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

Mother's Love

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

He moved with the puppy on his heels; Darcy stood behind Elizabeth and Jak in front. They looked around the wooded area, all apprehensive.

Dax bent to pick up something, "Nobody is around," he said after surveying the area. The wind blew gently between the trees. The forest was quiet but for the rustling of the leaves, and the noise of the wind. There was nothing else around.

Dax carried a small box. "It is made of the same wood of the coffer I got when I married," Elizabeth observed.

She looked at Dax, who winked. What was going on?

It had a note tied with a ribbon. "Here, give it to me. I want to read it." Otto took the letter.

"I recognize the writing. It is from Mutti," he sounded excited.

"I want to read it." Albert tried to take it away.

"You can see it later, I will read." Otto insisted.

"Not here, not here. Let's go back. But not a word to your father." Dax told them.

Otto said, "I wouldn't tell him."

Albert agreed, "Let's go back, but I want to hold the box. "

Otto griped, "Du bist ein Kind; yes, you are a child."

Albert ignored him, putting the box inside his satchel.

Elizabeth wasn't so easily assuaged, "If it is from our mother, maybe she is around. I want to look for her."

Darcy stopped her, "No, I agree with Dax, we go back. What if this is all a trick."

In the end, they went back. Darcy liked how well the siblings were getting along. He grinned at her temper display. His wife didn't like being crossed. He loved looking at her slender back; she looked tiny, walking between her tall brothers. Not once, she looked back; Dax was also grinning, Darcy observed.

Elizabeth said, loud enough for the others walking with them to hear, "We will go to my room, just the three of us, to read the message there. That way, your father cannot come and find out what we are reading."

They nearly ran to her room, Darcy let them, looking amused. When they were in, Elizabeth locked the front door right away. At first, they sat in her receiving room, the puppy sat between the boys, and Warrior sat on Albert's lap. Otto pulled out the letter and read.

"My beloved children, you don't know how much it hurts not being around you. However, my husband, or the one that I call my husband, has many enemies. Thus, I could endanger your life and mine if I came to see you. I do wish we could all be together, and maybe that is a possibility in some years to come. Besides, if you were to come, my beloved sons, your father, would be heartbroken."

Otto stopped reading to harrumph, "Ja, Ja, Father would miss us, indeed." He shook his head, sighed, and continued reading.

"For now, I can neither tell you where I am nor tell you anything about my life here. But know that I can see you from where I am. It is difficult to explain, but it is the truth, my husband has made it possible. Though I'm not allowed to come there if you wish to come and see me, say the words.

I never had favorites, but I had to give up my daughter when I was but 16. I was your age, my Otto. I missed her, but I didn't love her best. How could I? Each one of you is precious, my children are my treasures.

Time moves differently where I am. I was surprised to find out that over three years have gone by since I left. I am sorry for hurting you. My sons, you have grown so tall. I am glad to see some of my brother Thomas on you two, of my father, of the Bennet men, my handsome young men.

My Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could be there with you. Be careful, and don't take any chances with the precious babe you are carrying.

I know that the two of you, Otto and Bert, wanted a hawk, so I have a present for you. Perhaps not a hawk, but I am sure you will like it. When you are ready, open a window and whistle.

I won't be able to write often, but remember that if you want to see me, just say it. Open the box; there is something inside for each of you. Keep this letter a secret from everyone but the ones who already know.

Your loving mother, Penelope."

They were all quiet, not sure of what to say.

Elizabeth spoke first, "Do you still like to be called Bert?" She asked Albert.

"Ja, it sounds better." Albert grinned.

"Bert, it is. It is a good idea since we have friends arriving, one is called Albert. I will tell William."

"Bert now quit waiting and open the box first," Otto hurried Bert.

Inside the box, they found three miniatures, life-like portraits of their mother. The paintings were more than a picture. Each was encased in glass, they thought. When they picked them up, their 'portrait' spoke, moving the lips, it looked alive, "I love you. I will be watching over you. Make sure you keep this away from others. They will only see a portrait, but it is best to hide it. You can hang it around your neck along with the pendant."

The three were in awe. There were three leather and gold chains with a square pendant engraved with symbols. A small note read, "Never take them off; they will protect you and allow someone to find you; nobody will be able to see them. Whatever you hang on, this chain will remain invisible to others but the three of you."

Lastly, there were three small leather bags, with caramels inside. Each opened one and had one of the candies. They were the sons' favorites, an old Bennet recipe. "Oh, look," Elizabeth noticed, each bag had three caramels before and still had three.

Albert grinned, he put the three pieces in his mouth at once. They were all guffawing, Albert couldn't close his mouth. He finally was able to chew the sticky confection. His bag was still full. "I was right, it is magic."

Sadly the letter was blank. The siblings wanted to reread it, but once they'd read it, the writing disappeared. But now they knew, their mother was somewhere. Elizabeth wanted to ask her father but decided not to.

"Mutti, we want to see you," Otto looked at the portrait expecting an answer, but none was forthcoming.

"Wait," Bert ran to the window and whistled, the dogs came and looked up, and the hawk screeched. Elizabeth and Otto followed Bert. They looked outside expectantly. Two birds flew inside, two tiny falcons, not a kind any of them knew. Each flew to one of the boys, and perched on the respective shoulder; neither felt claws.

"They are so pretty," Elizabeth exclaimed, the boys were speechless. "They have a paper tied to their legs," she pointed, "let's sit on my bed."

They took off their shoes and sat over the bed, Elizabeth reclined a little, grateful to stretch. Anyone who saw them would see they were at ease with each other. When the boys were younger, before they resented Elizabeth, they would come into Lizzie's room and would sit on her bed, cross-legged, just like at this time. Her brothers were entirely at ease with Elizabeth, she liked that.

Otto extended his arm, and the falcon landed on it, screeched, and looked at Otto, who grinned from ear to ear. The hawk stretched his leg. Elizabeth reached, to their surprise, the falcon opened his wing and caressed her hand. Bert applauded, "Großartig, tolle! "

Elizabeth chuckled and read, "I am Dina, I can hide in your pocket. Don't waste my talent hunting. I don't like mice and won't eat them. I prefer a chicken or a rabbit filet, perhaps slightly sautéed; raw meat doesn't sound appealing."

The three siblings laughed. Bert's girl, both females, had a similar note. And a little more, "We are no ordinary falcons, you will find out," her name was Nina. Nina had a darker face.

Warrior tried to get closer and barked playfully. Nina took off, flying around him, then chasing him. The three of them sat to laugh when Dina joined. Thor, the puppy, was indifferent, he sat to look. Warrior yapped and barked, and the siblings laughed loudly and egged Warrior.

Darcy knocked, "What is all the noise?"

Bert ran to unlock the door, "William, come in and look." He grabbed Darcy's hand and pulled him in. Darcy closed the door behind him. He looked at Otto sitting on their bed, and Elizabeth reclining, he smiled. It made him happy. Baby Richard agreed, he couldn't wait to see his uncles. He knew that his uncles would love him.

"What do we have here?" Warrior was playing with the tiny birds, he liked them and wasn't hunting them, just playing. Darcy sat on the bed, and Bert and Otto talked at the same time, they showed him the caramel bags. Darcy took a piece, "Lovely sweets, darling, did you get one?" He noticed the pouches indeed refilled. She nodded, and he grinned.

When they showed him the pictures, they were just a small painting, very life-like. "Your mother is lovely. My dear, she looks a little like you. But how are you going to explain your falcons to your father?" He asked the young men.

Otto answered, "He doesn't have to know, see?" He whistled, and Dina flew inside the satchel he still carried. Bert whistled, and Nina flew inside his large jacket's pocket.

"Brilliant, I am a little jealous. So your mother sent them to you?" Darcy asked.

Otto and Bert, nodded, all traces of bitterness and sadness were gone. None of them knew, but the pendants were working, erasing past hurts.

Bert stood to sit next to Lizzie, "William, if we cannot get our mother back, maybe we could stay with you?" His eyes looked hopeful, he held Lizzie's hand.

Darcy raised his eyebrow, they went from not liking Lizzie to being best friends. It could be a good thing, but he would have to share Lizzie, or maybe not.

"If your father allows it, right," Lizzie looked sad, knowing that it wouldn't happen. Her brothers were being raised by tutors and house employees. They went to a local school, and they didn't like it. But who knew, maybe she had magic, or whatever was, she would try to convince Frederick, gentle persuasion. Why not? It was for a good cause. Baby Richard kicked agreeing.

Otto noticed the kick. "is that the baby? May I touch?" The baby's body parts were visible, and Bert was fascinated.

"Yes, give me your hand," Lizzie placed Otto's hand over her belly. Otto's smile was luminous. Of course, Bert had also asked to to touch. Darcy understood the brothers would have never asked if Elizabeth was not their sister. They studied science and knew about the pregnancy.

Once Bert also touched Lizzie's stomach, they looked at each other smiling.

"Baby, I am your uncle," Otto whispered.

Once they had touched the active baby, Otto asked, "Since I am the oldest, I will be the godfather, right Lizzie?"

Darcy guffawed, Otto was claiming his rights. Lizzie deferred the answer, but they were too happy to argue.

Otto stood and sat between Darcy and Elizabeth by pushing Darcy a little. Darcy sighed, oh yes, he would have to share, no question. William could see how the two brothers thought, they believed they more rights to Lizzie than a husband did. Darcy would need to change their minds, gently and quickly.

"I hope my father let's stay here. My father has no time for us. Lately, he brings a different lady every Sunday. Our grandparents are too busy raising our young cousins, my aunt and her husband died in an accident, so you see, we only have you, mother, and our old aunt. But we don't like her town; besides, she is a little too old. I want to be here when the baby arrives." Otto held Lizzie's other hand. Lizzie thought her mother should have taken them with her. She was going to keep them, or at least try.

"We will see what can be done. Jak says to go down, the horses are ready; I think Dax is coming along," Darcy interjected.

"Can we bring the dogs?" Bert asked.

"You may try, but I know them," Lizzie thought neither would go.

"Boys, come with us," her brothers called the dogs. When the dogs ran after them, Darcy laughed at Lizzie's face.

"Warrior is a traitor," Elizabeth muttered, she was unhappy.

Darcy was still chuckling, "Darling, dogs, and boys like to play. Which is good for us." He saw the hawk was already outside the window.

Darc stood up and picked Elizabeth on his arms. "How about a nap while your brothers are gone, and my uncle and their friends are visiting? Darcy asked.

"I am not sleepy," Lizzie kissed his chest. She was surprised at her urgent feelings, desire melting her insides. With Richard, she often was the one taking the initiative. He liked it and encouraged it.

"I am not either, I cannot stop thinking of your kisses, and you holding me, preferably without any clothes. Here, touch me." He placed her hand over his aroused sex. He closed his eyes when she pressed her hand around it. He groaned.

"My love, I want to be inside your warm hold. I want to kiss you all over, to learn your body with my lips and my hands. To run my lips from your neck down, I want to suckle your breasts and move lowly down to taste you." Darcy was breathing hard, trying to control hiw he wouldn't scare her.

He wanted more, but he didn't know how much she would allow. Darcy wanted to try many of the things both Richard, George and he, read about in the library. His father had a secret stash, and they found them all. The books' pictures were, often, too intimate to try with a mistress, not that he had that many, but with his wife, many were enticing.

"Do you think it is safe for the baby, after what happened? Maybe we can try other pleasures." He kissed her neck.

"You mean with our mouths?" She bit her lip and grimaced. Elizabeth nearly admonished herself, she sounded like a wanton. Richard had taught her much, and both liked to make each other dizzy with pleasure.

Darcy nearly swallowed his tongue, but reacted quickly, "What a smart wife I have; yes, that is a possibility. We better hurry, heaven knows when your brothers will be back."

He kissed her. His lips moved over hers, his tongue caressed her lips, opening them. She kissed him back, their tongues making love, sounds escaping their mouths. When he lay her on the bed, she whispered, "I want to pleasure you first."

Darcy groaned, his body shuddered. He couldn't believe his good fortune, but he asked. "You mean..."

Before he finished asking, she smiled, "Yes, with my mouth," her hand caressed his throbbing sex, over his trousers, "here."

"Oh yes, yes, my love, but I want to do the same."

"Of course," her smile made him grin. He thought, the little minx, she knows what she is saying, lucky me.

The Travelers

The two carriages rode one behind the other. In their minds, they had left a couple days before the Darcy. They had been compelled neither to talk about it, not to think about it. Albert and George, somewhat in the confidence of Darcy, understood they had all left within hours, but they knew not to say anything.

They were both aware that birds seemed to follow them. Within a few hours, they were approaching the Fitzwilliams estate.

A rider was coming towards them. Both men took their pistols out. "George, I thought that was you."

It was Bartlett, George was immediately on the defensive. He knew what happened, and that Bartlett might have murdered Richard.