Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction

Unlocked Cage

The dark floors had just had their yearly polishing a fact which had caused her to spend time in another room until just a few hours ago. Ignoring that she focused on her habit of wondering only the top floor of her uncle's estate until dinner time, which meal she did indeed eat in her room.

Showing the Second Estate

CH. 4

The mid sun cast its rays over the sprawling estate of Middle Ground Manor, as Mr. Hudson now stood waiting at the edge of the neglected grounds. He had not had time to focus on this section of the estate. Fortunately, for he, was to meet with Mr. Robert Spendlove, a potential buyer not bothered by estates in poor shape.

Mr. Spendlove arrived promptly, his carriage kicking up a small amount of dust which quickly settled gently on the green grass. He stepped out with an air eagerness to begin exploring unknown territory, his eyes immediately drawn to the overgrown expanse before him.

"Good day, Mr. Spendlove," Mr. Hudson greeted the gentleman, offering a firm handshake. "Shall I show you around?"

Mr. Spendlove willingly followed Carlisle to the tenant house, its outside walls hidden by untamed vines and other natural plants. "This house's foundation remains firm. I checked it myself." Mr. Hudson then led the gentleman through the front door which creaked loudly.

Inside the air was full of scented candles left behind, mingled with old wood. The rooms were spacious, with fireplaces in each, and the floorboards slowly moaned under their weight, echoing the house's potential for revival.

Mr. Spendlove smiled thoughtfully, as he stopped walking and focused on the craftsmanship of the banister. He then began walking again as they ascended the staircase. "This home as charm and character. There is nothing that a fresh coat of paint, and a few repairs, could not fix. I do believe this house could be turned into a cozy, homely, get away."

"Let me show you the dower house." Mr. Hudson led Mr. Spendlove down a path to a quaint structure snuggled among a group of trees. Its exterior was not nearly as covered as the main house. There was a garden with a flowers blooming, showing that someone had once tenderly taken care of Roses.

The dower house itself was not large, its ceilings were lower and windows were not nearly as large. Any bedrooms were cozier and, since the windows did not allow as much sunlight, the rooms held a softer feel to it. Mr. Hudson glanced down and saw a delicate necklace against the wall. Picking it up he saw that it held the initials of CB on it.

"I am sorry." Mr. Hudson spoke apologetically. "I did not realize there was any items left here, I will find out who was hired to clean and talk to them."

"It is no big deal." Mr. Spendlove smiled. "One small necklace does not change the allure of this place." He peered through the window. " A fixer-upper, indeed, you did not lie. However, I can appreciate its potential."

Carlisle had not planned their final stop, but the path Mr. Spendlove had taken to took them to the boundary where an old cemetery lay. The gravestones, some tilted and others half-sunken, bore the names of those who had once called this place home.

"I see quite a few names of Bingley and Hawkins. Are they the ones who used to own this place?"

"I can only assume the Bingley family once did; I did not know them. But, yes, a man by name of Hawkin's owned this place, it is he that I bought the place from."

"We shall not venture into the cemetery," Mr. Spendlove looked around. "There is no need to cut through it. We can turn around. This place has much to offer, Mr. Hudson. I believe we have much to discuss regarding its future. Let us return to town and discuss the price you are asking."

"Sounds good to me."

The trip into town was not long and soon the two men were sitting in a restaurant with the clanging of pots and pans, along with the sounds of bartenders and barmaids taking care of other customers. A waiter brought them each a menu and the gentlemen began discussing the estate.

"How much does that estate bring in? Clearly it is not one you actually live on, but you did mention tenants working part of it."

"It brought in three thousand pounds last year, one year it even brought in four thousand. I figure, even with work you would need to put into the estate, a price of sixty -five thousand pounds is not unreasonable."

"I agree and, if you will take sixty thousand in gold coins, you have yourself deal. "

Carlisle was even more thrilled. "I would be more than happy to have you pay outright. I really do hate to mess with loans. I mess with them as little as possible, been burnt by them too many times."

"So, have I, which is why..." Mr. Spendlove smiled. "I now always do my business -as much as possible- debt free."

It was only after the meal, and after Carlisle was back home, did he relax by an unlit fire. Drawing a picture of a young girl he from the imagination of his mind; completely forgetting about the necklace in his jacket's pocket.

Having an item in one's pocket was not on Rosie's mind. She waited until her nurse had turned in for the night and slipped out of bed and used the wall to walk, as she had begun doing the past week. The little lady did not dare leave her room. There was no way her uncle's wrath was to be tangled with. No, he was not ever abusive to her. However, she did have a healthy fear towards to him. Which meant she knew where the lines were that could get her into trouble and which ones could be bent. Therefore, wandering the halls at night was not an option.

Going to a chair Rosie gazed out the window and up at the night's sky. Her physically eyes may not have seen anything, but in her mind she drew pictures of stars and the moon. Her hand traced along the window as if it were a piece of paper transferring the stars into the light frost of the window.

Thump, thump, thump. Rosie hurried and stood up, used the wall and made her way to her bed. "That nurse walks as if a dozen bricks were tied to her legs." The young girl whispered and then giggled as she pulled the cover up to her neck and turned away from the door just as it opened, counting it a blessing the lady did 'Least she cannot sneak up on me.'

Rosie's nurse had only come to make sure her charge was in bed. Someone had told her the young lady was out of bed. She had found that hard to believe, However, it had to be checked, and her duty had been done. Therefore, she closed the door before heading back down the hall.

If the lady had ever paid attention the last windowpane, she would have been shocked to see a small star; it looked so realistic one would have been floored the young Rosie had done it. Sadly, no one had a clue for Rosie only did it on days there was not much frost. It was almost as if she wished to get caught, but not.