The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

Jane's Lost Cause and Family

Richard went with Fergus to check the room George Wickham was trying to access.

"Bingley was your good friend. Are you still close to him?" Leonidas asked William casually, "I just want to know where your sympathies lay."

William understood this was a loaded question, "Honestly, Charles no longer likes me; it is an old story not worth mentioning. You should know I don't condone what he did. There is no excuse, he was my friend, and Jane is my sister; he risked ruining her and her other sisters as well. Besides, you married her; you apologized, and I know first hand, we have made mistakes, you and I. So, you decide where my sympathies lay. I saw the way she kissed you at the church; I need to tell you that I don't understand Jane." William shook his head, thinking he had seen a lover's kiss, one that left him wondering how Jane could kiss Leonidas so and cry for Charles? He heard men saying Leonidas was lucky right before he was stabbed.

Alexis chuckled, "Who does? Good answer. I knew I could trust you." He changed, no longer smiling, "I didn't know Bingley's sisters were spreading rumors; how did they know, where you aware; why haven't you alerted me?" Alexis seemed like a hawk, waiting for the wrong answer to come down on Darcy.

William hesitated, but he reminded Alexis what happened at the visit to Charles when they went to pay their respects. "Lizzie was saying something to you when I saw the sisters talking to Jane. They were friendly which I found odd, considering how she used to feel about them. She left the room with them. I thought you noticed; when Jane was no longer in the drawing room with other visitors, you went to find her."

"Ah, you think they were helping their brother to deceit us; I see. No, I didn't see them; I saw that neither Jane nor Bingley were in the room. I went to find Jane; when I found them, she made up a feeble excuse I believed." Alexis clicked his teeth, clearly disapproving. "Leonidas, I think we need to talk to the Bingley sisters; it probably started at the wedding, harpies. Enough for now, here we are. Georgiana said these two were your great grandparents." He pointed at the portrait.

William nodded. "Look at them carefully; the man who does he remind you of?" Alexis asked Leonidas.

"That is my father's uncle; the one that left with his wife." Leonidas looked amazed.

William saw the resemblance, nearly a copy of Leonidas; the long hair threw him off. Alexis wasn't done.

He went to another picture, "And this lady?"

"A friend of their child, not sure." William shook his head.

"Take off the wig, and she is my cousin, Mari." Leonidas observed, astounded.

"Lady Mari is your cousin?" William was surprised.

"Yes, how do you think I found out Jane was there?" Leonidas shrugged a shoulder.

Alexis had a couple more, "Who is this lady? She looks a little like your lovely sister." He made a face that made Leonidas wink an eye at William, whose stomach churned; it confirmed Alexis held Georgie in high regards.

"My mother, she was Richard's aunt." William said.

Leonidas was speechless, "She looks a lot like Mother's best friend, murdered during, never mind. She was my godmother, the bastards. Alexis, she also knew your mother. I remember she used to say many of her relatives left."

William was shocked when Leonidas hugged him and kissed his cheeks. "I have more family, so many have died; Mari will like this. What happened to your mother and your father? They couldn't have been that old."

"My mother died; my father said she was poisoned. He suspected George's mother; you seem, my father was his lover before he married my mother. He wasted away after Mother died; same than my uncle and his father when their spouses died; ask Fergus, my uncle was his father. I told Alexis about it when we thought Lizzie was poisoned." William explained; but how could he be related to them?

"I remember; I know why they died. It is the reason I stayed away from relationships." Alexis explained. "It must be awful, it probably hurts more than losing Liza. But maybe you cannot hide forever."

"Same here, I thought I loved Liza, but I probably didn't. I am here looking for Jane; though, we never, you know. Often, the ones from our kind die after the spouse dies, so I kept my heart closed. It is complicated. I agree; Jane came as a surprise; you cannot hide forever. You may laugh, but when I went away, I thought of that smiling imbecile with Jane, and I couldn't stand it. William, Alexis had to stop me, I wanted to kill your Bingley. Jane is the one, not Liza; and I will not give her up, I cannot." Leonidas added.

William was confused; the ages didn't make sense. How was Leonidas, who looked 35 or so, if that old, but he heard he was 38, going to marry Lizzie's mother? Alexis had to be close to fifty. Liza must have been 18 or 19, that would had made Leonidas around eight years old.

Both men chuckled, "You think very loud. We will explain, but in a more private place. I think I know why others are trying to get in here; it is because of the special keys. They are not like keys you know, to the hidden paths. A key allowing them to travel further, at least one of the keys must be here. It also letter them lock who they were so they couldn't be found. It would let anyone enter the paths alone and go wherever they wish, hiding who they are. Enough for now; we need to talk longer. Let's go to see the ladies." Alexis said.

Leonidas hooked his arm with William, "Let's go, cousin."

Fergus was coming to meet them, "William, I am sorry, I forgot, an express came for you right before you arrived, here."

William opened it, read it, and, "He cannot just come, no, no. He presumes too much."

"Who?" Richard coming to meet them, asked, staring at William walking with Leonidas.

"Charles, he wants me to help him with Jane. He knows Jane is with us; he is on his way. He is coming with his sisters; they want to pay their respects for Leonidas' passing." William grimaced.

Leonidas made a dismissive gesture with his hand, "Let him; I will be waiting for him; as for the sisters, we won't have to look for them. I will come up in a little while; let me see my men; they are posted outside. They are from our families; they are always with me since they were cadets. I don't guess you know, I used to be a General before I was a diplomat; I never lost one man in battles. I will no lose the battle for Jane; it is not in my nature."

"Please have them come in for dinner; Miles has made sure they had tea." William already knew they were officers. He was right about Leonidas; he would make a dangerous enemy. He felt sorry for Charles, but not enough to go against Lizzie or her family. It was true that Jane wanted his help with Charles. Maybe he should talk to Lizzie; she would advise him well. Charles had a chance before and he wasted it; though, he still felt guilty for his advice about Jane.

Leonidas kissed William's cheek, "I am happy about the news. I'll tell Mari myself."

"I will accompany you," Alexis said and went with Leonidas.

When they left, Richard sighed, "You are turning Russian, kissing and linking arms. I never thought I would see this day."

Darcy chuckled, "They are different, but your father kisses you. It is not so new, my father and uncle were affectionate in private. We aren't because of the society. It is unreal, it would seem I am Leonidas's relative." He didn't say more. He guessed he would need to say more, later on, since the Fitzwilliams also had come from the same wherever.

"George was trying to get in one of the smaller reading rooms at the library. The locked room with the old texts. Is there maybe a vault? Fergus said a new footman alerted him someone was trying to break into the room. He said he heard noises. Fergus went out with a pistol and two footmen."

"No vault I know, but we can look later." William tried to think.

"What are the Bingley sisters doing? Bingley should not be coming here. I think you will have trouble." Richard looked worried.

"That is a given. " Alexis ascertained.

Sisterly Trouble

Jane stormed in Lizzie's room. Lizzie was in bed, her menagerie sat on her bed. Mari and Georgiana also sat on the bed. "Why is he here?" Alesia was behind Jane, but she went to sit on the bed.

"He, who?" Lizzie asked.

"Leonidas, why did he come back?"

Mari looked at her coldly. "We arrived safe because he is back; last I heard he was married to you."

"You should be glad it was staged. You are lucky, you should hear the debutants, all hoping Leonidas and Alexis would come to the last ball." Georgiana looked at Jane like she was daft. "They said they wished they would be chosen by either of them."

Jane ignored her and continued, "Tell your husband to ask him to leave. You said you would ask him about, you know."en

Georgiana was outraged, "William won't do such thing. He is your husband; Mr. Bingley is nothing compared to him. His sisters were talking very loud about you having an affair of the heart with Mr. Bingley. I heard and others did as well."

Jane denied it, "They wouldn't!"

"And why not? Did they change overnight? Georgiana isn't lying, neither is Mary. She came to tell me, and I told her to tell our father." Lizzie shook her head, outraged.

Jane wouldn't back down. "It is a lie. I don't care, I want him gone. He had his things brought to my room when the carriages with his things arrived. Whose side are you on?"

"Jane, you married him, so your room is his room. Are you blind or deaf? What did they do to you? I hope that you were not foolish." Lizzie was raising her voice, so Michou started growling. "I saw the way you kissed Leonidas at the church, we all did."

William came in with Alexis; Jane stood with her hands clenched.

"Jane lower your voice. You are behaving badly; I am at the end of my rope. I heard you, and William won't ask him to leave. If you want me to get rid of your Bingley, just say so. He is dishonorable; in this intolerable society you will be ruined if anyone pays attention to his sisters. I never intrude, but I will make an exception. You know what I mean. I believed you twice, and you lied twice. Do you care about your sisters? It would seem not." Alexis was angry, his hair was alive, William noticed.

William added, "I just found out many things; you should know Leonidas is welcome at this home same than you. Please quit upsetting my wife. She will not ask me again what you wish; I will not do so such a thing."

Jane went to the door. Alexis stopped her, grabbing her arm. His face darkened, "I see, what were you thinking?"

Lizzie grimaced, she looked sick. William went to her, "Lizzie are you well?" Lizzie was crying, "I want my sister back. Her head is full of foolish romantic notions; what is wrong with her?" William held her, rubbing her back.

Leonidas came in without knocking. He could sense the conflict inside. He didn't look at Jane and went straight to Georgiana, kissed her twice, and then walked to Mari. "Mari, we have cousins, our father's uncle was their great grandfather. There is more, we can look at the portraits. William's mother looked much like one of our mother's best friends. It would seem we are cousins with the Darcy. We also saw a relative of Alesia. So the General comes from our people as well."

Georgiana applauded, "We have more family, how grand. I am happy." Georgiana went to hug Mari. Mari kissed her. "So many died, and, now, I have a young sister. It is good, my parents were murdered. Leonidas´s parents raised me, until they were gone."

William also hugged Mari. It was an emotional moment.

Jane knew any chances she had were gone. She could feel her uncle's anger. Leonidas had heard her from outside, turned to look at her, "You should know your father went to warn Bingley to stay away. Your mother and sisters are distressed over the rumors. My dear, I don't care about what you might have done. I was not an angel. Though you best hope whatever happened was without consequences, or Bingley's days are numbered. You are my wife; and you should know we don't divorce. I will not give up what is mine."

She looked at her uncle, begging not to say anything. Her uncle looked the other way. Lizzie started sobbing; she lost all color. Alexis went to Lizzie, "Don't upset the babies; if something happens to them, I would be rather unhappy, particularly if it is over Jane's bad judgement. Please take care."

William stood up, "Jane, I wrote Charles asking him to come when you were here, after I married Lizzie. He wrote he wouldn't come because he had found a 'proper' wife. I invited him because I wanted to please my wife. As your brother I want you to understand if Charles met with you before his wife died, his intentions might not have been honorable. Please think about your sisters."

Leonidas went to the door, "I am tired; I haven't slept in a day or so. I am going to bed to take a nap."

William walked him to the door, "See you at dinner, cousin." Leonidas hugged him, he looked weary. Mari sat by Georgie, holding her hand.

After Leonidas closed the door, Jane's uncle looked at her coldly, "My dear, I recommended you go to your room. Unless you don't care about anyone else. My sister would have been disappointed."

Jane looked at her feet, then she looked at Lizzie, who seemed terribly sad. Jane turned and left the room. Once she was gone, Georgiana was bubbly, talking about the baby news. Lizzie wished to influence Jane but she…She lifted her head. "Uncle, one of our tutors said there were ways to influence us. Maybe Jane is, well, I am saying."

Alexis shook his head, "I will look, but I think Mr. Bingley is charming, and Jane is not thinking too much. Enough said, maybe is time we celebrate your good news."

Someone was knocking at the door. One of the Russian footmen stood next to a new Pemberley's footman. "May I talk to Mr. Darcy? It is of the upmost importance."

Darcy noticed the educated accent, "Yes, I will talk to you outside. Let's go to my office."

Alexis wasn't trusting anyone, "William, may I come with you?"

"Thanks, I rather you stay up here." Darcy noticed the footman's hesitation. On the way to the office , he asked, "You are the new man, right? You alerted Mr. Fergus about a man trying to break in?"

"Yes, Mr. Darcy." The man answered quickly.

He saw Fergus in the office, "Please wait right outside," William asked. Fergus nodded.

He closed the door, the footman appeared nervous. William sat on his desk, opened a drawer slightly to pull a pistol. "Sir, I was sent by someone who knew your grandfather. He recognized you after your Lady married you. He worries you are in danger, and wanted me," he stopped to pull an envelope out his vest, "to give you this. Your Ladyship is with child which is worrisome. I am sorry but I overheard. Wickham was with, shall we say, unsavory characters."

William read the scroll. "I see, you are not a footman. I would prefer my wife's uncle reads the message."