The Mystery of Netherfield Park

Netherfield Park was built and first owned by a gentleman or respectable origins sixty years ago. Sadly, his son had none of his father's good qualities an lived a life of debauchery in London until his death, leaving Netherfield to struggle on with an aging steward and very little support. Nobody knew who purchased the property twenty years ago, but the estate was given a new steward, well-trained staff, and a surprisingly young housekeeper. Yet not once did the new mystery owner make an appearance, so the mystery persisted.

Warning: Begins with what might be described as marital rape, as usual without details. If you wish, you can skip down to the ~oOo~ to avoid that part.

Rutledge House, London, 1778

Seventeen year old Lady Beth Selkirk knocked with very real trepidation at her maternal grandfather's door. When the old man barked "Enter" she steeled herself and and then stepped in, trying to appear composed and unconcerned. The man seemed to thrive on the weakness of others and would stretch out whatever scheme that he had planned if he saw an opportunity to feed on her fear.

The Duke of Rutledge continued to read over the documents on his desk for several minutes, keeping her waiting. Since he liked to keep his study dark except for his desk, it took Beth more than a minute to realize that there was another in the room. From what she could glean from a side-glance in the dimly candlelit room this was a sailor, or rather a naval officer, probably a captain or Post Captain by his age and air of authority. By his hard expression she supposed him to be a man similar in character to her heartless grandfather.

Finally her grandfather looked up, "Oakley, this is my granddaughter Lady Beth. Granddaughter, this man will be your husband." Beth was unable to suppress her gasp or the frightened glance she cast towards the man. The Duke's eyes gleamed with malice as he added, "Lord Captain Oakley does not have time to waste on shore, so we have obtained a special license. Powell will be here within the hour to conduct the ceremony. Before then go to your room and put on your best dress."

He stood and extended his hand to the Post Captain, "Welcome to the family. I assume that you will take her off to Portsmouth?"

The man spoke for the first time. There was something in his voice that gave poor Beth a shiver, "After the wedding night, of course. She'll be mistress over my house in Southsea."

"Good, good. You can use the guest room tonight. It is in the guest wing where you will not bother anyone with your celebration." He sneered at his granddaughter, "Go to your room girl. The servants are already packing your things. Be ready in less than an hour."

Beth left the room numbly, part of her contemplating running away but another part reluctantly complying. She knew that her grandfather would only track her down and punish her, just as he had her mother. Lady Henrietta had run off and married a baronet she loved rather than the aging earl that her father had brokered her away to. Ten years later an "accident" left the baronet, Beth's father, dead. The Duke had swept in with an entire cadre of men to bundle up mother and daughter and force them back to his estate. Then he had proceeded to make the lives of bother mother and daughter a living hell.

Beth's mother had passed away due to grief and melancholy three years later, leaving her daughter to endure alone. Now it seemed that her grandfather had tired of personally torturing her and intended to turn the task over to a man who seemed equally cruel and unfeeling.

The wedding, such as it was, took place exactly one hour later. The two older men exchanged a hearty toast and then Post Captain Oakley led his bride by the arm up the stairs and down the long corridor to the furthest room... where he took his "rights" with great enthusiasm and not an ounce of gentleness... repeatedly.

The following dawn saw the newlyweds and several servants riding in a carriage south towards Soutsea. Beth was not even allowed to keep her lady's maid. The journey was broken twice with nights at inns, where Beth learned that the wedding night was what she could expect for the rest of her married life. Her previous years of enduring abuse were the only things that made it possible for her to not curl up into a shell and weep bitterly.

~oOo~

There were two saving graces in this entire matter: first, the Post Captain's shore leave was only brief. He was required to depart for the Caribbean a mere two weeks after their installment at the house in Southsea.

The second turned out to be even more beneficial: because Lord Oakley had no surviving family and he had spent very little time ashore, he had to, of necessity, turn much of the running of his house and his new wife. He would be gone for months and sometimes years at a time and expected her to keep the household accounts and manage everything.

It is possible that the man believed his wife too sufficiently cowed to steal from him. Perhaps he did not understand that Beth had lived under a reign of terror since the age of nine. Whatever the reason, when he shipped out with the tide Beth suddenly found herself with more freedom than she had ever known.

It was thirteen months later when Beth was informed that her husband had perished in action. Knowing her own grandfather as she did and remembering how he had rushed in to take over her mother's life years before, Beth acted quickly.

Executing a plan that she had set in place months before, she contacted the young solicitor who had taken over for his father only nine months prior. He had never met her husband and had only seen the documents permitting her to make decisions on the accounts, so he followed her instructions to the letter.

By the time that the Duke of Rutledge learned of the death of Lord Captain Oakley two months later it was too late. He arrived in Southsea to find the house closed up and Beth long gone. All that had belonged to the title remained, but all else had been sold... and all accounts had been transferred in full to an unknown in London or somewhere else.

The Duke, already in his late seventies by that point, died within ten years without ever finding the rebellious girl. His son, who had been mostly estranged from his father, took over the estates and titles without any knowledge or concern with the whereabouts of one Lady Beth Oakley.

Longbourn, 1787

The newly installed and highly reluctant Master of Longbourn, Thomas Bennet, rode his property with the solicitor, Josiah Gardiner, and the aging steward, Mr. Talbot. Mr. Bennet was a nephew of the previous master and cousin to the man who should have been the next master. A virulent influenza had removed them both and forced him to leave his position as a teacher at Oxford to take up the reins.

At the moment they were riding the borders of the estate and explaining his legal responsibilities when dealing with maintaining border walls, waterways, drainage, and disputes. "This here be Netherfield land, the elderly Mr. Talbot pointed across the wall. It has the longest border with Longbourn. You also divide the coppice woods and that hill yonder, Oakham Mount. Mr. Blessing's the steward there. Good man. Knows his job."

"Who is the owner?" Thomas asked out of curiosity.

Mr. Gardiner answered, "It used to be a Mr. Peter Hightower, third son of some noble. He and his wife built the place and named it Netherfield."

Thomas laughed at the irony in the name. Gardiner smirked, having also noted the sarcasm. Mr. Talbot failed to see what was funny. He was the one who continued, "His son weren't nothin' much to be proud of. Went off to Town and lived doin' who knows what. When the parents died, Martin Hightower never even came to the funeral. Sold or gambled the place away a good five or ten years ago, I think."

"Seven years," Gardiner corrected. "The new owner has not lived here either, but he is a different sort than Martin Hightower. He pensioned out the older steward, housekeeper, and other servants, installed Blessing as the new steward, Mrs. Nichols as the housekeeper, and allowed them to fill the other positions. The tenant homes have all since been repaired and updated, any and all repairs attended to, and the house was modernized."

"But he never visits the place?" Thomas asked after nobody spoke for a minute.

"Not so's I've e'er heard tell," Talbot responded, "You'll have to deal with Blessings if you want anythin' done."

The three men turned and rode on.

On the borders of Longbourn and Netherfield Park, 1798

Seven year old Lizzy Bennet was balancing as she walked along the stone wall that marked the boundary of her father's estate. At seven the wall was not quite the challenge that it had been when she was six and had first attempted it. The wall was eighteen inches wide at the top and in good repair.

Lizzy heard the snort of a horse and almost missed a step. A woman's voice called out, "Careful there, Miss Lizzy! It would not do to fall and hurt yourself."

Lizzy set her feet and then turned to grin at Mrs. Nichols. She was no expert at guessing ages, but thought the pretty lady to be around thirty-five to forty. She had overheard her mother, aunt, and others gossip that the woman had been "full young for such a high position" when she was installed as the housekeeper of the Netherfield great house. To a seven year old the woman did not seem young, but she did have a kind smile, "Hello Mrs. Nichols. How are you this day?"

"I am well, Miss Lizzy, and you? I have not seen you at Netherfield for a while."

"I am also well. I made a stop by farmer Moore's place to see Mrs. Moore's wee one. Then it was too nice of a morning to hurry home, so I came here to look at the sheep. Papa is talking about getting sheep too? He is looking at Ryeland or Merino. Do you know what your's are?"

The lady turned to observe the flock cropping the grass on a low rise. "Mr. Blessing says that they are Romney, a new breed from the north. He seems quite pleased with them."

Lizzy nodded and danced a few steps effortlessly along the top of the wall, "I shall tell Father that. I apologize for not visiting, but I was sent to London for a while to stay with my uncle and his new wife. I will be sure to pay a visit soon. Are you going to Meryton to shop?"

"That I am. We have added a maid and a footman, so I am riding to commission livery from Mrs. Trudeau. Would you care to ride behind me? Meryton is closer to your home than this wall is."

"Oh, no thank you. Today is a beautiful day and I want to make the most of it before going home. My mother is in a foul mood."

Something happened for a moment in the housekeeper's expression, but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared. "Well then, please be careful and do not fall."

The little girl beamed, "Have a good day to you to, Mrs. Nichols. I think that I will hie off to yon hill now anyway. The wall is not a challenge any more."

As promised, Lizzie visited her older friend two days later for tea and stayed two hours full. Though the mysterious owner never visited his country estate he kept a well-stocked library and a beautifully tuned pianoforte. Lizzie was always made welcome to either, so in the following years she escaped there often when her mother was in a snit, or just when she wanted to see Mrs. Nichols.

Nobody at Longbourn except for Mrs. Hill was aware of the visits And since she saw how happy the visits made the second Bennet daughter she kept her silence.

Messers Crowley and Firth, Solicitors, London 1811

Mr. Firth, who handled the Darnell account among many other clients, looked over the letter again with bemusement:

Mr. Firth,

If you have verified with absolute certainty that this Mr. Bingley and his family have no ties to the first circles other than this Mr. Darcy, then I will permit you to approve the lease. Please make certain to explain the provisions in full. My current staff remain in place to provide service and hospitality, but they are not to consider them as their servants. They may not hire, fire my staff. Neither they nor any personal servants that they bring along may abuse any of my people at the risk of have the lease rendered null and void. Should that happen then a penalty will be assessed and Mr. Bingley may only expect half of the remaining lease returned.

Mr. Blessing, my steward, will continue on as the steward and has the final decision on estate matters. Mrs. Nichols, my housekeeper, will make any improvements that the Bingleys wish to pay for, but she will have the final say as it effects the servants.

Any changes in livery will be paid for by them. And any damages will be assessed and paid in full each quarter.

Thank you, as always, for your faithful management of my legal matters,

Sincerely,

Mr. Darnell

Mr. Firth shook his head. This client and his large account had been transferred to them by another solicitor in Liverpool some years ago without the man ever once paying an office visit. Firth suspected that even the surname was a farce, since Darnell meant "hidden, or secret." Yet in the years that he had managed the account and all legal matters he had never been requested to do anything illegal or even questionable. The mystery intrigued him though. Take Netherfield Park, which was only one the first of three estates purchased by his client over the years. It was the largest and most profitable, but so far as the solicitor knew Mr. Darnell had not resided in any of the three estates in all of those years.

At one point, some years ago, Mr. Darnell had written to explore selling the estates, but something must have happened to change his mind. The inquiry had stopped and no further mention of the idea was ever made.

The solicitor added the letter to the file and then put pen to paper to invite Mr. Bingley to visit his office. He had good news for the man.

Netherfield Park, December 1811

"Thank you for making me this gift, Miss Elizabeth. Your embroidery had improved greatly over the years."

"That is all thanks to you, Mrs. Nichols," Elizabeth responded, "Yet you cannot have missed noticing the occasional short loop and snag. Eventually I shall do a perfect job and you shall receive my first true work of art. Merry Christmas to you, by the by. And thank you for this book of verses."

"You seem... downcast. Is aught unwell?"

Elizabeth explained about Jane's broken romance and her plans to remove to London with the Gardiners after the festive season. Then she railed against Mr. Bingley's sisters and Mr. Darcy."

Mrs. Nichols regarded her young friend in silence for a minute, then finally said what she was resolved to say, "Lizzy... Elizabeth, I have something to say and I beg that you will open your mind and hear me fully. Will you promise me that?"

The young lady tilted her head in bemusement, but promised to listen.

"First of all, I do not regard Mr. Bingley's defection in the same light as you do..." she raised a hand to forestall Elizabeth's rejoinder, "Wait! You did promise to listen. Allow me to explain and then we may discuss it. Once again, I do not necessarily regret Mr. Bingley's defection from dear Jane. I do not know her as well as I do you, of course, but she has a tender heart and a trusting spirit, but is also far to reluctant to see the bad in people.

"You saw the bad in Miss Bingley and even in Mrs. Hurst because they were far too obvious to miss. Yet Miss Bennet was even reluctant to admit to these, according to what you have told me."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement, but resolutely kept her tongue silent.

"What she did not see, and what you have failed to take note of, were the failings of Mr. Bingley." This caused the young lady to frown and sit up straighter, but again she held her tongue and waited. "First of all, Mr. Bingley did nothing, or at least very little, to keep his sister's or his brother-by-marriage in line. He was supposed to be the master here, but he did not hold them to account to behave with decorum, to treat his visitors and guests properly, or to ensure that they treated the house and servants with respect.

"Sir William Lucas might be somewhat silly in trying to ape the manners of the nobility, but he is a knight and he was given that honor by His Majesty himself. Yet not once in the several courtesy visits here did Miss Bingley treat the man... or any of the genteel visitors... with the proper respect... and Mr. Bingley never called her on it even though I heard Mr. Darcy admonishing his friend about it."

The mention of Mr. Darcy almost did break Elizabeth's determined silence, but once again Mrs. Nichols forestalled her, "We will address the matter of Mr. Darcy and your feelings about the man soon, but allow me to continue please.

"As to the matter of the servants. Without going into morbid detail, Mr. Bingley signed a lease which included provisions about how the servants should be treated... and not treated. It also very clearly specified penalties for damages. Miss Bingley was not only determinedly rude to every servant, from the scullery maids to me, to Mr. Hemming the butler, and to Mr. Blessing, but more than once she slapped or kicked at a servant in her ire. This was brought to the attention of Mr. Bingley and, so far as I could see, his only action was a slight scold. He did not hold his sister accountable.

"Though he was mostly kind himself, he seemed to regard the servants as so much furniture, barely taking note of our existence.

"On the other hand Mr. Darcy treated me and every servant with respect. Not a bad word has reached me from anyone on the staff. Mr. Blessing, who is a very exacting man and a good steward, informed me that it was Mr. Darcy, not Mr. Bingley, who made most of the important decisions. I know what you want to say, but you are wrong: it was not because he lorded it over Mr. Bingley, but because Mr. Bingley either vacillated between decisions or was in too much of a hurry to rush to Longbourn and spend time with his 'angel.'

"Elizabeth, as you have grown older you have bemoaned your father's lack of industry, his lackadaisical attitudes, and his refusal to take a hand as a husband and father to correct the bad behavior in his home... is that what you truly wish for your sister. I have known your father since he took on the estate and he was never as unreliable at Mr. Bingley."

Elizabeth Bennet sat back to consider her older friend and advisor's words. Finally she admitted, "I had not considered him in that light. I do confess to concern that he did not hold his sister's accountable, but had not thought it as bad as that. Perhaps Jane did make a lucky escape after all. I just wish that her heart was not damaged in the process."

Mrs. Nichols nodded in commiseration. Jane had visited Netherfield's housekeeper with her sister, but the necessity of keeping the matter from their mother had not pleased her, so she had not visited often. Now the older lady steeled herself for battle, "And I believe that it is time to correct your determined sketch of Mr. Darcy as well."

Any pleasantness vanished from Elizabeth Bennet's expression in an instant. "How do you mean?"

"You overheard one insult expressed to a friend on your very first time meeting the man and it has colored all of your perceptions since. This will be much more difficult because it is more personal, but I pray that you will hear me out on this matter as well?"

Elizabeth expelled a heavy breath, tried to relax, and nodded.

"First of all, allow me to provide some background about what took place prior to the assembly that same day. I was nearby and heard all. Mr. Darcy graciously transported Mr. Bingley's sisters and Mr. Hurst from London. When he stepped out of the carriage he had the appearance of a hunted animal with a migraine. Based upon the shrill voice and vulgar behavior of Miss Bingley, I gather that it was a very, very long twenty-four mile journey."

The comical expression on the housekeeper's face made Elizabeth smile.

"Mr. Bingley seemed wholly oblivious to his friend's discomfiture and his sister's poor behaviors. It seemed quite obvious to me that all the poor man... Mr. Darcy, not Mr. Bingley... wanted was to get as far away from Miss Bingley as possible. Instead Mr. Bingley announced that there was assembly ball that very evening, not four hours hence. When Mr. Darcy expressed the desire to rest at Netherfield, Miss Bingley immediately announced that she would also remain behind to serve him. Mr. Darcy then chose the lesser of two evils and chose to attend."

This also solicited a laugh, though Mrs. Nichols suspected that Elizabeth was laughing at Mr. Darcy's expense rather than due to any concern for the man.

"Now comes the part which, I fear and suspect, you will have a difficult time accepting. Whatever Mr. Darcy said to his friend at the assembly, afterwards he developed an attraction, perhaps even an affection for you."

This caused Elizabeth to bark out a sharp laugh, yet she saw the sincerity in Mrs. Nichol's eyes, "Surely you jest?! He argued with me whenever we were in company and then glared at me to find fault when he was not challenging me!"

"Did he, ever once, call you silly or denigrate your arguments?"

This caused Elizabeth to pause before reluctantly answering, "... no."

"He did not. From my perspective he debated with you in the same way that two university friends might take opposite sides on an issue... and with the same level of respect.

"Now let me address your second assertion: in all of your experience has any other man ever spent so much time looking at someone they dislike? Consider it and answer honestly."

After a long and drawn out silence Elizabeth finally conceded, "No, I have not."

"Elizabeth, I love you as if you were the daughter I never had, but let us be honest for just a moment about your own failings. I was in the room when I heard one discussion, the one where Mr. Darcy admitted that his "good opinion, once lost, is lost forever." At the time I wondered if... just perhaps... he was describing you and not himself. Then I realized that the poor man did not realize that you did not like him."

"Is that how you truly think of me?"

"As I said, I care for you as if you were my own child, but you hold onto your opinions and grudges so tightly it is a wonder that they do not squeak in protest. Mr. Darcy insulted you, or rather spoke unkind words to drive his friend away, at the outset of your acquaintance and now you have refused to think anything but the worst about the man ever since. His every word and action are judged meanly by you. Even the way he looks at you... which I will tell you did not look anything like judgment to me or to anyone else but you. Why do you think that Caroline Bingley took such a strong dislike to you? You were a threat to her plans, even though you were not aware of it."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and tried to see the scenes from a different angle. Perhaps... just perhaps... "But what about Mr. Wickham?"

"I do not understand."

Elizabeth explained the terrible injustice that Mr. Darcy had done to Mr. Wickham.

Mrs. Nichols response was unexpected, "Is your father acquainted with this horry tale?"

"Why do you describe it as such?"

"Elizabeth! You are a bright and highly intelligent young woman! How can you accept such a story without examination? What is required for a man to accept a living?"

"Seminary and ordainment, I believe."

"And was not Mr. Collins, who was little better than a simpleton, ordained?"

This caused Elizabeth to smile, "Quite so... Oh!"

"Yes 'Oh!' Elizabeth, if the man was ordained, then why did he not pursue another living, or at least a curracy? And if he was not ordained, then why not? He is a man of the same age as Mr. Darcy, I understand? So if, as you say, he attended Cambridge with Mr. Darcy then why is the man not ordained?

"Now, allow me to tell you a completely different impression of your Mr. Wickham. Servants talk. They also share warnings. He has amassed quite a bit of debt in a short time, enough so that people are becoming nervous should he fail to repay it. There is more: That man uses his handsome face to attract women, girls actually. He tends to seek out the maids, shopkeeper's daughters, and others of a very tender age. There is already a rumor circulating about at least one, perhaps as many as three who may well be in a family way. And in each case they claim that he promised marriage. Does this sound like a man of the cloth to you? I should sincerely hope not. I would most certainly not give a living in my gift to a man who would do harm to the young or to people's livelihoods."

Elizabeth was up and pacing now, alarmed at this information and worried, most especially about her two youngest sisters who were quite enamored of the man. "Is this certain? I must warn my sisters!"

The housekeeper calmed her, pleased at least that Elizabeth seemed to have no personal affection for the profligate. "Leave it in my hands for now. There is already talk of taking action. Allow me to write a letter to someone who might see to the matters."

Elizabeth thanked the woman, then noted the time. Alarmed, she hugged her, excused herself, and hurried back toward Longbourn. Mrs. Nichols watched her go and hoped that she had gotten through to her young friend. Perhaps if Elizabeth encountered Mr. Darcy again, she might see him in a new light.

Meryton Church, June 1812

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet were wed in June of the next year. As this story is not about them, this writer will omit all of the fights and foibles that eventually led to this blessed occasion. Mrs. Nichols attended the wedding and the breakfast thereafter, of course. The couple took the opportunity to pull her aside and express their thanks for her part in bringing them together.

Jane Bennet returned from London to attend the wedding, but planned to hurry back to the Gardiner's home since she was being courted by a young man of good fortune and family. This new suitor was also a man of decision who did not vacillate for even a moment in his determination to win Jane's heart and hand. She had already met the man's family. They had welcomed her with open arms and had taken great care to promote the man to her notice. Jane barely even thought of Mr. Bingley any more and then only to thank the heavens that he had dropped his pursuit of her.

Lydia Bennet was required to attend the wedding but not allowed to attend the breakfast. She was no longer considered "out" after she made a fool of herself in Brighton and was sent home in disgust. Thankfully she did not manage to dishonor the family name in her foolishness.

Pemberley, 1822

Elizabeth and her still handsome husband stepped out to await the approaching carriage. Much had happened in the past ten years, not the least being what took place at Netherfield Park.

A representative of Crowley and Firth had visited Mr. Bennet a year after Elizabeth's wedding with an offer to sell the Netherfield dower house to Mr. Bennet to serve as a place for Mrs. Bennet that was not part of the entail. The house was a fine brick building in Meryton, not more than a block removed from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips. The owner of Netherfield was offering to sell the house at such a low price that even Mr. Bennet could not refuse. This pleased Mrs. Bennet so greatly that she never spoke of hedgerows again.

As soon as that purchase was finalized, Netherfield Park was also sold, this time to a fine family who just happened to have sons and a daughter only slightly older than the remaining Bennet sisters. One of these chose Mary and the other chose Kitty, now Catherine, which greatly displeased Lydia. Her father, with the help of Mr. Darcy, found an officer for his youngest to marry and she took off with the man to his new post in India.

Elizabeth had worried about Mrs. Nichols after the sale of Netherfield Park, but she wrote back assuring her young friend that all was as it should be.

Only recently, a decade after those events, Elizabeth received a letter from Mrs. Nichols explaining that she was remarried and asking if she might pay a visit.

The Darcys were surprised, perhaps even shocked when they saw that it was a large crested carriage drawn by four matching horses. Darcy immediately recognized the carriage as belonging to a Marquess who he was somewhat acquainted with... and that his wife, the woman they knew as Mrs. Nichols, was introduced as Lady Beth.

When they all sat down to a cozy dinner for four that evening the older woman finally told her tale and what happened after Elizabeth left Meryton behind. "Lord Langley is distantly related to me and, due to the vagaries of primogeniture, the heir to the title of the Duke of Rutledge. His family knew of what my mother and I endured, but my grandfather was too powerful for them to intervene. When fate put him in a position to render aide, he discovered that I had vanished. He happened to be nearby when he learned of your wedding, so since he knew the elder Mr. Darcy he decided to attend... and recognized me."

Lord Langley took over, "Given all that she endured, I did not approach my cousin immediately, but waited until the next day. Then I presented myself at Netherfield."

Lady Beth took her husband's hand, "Gabriel is one of the few relatives that I could remember with any fondness. I could not have been more pleased to see him. I had been hiding for so long under the guise of a housekeeper that I thought he would disdain me, but he never did. He courted me for a year, then proposed. I sold Netherfield Park because that would have exposed me..."

"But sold my father the dower house. I cannot thank you enough for that. When we next visited I intended to thank you, but could not. You were gone. It was a relief to get that letter."

"I knew that selling the dower house to Longbourn would relieve your mother and therefore you. You were always such a dear, sweet young friend that I wanted to do that for you."

"I am sorry that you had to endure so much at such a young age," Elizabeth said.

"It was terrible. I have never understood my grandfather's cruelty or why my husband was the same. Thankfully he was an effective ship's captain if he wasn't a good husband. He captured quite a few prizes and amassed quite a fortune... which all went to me when he died. That was how I purchase several estates and made several very lucrative investments. So I did not have to come to my Gabriel empty handed."

"I would have taken you with nothing, my dear," the marquess replied.

Darcy smiled, seeing his own relationship with Elizabeth in the older couple's behavior. "The best revenge is that someday you will be the duke and duchess, meaning that all your grandfather tried to do to you came to naught."

The couple remained for a week full, then traveled on to the Lakes for the remainder of their pleasure trip. In the following years the two couples were often in each other's company. The Darcy children even thought of Lady Beth as another grandmother, though nobody else but immediate family ever understood why they called her "Grandmama Nichols."

AN: I just recently read several stories by Shana Granderson that inspired me to pick up this lost scrap of a story and give it new life. Very low angst, but I still hope that you enjoyed it.

In response to several reviewers who understand German currency:

It seems that I must retract my previous assertion. Enough people have told me that there was no such thing as a 50 mark coin that I searched myself. Then I used common sense and phoned my sister, the only other person still alive who was there. She thinks it was probably a five mark piece and it was when I was six, only a month or two after we arrived. I apologize because in my mind it was always a fifty mark coin.
LFU