AU Pride and Prejudice

Unbreakable Bonds

Previously:

"My family outings were okay, though my father and new mother never attended. And when it was clear that things were not going to work out? I returned to England." So caught up was Adelia in answering his questions any suspicions as to money disappeared as if they had never been there in the first place.

Meeting Lady Cathrine

Ch. 10

Thomas and Miss Perry's ride had ended up taking longer than originally planned. And it had occurred because Adelia had asked Mary to put a name on a lady she had met only once but had never gotten a name for.

"That sounds like Lady Catherine, but when did you meet her?"

"After I met you, your sister and your mother." Adelia explained she was in a hurry to get back to Rosings Park and had seen need to prevent her from leaving. "However, I would like to have a longer visit with her. Does she live within a reasonable distance?

Hence it was that reason that had them pulling up to the doors of Rosings Catherine smiled warmly as she saw Mr. Bennet, his daughter Mary, and Miss Adelia Perry enter the drawing room. She had hoped Miss Perry would take her words to heart even though the older lady had dare not tell anyone who knew her that she was fully aware of the door that would be required of Miss Perry to enter in order to join the Bennet family. And she doubted the late Mrs. Bennet had ever told her husband what had really happened. However, Lady Catherine did not put it past Mary to have figured things out; but had seen the wisdom in keeping quiet, as apparently had Kitty. Maybe the sisters had even seen proof of where they really were before they had come back home.

Lady Catherine now had a high regard for Mr. Bennet, who had every reason to show disdain towards her, but did not. She hoped that he would find happiness again after losing his wife, and she thought- after meeting the lady - that Miss Perry would make a suitable companion for him; especially since she had survived the trip through the door. It was, in her opinion, a huge blessing to the Bennet family, or at least to Mr. Bennet himself. Lady Catherine also approved of his daughters, Mary and Kitty, who had shown great improvement ever since Lydia had made her departure and upon their mother's passing.

"Mr. Bennet, Miss Perry, Miss Mary, welcome to Rosings Park. I am delighted to see you again." Lady Catherine said, as she rose from her sofa and extended her hand to each of them. "Please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable."

She then introduced Miss Perry to her daughter "Ann this is Miss Adelia Perry, who is a very accomplished and agreeable young lady. I met her in Brighton. But she comes from a Pacific Island full of all levels of education and various artwork." Lady Catherine was fully aware of the story Mrs. Bennet and her daughters had claimed and saw the wisdom in following suit; it also helped Adelia had mentioned a South Island in their short conversation. Fortunately, for them both, it coincided with what Adelia had told Mr. Bennet earlier. "I was very pleased with her. She has a remarkable history, and I am very happy Mr. Bennet has brought her to visit us."

Miss de Bourgh nodded politely and murmured a few words of greeting. She was not very good at making conversation, and she felt intimidated by she felt was Miss Perry's exotic background. She glanced at Miss Perry and tried to smile.

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Lady Catherine had excused herself and Miss Perry from the small gathering and taken Adelia out to her gardens. "I am happy to see you here, I am happy you were allowed through the door."

"You have seen others?" Adelia asked only because of the tone the lady had used.

"I have met two others who have come through any door, but you did not hear me say that." The older lady glanced over her shoulder and then back at Adelia. "One was before I married my late husband. It was a young man, who attempted to fit in; but did not succeed so well and attempted to go back in spite of him saying he had been warned he could not go back home; the gentleman did not seem to believe it."

"What happened to him?"

"We buried the man, or should I say my father did; I did not attempt to look at him myself; the sight of so much blood was enough to make me feel faint. The second one I met does not matter at this point." The two continued to walk and talk until Mr. Bennet and Mary came out to join them on their walk around the gardens.

Adelia thought Lady Catherine's gardens were beautiful. They were filled with a variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees, all neatly arranged with no flower or shrub out of place. The colors and fragrances were extremely delightful and easy on her sense of smell. However, took care of the paths had done an exceptional job for the paths were well-maintained and inviting. Lady Catherine pointed out the rare and exotic plants that she had acquired from different parts of the world, and the statues and fountains that adorned the grounds; telling stories that lay behind each one. Adelia listened with interest and admiration, while Mr. Bennet and Mary nodded politely.

"I am afraid it is time for us to leave if we are to get Miss Perry back to Mr. and Mrs. Philips home on time." Mr. Bennet had opted to take Miss Perry's offer of one more conversation with her before having any banns read; he also wanted to give Elizabeth time to arrive from Pemberly so she could also meet Miss Perry.

"It has been good to spend time with you, Miss Perry." Lady Catherine than, tactfully, suggested it might be more fitting if the lady spent time at Mrs. Bingley's rather than the Philips' home. "After all, Mrs. Bingley is your daughter, and it is to you Miss Perry is to wed; not to either one of the Philips."

"You do have a valid point, and Jane was offering to let her stay just the other day." Mr. Bennet conceded as he then helped his daughter, and Miss Perry into the chaise and headed to the Bingley home instead of the Philips'; Mr. Bennet would send to his late wife's sister as to the change of plans.