he storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
A/N one maybe two more chapter and end of this part
Pemberley – The Past-1812
William came out and saw the cylinder in Charles' hand. He understood Charles was the friend. Then, he bent to uncover the face, "Reverend Collins?"
"Maybe, but he is one of us; look at his weapon," Ilsa said. She bent and touched Collins' face. For a second, they saw another face behind. "He is an instructor, but he is with someone else. I cannot see the other person. He might die, or this body will, but it makes sense is him since he is also in the future. We will need to wait to see where the other person is."
"We can ask the footmen; maybe they saw somebody." Charles nodded to William. "You will soon remember. And then let's check on my 'sisters,' I don't trust them. Who knows?"
Longbourn-2022
The door opened; Thomas came out and bent to uncover the face. "My cousin, Collins. I think he is nearly dead."
Ilsa came out to touch Collins's face, "An instructor, but he has a powerful block."
"He wasn't alone," Charles told them what had happened. Thomas saw Fanny; her head was on a strange man's lap. The man was crying. "We called an ambulance; someone injured Fanny. She is not responsive."
"Who are you?" Thomas asked, baffled.
"The man who loves her," the General said defiantly. Thomas had no idea who this man was. He didn't go to Fanny, believing the grieving man would not allow him. A man in military uniform, holding a gun, stood next to Fanny. Who were these people?
Ilsa hugged Charles, "If the other saw you, there is no point in staying. We promised your parents."
"No, William is not here, I will stay. But I am going to check on 'my sisters,' maybe someone can come with me?" Charles still held the weapon.
Richard went with him, "What are you holding? Who are you?"
"Ask Ilsa." Charles thought it best. He wondered where Jaana was, but didn't dare to ask Richard. Rikard and his brother had told him to stay away, or else. And whoever fought with Rikard never won. No matter, he had time to win her over; after all, they were very young, or so he hoped. True, his parents reminded him Rikard's family were fierce warriors, never mind his brother.
When they went in to the room, both Bingley sisters were asleep. Charles touched them. "Someone drugged them, maybe. Neither is injured. I cannot be sure; perhaps Ilsa should check them. Go back down and call her. I still don't trust them."
The one who escaped was cussing. "Who was that? At least, I wasn't caught. I will go back and find out who else is missing. But are the portals being watched? I wonder if I am now alone? Let's hope not. Best if I make sure nobody finds about me."
At Pemberley
Elizabeth remembered, "Charlotte laughed and disappeared the moment we crashed. Then I was gone."
Ilsa tapped her wrist, sending a message, and a couple of seconds later, her wrist glowed.
"In the future, they found traces of her in the wreckage, but she could have left a body there. She is here and there. You must have look-alike bodies in all the times. Each one of you looks a little like your real selves when in solid form. She must have left a body where we come from. Who knows where, and is back in both places. Wait." She tapped messages.
"But she was my best friend." Lizzie insisted, sounding sad.
"Who knows, whoever is doing this, is devious. She was waiting for the right time. We have people at all the portals; we know the one here is a female since the scream and voice were feminine. They are looking at who was the lover or friend of the one who just died here but is still alive in the future. Also who has used the portals. This will soon be over. Someone must go where she lives here. Mariah, where is your sister, I mean Charlotte? Let's ask the footmen who they saw." Ilsa hugged Lizzie.
Inga came to her daughter to kiss her cheek, then went to Mariah, "You will come with me when we are back. Your grandparents were right, you are my dead husband's daughter, so you become mine. I welcome another daughter, I am so lucky." She held Mariah, who smiled from ear to ear.
William went to arrange for horses. He would go with Elizabeth's mother to look for Charlotte, hopefully his Lizzie would be safe, he smiled, thinking about her. The news the missing young ones knew who they were and would soon be able to come back, had spread everywhere. So, minutes later, a couple dressed in odd tunics with many weapons appeared. "Where is Vilhelm, we have waited so long, can only stay for seconds, and our Geira?"
William had just entered the room and saw the tall young barefooted strangers, who ran to hug him and kiss him. For an instant, Lizzie saw a young man, maybe 16 or a little older, and covered her mouth to smile. "We heard you were one of the leaders of mischief. It is dangerous, so we cannot stay; we were unprepared to travel. Come back soon. Tell Rikard we are unhappy for dragging his cousins." They had time to greet Georgiana, and when they hugged her, Georgiana looked much younger, maybe 10. With this, they disappeared.
William stood in place, frozen. He had felt different for seconds. "Who were they?" Both William and Georgiana asked the same.
"Your parents, but they were not really here, more like a projection. It is dangerous because they left nothing behind. They could be killed, as others have." Inga explained.
Lizzie would tell William later he looked like a teenager. It suddenly occurred to her she must be one as well, oh no.
"How long in your time have we been gone? Hundreds of years?" William asked.
"Our time runs different, we can live a lifetime here or a part of one, in a few cycles, we mean days. So I would say a few months. Or several weeks, the worse time of our lives. Once you and Lizzie are back, we can rescue the twins before their murders," Ilsa explained. "The twins are my young sister's sons. Their parents are desolate."
"Who were the twins?" William asked.
"Your father and George's father that were murdered every-time." Mrs. Reynolds explained, "I tried to prevent it, but it happened."
"Amazing, was my mother one of us?" William asked.
"Yes, she was also murdered," Ilsa explained.
"Maybe whoever hates the twins more than everyone else." Mariah who liked to read mysteries said. "Find out why?"
"Hopefully, one of you will remember who taught to use the portals." Ilsa, Bennet's mother, said. "But, Mariah, that is a good idea."
Longbourn 2022
Neither the General nor the Sargent remembered Collins, which eliminated one problem, so no explanations were necessary. His body was sent thru the Portal in the cellar, which closed afterward.
Thomas Bennet didn't know how to feel. Maybe this man was the reason behind Fanny's behavior. Although he was Fanny's husband, he could see the other man loved Fanny. His daughters were confused, angry and worried, not understanding.
The ambulances came to take Fanny and the Hills. The General's car was right behind it. Thomas and his daughters also followed them, along with Inga. He had seen the man before, where? "I know him; I have seen his picture. You know your mother didn't talk to her sister, the one who used to live in Edinburgh. The man is your mother's brother-in-law."
Inga, who sat in the front with him, took his hand. "All will be well." She said reassuringly. He wasn't so sure. Not that he loved Fanny, but he was content with her. Besides, the one by him, Inga, was probably much older; where did that leave him? Well, maybe when they were back to wherever they were from, she would wait for him. Perhaps, though he still felt a bit upset, Fanny was his wife.
Meanwhile, George opened his eyes. He looked around, he saw Ilsa, Lady Catherine, Georgiana, Mariah, and Bartlett. "It is my fault. I know it. I talked to her and saw her here."
"Who did you see?" Lady Catherine asked.
Pemberley 1812
"Caroline, wake up, now!" Charles, always gentle, was no longer the same. Richard saw a different Charles and worried, remembering another one, looked a little like Charles. That one who liked all the females, and they liked him. Too bad he truly liked only one, Jane; it angered him. Memories were colliding with the now; he shook his head.
Caroline seemed dead to the world, same with Louisa. Charles placed his hand over Caroline's head.
"I cannot read her, most unusual. She could be drugged, or someone is blocking her."
Mrs. Reynolds, who had followed, was in the room, "Let me try."
"I don't understand; I think one is one of us, or maybe both." Mrs. Reynolds pointed her hand at the sisters, "Nothing, I need to consult, but meanwhile, let us secure them as if they were ours. Someone close the door."
When the door was closed, and a ring of light went around the bodies. A transparent shroud went over their heads. They covered their bodies with a bedspread.
"Maybe someone is using them, but either one or the two are part of this. Why? Because they are here and in the future." She pointed her finger to her wrist. "I am letting the others know what we found out."
Longbourn
In the car, Thomas Bennet felt broken inside. He remembered seeing blond and beautiful Fanny when he visited his family's old estate in Longbourn. His parents had renovated the old manor after they married, converting it into a fashionable Bed and Breakfast. He fell in lust with Fanny at first sight. She was two years younger than him; he saw her daily, sneaking her in his room, then he left for the Uni. When Fanny called to tell him she was pregnant, they married much to his parents' dislike; they were aristocrats who deemed her as rubbish. When his parents retired to their home in the Caribbean, Fanny took over Longbourn. Now, they liked Fanny because of the girls.
He had been content and loved his girls. He was equally fond of young Mariah, who practically lived with them. He wasn't in love with Fanny, but he loved her. Sure, while he more than liked Inga, he didn't want his family broken. Maybe this was all 'a game,' but it hurt all the same. He believed Fanny loved the other man; he had seen her crying looking at old pictures. He needed to know what happened, and maybe let go.
Jane said, "Dad maybe is for the best. Mom, ahem, well." She couldn't say it.
Mary tried, "When you aren't, no, never mind."
Thomas exhaled, "Shh, my dears, I know and have known for a while. Your mother carries a big pain inside. I think it is related to the military man today. I want our family, but I also want to know what is happening and make an informed decision."
Jane nodded, "For now, let's concentrate on getting Lizzie back. No matter what, we love each other. It will all work out; I agree. You deserve happiness."
"Amen," the Bennet sisters agreed. Inga nodded and smiled.
At home, George sat up. "Aunt Catherine, first I must say, thank you for loving me. My father told me he loved you, and wished he had been a stronger man."
"I know. Your mother was ambitious and wanted both men, I mean George and your father. It is more complicated than you think, but we can talk later. But who did you see? When?" Lady Catherine looked very sad.
"Ms. Reynolds heard the fight William and I had over Lizzie. You must all hear the truth. William loved Lizzie from afar and had warned me to mend my ways, but I didn't. He was right, I need help. Anyway, someone else heard the fight and waited for me by my car. I was surprised to see her there. She said she was in London, in our building, to visit someone and heard part of the fight. She said I should not allow William to take Lizzie away from me, that Lizzie loved me. She recommended to monitor William so I could know where he was all the time. She said, this way I could stop him from talking to Lizzie. May I have a glass of water?" Lady Catherine poured him a glass. After drinking, George continued.
"I have access to William's apartment and know he used a secured home-cloud to access his files while traveling, so he was connected all the time. She said she could help me set up a notification. I had a user account on his server. Surprisingly, she was an expert hacker and set me up, so I could track him. And stupid me, so she could do the same. I think that was she knew where William was and the exact location. He died a couple of days later. It is my fault." George held his head crying.
"No crying," Lady Catherine spoke harshly, "Who was the woman, and who was she visiting?"
"Ah, yes, Charlotte Lucas, Lizzie's best friend. I don't know who she was visiting." George said.
Ms. Reynolds opened her laptop, "I am looking at the visitor log for that day. It is a highly secured building. Here, I found it, Lucas, Charlotte, to see Ms Bingley, and there is an extension number. That is the main number at Charles' office. I would say it could be Caroline, Charles' PA, or Louisa, who is also an assistant."
"Bloody bitches," Bartlett exclaimed.
"Wait," Ilsa looked at her wrist. "They are also back in Pemberley; they are secured."
"Stop, I am not finished, I remembered what you taught us and, hmm, not sure. Today, I saw Charlotte alive, talking to a man and a woman with a hoodie. Light came out her hands before a boulder hit my car." George said.
Ilsa disappeared and appeared near the Bingley's suite, she met with Richard who showed him where the suite was. In the sisters' room, she explained quickly. Then, she tried looking inside the sisters, and nothing. "Let me secure them. We must find the Charlotte woman. Unfortunately, the one called Collins is dying, same with the Pemberley one. The portals are being checked. I wish that someone would remember."
"Why wasn't Charles with us?" Richard asked.
"My parents took me in a long trip; I guess equivalent to one of your years here after I had, ahem, a fight with you and your brother. When we came back a couple months ago, because you were gone." Charles turned red as a beet, and Ilsa laughed.
"A fight? Over what?" Richard asked, but no answer was forthcoming; Charles wouldn't look at him.
Ms. Reynolds was trying not to laugh. The women wouldn't look at each other, trying not to laugh.
"True, were there any instructors who taught you about the portals?" Ms. Reynolds asked still smiling.
"Do you have sisters, I mean, there?" Richard wondered.
"None, but my mother will have a baby in some cycles. Many lifetimes here, so don't worry. No, heavens no, I am not related to them," Charles shivered. "About the portals, I was asked before coming. Some believed it could be an instructor but, no, while I was there we were deemed too young to learn how to use them, or where they were located and such. We all asked, but were were forbidden to even ask."
Richard blinked, "It was a female instructor, I remember standing in front of the entrance to a cave, with hmm, I guess my brother, holding the hands of two young girls."
They waited, but Richard remembered nothing else.
Pemberley 1812
George was improving but still out. William went into the other room and brought out a small tablet and a power bank. "Damn, no juice."
"What is that," most asked.
"Something from later in time." William answered. His head hurt, he felt different since he saw his alleged parents; strange images invading his mind. Images of an older teenager, standing on air. "I remember a Lady Cr…something; she is showing us an 'entrance,' and saying not to tell anyone. She is odd looking."
"You are remembering. The name, what do you mean odd?" Thomas' mother asked.
"The face, no sure, metal, same with her clothes?" William said.
"A face shield, a weapons instructor. The name sounds like Cr. Let me send a communication." Ilsa said.
"She had pointy sticks holding her hair." Lizzie exclaimed.
Inga asked, "Pointy sticks?"
"Yes, cones. Wait, I kind of remember her face. William, please my bag." Lizzie asked.
He brought her the handbag; her sisters stood around her looking at the odd bag. She hoped her phone was charged. She opened to photos. Everyone wanted to look at it, in awe.
"Everyone is almost naked, hmm." Lydia grinned.
"She looked a little like Charlotte but she was darker, maybe grey, not sure." She showed her mother and Thomas' mother a picture of Charlotte.
Her mother kissed her, "I know her. She looks a little like Mariah's aunt. She wanted the baby when her sister died, but the council denied her. They believed she was responsible for my husband's death. He died because he wouldn't break our union. He said he loved us when came home upset and said he had made a big mistake. He swore to me he didn't remember much. Now I believe him, I am sorry I didn't before he was murdered. There were rumors your instructor used to be the lover of one of my sister's husbands, the twins' fathers."
"Husbands?" Many asked, but nobody explained.
Mariah smiled, "She hates the twins; it makes sense, jealousy."
"Both my daughters are so smart." Inga went to hug Mariah, who beamed. "I sent the information forward. If she came thru the portals, she will be apprehended. She is powerful, but not enough. They call us the mightiest, because our abilities. We need to stop her." Inga ascertained. "I guess your small box works with energy. Ah, I see. William, Lizzie I will show you later what to do. William grinned, he wanted his information back.
"William, let's go to look for her." Inga said, "Charles comes as well. I think she is trying to go back. Tomas, you stay here helping. Ilsa and Rhe, I mean Mrs Reynolds stays here with Ilsa. Biscuit, take care of my daughters."
Biscuit barked, agreeing. Upstairs the Bingley sisters were out. Lizzie asked, "Since we all look a little like we do wherever we come from, do the Bingley sisters remind you of anyone?"
"No, but Ilsa can send their imprints, maybe someone will recognize them." Inga answered.
William went by Lizzie, took her in his arms, she raised her arms to hold him, and kissed her mouth, pressing his body against hers. The world around them stopped, so Bartlett coughed. William let Lizzie go, reluctantly. The younger women were mesmerized. William ignored the looks, "Be careful, I don't want you hurt."
Lizzie touched his face, "You too." Her sisters sighed, and Georgiana grinned. Lizzie was happy with William, Georgiana liked that. Lizzie turned to her mother, "Why is William a target? I understand why me, I am your sister's niece. But why William?"
"Because my sister's other husband is William's father's twin. As I said, you are all related. I imagine she hates many of us; it is about jealousy, I think. Everyone is a target. Wait, I have an idea, talking about jealousy. I will ask William's parents." Inga answered, "Let's get Charles and go."