PP FF

AU NON-Canon GENERAL REGENCY

Longbourn's Secret

Previously:

"I will miss you." Thomas turned to Mary. "York is too far to travel. However, I am relieved you married a good man, and will not live in poverty." Three out of four daughters would live better than he had; he doubted Lydia would ever live well and had no way of knowing what life had in store for Kitty. Time would only tell -and he did not have that particular information yet.

Olivia and Janet

CH. 3

Birds chirped and flew overhead, and ducks swam in a pond below. Deep green grass had been mowed and its edges trimmed to perfection where a stone-curved path wide enough for carriages to pull up to a five-story mansion could be seen. Servants could be seen coming in and out of the home of Sir J.T. Hendrickson.

"Olivia!" Lady Sophia Hendrickson, her mother, called from the bottom of the stairs. "Janet is here to see you!"

"Someone needs to tell my mother her voice is not to be used as a large horn and that I am not a child." Olivia rolled her eyes and exited the library. "Had the door not been open, we might have stirred the very spirits of the departed, resulting in a host of ghosts protesting our intrusion and insisting we move this very house."

A servant walking by about choked on laughter wanting to come out, another's chuckle sounded as if she had swallowed water down the wrong tube, and even the butler—who was used to Olivia's mouth—had to bite his tongue to keep a straight face as the lady descended the stairs.

Olivia's feet stepped onto a brightly polished bluish-colored marble floor. Her mother stood in a long flowing dress, with her dark hair piled on her head in a tight bun. Personally, Olivia thought the hairstyle constricted the matriarch's blood flow to her father's wife's brains; however, that was not a thought which she was stupid enough to speak out loud.

"Your cousin is in the drawing room. When you two are done, you have been invited to a party at Rosings Park." The woman might as well have been wearing a monacle way too far down her nose for the way she was looking at Olivia

"I told you I am not interested. They would just gawk at the way I walk." Olivia walked by with a slight limp, her right hip lifting higher with each step. She was thankful she had left the age of vesting quite some time ago; her father's wife had no legal right to make her go to those torturous things. Ignoring her mother's complaints coming from behind, Mr. Hendrickson's daughter entered the drawing room and grinned wide as she saw her cousin Janet Chapman sitting in an overstuffed red chair.

Janet was wearing a dark blue, empire-waist dress, with black lace around the wrists, neckline, and hem. Her dark hair matched her uncle's wife, their temperaments did not. Lady Hendrickson loved her wealth and flaunted it as much as Lady Catherine did. Janet had as much as the two women…if not a tad more, but seldom exposed the exact amount. Fact is, most people thought her to be the 'poorer' of the three women.

"So, you managed to crawl out of that library of yours for me, I am tickled pink."

"Oh, and you never crack open a book."

"Keep your voice down." Janet glanced towards the doors. "People think I received all my money from my late husband's untimely death and his wise management of money."

"Scott's wise money management skills?" Olivia managed to keep her voice low, but it was her turn to sound as if she were choking, this time on a toad. "You two would have been poor as church mice if his head had held enough brains to know who was turning his neck. And if people really knew what kind of money you had,or how you spent it they would be havng major fits."

"I know that, you know do too, but do we need to advertise it?" Janet smirked.

"Fine; however, I have always wanted to ask...why do you get such a laugh out of doing it? I mean I understand seeing people happy, but I see a glint of amusement every time you given large amounts of money away."

"You think I am going to pass up chances to make that cad of a late husband of mine roll over in his grave by giving away money from 'that' account?" Janet grinned wide.

"Pay backs for not being able to divorce him, uh?"

"Sounds good to me." Janet grinned wide then tacked on. "Hey, I make sure the women actually want the guys they get...even if I question a few of them."

So, why did you come? It certainly was not for my mother's wisdom. I am pretty sure you could get better advice…" Olivia instantly closed her mouth as the door opened up and in walked her father and Lady Hendrickson.

"What do we owe this great pleasure to?" Sir John, a knight of York, asked with a very patronizing smile. "I heard you were heading south, perhaps to Rosings Park?"

Ugh, Olivia wanted to scream. Lady Hendricks had already been told her husband's daughter was not interested. Did she really have to pull Olivia's spineless father into things?

"No, actually, I have a friend living in Netherfield and I need a companion to go with me. Olivia is old enough for that." Janet ignored Lady Hendrick's remark, something akin to 'Do not remind me,' but was shocked when her cousin's father announced his daughter's dowry would stay in place- in fact it had been substantially increased- but unless she found a husband within six months, her allowance would be cut off.

"Are you serious?" Olivia knew who was behind that one; Lady Hendricks did not even bother hiding her holier-than-thou smirk.

"Your mother is right…you are too old to be single. It is an embarrassment to this family for you to be unwed. There are plenty of men who would be willing to ignore your physical problem."

"I am twenty-four, I hardly call that an embarrassment."

"I have written my decision and submitted it to the courts." Mr. Hendricks handed a copy to his daughter. "I suggest you do as it says or you will find yourself working for your mother." The two then departed the room.

"Working for my mother, my foot." Olivia read the paper over carefully as she sat next to Janet. "I do not see that here, do you?"

Janet took the paper and began to read.

To the Honorable Court,

I, Sir John T. Hendricks, Knight of York, do humbly submit this petition concerning the future provisions for my daughter, Miss Emily Hendricks. With a heavy heart and a sense of duty, I present the following stipulations for her continued support and well-being.

Miss Hendricks, now of four and twenty years, has yet to secure a suitable marriage. In light of this, I find it necessary to impose certain conditions to ensure her future stability. Therefore, I respectfully beseech the court to acknowledge and enforce the following terms:

Marriage Requirement: Miss Olivia Hendricks must enter into a lawful marriage within six months from the date of this court's approval of this petition.

Allowance Suspension: Should Miss Hendricks fail to secure a marriage within the stipulated time frame, her current allowance shall be suspended indefinitely. This measure is intended to encourage her to take the necessary steps towards securing her future.

Employment Condition: In the event that Miss Hendricks does not fulfill the marriage requirement within the given period, she shall be required to seek gainful employment to support herself. This condition is imposed to ensure that she does not become a burden upon the family estate or society at large. The specifics of her employment shall be determined at her discretion, provided it is respectable and lawful.

Irrevocable Marriage Settlement: Upon entering into a lawful marriage, Miss Olivia Hendricks shall receive a marriage settlement of sixty thousand pounds, which shall be transferred to her husband. This settlement is irrevocable and shall remain with her husband regardless of any future circumstances, including any legal challenges or disputes. This provision is intended to ensure the financial stability of the couple and to support their future endeavors. The court shall uphold this settlement as binding and unalterable, even if Sir John T. Hendricks or any other party seeks to challenge it.

It is my sincere hope that these measures will motivate Miss Hendricks to take the necessary steps towards securing a stable and prosperous future. I trust that the court will understand the gravity of this situation and grant this petition in the best interest of my daughter and our family.

Respectfully submitted,

Sir John T. Hendricks, Knight of York

"I see nowhere where it says the employment has to be for your father's wife; they are making that assumption. And I see what kind of man he is hoping to attract for you with that kind of dowry, and considering what title your grandmother's own father held, you know where they got that kind of money from.."

"I am not marrying someone just to appease Lady Hendricks. If my younger brother were in this position, they would not be doing this to him. Course, he is always away at school, we never even see him." Olivia turned back to the subject of the paper, tossing out the word mother as she did so. "And since nowhere in this document does it insist I work for Mrs. Hendricks. Do you think I could borrow some money to get set it further south? I would pay you back once I had employment."

"No need to look." Janet's face beamed. "That friend I mentioned? I should have said friends. Names are Charles and Jane Bingley. I grew up around Charles and met Jane while passing tharough Longbourn. Cannot stand the owners of Longbourn, but the Bennets I fell in love with. I helped two of their daughters make excellent matches." No one had to tell Olivia who had provided those same girls with hefty doweries; the lady doubted it was the parents.

"That I believe." Olivia rolled her eyes. "So, what makes you think Mrs. Bingley will hire me?"

"I happen to know the lady needs help and as to paying me back on anything you may need in the process?" Janet grinned wide. "Forget the money, I have a pile of genealogy and history books I need straightening up down there, my friend has some books that she wants me to go through, not sure what she is hoping I wll find though. Her letter was not real clear on that part. Help us figure them out, hers and mine; I will then consider myself paid back." She then had another idea hit her head. "As to that husband bit...would you trust me on that end?"

Olivia sighed in relief as to the employment, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "As to the other, you are a hopeless matchmaker. I am no committing to let you do that quite yet, for now get me that position?"

Janet waved her hand dismissively. "Fair enough, as to paying me back? Nonsense. We are family. Besides, I could use the help. Those books have been gathering dust for far too long. Mrs. Bingley warned me they had been in the attic for a couple of generations at the very least."

The two cousins spent the next hour discussing their plans. Olivia felt a renewed sense of purpose. She would not let Lady Hendricks dictate her life, that was not even close to an option. Having Janet's aid it would not be as hard to find a job. Thus earning money and proving she was capable of standing on her own two feet would not be as difficult as if it were to left solely on her shoulders.

As they talked, the sun began to set, casting a soft, gentle, golden glow over her father's estate. The servants lit the lamps, and the mansion took on a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Olivia felt a twinge of sadness. Her heart loved this place, it had been her home all her life, but the lady knew that time was now past; Mrs. Hendricks had now made it impossible to stay.

"Do you think Mrs. Bingley will really hire me?" Olivia asked, a trace of uncertainty entering her voice.

"Most certainly," Janet replied confidently. "I received a note just the other day begging me to look out for governess for her young son. You are more than qualified. Plus, it will give you a chance to get out of this house and start fresh."

"How old is her son?"

""One, and I have seen the way you are with children. You are a natural. The only thing that you appear to be more of a prodigy on is putting together historical information 'puzzles'. Where other people cannot find answers to their questions...you do." Laughed Janet when she saw Olivia biting her lip and asked how she was supposed to help Janet if she were taking care of an infant. "Mrs. Bingley only wishes her son to be watched in the early morning hours; she has difficulty sleeping. Once she raises -which is about eleven, the lady would take over."

Olivia nodded, feeling more hopeful than she had in weeks. "In that case, I am more than willing to talk to your friend."

Just then, Sir John re-entered the room, his expression stern. "Olivia, I gave you a copy of the petition so you would understand the gravity of the situation. This is not a matter to be taken lightly. Your future depends on it."

Olivia looked at her father, her resolve hardening. "I understand, Father. But I cannot believe you let Lady Hendricks talk you into such a thing. I will not be forced into a marriage I do not want. I will find a way to support myself before marrying someone I do not even like. And..." Her eyes narrowd. "What gives you the idea I would even consider coming back here."

Sir John sighed. "You have no experience, Olivia, who is going to hire you? You need to be realistic."

"I am being realistic and I will find work."

"If you are that determined than all I can say is I hope you do. However, dear, as much as it pains me to say this, I fear you will end up working for your mother."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Olivia and Janet to break out in grins; if only Mr. Hendricks had known their plans he would not have walked out feeling his feet were on rock solid ground.

"Oh, and Olivia, before I take you to Netherfield, we will need to swing by a friend of mine. Her name is Charlotte Lucas. Some accuse her of being wallflower. However, I think that simple lady has her own kind of beauty and when she smiles? Her whole face lights up."