Pride and Prejudice
Fan Fiction
Cracking the Mask
Previously:
My dear Mr. Darcy, I have urgent news concerning your father-in-law, Mr. Bennet. He is alive, but his memory is impaired. I beg you to remain at Longbourn with your wife and her family until I arrive. I will explain everything in person.
Duke's Talk at Longbourn
Ch. 12
The duke's post had arrived and caused much stir at Longbourn. Elizabeth had wanted to race right up to Kendal. Memory issues, or not, Mr. Bennet was her father. Her sisters, Mary and Kitty were just as vocal-only Jane remained silent. Mr. Darcy put his foot down on that.
"If his Grace is pleading for us to stay here, stay we shall."
"But...'
"There are no buts about it."
It was that kind of talk that had gone up and done. And it was that type of conversation that had caused Mr. Darcy to take more than one walk before the duke stepped down from his carriage and shown into the parlor.
"Why did you insist we stay here?" Elizabeth demanded to know before the duke even had a chance to speak.
"Mrs. Darcy!" Her husband did his best not to snap. "I understand you are wanting answers but give the poor man a chance to speak."
'First, you must know, I was finding more than one person who recognized your father's description, but not his name, which is why in the first update I sent did not have Mr. Darcy, or anyone come." The duke remained standing as he had been sitting long enough. "Second, when I found out the man fitting your father's description had his head bandaged, and had been seen by a Doctor Jones, I went and located the medical doctor instead of continuing on ahead."
"He is the one who asked no one go up?" Jane ventured to ask from where she sat next to the Duchess.
"Yes, Doctor Jones is a reputable physician not far from Kendal; he makes house calls out that way quite often. Told me your father remembers his middle name, the country he is in, can carry on intelligent conversations and so forth but, any personal information? not so much; he did sense he was no longer married and that any children he had were not below sixteen."
"He does not remember us?" Mary, nor any of her sisters, knew what to think.
"No, no he does not. Nor would he even know the Gardiners, and less likely to know me." The duke went on to explain about the Castell family, their estate and some of what was being said around the countryside around Kendal. "Doctor Jones assures me they are good people. That there is a possibility your father's memory will be restored, but it would require a gentle, cautious and gradual process. One that would expose him to familiar people, places and objects. He has warned me of any sudden, or forceful attempts to make..." The duke knew Mr. Bennet's family would not enjoy hearing a new name in connection to their father, but they had to hear it. "Mr. Caleb Caddick remember his past. It would do him more harm than good; it might even endanger his life. Told me the Castell's informed him your father's hand started shaking something fierce when he, Mr. Bennet, had attempted to force any to come."
"So, what are we to do?" Elizabeth threw up her hands struggling to control her emotions. "I cannot just stay here and do nothing."
"Yes, you can and yes, you will. That is if you care about your father." The duke went from a soft tone to one he would have used in parliament. "I am sorry, Mrs. Darcy, while I have been given permission to bring two, three people with me back up to Kendal, you will not be one of them."
"Why not?" Elizabeth's eyes started to blaze and would have said more only the duke held nothing back in his reply.
"Because, young lady, I have just met you and I can already tell married, or not, you are too loose of a cannon with that temper and pride of yours. I cannot take your husband for as good a man as he is; the doctor cautioned not to take anyone who is too reserved. I do not need much intelligence to figure that out." The duke gave Mr. Darcy an apologetic smile; Mr. Darcy took no offense.
"Suppose you are going to take Mr. Collins?" Elizabeth slipped out of frustration and sarcasm laced her own tongue: Mr. Collins- who had barely had a chance to tell the duke had had reconsidered his offer and wanted to accept- thought she was serious and began to smile until the duke made his reply.
"No, and Sir, I am sorry, but while I was willing at one point to buy Longbourn from you, this mess with my brother..." When Mr. Collins gave him a critical eye Paul spoke sternly. "He is my brother, I dare you to say any different." His fiery eyes and thin mouth sent a message that even Mr. Collins got; the man kept his mouth shut. And it would, shockingly, remain that way for the rest of his life. Paul then turned to the Gardiners. "It is you and your wife I wish to take.
"We will be more than willing to go." Mr. Gardiner replied, not phased at the brother bit as he had already been told the news. "However, I am curious as to why." His sentiments were echoed by his wife.
"You both have even enough temperaments not to go force your brother into answer questions he does not have answers to. If he asks you questions about yourself the doctor says feel free to answer them-as long as you are cautious if they involve him directly. We can leave in the morning, lunch at the latest." It was only then did he turn to the Collins'.
"I think..." The duke taking pity on Mrs. Collins due to her reputation spoke one more time to her husband. "I need to alter my offer…if I leave the deal on the table are you willing to stop keeping company with Lady Catherine?"
"I cannot do that." Mr. Collins exclaimed. "She is the most noble and illustrious lady in the realm. I am obliged to her for everything, and I cannot forsake her for anyone, not even you, your grace."
"Then you know a far different Lady Catherine than I. However, that puts us at an impasse. And, while I will respect your right to feel that way, and must admire your loyalty, my offer is now officially withdrawn." The duke- again ignored Mr. Collins' stunned, uncomprehending, look. Turning around the duke assured Kitty her dowery was still very much in place; that he and the Duchess would continue to look for property within the area and she would not ever be homeless no matter what the results of the current mess was.
"Your Grace, I have a question." When the Duke nodded his head for Elizabeth to go on." When you were explaining about Kendal and the Castels you said the Doctor said they were looking for a husband for Lady Arwen. Are you saying there is a chance he will be engaged when you go back up there?"
"If what I was hearing is true, he may even be wed, along with a ready-made family for Lady Arwen has two children. A crippled son and a daughter who does not handle society well. I would have tracked down this Barrister Smith to talk to him myself, for I have heard of him." The duke was not surprised when every single eye in the room widened. "But I was pressed for time and did not wish to delay my return as I had given my word to Mr. Darcy I would return today. "He then gave an apologetic smile. "Now, if you do not mind, I am hungry and tired." He looked at the youngest Bennet sister as she was the only out of the Bennet sisters whose home as at Longbourn. "May I get a bite to eat before retiring?"
"Most certainly." Kitty hurried to tell the servant that her newest Uncle needed a bit to eat.