October 24, 2014 – Did you say you wanted more Mary/Sir John? Coming up!

Chapter 31

Lord Perryton had waited in London for the weather to clear before he was off to Essex in pursuit of Sally Robinson. She was dead, of course – just like so many other people involved. Twenty years was a very long time. Her husband was still alive.

The Earl of Perryton had learned that Sally had married the father of her first child. The little girl had stayed with Sally's mother, who had given birth herself a few months before. Sally was but fifteen when she realized she was with child and the father only a few years older. They could not afford to marry and since the child's grandmother could nurse her, it was decided Sally would look to become a wet nurse. By a stroke of good luck, Sally learned of a wealthy woman who needed her almost immediately. Sally nursed her little girl until it was time to go to London and her position. She had no idea she would spend the next year and a half in Kent.

When Lady Catherine no longer needed her, Sally returned to her family. The dowry the de Bourghs provided was enough for her and her beau, a Mr. Uriah James, to marry. They had a son and then another. Unfortunately, Sally James died as a result of the birthing of that second son. Mr. James had remarried a year or so later and still worked in the stables of an estate in Essex.

Harold Fitzwilliam had arranged for a room at an inn near where Mr. James worked and lived. His man had already been to see Mr. James' employer, seeking permission for the earl to meet the man. Without divulging the nature of the situation, Lord Perryton's representative gained the desired interview.

It was apparent to the earl that Uriah James had come to meet him in his Sunday best. The man tugged nervously at his coat and fidgeted with the cuffs on his shirtsleeves.

"Mr. James, thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

"Mr. Walters said you wanted to see me, milord. So here I am."

"Yes, well. Did he say why?"

"No, sir."

"I see. As you must know, I am the Earl of Perryton and the brother of Lady Catherine de Bourgh." James' eyes widened. "You recognize the name, of course. Before you married, your wife served the de Bourgh family as nurse to Miss Anne de Bourgh."

"Aye, that she did. And it was a godsend, sir. They were very generous to her and the money they gave her let us marry once Miss Anne was weaned."

"So I have learned. Fear not, they were very happy to reward your late wife for her service and were sad to hear of her passing."

"Thank you."

"The reason I have sought you out is to see if your wife ever spoke of anything unusual regarding Miss de Bourgh's birth."

Mr. James stared at his questioner, obviously pondering what he should say.

"My Sally did nothing wrong, milord. When she was given Miss de Bourgh, she took care of her like she was supposed to."

"I am not accusing Mrs. James of any wrong doing, I am just asking if she ever told you anything unusual about her life at Rosings. Mr. James, let me be frank. Miss de Bourgh herself now knows her life did not begin quite as she believed. I am here at her request, and with Lady Catherine's blessing. I am not asking you to betray any family secrets. What we desire is the truth."

Mr. James looked doubtful.

"You have my word that nothing will happen to you. Please, what did Mrs. James tell you?"

"Before she left the country that first time, Sally told me she was waiting for word that the baby she was to nurse had been born. She was still with her family then. I swear, I wanted to marry her since she was thirteen, and well, I should'a known better. Sally and me and her family needed the money, so she was happy when someone came and offered her the chance to go to a fine estate to take care of some baby of the Quality. Anyways, she sent me word that she was off to London and that she would make sure I knew where she was. Then she went to Rosings and I didn't see her for almost two years. When she came back, she had news of her dowry and we got married as soon as I could find us a place to live."

"Did she say anything then that you found odd?"

"No, your lordship. It was not until after she had our son that she told me what had happened when she went to London. She stayed at a boarding house for a few days. Someone had paid for her lodgings and told her to remain there until they came for her. She was surprised that she wasn't taken to some grand house. After two days she was starting to get worried, but then after supper a man came to her with a baby, Miss de Bourgh it was."

"A man? Did she say a name?"

"No. She had never seen him before. The man gave her the child to feed and then after the babe had eaten and quieted down, he put her on a coach to Kent. From there she was left at a cottage and then taken to Rosings."

James looked intently at the earl, not wishing to say what they both knew to be true. Lord Perryton spoke.

"Go on. Miss de Bourgh knows she was adopted by the family."

"Sally and the baby were taken to the house and there they both stayed. She never told a soul but me what I just told you. She'd defend that family with her last breath. They were so good to her and to us. I do not know when we would'a been able to marry had they not provided for her future."

"I understand. Can you tell me anymore? Who contacted Sally? Anything?"

"No, sir. That's all Sally ever told me. I never asked. I guess I was afraid to know any more. Your family is not angry with us?"

"Heavens no! Sally made sure my niece survived. We are grateful for her service and only wish you and she had more time together before she died."

"I did not want to marry again after Sally, but my boys needed a mother…"

"I am certain the present Mrs. James was very much appreciated by them, and their father. We do what we must for our families."

"Yes, that we do. Um, if you have no further need of me, I had best go home to my wife and assure her that all is well."

The men stood and Lord Perryton offered his hand. An awed Mr. James grasped it. "Thank you, sir, for your time. I appreciate your honesty."

"You are welcome. And I won't say anything about Miss de Bourgh, sir. I won't dishonor my Sally's memory."

"I am sure you will not. Good day."

Uriah James bowed and then scurried out of the room as fast as he could. The earl remained and ordered a drink. So there was a man involved. Quite likely the person who had snatched Anne from her family was the one who brought her to London. Unfortunately, with the wet nurse and midwife both long dead, there was no one who could provide any information.

"Damnation!" Lord Perryton cursed as he pounded his fist on the table. There was nothing, not one thing that brought them anywhere closer to the truth. He leaned back in his chair and massaged his temple, trying to soothe the headache that was beginning.

'If we do not find the valet, then we might as well put this to rest. There is nothing new to be learned in America. Maybe the truth really did die with Lewis,' he thought to himself.

The earl summoned his servant. He needed some powders for his head and perhaps just as important, another drink. The last had spilled when he struck the table.

~~~/~~~

Fitzwilliam and Anne knew nothing about the frustrations of their uncle. Instead, the days following the ball saw the Darcys continue to call at Longbourn, if not with the same frequency as before. Anne was introduced to some of the families she would have known had she never been taken away. Georgiana enjoyed getting to know Catherine and Lydia. She did not have many friends her age, apart from the girls she knew at school and a few from Derbyshire.

More often, the Bennet estate received Mr. Charles Bingley and Sir John Whitby. The reason for their near constant attendance was widely known after the ball; the gentlemen were calling on Jane and Mary.

Anne could see that her sisters were pleased with the attention of their admirers, though Jane tried very hard to display an evenness of temper. Anne was learning to notice the signs her sister showed when she was extremely flattered. Like Anne's husband, Jane Bennet was very reserved and that reserve manifested itself as demureness.

The Darcys suspected that their sisters' courtships would continue for months. Fitzwilliam was relieved to observe the care the gentlemen took in wooing. The Bennet girls were not like the women they had met in town. In many ways, they were refreshingly naïve, and Bingley and Sir John were taking great pains to determine if their prospective marriage partners would be overwhelmed by an entry into superior society, or if they had the character to adjust. Only time would tell the men if they should call off the chase.

In addition to calling at Longbourn, the Darcys did their best to attend to their hosts. If the Netherfield party were invited to dine out, the Darcys would go with them. They tried to be at the manor house when the Bingleys held their morning at home for the neighborhood to call on them.

Anne kept up her correspondence with her mother. She had returned to Kent a few days after the Darcys and Bennets had left. Lady Catherine assured Anne of her intention to consider Anne her daughter in every way. At the same time, she encouraged her to learn all she could about her family. Lady Catherine still believed it was in Anne and Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth's best interest to keep the true relationship to the Bennets unknown. With this Anne heartily agreed. She believed that they could satisfy the curiosity of the world if the Bennets were considered her cousins. In her heart, they were her family and that was enough for Anne.

It was with mixed emotions that Anne bade the residents of Hertfordshire farewell. The past two weeks had been a whirlwind of social engagements and she looked forward to returning to the peacefulness of Pemberley. They had been invited to stay through Christmas, but Fitzwilliam was worried about the snow and ice and the ever-deteriorating conditions of the roads. They must head north before it became too dangerous.

There were promises to correspond, both from Longbourn and Netherfield, and Anne expected Sir John to keep her husband informed of the happenings in the second household much better than Charles Bingley. She felt that the next time she saw her Bennet relations would be at the marriage of one of her sisters. Until the news came, they would write of other things and wait to discover which one would be engaged first.

~~~/~~~

With the Darcys gone to Derbyshire, life in Hertfordshire settled back into predictability for residents of Longbourn. The only difference from before the return of Elizabeth Bennet was the frequent calls by the bachelors from Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet, true to her nature, made sure the gentlemen had plenty of opportunities for time alone with her daughters. Though she was a bit surprised that Mary had caught the attention of one of the men and not Kitty. However, she would not let her surprise stand in the way of a possible match! Her life at Longbourn was secure, as were the lives of her children. The entail would be satisfied by the fruit of her womb. Still, the estate was not large enough to provide for too many adults and there was only so much money saved for her children's dowries. To have two, nay three, daughters married to men of substantial means by the end of the summer was her heart's desire. Her long lost daughter was the one was safely married, the other two still needed to secure husbands.

Bingley and Sir John were not unaware of Mrs. Bennet's hopes. They had every intention of finding out if they were the answer to her prayers. Unfortunately, it occurred to them that they had chosen a poor time of year to explore the possibilities. For while they could call at Longbourn, and encounter their ladies at the different functions in the neighborhood, it was rather too cold to escape outdoors for long walks with the Misses Bennet. When the weather was fine, and the ground not too icy, they took every opportunity to coax the women outside for turns about Longbourn's gardens. On one of these expeditions, Sir John managed to steer Miss Mary Bennet away from the others. He had her arm firmly in his, not wishing her to fall on the slippery paths. They were talking of inconsequential things before he changed the direction of the conversation to more substantial matters.

"Miss Mary, may I broach a serious subject?"

Mary started and blushed. "Of what do you wish to speak, sir?" Her voice was wavering.

Sir John smiled, amused at her sudden discomfort. He patted her hand that lay upon his arm. "Nothing so great as you fear it to be. I was rather wondering if my lack of stature bothered you?"

"You are a respectable man with a title and estate. I see nothing lacking in your stature, sir," Mary replied, confused.

Sir John laughed quietly. "No, you misunderstand me. I meant, does the fact that you are taller than I trouble you?"

"Oh," Mary blushed anew. "Why should it? I mean, you have not been gifted with height like my cousin Anne's husband."

"Darcy towers over everyone," he agreed.

She continued, "I do not measure a man by his outward appearances. Just because the good Lord did not make you tall, does not signify a deficiency in your character or anything else that truly matters."

"It did not bother you when we danced, that your partner did not look down upon your smiling face?" he asked, pleased with her response.

"I should hope you do not think me so shallow that it did!" she cried.

"No, I do not think you so shallow. Mary, you must know why I ask?" His use of her Christian name thrilled her. She quickly turned her head so their eyes met and just as rapidly dropped her gaze back to the path before them.

"I do," she spoke the words so softly that he could barely hear her. "And I tell you your character is what I care to see."

"I do not want there to be regrets." Sir John paused. He needed her to understand him. "You see, with other women in my past, it has made a difference in how they viewed me."

"Then those women were fools." He was delighted by her fierce defense of him.

"Even your cousin?" he asked playfully.

"Anne? Anne was … put off by your height? I cannot believe it."

"Oh yes, but I think she was already in love with Darcy when we met and it was a convenient excuse to pay me no consideration. There was another issue between us, which later she very kindly helped me overcome. So do not be too hard on her. I am grateful for all she taught me. Anne had the decency to give me a chance to become her friend. There were plenty of other women who have simply laughed at me, though usually behind their fans."

"How awful that must have been for you. Did none but Anne see your goodness?"

"You think me good?"

"I… Yes, I do. I find you honorable and kindhearted. After all, you chose to spend time with me. While women may have laughed at you, men have simply dismissed me. It is not easy to walk in the shadow of a sister like Jane. If she were not such a lovely person, I would be resentful, I think."

"Yet, here I am."

"Yes, you are."

Satisfied with the content of the conversation, Sir John steered them back towards the entry to Longbourn. "Come, we have been outside in this cold long enough. Let us return to the warmth of the house."

~~~/~~~

Not long after the Darcys had returned to Pemberley, Fitzwilliam realized that he needed to institute a change in the route of his personal courier. For the past few years, that gentleman had routinely traveled back and forth between Rosings Park, Pemberley and London. Meryton, Hertfordshire was now added to the itinerary. The amount of correspondence between Hertfordshire and Pemberley was substantial and Darcy felt more comfortable knowing his man was the one responsible for the safe arrival of the letters.

Anne had quickly ascertained that corresponding with five sisters, two brothers, and two parents was an impossible chore – if she planned on doing anything but write. Thus she developed the pattern that she would continue for many years of beginning her letters with an open section for the entire clan. The second page would begin with more personal dialogue to the missive's recipient. Sometimes there would be two separate sealed pages for two different people. Fitzwilliam teased her about the lack of personal attention in failing to write separately to all nine Bennets, but he agreed with her methods. Besides, he was just selfish enough to want her to pay attention to him, rather than make nine copies of the same information.

Sir John Whitby took a similar approach in his letters to Pemberley.

Whilst it might not be entirely proper, I have decided to address this portion of my letter to the both of you. I know your wife well enough, Darcy, to know she will demand you hand this over to her as soon as you finish. I might as well accept the inevitable and craft my words for you both.

Anne laughed at the words of Sir John. He really was a dear man. Darcy complained that Bingley offered no such courtesy and he alone was burdened with trying to decipher the blots that Bingley fancied could be substituted for the English language.

… The courtship of the eldest Misses Bennet continues. Bingley has shown a constancy that surpasses anything in the past. It falls on Hurst and I to daily ply him with alcohol to sober him up from his time spent with Miss Bennet. I doubt it will be much longer before he decides to propose. Even his younger sister has accepted the fact that he will soon enter the married state. Thankfully, she has decided there is too great a difference in our stature – and I do not mean social – to pursue me anymore. Alas, I seek solace from this abandonment in the presence of Miss Mary.

Anne, I must tell you that I grow more fond of your cousin the more I spend time with her. And to answer your question, no, I have not yet decided if she is the one I wish to wed. I give you my word that I do not toy with her. Your husband kindly made your position on my attentions to her clear. She knows I like her, and why I am here, but she has not yet shown that she is ready for an offer of marriage. I believe, from intelligence garnered during a recent tête-à-tête, that she is terrified of receiving one!

At least I now know she is not put off by being the taller of the two of us. Yes, we did have that conversation. It seemed like a good idea to get past that subject before we continued.

There, have I convinced you that all is well?

Give little Elizabeth a kiss from her Uncle John.

Anne was delighted. "I suppose we know where things stand. It appears Jane will have some news for her family soon."

"Has she said anything in her letters about her feelings on the matter?"

"No, not really," Anne admitted. "Then again, she did not wish to speak of Bingley either in Kent or Hertfordshire."

Fitzwilliam frowned. "Is Bingley in danger of not having his affections reciprocated? If so, I should warn him off immediately." Anne had to assure him that was unnecessary.

"Jane would not talk about him, but she would blush when I mentioned his name. She likes him very much, I believe."

"Ah, good," he said, relieved. That was not a letter he wished to write, especially after he had encouraged Bingley in his courtship of Jane. "Then I suggest there is nothing to do but wait for the parties involved to come to an understanding."

"Yes, I suppose you are correct. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Elizabeth rolled over from her stomach to her back and then back again today…" Anne and Fitzwilliam decided it was time to see their daughter in the nursery. She spent more time with her daughter than most ladies of her station and certainly more than her mother had spent with her. Lady Catherine, that is. The fact remained that there was a reason the Darcys employed a nursemaid for Elizabeth. Anne Darcy had many responsibilities as mistress of two large estates. Her days were filled with matters large and small, everything from menus, to tenant visits, to receiving calls from the neighbors. Keeping her darling Fitzwilliam under good regulation was her greatest challenge, but he need not know that.

Elizabeth squealed when she heard the voice of her mother, just before the nurse handed her to Anne.

"Hello there, little one. Did you miss me as much as I missed you?" The baby babbled a bit in response to Anne's question. "I brought Papa with me. I think he wants to see his princess." Anne laughed and passed Elizabeth into her father's protective hold.

"My, you are my big girl. And as beautiful as your mother. I shall have to hide you away at Pemberley when you are older before some young man comes here and falls as passionately in love with you as I did with your Mama." Anne gave him a look full of devotion.

"Would you like me to wrap her up so you can take her for her walk?" the nursemaid asked.

Anne looked to her husband, and he nodded. "Yes, thank you."

It only took a few minutes for Elizabeth to be bundled up to protect against the chill that was impossible to banish from the house in the middle of the winter, no matter the number of fires that were lit. Fitzwilliam and Anne both wore clothing made from wool to keep warm themselves. However, they were not going to allow a few cold drafts to deny them the pleasure of showing Miss Darcy her ancestral home. They coveted the time spent as a family in the different parts of the great house. The rooms they were headed to had fires lit in them far enough in advance to warm them in preparation for the visit of the master and mistress.

The idea for these outings was Darcy's. He wanted Pemberley to be just as much Anne's home as it was his, and these intimate family gatherings were meant to infuse their memories with images of their family here in Derbyshire. While he knew Anne loved Rosings the way he loved Pemberley, to be truly happy together, Pemberley must someday take precedence in her heart. Instead of possessing Rosings, they were really only caretakers for the child who would someday take ownership, either Elizabeth or a brother to come. He knew that; Anne, as yet, did not.