Pride and Prejudice

Fan Fiction

I am My Father's Daughter

Previously

"It is like this." Anne explained what her mother had been pulling, her own thought process, where she needed to go, and what needed to be done and what Anne needed to know. "Are you willing to help me?"

Anne Moves Away

Ch. 14

Silence reigned in the drawing room of Rosings Park. Lady Catherine sat on one of the sofas, Jason Chance on a chair, while Colonel FitzWilliams and Lady Janet stood by Anne's side. "You cannot be serious, Anne. This is madness. You cannot move off this property, I forbid it!"

"You may forbid it all you want, mother." Anne's tone was neither negative nor harsh, but firm and unmovable. "But you are not my guardian. I am twenty-seven years old. As I told you before, you have no right to even keep my rightful inheritance. I could move you out of here, but I am not. However, I have the legal right to two hundred pounds a year, and I am taking it." Ignoring her mother's eyes showing panic, her daughter silently rolled her eyes. "Relax, mother, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will make sure anything you owe is cleared, and you will have the same as I. You have the advantage of my generosity of not charging you rent when I could simply put you out to the dower house." There was a method to Anne's madness even though she was not conscious of it. Therefore, the Lady's daughter could do nothing but be tight lipped over it.

"You cannot live on two hundred pounds." Lady Catherine scoffed. "No one in this town will rent to you." Her eyes said more, and Anne needed no interpreter to get the message.

"I am not concerned about that." Turning to Lady Janet, she said, "You said you, Richard and your grandmother were traveling to Meryton."

"I did."

"All the things I need are packed, may I still get a ride to the place I told you about?"

"You most certainly may."

"Anne, I could take you to court and prove you are not capable of being on your own. You know nothing about making and keeping a budget. The servants are probably sneaking you food or else you would be starving. And you have got to be getting medicine behind my back for you to be so well."

Anne made no reply, for there was nothing more to say. She simply bid her mother goodbye and led her cousin and his lady out the door. She was aware of her mother's voice talking to Lord Chance's son but neither she, Richard, nor Janet paid attention to them and were soon on their way to Meryton.

"Do you think she will really take you to court?"

"She very well may, which is why I need Mr. Darcy sent for. I will need those papers; ones my mother is sure to get wind of. I would be shocked if she does not search high and low her house and the guest one for them."

"But she does not know about them." Colonel FitzWilliams pointed out.

"She will have heard a rumor soon." Anne's eyes danced.

"Anne! Why did you start it?" Richard's eyes widened.

"Because it will give us time to get further away from Rosings Park before Jason tries to catch up to us. He will buy into whatever mother says. And, knowing her, she will insist that only he can be trusted to search the dower house; which will slow him down even more."

"Why, what have you done?" Janet asked, feeling herself getting excited over the idea of Richard's aunt getting a taste of her own medicine.

"While I hoped it would not come to this, I thought it might. I collected papers from a friend, and ones she had gathered from those not so loyal to my mother…" She did not mention Charlotte's name as Anne did not wish to cause problems for Mrs. Collins. "Ones that did not have any names written on them, just general things, and neatly put them into any drawer I could find in the dower house."

"How clever of you, I admire your spirit, Anne." Lady Janet grinned widely. "That will certainly buy us some time and…" The lady tapped a finger on her lap as she then asked, "If the gentleman were to come after you, which way do you think your mother would send him?"

"Any route that does not include side roads. I took a look at the bottom of his trousers. I doubt he has seen a speck of dirt in his life."

"I think…" Richard stuck his head out and got the attention of the driver and instructed him to take one of the side roads to Meryton. "If he does follow us, we can at least have hope of arriving without hassle beforehand. Let us hope Mr. Darcy gets your message."

None of their conversation was heard by Miss Janet's grandmother, for the old lady had fallen asleep almost as soon as the carriage had left Lady Catherine's home.

Anne fell silent and a scene jumped of its own accord of her life before her father passed away into her mind.

"We cannot afford that Mrs. de Bourgh, I already told you that." Sir Lewis did not yell, but his voice was firm.

"But it is only one pound."

"And you spent our last pound, last week. You spend as much money as Fanny Bennet. I feel bad for Thomas." Snapped Sir Lewis. "So, live with what I have given you until next month."'

Anne sighed. Her mother had always struggled with handling money, the family -depending on which member it was -simply did not talk about it. Another memory came to mind, one she had not thought about in years jumped into view.

"Thomas! Thomas Bennet! Welcome to Rosings Park! It is good to see you, you scoundrel. Where have you been traversing and what sights have you seen?"

"Like I have the time to wonder around England, my wife spends money faster than I can make it. As to sights, I think these days the only sight that does not bore me is a good book, or time spent in my garden. Other than coming to see you, you old rogue."

Anne looked out the window and saw clouds leaving even though the air still would have it at her skin had not her coat been buttoned up and a hat on her head. A few wild animals could be seen passing by, but they did not attempt stop or get close to the carriage going by. Hearing leaves rustling turned another memory which had not played itself to her in years demanded to be watched.

"Anne, that is not Common Chaffinch it is a European Goldfinch. See, the Common Chaffinch has a blue-gray head and pink breast. That one has a red face and a white tail. It is a European Goldfinch." Sir Thomas told his daughter a couple of other difference and then Mr. Bennet walked up behind him.

"Your father is correct. He knows what he is doing."

"Sometimes, I do."

Ann had not caught the coded message before; now she had come to the conclusion her parent's marriage had been just as troubled as the Bennets. From what she knew-or had deduced over the years- it had all been over a lack of communication on both sides. That one could not just be placed on her mother if Anne was to be honest. If, and when she ever married, Anne vowed to do her best to turn to her husband -not a personal maid - on her personal marriage matters.

Anne's thoughts were broken off by Lady Janet speaking up to her. 'Do you mind if go up to Longbourn first? I just remembered I promised Miss Kitty I would bring some of my old dresses for her to look at. I mean, you did say Miss Susan's parents did not actually live in Meryton. It would not take us long."

"I do not see why not." Anne replied. "It is not like I have any pressing matters to attend to."