PP
AU NON-Canon GENERAL REGENCY
Longbourn's Secret
"I will lose this house if I do not deal with it. Then where would I be?" And when he could tell what his brother was about to come back with, he pointed a finger at his little brother and snapped. "And do not dare tell me you think the Bennets have a rightful claim to Longbourn because that was just Mr. Bennet's grandfather's way of denying our family was in the right."
"I have work to do." Andrew walked out without another word, not about to waste his time discussing 'that' subject with his brother.
Fending off Lady Catherine
CH. 19
Janet and Richard had planned on going straight to the Bennets with what they had found, only they had received word that Lady Catherine demanded they, more like Janet, come to Rosings Park. They had not liked the tone of the post sent to Richard's intended, and so, even though the post had solely been sent to Miss Chapman, Richard went too. It was for that reason Richard was shown into the de Bourgh's drawing room as well as Miss Chapman just a few days later.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh sat stiffly, almost frozen like, in her high-backed chair, her sharp eyes fixed on the couple as they entered. She had not expected Richard to accompany Janet, and her displeasure was not hidden. It showed clearly in the tight line of her mouth and her eyes narrowing.
"Miss Chapman, Colonel Fitzwilliam," Lady Catherine greeted them with a short, sharp, nod. "I had intended to speak with Miss Chapman alone, but it seems you have taken it upon yourself to join us, Richard. Is your lady not capable of being left alone?"
Richard shocked his aunt by taking on the look of a colonel more than that merely a man who is speaking to his kin. "I am here to support Miss Chapman, Lady Catherine. You may question the woman who will soon be my wife in front of me, or you may not question her at all."
Lady Catherine's eyes remained narrowed, but she did not argue. Instead, she turned her attention to Janet, her tone carrying a heavy tone of false politeness. "Miss Chapman, I am curious about your motivations for marrying my nephew. It is not every day that a woman of your standing, your extreme wealth, is willing to to engage herself to a man of Richard's position."
Janet met Lady Catherine's gaze steadily. "My motivations are simple, Lady Catherine. I respect Richard for who he is, I admire his ethics, moral and I love being around him. We are equals in many ways. A man like him I can learn to love more and more each day, and he loves me. Therefore, engagement is based on mutual respect and affection."
Lady Catherine's lips pursed. "Love, you say?" The lady zoned in on that word alone, as if nothing else had been spoken by Richard's intended. "But surely there must be more to it than that. Tell me, Miss Chapman, do you have any connections to Thomas Bennet, or any of his other relations?"
Janet wanted to roll her eyes, so that is what this woman's real motivation was for wanting to see her; to get answers for the Collins'. Well, this lady could go take long hike. However, she reigned in any smart remark and kept a much better mask in place than what Lady Catherine was capable of. "None, other than Olivia Bennet, who is a distant cousin through a different line. Our families have no significant ties of which I am aware of."
Lady Catherine's eyes flickered. "Olivia Bennet, you say. How interesting. And what is your opinion of the man your cousin married? Of his family, Miss Chapman?"
Janet's expression showed no readable emotion. "I have no particular opinion of them, Lady Catherine. Olivia is a kind and intelligent woman, who is helping me with some of my books and for that I am grateful, but beyond that, there is nothing to be said."
Lady Catherine leaned forward slightly; her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "And what of Longbourn? Have you any thoughts on the recent disputes regarding its ownership? Surely, you have an opinion on that."
Richard's jaw tightened; he was not impressed by his aunt butting in where she had no business being. However, Janet did not appear bothered at all. "I would have to be deaf to not be aware of the disputes, but I see no reason to discuss such things. My focus at this moment, as far as I am concerned, is in regards to my future with Richard."
Lady Catherine's frustration was palpable. She had hoped to glean more useful information from Janet, but the young woman was proving to be less pliable than the woman had anticipated. She decided to change tactics.
"Miss Chapman, you must understand that marrying into a family such as ours comes with certain expectations, certain responsibilities. Are you prepared to meet all of those?"
Janet nodded. "I am fully aware of the responsibilities that come with marrying Richard, Lady Catherine. As you said upon my arrival, I am a woman of extreme wealth."
"Keep quiet Richard."
"I said nothing." Richard spoke stiffly, but his eyes were dancing.
Lady Catherine's eyes narrowed yet again and went back to speaking to his intended. "And what of your family, Miss Chapman? Surely, they are questioning this union?"
Janet smiled. "My parents are dead, Lady Catherine. I doubt they are too concerned about what I am doing. And seeing as how my other relatives have not spoken up against all the banns, and our wedding is coming up soon, I think it is safe to say...so far...they are all simply happy that at thirty-one I am finally getting remarried."
Lady Catherine's frustration grew. She had truly, and honestly, hoped to find some weakness or hesitation in this woman's answers, but Janet had never wavered, hesitated, or even flinched. She had remained composed the entire time. Richard's aunt decided to try one last approach in hopes of getting her to break.
"Miss Chapman, you must understand my concern. Word is that you are showing a closeness to the Bennets that cannot be tolerated. The Collins family have been loyal to us for many years. Therefore, I must insist you promise not to undermine that loyalty by any of your actions."
Richard's eyes flashed with anger, and he went to speak, but Janet beat him to the punch as she stood up. "I will make no such promise, the only vow I will make, and keep, is one I take in front of the parson when I agree to take Richard as my husband."
Lady Catherine's eyes bore into Janet's, searching for any sign of deceit and furious she had not cowered under her demand to promise not to undermine the Collins' loyalty. But Janet's gaze remained steady, and Lady Catherine knew she would get no further with her questioning.
"Very well," Lady Catherine said, her tone clipped. "I see that you are determined. But know this, Miss Chapman: I will be watching you closely."
Janet inclined her head. "Watch all you want, Lady Catherine. I have nothing to hide."
Richard stood, his expression firm. "Thank you for your time, Aunt Catherine. We will take our leave now."
As they left the drawing room, Richard took Janet's hand, his grip reassuring. "You handled that well," he said quietly. "I cannot believe the nerve of my aunt on that last bit."
Janet smiled up at him. "Thank you, Richard. I am not surprised, I have been warned about her, multiple times over. Still cannot believe her audacity though."
Richard shook his head. "I can; however, the one small comfort I find is, in my travels, I have found women even worse than she."
"In that case, I shudder at the idea of meeting them."
As they walked away from Rosings Park, both Richard and Janet knew that Lady Catherine would continue to watch them, but it bothered them very little. They really did need to get to the Bennets and have a serious talk.
However, back inside Fitzwilliam -who had overheard the last part of what his aunt had said was giving his aunt a severe tongue lashing. "I may not have caught everything you just said; for I did not come here to listen to your gossiping mouth. But I will say, how dare you attempt to get Miss Chapman to make such a promise. She owes this family nothing in regard to the Collins and neither does Richard."
"How can you say such things?" Lady Catherine went to defend her actions only to have her reserved nephew shock her by putting up his hand.
"I do not have time to listen to your excuses. William Collins Senior is faithful only to his pocketbook and William Jr. has never cut his apron strings to his father. If you lost Rosings Park their loyalty would instantly evaporate." With that Mr. Darcy left his aunt's drawing room and the lady absolutely speechless.