October 17, 2014 – I'm glad you all enjoyed Darcy talking to Bingley and Sir John. He's really trying to make his wife happy. Thanks for all of you still hanging in there with me.

Chapter 28

The anticipation was high as the three carriages carrying the Bennet and Darcy families rattled down the rural Kent road towards Rosings Park. When Anne had spoken to her family about the possibility of them accompanying the Darcys back to her childhood home, Mrs. Bennet was quick to accept without bothering to consult Mr. Bennet. Her siblings were no less enthusiastic about the chance to witness for themselves the splendors of their sister's abode.

Darcy had summoned a second coach from the London mews to assist the Bennets. They had a large conveyance, but not large enough to transport all nine of them to Kent! Since Anne and Fitzwilliam, as well as Elizabeth and her nurse would be returning to Hertfordshire via Surrey for the de Bourgh's son's christening, they needed their carriage for themselves.

Word had been sent on Tuesday to prepare Rosings for the influx of family. What was not expected was the return notification that Lady Catherine had decided to repair to London for the duration of their stay.

Anne,

I understand your desire to become more intimately acquainted with your other family in a more private setting. I have decided that this would be best accomplished if I were not in residence. I shall travel to our house in Town but am at your disposal to return should you wish it. Mrs. Stuart will have the rooms you have directed ready for your arrival.

I remain,
Your Mama

~~~/~~~

Maggie Stuart was informed, per orders, when the three carriages – two bearing the telltale Darcy crest – were spotted making their way up the drive. She had been awaiting her mistress for several hours. All was as Anne Darcy had required in her letter. The past two and a half days had been a frenzy of activity on the estate, first for the impending arrival of the Darcys' party and then for the removal of Lady Catherine to London. Maggie had advised her ladyship to reconsider, worried about how it might appear, but Lady Catherine was adamant in her desire to leave before the Bennets arrived.

There was no hint that the story she and Lady Catherine had told had not been believed, or had been disproved, but Maggie was still apprehensive. She knew she must be on her guard and that she must not deviate from the course she had set so many years ago. Anne must not learn of her mother's instigation of the adoption.

Maggie watched as the party disembarked from their coaches. She tried to school her features, but her eyes involuntarily widened as the lot of them stood together; there was no doubt in Maggie's mind that Anne Darcy was a sibling of the Bennet offspring. Taken individually, other than young Anne Bennet and Anne Darcy, none of the brothers or sisters looked too much like one another. However, when taken collectively, there was a definite family resemblance that no one who took the time to look could fail to notice.

Mrs. Stuart bowed low to her master and mistress and informed them of the refreshments she had ordered for the party. Mrs. Darcy, always pleased to be back in Kent, was happy to show her family inside, and the other servants set to work to bring in the luggage to the proper apartments. Maggie dearly wanted to retire to her office and have something stronger than a cup of tea, but there was work to be done. The master and mistress were in residence and that outweighed any desire to escape for even a few moments. Maggie had made her bargain for her position; now she would truly pay the price for becoming the most powerful female servant at Rosings Park. The question was, what would be the ultimate cost?

~~~/~~~

William and Henry were very happy to be invited to go riding with their father and their new brother. The previous day had been full of excitement and they saw for the first time the wealth of their sister, Mrs. Darcy. Jane and Mary had some idea of the extent of their long-lost sister's fortune, but Lydia was the one who would not stop talking about how grand Rosings was. Thus the boys were ready for their ride long before the adults called for them to go to the stables.

Darcy had ordered horses prepared for the boys, but was a little unsure about the choices. The stables they kept in Kent were not as large as those in Derbyshire. Thus William's and Henry's mounts were quite a bit larger and more spirited than Darcy would have preferred for the project – but he had promised the lads a tour of the grounds on horseback, and a tour on horseback they would have.

It had been many years since he had been in the company of boys his new brothers' ages. In fact, the last time was when he and his cousins were that young. While Georgiana was a few years older than William, a teen-aged girl was completely unlike a similarly aged boy. Henry was trying valiantly to act older, but Darcy could see how the boy was itching to test the speed of his horse.

"There is a straight stretch around the next bend. Why not let the horses run?"

"Can we?" Henry asked excitedly.

"Yes," Darcy laughed, "but not at a full gallop. You have never ridden Chaucer before. The same goes for you, William. Milton loves to run ahead of the other horses. Keep a firm hold on the reins and you will be fine. Just remember, your mother will have my head if anything were to happen to you. So be clever and keep your mounts under control."

"We will!" both boys shouted, and urged their steeds to quicken the pace towards the bend, leaving the adults behind. Mr. Bennet chuckled.

"They have been begging me for an improvement in the quality of our stables at Longbourn for several years now. Mrs. Bennet would have none of it, of course. She worries that something would happen to them if they had the kind of magnificent animals you gave them to ride today. I have indulged her, without admitting that I am afraid they will break their necks if I did buy quality horseflesh."

"I hope I have not offended you by letting the boys ride?"

"Oh no! Now is as good a time as any for them to try out your horses. I confess I have a similar urge to join them."

Darcy nodded and then without warning, set off after the boys. "What are you waiting for?" he called back. Mr. Bennet paused only an instant before he took off after the other three, laughing all the way until he came to where they had stopped. Darcy, William and Henry all had matching smiles and wind-blown hair as Mr. Bennet brought his mount to a stop.

"The next time you decide to race, let me know ahead of time so I can have a fair start."

"Father, are not Darcy's horses superior?" William asked in awe.

"Yes, but I suspect your brother is used to having the very best that money can buy."

"There are certain advantages to a large income, Mr. Bennet. Boys, you may ride my superior horses whenever you are at Rosings, or Pemberley, for that matter."

"Is Pemberley like Rosings?" William asked.

"Yes and no. Rosings is a fine estate in its own right, but Pemberley is my ancestral home and located in Derbyshire. The house itself is much older and the grounds are very different. The country is more rugged, for Pemberley is near the Peak District. The land is wild and the woods thick. I think there is no estate in England its equal, but I am too biased. You will have to judge for yourself – and see the other great houses, Blenheim and Chatsworth, just to name two — to compare."

"I am afraid, Darcy, that I prefer to remain at Longbourn than tour the country. Perhaps someday the boys will be able to do so, but they have their education to complete before we can contemplate sending them on a tour," Mr. Bennet explained.

"Of course, but we do hope that you will come to Pemberley someday, you and all the family," Darcy replied.

"We will be honored to accept when the time comes."

"I will discuss the timing with Anne. I doubt that you wish to brave a Derbyshire winter. Perhaps next summer?"

"Oh yes!" the boys cried.

"If you still will have anything to do with us after being with these two scamps," Mr. Bennet laughed.

"You underestimate Anne. I believe scamp was a very appropriate term for her in her youth. After suffering through the younger version my wife, I am not fearful of these two."

~~~/~~~

Anne Darcy made a point to spent time with each of her sisters. The previous journey to Kent had somewhat familiarized her with Catherine and young Anne, so she found it much easier to entice those two sisters into conversation than the two oldest girls. Lydia, however, was not so reticent. That Bennet sibling was eager, maybe a little too eager, to get know her new sister. Remembering her own vivacity at the same age, Anne excused it as youthful exuberance.

Mary and Jane were a different matter entirely. Mary was less than two years younger than Anne, but somewhere along the way she had developed a taste for the didactic, particularly in regards to issues of morality and right behavior. This only confirmed Anne's first impression of her sister. Mary Bennet needed to experience more in life than the sheltered world depicted in the tomes of Fordyce and other moralistic writers. Not that Anne was irreligious. Indeed, she found great meaning in her faith, but she had also found something just as important – balance. Anne's interactions with Mary then were spent with a view of the gradual expansion of her mind. A bit of discussion on poetry here, and a review of a history there. Anne also began to wonder if Mary would be better off with a suitor after all.

Then there was Jane. All of their siblings spoke of Jane's serenity and reserve. Anne certainly found her elder sister reserved towards her. No matter how much Anne Darcy laughed and teased, Jane Bennet would calmly smile in response, giving no clue to her true feelings.

"Mr. Bingley appears to admire you a great deal, Jane," Anne said one day as they were walking.

"He is an amiable gentleman with pleasing manners." Jane's voice was even but the rosy hue of her skin gave her away.

"You are blushing, my reticent sister. You like him." Jane blushed even more deeply.

"I admit I find him… different from the other men of my acquaintance, but do not read too much into my … embarrassment. I am uneasy when it comes to members of the other sex." This admission surprised Anne.

"Whatever for? You are a beautiful woman-even my husband has commented on how handsome he finds you. Of course, you are my sister, so I do not see how that would surprise me. We do share a family resemblance and I know the power I hold over my dear Fitzwilliam. You hold the same power over your admirers."

"Anne, you overestimate the situation. What have I to offer a man like Mr. Bingley, or any man for that matter? A few thousand pounds for a dowry is a meager inducement."

"There is more to a courtship than money. Character, compatibility, affection; all these things and more. Let us not forget connections! Bingley's money comes from trade. The Bennets are established members of the gentry. Your father is a gentleman. In that sense, it is a good match for Mr. Bingley. In such cases, the monetary deficiency of one party becomes much less of an obstacle." Jane's upraised eyebrow made Anne realize her last statement could be taken the wrong way. "I do not demean your fortune, Jane. Mine should have been the same."

"But it was not."

"And through no fault of either of us. I cannot help that I was raised by the de Bourghs to enjoy the benefits of their great wealth while the rest of my siblings remained with our parents. Each situation had its own advantages."

Anne exhaled, wondering how the conversation had gone astray. She would set it back to rights.

"Jane, Mr. Bingley has shown his preference for you and there is nothing I can see that would discourage him from pursuing you, except for a belief in your indifference to him. Frankly, had I not seen you blush earlier, I would have had my husband warn him off. I would not wish any of my sisters to be saddled with an unwanted suitor."

"He is not unwanted, but it is too soon. I hardly know the man. Do you wish me to express an attachment to a near stranger?"

"Not at all. I was only seeking some reassurance for myself. I would not see either of you hurt."

"I am not unfamiliar with the process of courtship, Anne. Please, do not interfere. If Mr. Bingley is meant to be my partner in life, then so shall it be. If not, then I will live as I have before, in anticipation of the day when the right man will come to take me away from Longbourn to form a family of my own."

Anne could see that her sister did not wish to speak any more on this topic and so began a discussion on the latest fashions from Town. She wondered why Jane was so hesitant to speak her true mind to her. Was it still too soon, or was it something else entirely?

~~~/~~~

Normally, Lady Perryton would be the member of the household visiting Mrs. Langley's shop on Bond Street. Today, the earl was the one darkening the door of the modiste's establishment.

Mrs. Langley had Lord Perryton escorted to the office after he stated he wished to speak with her privately.

"Would you like some tea, your lordship?" the lady asked once they were alone. A tea service was on a table next to where she sat.

"Please."

She asked how he took his tea and prepared them both a cup.

"I hope Lady Perryton is pleased with her latest gowns?"

"As pleased as ever. I do not believe my family would have continued our patronage for so long had your seamstresses not done their work well."

"I pride myself in the quality of our finished work."

"Hmmm, yes. I have lately learned that my sister, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, was one of your first clients."

"My very first, milord. I owe much to her and your family. All I needed was a chance to show my skills and Lady Catherine gave it to me. I have prided myself on clothing the de Bourgh ladies for many years."

"From before my niece, Mrs. Darcy, was even born."

The earl looked pointedly at the woman. Mrs. Langley calmly placed her cup on the table and then folded her hands in her lap. Her features schooled to betray no emotion, she answered the unspoken challenge.

"Lady Catherine came to me in need of gowns and other items some women want when they are expecting a child. Her requirements were different, but it was not necessarily the only time I have been asked to provide for such situations. In return for my expertise, she helped me establish my first shop. Within a few years I was able to move to this current location. All the while I have faithfully served Lady Catherine, her daughter, your wife, and many, many other great ladies."

"My sister was your first such case, but not your last," he said as a matter of fact.

"As I said, her requirements have not been unique, milord. Ladies have discovered that this shop is staffed with people of the utmost discretion. I will not allow any of my employees to share any speculations on the persons who shop here. The consequences of such actions are dire indeed. I pay my workers very well; they have no desire to look elsewhere for employment, whether by choice or not."

"I am here under the charge of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy." That earned him a raised eyebrow.

"She knows?"

He nodded.

"Lady Catherine came to me for my help. She wished to conceal her true state. I made her gowns and … under things. She was the first, and I must say I have greatly improved my methods since then. I was paid handsomely and Lady Catherine continued to patronize my establishment after the child came, as I have already said."

"Who contacted you?"

"Her maid, Maggie. We had known each other before Maggie was hired by her ladyship. Without Maggie's recommendation, Lady Catherine would never have sought me out."

"Did my sister mention her husband and his involvement?"

"Not that I recall. Neither Lady Catherine nor Maggie said much about the circumstances. All they were interested in was the gowns and under things. I was paid very, very well. I did not ask questions."

"What were your impressions of the matter?"

"Milord, as I said, I did not ask questions. I have since learned that more than one family has adopted the illegitimate offspring another family member. It certainly is to the great advantage of the child."

"Yes, well, I would ask that you keep the content of this conversation between us. Oh, and my wife said she would be in to see you next week."

"Very good, your lordship. I am always happy to welcome your lovely wife into my establishment."

"I will tell her to spare no expense on her next purchase."

"You are too kind, milord."

"Oh no I am not. She would do so whether I offered or not. Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing the countess wearing your next creation.

~~~/~~~

Later that night, Harold Fitzwilliam sat at his desk in his study at Alton House. Before him was a list he had compiled in Kent. It contained the names of every known accomplice in the adoption of Anne de Bourgh. He inked his pen and drew a line through the name Mrs. Langley. The solicitor, midwife and the seamstress provided no new information. Mrs. Langley might have known more than she said, but the earl knew she would never reveal it. She was too indebted to the house of de Bourgh. Though he was frustrated, he did not blame her for her caution. Good servants knew how to keep their master's secrets. And while neither Mr. Hedges nor Mrs. Langley were servants, per say, their livelihoods had always depended on emulating that same silence. It was the way of their society.

There remained the chambermaid and her husband, and the wet nurse. As loathe as he was to admit it, the mystery seemed no closer to being solved than before. Of course, Lady Catherine and the housekeeper could actually be telling the complete truth and his investigation was a mere academic exercise. Nevertheless, he would need to decide soon if he would send an agent to America to track down Sarah Simmons and Bobby Weeks. With the political situation in Europe and the strained relation with the upstarts in America, this was not a good time to send a man on an errand across the Atlantic. Perhaps he should consult Fitzwilliam before such drastic actions were taken. A trip back to Kent would be necessary.

Curses! Foiled again! Will the Earl ever catch a break?