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

A sister's Folly

Albert went to see Charles, and he was concerned. "Charles, your sister tried to kill Wickham. You need to keep her under watch. I was going to court her, but she is petty and, frankly, a nasty person. Reggie, my cousin, has told me of an impropriety beyond the pale, indeed, absolutely beyond acceptable behavior. She is a threat to your happiness."

Charles nodded, his cravat looked in disarray; he wasn't his jovial self, "I don't want to know, but I must, what behavior?"

"It is most indelicate; she was spying on the Darcy when, ahem, they were in, ahem, their room. You understand. That is not all, she has done the same to my cousin. She forbade Mrs. Hurst to be with her husband on the marriage bed."

Charles was mortified, no respectable lady would do that. Maybe one of his mistresses would have done it. He would never get Miss Bennet with his sister around. She needed a husband or to go to his aunt.

"I am lost; what can I do?"

Louisa was at the door, "Charles, I must see you. Caroline is mad, she won't respect my marriage. She spies, never mind. I will lose my husband because of her. Oh, excuse me, I hadn't seen you." She saw Albert and blushed dark red.

"Yes, my dear, I will see. "Charles looked tired, he was unhappy with the disclosures.

Louisa ran away.

Charles had to believe it. He knew of Caroline's domineering personality, but this went beyond it. If he were to have a chance with Miss Jane, who was not only pretty but also had a respectable dowry, he needed Caroline far away. Never mind his body yearned for her. He had seen the Hurst and Wickham, who attracted many ladies, favoring her.

When Louisa closed the door, Albert said, "Marry your sister, I know of two possibilities, both are looking for a young woman with a dowry. They both would be willing to overlook a lot. One is a Vicar, a widower, his father has a title, he has a young son. The other owns an estate near mine, he doesn't like the Ton. Both are in their early thirties. One is a third son, the other a fourth son. Both come from good families; they are healthy, and I guess good looking enough, but neither like London or 'polite society.'"

"Can you ask? For now, she is going to London with my aunt. You are right."

"As a precaution, make sure she is watched."

Darcy knocked, "Jak's uncle is here, we will be leaving today with the Bennet. I cannot allow more harm to come to my family."

"Caroline is leaving today, I promise."

"I will go around the estate with you right now. Tobias will stay for a few days, he knows estate management."

Darcy wanted Charles to prosper, but he felt obliged to tell him, "You must find a wife to help you, one that knows how to run an estate. However, with Miss Bingley around, it would be difficult to secure such a wife."

Charles went to look for Miss Bennet, shortly before they were leaving, "Miss Bennet, would you go for a stroll with me?"

Jak heard, and made sure they would be followed. Otherwise, it would be difficult to know if the enemies invaded one of them.

When they went outside, Charles offered his arm, "I would like the chance to court you. There is no one as lovely as you."

Jane's heart fluttered, "Oh, I see. How flattering, I have a concern, your sister, Miss Bingley. I don't think she likes my family."

Charles answered quickly, "She is not going to live with me. She is leaving today."

Finally, Jane agreed to correspond with him. He would come later to visit Mr. Darcy, if all were well between them, Jane would consider Charles' request.

His heart soared, he had high hopes. He knew it depended on Caroline staying away. Though Jane could see herself with Mr. Bingley, she wanted the passion that Lizzie had with Richard, and now with Mr. Darcy. Their eyes followed each other. Besides, Mr. Darcy wouldn't let a sister like Caroline walk all over him. Jane still wanted the same. She hoped Mr. Bingley would keep his sister away.

Going Home

That same day, Caroline left slightly ahead of the Darcy. Caroline had money put away that she kept with her. Caroline wasn't going away with her aunt. Thus, she paid the companion and the coachman to take her to a friend's home. But she wasn't alone, she was being followed, one reported to Jak. The other one, Lady Sil's husband, didn't dare to come close, he would be noticed, and their Lord was already aware of him. The one passing for a footman was one of his Lord's men.

Lady Sil followed Darcy but lost them when they entered a passage forbidden to others. By then, the carriage with the Bennet and George was gone. No matter what, there were ways to find out. It would take a little longer. The baby must die without harming the mother. She had no idea that the baby wasn't Darcy's.

Home

Elizabeth in-laws were static to have their 'girl' back. "Frederick will be here in a few days."

Jak's uncle tensed. He was introduced as Uncle Dax. "I heard of Frederick, he ran around on his wife. I think he wants his wife back. He has no other interest, William's wife is to be used as bait, I think." He told them.

To Elizabeth's misfortune, Frederick arrived less than an hour after they did. His two sons were with him, Otto and Albert, 16 and 14 years old. They didn't hide their dislike for Elizabeth but liked William, Jak, and Uncle Dax. They came on time for lunch.

After lunch, they went to the drawing-room. Elizabeth sat with her brothers.

"Have you heard where is our mother?" Otto asked.

Elizabeth looked sad, "I wish that I knew, I worry daily."

"She only loved you." Albert accused Elizabeth.

Uncle Dax, sitting near them, stood up, the hawk flew closer, "Maybe she is sad missing you all, but knows you are fine. Maybe she sees you often. Didn't the ones who saw her said that she went to the forest? Where?"

"Who knows, maybe he had a carriage, then my mother escaped back to England," Otto observed.

"Maybe he wasn't from this world," Uncle Dax lowered his voice.

Otto laughed derisively, but Albert sounded interested, "Yes, I have thought about it, others in the Black Forest think so. He was very tall, like you. "

Elizabeth agreed, "I thought of the same, but if so," she looked at her disguised father, "why not tell us and make us suffer?"

Dax saw Elizabeth's anger; they had not discussed her mother until now. He answered, "Perhaps because she could be in mortal danger, what if he is a king of his people, and there are enemies everywhere. According to the lore, your mother is still a mortal. She will be a mortal until all her children reunite with her, and that might take a while."

Otto was upset, "I would go with her now. Imagine the chance to see what others haven't seen before. I am going to be an explorer in any case. She didn't give us a chance. Besides, she married my father."

Albert agreed, "Me too, we never see our father," he lowered his voice, "he is worse than ever, he is always gone with his many mistresses. My mother was sad, but she was always with us. We miss her." Albert was miserable.

Elizabeth's eyes were full of tears. Albert noticed, "You really don't know?"

She shook her head, "I don't, at least you grew up with her, you never asked how it was for me. My mother, Mrs. Bennet, never liked me, she treated me with contempt. I use to wish that aunt Penny, your mother, was mine. I saw how much she loved you two. I envied you."

The three siblings had never talked before like this, and, now, they felt united in their sorrow. Otto surprised her by moving next to her and holding her hand, "Don't be sad, it isn't good for your baby."

Warrior agreed by barking twice. The puppy jumped on Otto and licked his hand.

Both young men laughed. "Why do you have a hawk? I wish I had one," Albert observed.

Dax asked, "Going back to our conversation, so the two of you would be willing to leave your home to be with her? Your father would miss you."

"Ja, for a day, he sees us a day a week, for Sunday services, lunch, and coffee." Albert sounded bitter.

Dax added, "I see, but what if maybe she was married before, to whoever took her?"

"Ha, she was sixteen, she wasn't married." Otto ascertained.

"Not all marriages are the same. I have an interesting proposition. I have done studies, and believe there are other worlds, and openings are connecting those worlds to ours. I have a theory, maybe you two can come with me tomorrow, I believe there might be such a door near here. Who knows."

Albert nodded, "Maybe we can find our mother!"

Elizabeth wasn't daft, "Yes, I agree, when are we going?"

Dax wouldn't look at her, "You cannot come, my dear, you cannot risk the babe."

"If they go, I will go." Elizabeth was stubborn.

She heard inside her head, "If you cross with the child in you, you cannot come back. Please let me go alone. Too many dangers, unless you are ready to leave it all behind." Elizabeth wasn't ready. She would talk to her father later.

"If we find her, we aren't coming back, and your husband will be sad," Albert told Elizabeth.

Dax shook his head, "We will see, maybe staying is not an option, not yet. For now, don't say a word to your father. Otherwise, he might stop us."

Elizabeth noticed the puppy favored her half-brothers. She understood they were being watched and protected. They sat to make plans for the outing the next day. Elizabeth needed to talk to her father, now disguised as Dax. If they were going to see her mother, she wanted the same chance and wanted to make sure her brothers came back.

Discussion

They sat in the corner of the large drawing-room. Frederick was drinking cognac with the Earl, Darcy, and Jak.

"Sir, with all due respect, you won't take my wife with you. She is birthing the heir to this house."

"I carry a letter that says otherwise. It would be easier for everyone if my wife's child came on her own. She was my ward when she married you."

The Earl intervened, "We won't abide by your letter, I have solicitors looking into it. We can disappear, Elizabeth. Let's be clear; why do you want my daughter?"

"Because she is my responsibility. I would be remiss not to warn you, I am related to two royal houses. You have a battle in your hands. It is also true that she has a brilliant mind; she can be of great help in my professional endeavors. Not only that, but Elizabeth might be an incentive for my estranged wife to return."

"You want to use my wife as bait? Most reprehensible, have you not considered the pain you will cause to both the Fitzwilliams and me? Richard was my brother; I swore to him. I would take care of her."

Frederick answered, "So you have an incentive to help me find my wife. The sooner that I find her, the better."

Darcy looked at the elegantly dressed blond man. If he ever thought of himself being proud, Frederick was even more. Frederick's specs didn't diminish his good looks. He was tall but shorter than him; he was clean-shaven and well-groomed. His clothes were the latest fashion, yet understated. He wore several family rings, and his buttons were made of gold and silver. He was in his early forties but could pass for younger. Darcy could see how women would flock to him.

"Why do you want her back?" The Earl asked him. "I heard from her brother that you carried on with several ladies since your early marriage."

Frederick laughed, "Who said that a man cannot have other paramours? I like variety; it doesn't mean I don't love my wife. I loved her since I saw her in the market. You cannot be so provincial to expect a man to stick to his wife's skirts."

"I believe in being faithful, I don't find it a provincial concept." The Earl's voice was harsh.

"Same here, if you married in love, why seek elsewhere? If that is life..." Darcy was interrupted.

They hadn't seen Otto and Albert stand and walked towards them.

"Yes, father, why to seek elsewhere, mother cried a lot. She was sad when you wouldn't come back for days. I used to blame her, but I have learned a lot since." Otto's voice was bitter.

"You are insolent, we are talking between adults, not with children. Bitte, Sohn, du must jetzt gehen. Du bringst mich in Verlegenheit. Ruhe, sofort."

"I won't leave or be quiet; it is true. We wish mother had taken us with her." Otto said, Albert, who was right behind, joined his brother.

"It's all your fault," Albert pointed his finger at his father. He was going to say more when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Come with me, let's go outside with the hawk. Maybe Uncle Dax can accompany us." It was Elizabeth. Albert was already much taller than she was. Surprisingly, her hand calmed him.

Warrior barked excitedly; the puppy, Thor, now attached to the young men, banged its tail.

The tension was high. Frederick clenched his jaw. Darcy and his uncle both looked stressed.

Jak joined, "Good idea, and then we can ride the horses, they are magnificent. Later we can practice archery. if it is already dark, maybe we can practice how to use a knife in combat."

"Or we could go and see the new plants we are growing, Albert; I know you are interested in our projects." Elizabeth proposed.

Otto wanted to fight, but he was more interested in the offer. Nevertheless, "If I find mother, I will go with her, and tell her not to come back. Why bring her back?"

With this, both brothers left the room.

Frederick was furious, "They are in a difficult age, they blame everyone. When my wife is back, everything will be better. When they go to see the plants, I will join them." He had closed the discussion. No more, they switched to other topics.

Darcy saw an angle, the sons. Frederick didn't want Elizabeth, but who knew? Both Bennet and his uncle had told him about Frederick, and Darcy wasn't going to take any chances.

When he saw Elizabeth was going for a walk, he decided to join. Frederick wanted to rest and went to his room.

"So many birds and some seem to be following," Albert observed. "Maybe it is true, many of the workers at our country home said the man who came is a forest dweller, magical folk. He was dressed as royalty, they said. Lizzie, are you a forest dweller?"

Elizabeth grinned, "Do I look like one?"

"No, just asking." Albert grinned, making Elizabeth like him. "How did you get the hawk?"

Darcy answered, "It was an odd occurrence, Elizabeth was in peril, and the hawk stopped the abduction. You will hear it from many of the house staff."

Otto sighed, "I wish that I had one."

They were walking through a lightly wooded area when they heard a rustle ahead of them; something dropped on the ground. Darcy pulled out a pistol; he now carried at all times. Jak pulled out a knife, the same as Dax.

"Stand still," Dax ordered, "I will see what it is."