Pride and Prejudice FF

Unbreakable Bonds

My ADHD brain got the best of me...I have thanked her privately, but I need to do it publicly...thank-you to my beta-reader for all her help. However, mistakes are still all my own.

Previously:

"I believe they are both old enough to decide what to do with their lives. I won't try to influence Father on this matter." When asked about Elizabeth's potential reaction, Jane laughed. "I would suggest you tend to your own affairs and not worry about your sister."

Pemberly Letters

Ch. 15

Mr. Darcy stood at the top of the stairs to Pemberly holding a post which had just arrived at Pemberly. Looking at the name at the top he was not surprised to see it was from Elizabeth's father; however, Elizabeth's husband was concerned it was marked confidential and urgent. Hence it was taken to his office and opened behind closed doors as he sat behind his oak desk.

Dear Mr. Darcy,

I hope this message finds you well. I write to you today on a matter of some delicacy, one which requires your particular expertise and discretion.

You are no doubt aware of my daughter Mary's position as companion to Lady Julia Rhy. Her third son, Mr. Richard Rhys, is a merchant of Bath. He is renowned for his scrupulous honesty in business—a commendable rarity indeed. The gentleman's reputation is unblemished, a testament to his character.

However, it is with a Mr. Wayne Tyler and his friends, where our concerns lie. There are unsettling rumors regarding their constant visits-insisting they are only admiring the Rhy family's artwork and such/ particularly in relation to valuable antiques and other such items. They claim they bring his niece along as Mrs. Rhy - and on rare occasions -Miss Andrea , can get through to her. Such whispers have reached not only her husband's mother and the groundskeeper but now me.

Given the sensitive nature of these rumors, I must entrust you with a discreet investigation into this man's past...and even his association with Mrs. Rhy. It is of the utmost importance -if at all possible- that we ascertain, as much possible, the truth of these matters. Though I must confess, at this time, I am not convinced much can be found out. However, if anything is to be uncovered, I trust you are to be the one to do so.

I am confident in your ability to undertake this task in the manner needed. Your findings will be received with great appreciation.

Also, please, could you not tell your aunt I am up here. Lady Rhy is...let us say...not in the mood to deal with her at this time. Please, do not take offense, none is meant for the Lady Rhy says she has met you and holds you in the highest of esteem.

Yours faithfully,

Thomas C. Bennet

Mr. Darcy reread the note, leaning back in his chair. The name Patricia Rhys was not one he knew well, but Richard Rhy was, the Bath merchant, was familiar. Indeed, Mr. Rhy boasted an impeccable reputation. A customer, having overpaid by a pound, had scarcely stepped beyond the threshold of his shop when Mr. Rhys promptly returned the excess. If this second wife, or her friends, now faced scrutiny, Mr. Darcy would heed Mr. Bennet's request and investigate discreetly. As for Lady Rhys's entreaty, it neither surprised nor offended him.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth, absorbed in her own reading, remained blissfully unaware of her husband's musings on the Rhys family.

My Dearest Elizabeth,

I hope this finds you in good health. You, like Mr. Darcy, are very well aware of my trip up to the outskirts of Bath in order to take your sister, Miss Mary, up to a Lady Rhy as to be her companion. However, that is not why I write.

I have been asked to extend my stay in order to help her groundskeeper as he in need of some extra help. They have had difficulty in finding good help of late.

Elizabeth continued to read. The same request to keep quiet regarding Lady Catherine was reiterated, along with the startling news. The first part posed no difficulty for her, but the second left her in a state of astonishment. Without having met Miss Mahalia, Elizabeth grappled with conflicting emotions. Had she remained unmarried, the temptation to journey to Bath might have been irresistible. Yet practicality prevailed. The woman was plenty old enough to know her own mind. She had been 'on the shelf' for two years and, most of all, Elizabeth placed her trust in her father's judgment. She neatly folded the letter, confident that Mr. Bennet knew what he was about.

Lifting her gaze from the page, Elizabeth's smile spread from ear to ear as she beheld Georgiana, now sixteen, entering the room. The young lady wore a sweeping gown of delicate pink, her hair elegantly braided with ringlets framing her face. Georgiana's transformation over the past year had been remarkable, to the point of unsettling Mr. Darcy—though he would never admit it, especially not to his younger sister.

Georgiana sighed; her expression rueful. "I fear our dear brother does not appreciate my morning revelation, despite my utmost respect. I even assured him that you picked out a proper chaperone for me, and they would be in our company at all times. I pledged, quite literally, not to be alone with…" Her voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken words hanging in the air.

"I hear a hint of sadness in your voice, is it because you fear your brother does not approve of Sir Hales?"

"Mr. Darcy does not appear pleased though Mr. Hales is doing nothing improper, has a respectable position in society and has not done anything to warrant the sending the law after him. Good heavens, the gentleman even offered to allow the same law to thoroughly check out his background if our brother felt the need." Georgianna could not help but giggle. "Especially after I assured him Sir Hales is nothing like George Wickham." The young lady then shivered. "I cannot believe I thought myself to be in love with that cad."

"You were very impressionable. It is amazing how much you have changed." Mrs. Darcy smiled when Georgianna begged her new sister to talk to Mr. Darcy. "See if you cannot get him to see reason. It is not as if I am asking to be alone with the gentleman. Sir Hale would be nowhere around me come evening hours after the dance."

"I do not think it is the dance, or even Sir Hale's character that is Mr. Darcy is struggling with."

"Do not tell me it is his age. He is not that much older than me, four years is all." Georgianna did her best not to roll her eyes knowing that would do absolutely no good. "Nor his work...So it is not as either his job, or his age, poses a problem in our society."

"I think it involves... a particular summer?"

"A particular summer? What ..." A light turned on and Mr. Darcy's little sister could not help it she cracked up laughing. "Are you telling me big brother is having a problem with Sir Hales simply because his twin brother beat Mr. Darcy at a game of Pall Mall when no one thought he had a skill for that particular game?"

"That sums it up pretty well. I dare say, with no valid reason to say no, the both of you will be allowed to go."

Georgiana smiled wide as she heard the reply.