PP FF

AU-NON Canon GENERAL REGENCY (taking writer's liberty as to Thomas's own parents and siblings as the book does not go into that)

NOTE: I apologize it took so long to get this posted, there is still a severe glitch and it has taken a lot to get this one loaded. I have my theories as to why such a serious glitch; None of which I am impressed with. However, let us hope I can keep working around it. It has been a royal pain.

Note 2: Rating due to subject of court papers not out of writing. And characters have at least one appearance.

Longbourn's Secret

Memories

CH. 1

A gentle wind blew over the acres of Longbourn as Thomas C. Bennet, a man who naturally leaned towards books and gardens, stood on a hill overlooking the lands of his ancestral home. Lands that should have still been in the Bennet family. And they had—until his grandfather had been ousted not only out of his home but most of his money as well. It had all been due to the courts siding with William Collins' great-grandfather in saying Longbourn-and any money connected to that estate- belonged to them, not the Bennet's. His eyes took in the sight before him.

He had developed a sarcastic sense of humor to handle the bull the Collins had dished his family over the years and, until the past five years, had the horrible habit of mocking people with it. Sadly, his own wife had been the target been the brunt of his jokes more than once. However, when their youngest daughter had run off, he had sat down an taken a long, hard, look at himself. What he had seen had not been liked. So, he had taken steps to change, and their family life had improved.

The estate stretched out before him, a tapestry of green and gold. The fields, meticulously plowed and planted, promised a bountiful harvest. Hedges of hawthorn and elderberry marked the boundaries, their blossoms adding splashes of white and purple to the landscape. The tenant cottages, modest and weather-worn, stood in a neat row along the edge of the estate. Each cottage was a simple "two up, two down" dwelling, with a thatched roof and walls of rough-hewn stone. The windows, though small and often patched, offered a glimpse of the verdant countryside beyond. Words from the past, spoke to him by his grandfather, began to ring in his ears just as much as his eyes had taken in the scenery.

"I was not prepared for this, Thomas. that day in court was a mess. Those papers the Collins presented, the claims they made." The old man had gritted his teeth. "I knew they were lying. I knew I had proof at the house, but I could not find it. I have spent so much money trying to prove the Collins' were lying. Alas, without solid proof I could not expose their lies. Therefore, I lost our home."

Unfortunately, Thomas had fared no better in finding proof. Hence, the gentleman now spent his days working the land he should have owned. He had supported five daughters. Two who, by the Lord's good graces, had married well. Jane to a Charles Bingley, and Elizabeth to a Fitzwilliam Darcy. How that had occurred with them having no dowries was beyond the man's comprehension. His youngest, Lydia, had run off and about ruined the family. Thank heavens, Fitzwilliam had stepped in.

"Here, Father, you need your lunch. Mary says to give you this." Kitty handed her father a basketful of food.

Her father was healthier than most, but that was because he had a friend from his younger days who had picked up foreign ways and had brought them to Mr. Bennet. So, his habits of eating, bathing and such were not of the standard Englishman-even with being 'just a tenant'; Lady Catherine's words not his. Hence, even what she handed him was not the typical English lunch.

There was a fresh salad made with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes, lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. There was also a whole grain baguette with slices of lean roast chicken seasoned with herbs, reminiscent of French culinary practices in the basket. A small container of hummus had been placed in side for dipping the vegetables into it if he so desired. Some fresh fruit and flash of green tea had been brought along with the meal..

"Thank you." Thomas took it and sighed. "Have you been to your mother's grave? It needs cleaning up."

"I went, but it has already been taken care of."

"By whom? I thought your sisters did not have time. Jane has not been well, and Elizabeth has her hands full with her young son and newborn."

"Probably by Charlotte, or a friend of hers that was visiting; they heard me make comment in passing. I really do not know. Nonetheless, there was not so much as one weed that dared poke its blade out of the ground."

Thomas watched Kitty turn and walk away. At nineteen, she had turned into quite the pretty young lady. She would be the only one home soon. Mary would be wed to a gentleman from York and within the month would be gone from their neck of the woods. How the gentleman prayed he could prove the Collins' had stolen Longbourn and that his grandfather had not been out of his mind as William's father had claimed to others once the court had made their decision.

"We had solid proof. Mr. Bennet just did not want to admit it. He is old and losing his mind. Too bad he and his were so unwise in having a child in their old age. They could have easily lived with one of their older children, but none of them have room for three people. I guess we can allow them to stay in one of the empty places on Longbourn. His grandson is old enough to work."

"Pompous…" Thomas bit back any insult as to the man's lies; Mr. Bennet's instincts told him they were as much untruths as the day they had first been spoken. He then turned his thoughts to his late wife. "How your father ever consented to our marriage is beyond me." He sighed and shook his head. "I dare say you only looked at me because of the time I spent in the military. I am afraid I sadly let you down when I was made to get out due to my leg being injured. I really am happy I started working on my tongue and we made peace with each other before you met your demise. At least you passed away with a smile on your face."

Thomas walked quite well now; his leg seldom acted up. However, it had definitely put an end to his days in uniform. recalled one of the last conversations the couple had had before Mrs. Bennet had crossed over.

"I am sorry, my dear, I did not mean to come across as mocking you and the children. I meant only to mock our situation, or situations I should say over the years. I took it too far. I hope the last five years were different than the rest."

"They were, we did get better. As to before... a lack of communication skills did not help any." Janie had then sighed as she lay on her death bed. "Nonetheless, I must confess, I held blame on that subject too; it was not just you."

"Forgive me?"

"Yes, but please, work on the ability to talk to people...especially now that Lydia has pulled her stunt and about ruined the Bennet name." Janie shocked her husband by comprehending such a thing; his wife weakly shrugged and replied to his wide-eyed look. "Yes, I acted pleased—part of me was. However, once those two left and it really sunk in what could have happened, I found myself appalled. Anyhow…back to what I was going to say, now that Lydia is gone, promise me…pay attention to our two girls left at home more? I know you have a lot of work on Longbourn but those two still need you. And, who knows, maybe—one day—it will be proven Longbourn was stolen from your grandfather, and they will be a gentleman's daughters."

"I have kept my promise to the best of my ability, dear. Mary will be married soon. The young gentleman holds the title of a knight, has two young sons. She met him at Pemberley and, it appears, she has a way with his boys no other woman does. That should make you happy." Thomas began digging the hole once again he was working on; a post would go into it as soon as it was deep enough, but he continued talking as if his late wife were there by his side. "Kitty wishes for me to remarry, but to ask someone to live in our tiny home. What woman wants that? Every woman I know is either married or cannot stand my humor; though I do my best to no longer mock those around me, well, not my family members. I may be guilty towards the Collins' or Lady Catherine. However, even they do not get targeted much"