this money in trust. If my Anne ever needs emergency money to get away, then give this to her. If I am wrong and all is well, then please hand it to her when you feel it best." Sir Lewis also renewed his promise to give Benjamin a tenant farm when the time was right.

Benjamin was twenty when Sir Lewis died of a heart attack. The family had been preparing for a trip north to Derbyshire to visit Matlock and Pemberley. It was to be Benjamin's last trip as a footman. Sir Lewis had been as good as his promise and, when one of his tenant farms had become vacant, had held it until Benjamin's birthday. Once he came of age, Benjamin would once again become a farmer.

They made it as far as Bromley. Even riding atop the main carriage, Benjamin could hear that Her Ladyship was particularly strident and abusive in her speech that day. He had flinched several times at her sharp tone and could only imagine what it was like for Sir Lewis inside of the carriage. Then, suddenly, only a mile from the inn where they always refreshed themselves and changed horses, Her Ladyship's tone became frantic and she began slamming her cane against the roof.

Sir Lewis had collapsed onto the floor of the carriage. For the next several minutes Her Ladyship kept screaming out conflicting orders until, but happy chance, The town doctor rolled up in his little trap. Having just returned from a house call, he had his equipment next to him and was able to make a quick evaluation. Ignoring Her Ladyship's continual haranguing, he promptly instructed the coachman to continue on to his home, where Sir Lewis was put into his clinic. Sadly, there was little more to be done. Sir Lewis de Bourgh left his unhappy existence in the early afternoon.

Lady Catherine never shed a tear. She immediately turned her entourage around and returned to Rosings with her husband's corpse. She must have suspected an alteration in the will, because she made no move to inform the family or to notify the solicitor. Sir Lewis was placed in-state in the ice house and thereafter ignored.

Unfortunately for her, Bromley was a well-traveled town and the word of Sir Lewis' passing quickly spread. Four days after Sir Lewis died, the solicitor and Lord Matlock appeared on Rosings' doorstep. Her ladyship was livid when the will was read and she learned the extent of her husband's solitary act of defiance. She tried in every way to set aside the new will, but to no avail. She was the mere caretaker and her child, who hadn't even had the good sense to be born a boy, was to inherit everything. Worst of all, Her Ladyship's younger brother, who she despised, had oversight over all her future dealings.

Benjamin Bagherty turned twenty-one amidst the chaos of those times. He held the contract making him the new tenant farmer for a very pretty and fertile little plot of land. He could leave Rosings Park and all of the disquiet. He could place as much separation as possible between himself and that hateful woman. He could touch the soil once again...

On the night of the funeral, he could not sleep. He found himself wandering the halls of Rosings Park, thinking of Sir Lewis. His feet took him to the nursery, where an exhausted nurse had fallen asleep in her chair while a four year-old, wide-awake Anne de Bourgh sat desolate and lonely, wishing her Papa would come and read to her. She smiled a happy smile upon seeing Benjamin and quietly ran to him with her book... and it was at that moment Benjamin knew that he could never leave Rosings while this innocent child was under that woman's thumb.

oOoOOoOo

Twenty years later, the man known to everyone except for Anne de Bourgh as "Biggs the Butler" watched as the seemingly sickly young lady was escorted off for an afternoon nap. He was, to all appearances, everything that Her Ladyship would demand in a butler: he was tall, imposing, handsome, and austere. He never smiled, never spoke more than the few words which Her Ladyship deemed absolutely necessary, and... as far as she knew... was fiercely loyal to her. After all, hadn't she plucked the poor boy out of obscurity in the garden, cleaned him up, and given him a rare opportunity to serve in one of the greatest houses in England?

What she did not know and could never know until the time was right was that her carefully selected "loyal" staff actually comprised two groups: Those, who like Mrs. Jenkins and the ridiculous Mr. Collins, were loyal to her and reported any tiny deviation from her orders, and those who Mr. Biggs had carefully and quietly recruited over the years. This second group was absolutely loyal to Miss Anne and devoted to her protection.

Benjamin had worked with extreme care from that first night when he read to the dear child Anne and made his decision. He observed. He listened. He had quiet conversations and then, with great care, he recruited others to his point of view. He had learned in being so close to Her Ladyship that even the slightest hint of disloyalty would ensure a prompt dismissal, so he trained himself and others to work silently and never reveal their true intent to protect and help the rightful owner of Rosings.

Lord Matlock was a disappointment. He had been chosen as the wall of protection for Anne against her mother. He should have removed the child altogether, but instead he left Anne under her mother's care with stern admonitions... and then became so engrossed in politics and his own growing empire that he all but forgot about his niece. In fact, as soon as his sons and nephew were old enough, he sent them to do the yearly overview instead of coming himself.

Once Her Ladyship was confident of her brother's indifference, she began to build a wall of control around her daughter so tight that only those who were already inside could reach her. All others, including the man who was her legal guardian, were kept from close contact with Miss de Bourgh. When Anne turned sixteen Lady Matlock, the Earl's wife, began insisting that Anne must begin the arduous training to make her bow and come-out so that she could meet eligible gentlemen. Anne became suddenly and mysteriously sick and could not make the journey. A seemingly tearful and worried mother wrapped her daughter in even greater control.

The whim of her early years returned then and Her Ladyship began insisting that young Mr. Darcy, who was his own master with the passing of both parents, was and had always been intended as Anne's husband. Benjamin could only surmise that the lady hoped that her daughter would be carted off to manage Pemberley and she would be left with control of Rosings... or perhaps she wished to control both estates? Regardless, she cast aside all discussions of introducing Anne to potential suitors.

Anne turned twenty-one and not a word was said concerning her inheritance. She turned twenty-two, then three, and then four with no alteration in her status. The butler did not know what to do. Who could he talk to? Who was trustworthy? It was Anne herself who provided the answer. She had spoken to Benjamin often during the years and knew where his true loyalty lay, still, she shocked him with what she told him. "Mr. Bagherty (she was one of the few who still knew his true name), I have suspected for years that my 'illness' was brought on by the medicines that Mother forced on me. She did not want me to go to London and out of her control. She did not want me to find a husband and she certainly didn't want me to come into my inheritance."

Benjamin, who had long suspected the same, only nodded. She continued, "So I spoke with Richard last year during his visit and asked for his help." Richard was Colonel Fitzwilliam, her cousin and the Earl's youngest son. "He conducted a quiet investigation and discovered that Dr. Perkins and Mrs. Jenkins are actually brother and sister... and that he is not a doctor at all. He was an apothecary who has served other wealthy clients in questionable practices. He and Mrs. Jenkins were hired by my mother to keep me drugged and subdued."

The butler was coldly furious, "If he learned all of this, then why haven't all three of them been hanged or deported?"

"Because we know that my mother would not be so easily deposed. She must have contingency plans. Richard got me replacement medicines which exactly match the old ones in appearance, but have no ill effect. I have been slowly recovering my strength and have now only to separate myself completely from my mother's control. Once I am safely removed and out of her reach, then we will act... which is why we need your help."

"Of course, Miss Anne. All you need do is ask."

"In a few days, Mother is going to learn that Darcy has attached himself to Miss Elizabeth Bennet." the butler remembered the vivacious and fearless young woman who had visited the parson's wife in the spring. Never before had he seen someone who was so unintimidated by Her Ladyship. "Dear Mrs. Collins, who is a part of our scheme, is going to drop the hint about an engagement to her fool of a husband and... as you know... he will rush to my mother's feet to inform her."

Benjamin looked concerned, "Is this true? Will she take action against the young woman?"

Anne laughed, "My mother is slightly fearful of Darcy, but she will certainly believe that she can intimidate Miss Elizabet. To do this, she will have to travel to Hertfordshire, a journey of fifty miles. Even on good roads, it will take much of a day... and another to return."

"You do not believe that she will succeed with Miss Elizabeth?"

Ann chuckled, "Benjamin, to the best of my knowledge, there is no engagement. Darcy certainly seemed interested, but he is so tied to his duty that he may never propose. The object of this plan is not to impact Darcy's chances, but to remove Mother from Rosings for at least a day."

Then the butler understood, "At which time you will also remove yourself."

"Correct... only, to succeed in this, we need to keep Mother's spies out of my path, beginning with Mrs. Jenkins. Mr. Collins will almost certainly be expected to accompany my mother, but there must be others who would try to prevent my departure."

Benjamin took the hand of Miss Anne de Bourgh for the first time since she was little, "You leave that to me. You have more friends at Rosings than you know. Now, for a journey into the unknown, you will need funds... and I know just where to lay my hands on them."

oOoOOoOo

Exactly as Anne had predicted, a furious Lady Catherine and a sniveling Mr. Collins departed Rosings in the pre-dawn two days later. After a nervous and worried breakfast, Mrs. Jenkins felt unusually sleepy. Though such behavior were specifically forbidden, she soon laid her head against the back of her chair and commenced to snore. In other parts of the house, other servants loyal to Her Ladyship also experienced similar conditions. Soon only those in the house who looked to the butler for guidance were still up and moving.

It was ten in the morning when Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam rode up in a cheerful little carriage and greeted his cousin with a kiss on her cheek. She blushed and kissed him directly on his lips. The butler, observing the action, nodded knowingly, having long suspected that attachment. The Colonel grinned widely, "Biggs, how are you this fine morning?"

"I am well, Sir," Benjamin gave the Colonel one of his very rare smiles, "And wish you safety on your journey."

Richard handed Anne in and grinned, "Mrs. Collins saw to the packing of a lunch basket, Anne, so we shall have no need to stop for a good little while. Biggs, I apologize for any discomfort that our actions may cause you and your people..."

The butler waved him off, "We have waited and worked for this day. The only day which will be better will be when Miss de Bourgh assumes her rightful place as Mistress of Rosings."

Richard and Anne nodded. Anne shouted as the Colonel whipped the pair of horses into motion, "Soon, Benjamin. Very soon!"

oOoOOoOo

Lady Catherine's attempt to intimidate Miss Elizabeth failed. Her subsequent confrontation with Mr. Darcy also failed. Little did she know it, but when she complained of Miss Elizabeth's refusal to comply, it gave Mr. Darcy the impetus he needed to finally renew his proposal. She was the catalyst that made her daughter's fake ploy a reality.

Lady Catherine then went to lay siege to Matlock House, her brother's London residence. Lord Matlock, being fully aware of his youngest son's current adventure, found ways to delay his irritating sister and keep her in London for another full two days. By that time Richard and Anne had wed by common license. They had also well and thoroughly consummated their union. Then, cognizant of the urgency of their next move, they made their appearance at the office of the solicitor of Sir Lewis.

Lady Catherine returned to Rosings already in a rage. So angry was she at all and sundry that she refused to speak to anyone. Instead she removed to her room where she drank too much of her favorite sherry and faded off to sleep. Mrs. Jenkins and several other staff members who had woken to learn of Miss de Bourgh's absence had already fled the scene of the crime rather than face Lady Catherine's wrath.

Mr. Collins slunk off to Hunsford Cottage and bemoaned the foolishness of his "seductress" cousin. Mrs. Collins listened solemnly, hiding her glee at the recounting of Eliza's defiance and wishing she could have been there to hear the confrontation.

By the time that Her Ladyship woke in the afternoon of the following day, Lord Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, the newly Married Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and an army of men were already seizing control of Rosings. Much screaming ensued, but by the evening Lady Catherine was sitting in a carriage surrounded by four of the largest footmen she had ever seen, on her way to an exclusive and very remote, sanitarium which specialized in mental issues. Lord Matlock had been hesitant about this step until he encountered his elder sister as a screaming, frothing banshee who seemed to possess a vocabulary fit to make a sailor blush. He would carry a scar on his left cheek from her attack for the remainder of his days.

oOo

Rosings Park became a much different place under the management of Mrs. Anne Fitzwilliam and her cheerful husband. The servants were happy, the tenants were happy, and even their neighbors were well-pleased. Sadly, Anne would always experience certain health issues due to her long-term exposure to untested, unwanted, and unnecessary medicines, but she did recover most of her strength. The loving couple were only able to produce one child, a boy who was named Lewis, but that was enough and they were satisfied.

Mr. Collins was kept on at the Hunsford parsonage, mostly for the sake of Anne and Richard's dear friend Charlotte Collins. Richard and Anne did, however, put an end to all groveling and obsequious behavior. The parson was expected to write his own sermons, based upon scripture and not the words of his patroness. He passed away before Mr. Bennet and the living at Hunsford also passed on, but Anne insisted on moving Mrs. Collins into Rosings until almost a decade later when it was time for her son to take the reigns of Longbourn. The connection between Rosings, Longbourn, and Pemberley continued for generations thereafter.

Anne did offer Benjamin the farm that her father had previously promised. He chose instead to end out his days as the now cheerful butler of Rosings Park.