Pride and Prejudice

Fan Fiction

NOTE: I only heard Edward's wife referred to as Mrs. (i have the book on audio) So I gave her a name; if someone else caught it - I am more than willing to do an edit.

Cracking the Mask

Previously:

"I dare say your wife is happy." Lord Allen spoke dryly as Roger's wife was already planning on what to take and what to leave behind after her move to Bath; a fact the Caddricks only chuckled at as they left the room.

Visitors at Kendall Hall

Ch. 16

The sound of feet echoed in the hall as the men entered and went to their rooms to hang up their cloaks. They had just come back from Mrs. Castell's funeral and, honoring her wish, they had not worn black as was customary. However, they had also avoided any bright colors.

"Shall I take the children for a walk, my darling?" Mr. Caddick asked Lady Arwen, who was sitting in a long gray dress in front of one of their bedroom windows.

"Would you mind?"

"Of course not. That is why I offered." He patted her shoulder and went to fetch the children, who squealed with delight as they soon followed their father down a path leading away from the house. This left their mother to wander around the house and then out onto the front porch. She was the only family member in sight, as Roger and his wife had left Kendal as soon as the funeral was over. She saw a carriage that did not belong to the Castells approach and stop at the steps.

Lady Arwen watched as four people climbed out of the coach. They were clearly two couples. And, judging by the markings on the coach and their manner of dress, one of the couples was a duke and a duchess. She did not need anyone to tell her who they were, for Dr. Jones had visited her father a few days ago and had pulled her aside after seeing the wedding band on her finger.

"I had a visitor by the name of Duke Paul Sanders. He says your husband's real full name is Thomas Caleb Bennet." The doctor had informed her of everything the man had said and done. "If he shows back showing respect for my advice, give them an honest chance; if not, have them kicked off your property by your servants."

There was no doubt, the duke was following orders. Therefore, Lady Arwen could not fault the maximum of four considering they were two couples. So, she rose and descended the stairs.

"Welcome to Kendal Hall, your Grace. I am Lady Arwen Caddick. How may I help you?" Just because Arwen had easily deduced who the duke was, did not mean she was going to hand him all the ammo, so to speak.

"I am the Duke of Norfolk, and this is my wife, the Duchess of Norfolk These are our friends, Mr. Edward Gardiner and his wife, Mrs. Anna Gardiner." Paul then explained who the Gardiners were, who he was in relation to Thomas Bennet and that the duke had talked to Dr. Jones and why they were there.

"Please, follow me, we can talk inside. My husband just took our children for a walk. We can talk in peace." With that she led them up the stairs, through the doors, and into a side room. "This is one of our smaller parlors and will allow us to see my husband when he returns. Now, what is it you wish to ask?"

"We would greatly appreciate it if you could persuade Mr. Ben…Caddick, to visit Longbourn, or at least Netherfield. We have already had one very serious discussion among family members. They all have agreed that anyone who feel they cannot keep their mouths shut about his true identity should stay away." Paul's jaw set firmly. "I told them all I would act as a protective big brother and hire another coachman, butler, or whatever I needed to ensure that." He admitted he had also come on behalf of his son, who had finished up his schooling and had applied to be the Caddick's new estate manager. "But I wanted to bring this up first, for I do regard…Caleb as my brother as well as my friend."

"We simply wish to give my brother the opportunity to remember his full name and to recall his other five daughters. We have no desire to split apart your family." Mrs. Gardiner spoke politely, with a smile full of warmth and shining eyes. "We do not intend to cause him any harm."

"He has five daughters, no sons, and he did not abandon his wife? He did not put them out on the streets?"

"Good heavens, no." Mr. Gardiner was appalled at the thought. "Our brother may have hidden in his library too much, so, in a way, he did leave, but they were never in danger of being on the streets."

"And he was trying to correct his mistakes." Mrs. Gardiner sighed. "He still must be, or he would not have taken those children for a walk."

The group continued to talk. Lady Arwen asked questions, the Gardiners answered in regard to his adult years, the duke in regard to the university ones. However, when it came to Caleb's youth, Paul could only shrug.

"I only knew him during our university days. Yes, I met his parents during that time, during the holidays. But - at the moment- I have not dwelt enough on that time frame to give you accurate information, other than to say they were known to be extremely stern. It was not until I talked to him recently that it clicked with me how much of a mask he had put on over the years."

"One that his memories now hide behind." Lady Arwen sighed as she stood up and walked to the window as her husband came into sight.

Iona, for the first time in years, was laughing. And Dylan? He was too. Mr. Caddick was twirling the chair around in circles. It was a sight both couples watched along with Arwen.

The gardens in front of the house provided ample space for the small Caddick group, consisting of Mr. Caddick and his two new children, to play. Unaware of being watched, Caleb stopped the spinning chair, helped Dylan out of it, and set him on the ground. He then joined the two young children and pulled out a small book. He began reading to them.

"It is good to see he has not lost his love of books," Mrs. Gardiner sighed and then turned to Lady Arwin. "Please, consider doing as we asked. If nothing else come to London first, we live there. We could then all travel...together."

"Let us go outside and see if he recognizes any of you."

Mr. Caddick, who was discovering his love of reading even though he had taken out the book at his children's request, looked up as he heard footsteps approaching. Lady Arwen's face held a soft smile that Caleb was quickly growing accustomed to. He stood up when she brought their visitors closer but did not neglect to help Dylan back into his chair before giving the boy's mother his full attention.

"I see we have visitors."

"Yes, this is the Duke of Norfolk, his wife -the Duchess of Norfolk, and their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner." When Caleb greeted them warmly, thought to himself he had to know the duke but did not feel comfortable asking him in front of everyone. So, without him saying anything, people were left to think there were no signs of any real recognition, Lady Arwen brought up the subject of Paul's son, Andrew.

"Oh, yes, I looked at his letter just this morning. He is more than welcome to come and talk to me." His wife then suggested that the Duke and Mr. Gardiner might go fishing with Mr. Caddick.

"The children, I, the Duchess, and Mrs. Gardiner can go inside and enjoy some music, games, or simply chat and visit. Perhaps you could discuss travels and such." Lady Arwin was tactfully giving the men a chance to be around their brother without force involved, and even hinting that they be the ones to extend an invitation to visit their homes, not she.

"That sounds like a splendid idea." Mr. Gardiner was relieved they were getting cooperation and, thankfully, caught her hint, as did the duke.

"Yes, I agree." Paul was delighted to soon find himself with a pole in hand, standing on the edge of a pond with Mr. Caddick and Mr. Gardiner, discussing anything Caleb wished to, as the doctor had suggested. He was also pleased that Mr. Caddick had accepted their invitation to bring his family to London to visit the Gardiners, as well as to Longbourn and Netherfield.