PP

AU NON-Canon GENERAL REGENCY

Longbourn's Secret

Previously:

Looking around Richard grinned when he saw a space in one of the walls, close to the floor. Sliding the book inside, the colonel was pleased the chest in front of it was already a natural barrier to the now hiding place of a book he hoped to recover later. He then turned back to finding items that could truly be sold at an auction. There was no way he could just leave, even with what he had just read, that would raise too much suspicion.

Time Out

CH. 17

The early spring evening at Hatchfield Hall was serene and was a perfect scene for an artist to pull out their brushes. The sun was beginning its descent, casting multiple colors of golden hue over the landscape. The air was crisp but not cold, carrying the fresh scent of blooming flowers and newly sprouted leaves. Birds chirped merrily, celebrating the end of winter, while a gentle breeze blew over the leaves, and throughout the branches of the ancient oak and bark trees that dotted the estate.

The grounds of Hatchfield Hall were well maintained, with manicured lawns and well-tended flower beds bursting with bright colors of spring. Daffodils and crocuses peeked through the grass, adding splashes of yellow and purple to any of the worker's view as they waved to the Bennet's in their process of their assignments, or going in indoors to take care of their evening obligations. The nearby creek babbled softly, its clear waters reflecting the pastel colors of the sky.

As the evening continued on the sky took on a soft, dusky pink, with streaks of orange and lavender. The setting sunbathed the hall in a warm, inviting glow, making the stone walls appear almost golden. The windows of the hall glimmered in the fading light, hinting at the warmth and comfort within.

The estate was adjacent to Netherfield, and the proximity allowed for easy visits between the two properties. The path connecting Hatchfield Hall to Netherfield was lined with budding trees and flowering shrubs, creating a natural corridor that was both beautiful and private.

As Olivia sat on a blanket underneath a large oak tree, she could see the silhouettes of Kitty and James Hurst walking hand in hand towards her and Mr. Bennet. The scene was idyllic, with the tranquility of the evening providing a perfect backdrop for their conversation. The soft murmur of voices and occasional laughter added to the peaceful ambiance, making it a moment of contentment and reflection.

Olivia had not expected much when she had agreed to marry Thomas Bennet, other than to hope she could find out the truth to any of Longbourn's secrets. However, as she sat on a blanket underneath a large oak tree watching Kitty and James Hurst walking hand in hand towards her and Mr. Bennet, she could not help but give a contented sigh; her own hand being covered by Thomas'.

"If you had told me six years ago, Louisa Hurst would be buried, James would be a completely sober adult man holding down a very respectable position—on speaking terms with his family—I would not have believed you. I would have thought you to be absolutely mad."

"I would have been in the same boat," Thomas agreed as he watched the two draw closer. "I certainly would not have relished him seeing my daughter."

"The day Janet stood out in the gardens of Netherfield and suggested we marry; I almost asked her if I needed to ask you to commit her." Olivia turned her head to face Thomas when he replied there had been no sign on her face that had been the case, though he had seen her square her shoulders. "I had many men offer me marriage, mostly for the money they figured they could get off me as I am my father's only daughter."

"No one offered you a genuine hand?" Thomas was shocked.

"One." Olivia sighed. "His mother could not stand me; said I was too blunt. That I would make a lousy duke's wife." She then laughed. "As much as I hated to admit it at the time; I think now she was right; nonetheless not because I am too blunt. It is because of those annoying parties; they would have been the death of me. How any person can stomach those things is beyond me."

"A woman after my own heart. Please take it in your hands and treat it with great care." Thomas leaned over and kissed the top of her head and burst out laughing when his wife made a face and retorted she preferred Mr. Bennet kept it in his chest; it would be far less messy that way.

"What is so funny?" James and Kitty asked when they crossed over the small creek that lay behind the main house.

"Nothing, but I think I will ask Mrs. Hill to prepare a deer's heart for dinner tonight." Mr. Bennet again cracked up laughing.

"You are hopeless."

"And you are any better?"

"I am a perfect angel." Olivia winked, causing her family to roar with amusement even louder than before.

"I think…" Mr. Bennet gathered himself together, stood up and helped Olivia to stand. "We should take a walk of our own. Do not think…" Thomas did his own winking, this time at Kitty. "I am letting you two out of my sight."

The Bennets' stroll did indeed keep them within sight of James and Kitty; however, their voices were nowhere near in danger of being overheard. It was that fact that got Thomas to speak more candidly about not only his family but hers as well.

"Your family's name sounds familiar to me and I know not why; other than what I have been told about the cousin relation and what you have shown me on paper. It has me quite befuddled."

"If it gives you any peace, it has me too. I went digging over some of the books I brought with me, and I found something quite disturbing, well, maybe not disturbing for—in the end—to us it could be very beneficial. However, to me it was still quite unsettling."

"What did you read that rattled your cage so much?" Thomas could feel a sense of an undercurrent of nerves shaking around her.

"I read an entry of my great-grandfather's. It said, and I quote, 'Today, I met with Mr. Collins to discuss the matter of Longbourn. Though it weighs heavily on my conscience, I have agreed to assist him in securing the estate. The documents I provided should support his claim. I only hope this decision does not bring trouble upon our family, but the promise of future support from the Collins is difficult to overlook.' "

"Oh, my."

"That tells me alone the Collins stole Longbourn from your grandfather and my own great-grandfather gave aid. However, how I do not know; did he forge the papers? Or did he point them to someone who could do it? I do not dare have us take them to court with just that journal entry alone for the date on it was of such Mr. Hendricks was an old man; their lawyer could say he was not in his right mind."

"What about the Bible Kitty gave you? Is anything in it?"

"There was a letter tucked away in one of the pages which referenced the court case. It included specific dates, names, and nature of the dispute. I put it with the journal entry and put it in our bedroom. Which, by the way, it is a good thing we are keeping it locked and the items in not a normal spot. I need at least one, preferably two more things to back those things up before I would be comfortable taking that family to court."

"Why? What has happened to the other books you had?"

"Last time I went to Netherfield to get the books, Jane told me of a strange visit she had from Mrs. Collins; appears she wonders as bad as the Mrs. Collins of your grandfather's days. Want to guess what has gone missing?"

"The books." Thomas asked if there was anything he could do to help. "You have not been a Bennet for long, but you are finding more than any of us have ever since Longbourn was taken from the family. I would move heaven and earth for you if I could."

"Keep any of the Collins out of the house and do not hire any more servants; I will clean Hatchfield Hall by myself, if necessary, until this mess is over, and I mean it." Her jaw set hard. "Well, I would not mind Kitty's help, that is as long as she and James are still around. I would not be surprised if he asked for her hand soon and, since he is back on good terms with his parents, my guess is they will be moving back onto their estate."

Their talk turned back to the books, especially the missing ones.

"I should not be surprised if Mrs. Collins took them, probably pressured by her husband or father to do it."

Olivia then confessed she had told Jane that, in this case, her gut instincts told her it had been one of the maids who had first moved the books first, and which one. "Turns out I was right; the maid confessed to moving them to the library and I dare say that is how Mrs. Collins knew they were in there; only I must confess the Mrs. Collins bit is an educated guess."

"What makes you say that?" Thomas was told it had been in the maid's eyes, and that the girl had seen where the books had been put.

"When Jane was told, Mrs. Bingley's eyes went wide and she realized the maid had come looking for a position after our wedding. So, that is when the lady was confronted, she admitted to moving the books, but refused to say why she had done it. She was fired. Might have gone after the Collins, only with no proof...how do you do that?"

"You do not."