Pride an Prejudice

Fan Fiction

I forgot to thank my beta reader for all her help; mistakes are still my all my own.

For Clarissa's Sake

Previously

"I am going to an old friend's home. I will be gone for a few days, maybe a week at the very most. Do not worry about me. If my visit is extended, I will send word," And with that, Mr. Bennet was out the door, on his horse and down the road; leaving Kitty to wonder what was going on.

Baron and Baroness

Ch. 2

Clarissa-May entered her father's home through the back door, having been out helping a friend. She preferred to use her shortened name, Clarissa, and avoid the formalities of being a baron's daughter. As she stepped inside, she nearly collided with Anne, who was carrying a bucket of water up to the baron. Anne was her mother's servant and had a bad leg that made her struggle with the heavy load. Clarissa quickly took a hold of the bucket and helped her climb the stairs, feeling sorry for the poor woman.

"Miss Clarissa" Gasped Anne, "This work is not fit for someone of your class. And you ought to have entered through another door."

"Oh, fiddlesticks you are in need of assistance, and I shall jolly well provide it." Clarissa ignored which door she should have used simply because it had been the closest to use and she had not wished to risk her father's cousin seeing her enter the house.

Anne could not help but smile. Clarissa's willingness to give aid to those around her -even of the lower class- had won her the hearts of her parents' servants years ago; unlike her uncles who came visiting. They were not necessarily bad men, plenty of organizations had been generously given aid by the Grey brothers without any prompting or begging. It simply would not have entered their minds to -physically, help anyone of the working class out with a chore they were already being paid to do.

The house, which had once been filled with life and activity, now felt empty and silent. Yes, there were still plenty of servants, as Anne's existence attested to. No, Clarissa's father was not down to his last dollar, but he and her mother had left off giving parties long time ago. Why she had not known, nor had she been told, that is until recently. Now she knew and understood all too well why her mother's eyes no longer shone and her steps while determined, were slower than they used to be.

The stairs were hidden behind a door in the kitchen and led a back way to her father's room, where the Baron had been confined since his illness. Clarissa avoided the main stairs, which were visible from the front door and the hall, where visitors might come and see helping Ann with her humble task. It was not that Clarissa would have cared, but right now- other than avoiding the unwelcomed cousin- she would not have wanted it to be one of her uncles who, in turn, would have given her father grief. Opening the door to her parents' room, Clarissa allowed Anne to carry the bucket in by herself.

The master bed was a large four-poster bed, covered with a dark green velvet canopy and curtains. The bedstead was made of carved mahogany, and the mattress was stuffed with feathers. The bed linen was white and crisp, and the pillows and blankets were soft and warm. The bed was placed against the wall opposite the fireplace, which had a marble mantelpiece and a brass fender. On either side of the bed, there were small tables with candlesticks and books.

The room was a simple but elegant one, with cream walls and a wooden floor. The windows were tall and narrow, with white shutters and curtains. The furniture was sparse but well-made, consisting of a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a dressing table, and a couple of chairs. The walls were decorated with a few paintings and prints, mostly of landscapes and family portraits. The room had a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, despite its modest size and furnishings.

"Is he here?" Morgan Grey asked his wife just as his daughter opened the door for Anne, who set the bucket on a chair.

"No, but I am sure Mr. Rawley will bring him soon. Our steward has never failed us before."

Morgan Grey was referring to Mr. Bennet, his old friend from his days in the army. Technically, he had been Bennet's superior, but Thomas had earned so much respect that the baron saw him now as an equal though society did not.

His wife sent Anne out and asked Clarissa to go down and entertain her aunts and uncles, assuring her that their distant cousin Nicolas was not there. It was only when her daughter was gone did the Baron start to talk to his wife as she began to bathe him. "Have you had that necessary talk? To the one who needs to know?" He worded things strangely only because of footsteps outside the door and -without knowing whose they were- he did not wish to take a chance even though their door had been shut.

"Yes, I did as you asked."

"Marianne." The baron sighed. "We discussed this many times over. Tell me another way and I will listen. I know of no other. My brothers are good men. They have not fought me on what I have wanted or paid for. However, I do not trust Nicolas. He, too short-sighted. I am not convinced our brothers see that, least not to the degree we do."

"I agreed then and I agree now." Marianne sighed. "I simply wish our sons were around."

"Surely, I do too. But when our king called, they went. Was I to stop them?"

Clarissa had heard none of her parents' talk as she was busy making sure the servants were doing their jobs of keeping her uncle and aunts' tables full of various types of breads, cakes and fruit. She loved their laughter and talk. It was a far lighter atmosphere than when their cousin was around.

Nicolas was a cad. He cared little for women unless they had money, good looks and what he thought was charm. Once those three things dried up, he tossed them aside as if they were dirty rags to be ignored. Just then a knock came at the door, Clarissa hoped it was not him.

"Miss Grey, this is Mr. Bennet." Mr. Rawley nodded towards her father's friend. "I have to step outside to take care of his horse and my own. Could you please show him to your father's room?"

"Yes, Mr. Rawley." She turned to Mr. Bennet and asked him to follow her up the stairs, as she did the lady noticed a man's shadow through the window, one that matched a male who had been standing in the same spot upon her first arriving home. It looked oddly familiar; she might have said something only he turned and left.

Mr. Bennet, who had seen the man, but with no reason to think anything of it, had ignored the gentleman, entered the baron's home and now followed Miss Grey up a flight of wooden stairs and then set foot onto the landing. She then knocked to make sure her mother was finished with her father before opening the door which led into her parents' room. Her father was now propped up by multiple pillows with his wife sitting by his side.