PP FF
AU NON-Canon GENERAL REGENCY
Longbourn's Secret
Previously:
The approach to the Lucas' home made Janet grin wide; Lord Hayden Bryce was standing, undaunted, face to face, with William Collins; a man who might as well have turned into a miniature mouse.
Charlotte Accepts
CH. 7
Every rodent, insect, and possible living creature alive fled, or might as well have, as Hayden towered over William with his eyes narrowed so thinly and his jaw set so hard they might as well have been a sword and hammer ready to strike. Jane had no idea what William had said, but no doubt, whatever it was, Lord Bryce was standing for none of it.
"I do not know who you, or your family, think they are." Hayden's voice's tone held the ability to slice and dice a man without even trying. "But Charlotte said no, and the answer is no. Now, be gone!"
Janet and Richard got out of their carriage and watched William scurry off and scamper up into his own. "I take it, from his glare, he is not happy with you," Richard remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I really am not concerned," laughed Hayden. "His family only wishes to get a connection in this town to a person with a title, or plenty of money. They think to get at least the title through Charlotte. And thought to scare me off." The gentleman turned to Miss Lucas, who had come out and who now slid her hand into his. "He will like it even less when he hears she has left with me."
"You two are getting married?" Janet asked, her eyes widening with surprise and delight.
"Yes, Lord Bryce has talked to my father, though he had no need for I am above the age of vesting. We decided the Collins' need not know until I am out of Meryton." Charlotte could not help but giggle like a young schoolgirl, then sobered up. "We did so because even Lord Bryce realizes they do have one connection to my family that could cause severe headaches unless we are already married. And since my mother and siblings are away and will not be back until morning, we are leaving now. Do not get me wrong, she would support me, but we all know her mouth cannot stay shut."
"You are going to marry in Scotland, are you not?" Janet and Richard were counting on quick enough.
"Yes, with my father's blessing. You will keep quiet?"
"Gladly." Both grinned. "We will talk to your father, give him the shawl I intended to give to you; it will give a reason for our carriage being here, and not say a word to him about knowing. I take it he is in his study?"
"Most likely."
"Will your mother think you have run off?"
"Good heavens, no. My father says he will tell her I was given a position by Lord Bryce's sister; he will feign ignorance on the fact we are actually marrying in Scotland and, when we conveniently confess, I am not only helping his sister but are married, he will demand she accept our marriage by handfasting as long as we promise to do a church wedding next year."
"Best get going." Janet was for anything that would get one over on the Collins'. "We wish you well."
"Thank you." The couple left, and Janet and Richard went and knocked on the door as soon as Lord Bryce's carriage was out of sight.
"Why, hello, Colonel Fitzwilliam." Sir William grinned wide as he opened the door. "And who is this young lady?"
"Miss Janet Chapman, she is friends with Charlotte."
"I am sorry…" The man gave no sign of knowing anything about his daughter. "But Charlotte is not home, she has gone to work for Lord Bryce's sister. Maybe, you could write to her in Scotland?"
"I cannot, I will be busy at Netherfield, but could you give her this?" Janet handed Sir William a small, white shawl. "I borrowed it last time I was down here and meant to return it sooner, but my aunt fell ill and I forgot to send it with my other cousin."
"I will be sure to do that." Again, the gentleman behaved in a way one might expect of a father who thought his daughter to have found a position that would benefit her and not be a drain on himself.
Once Richard was back in the carriage, along with Janet, he grinned wide. "Sir William is known for being a jovial fellow. However, I think people are underestimating his acting abilities. He could have fooled me if I did not already know about Charlotte and Lord Bryce." He then looked at Janet. "Why such a serious look?"
The colonel's question was asked as the carriage moved along the winding road towards Netherfield. Richard and Janet sat opposite each other, the sway of the vehicle punctuating their conversation. The autumn landscape outside was a blur of gold and russet, but inside the carriage, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and unspoken words.
"Richard," Janet began, her voice soft yet resolute, "I have been thinking about the situation I have, unwittingly, put Olivia in by asking her to come down here to help me. Well, her father put her there first by having no spine. But it has been heightened in light of the recent developments here at the Lucas'."
Richard's expression was a mix of curiosity and concern. "I confess, I have not been impressed with the Collins for quite some time. But what is it about today's events that has you now so concerned? I hope by now you realize you are free to speak to me of any subject you wish."
She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Olivia's father, Mr. Hendricks, has recently submitted a petition to the court regarding her financial provisions. He is unaware of the intricacies of Longbourn or Mr. Collins, but he has included a clause that might be of interest to us, or I should say would be to the Collins' if they find out about it. I would rather they not, or at least not until it is too late."
Richard raised an eyebrow, not sure how concerned he ought to be. "Go on."
Janet continued, "The petition stipulates that should Olivia marry within six months, the man would receive sixty thousand pounds certain, regardless of their own circumstances. This means no matter who my cousin marries, they would be very well off."
A slow smile spread across Richard's face as he grasped the implications. "I think I can see where you are going with this, but you cannot force either party to go along with it. You have many friends who are single and the one you are referencing may not even care, not even for sixty-thousand pounds in spite of what the public would say."
"Nor would I dream of forcing the issue. And, I have already mentioned my idea to my cousin. However, she was somewhat reluctant. The fact remains, I need Olivia's help, and we—she and I—cannot afford for that kind of money to fall into any of the Collins' hands." Janet nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "She has to stay one step ahead of them. I hope, when I bring it back up, my idea is accepted. I happen to know who is in town and I have the funds to pay for a special license."
"I will keep my mouth shut as to opposing the idea. Nonetheless, I will say something against it if you push the subject if the gentleman objects and if you discuss it with them privately; without anyone else within earshot."
"Ugh." Janet slapped her forehead.
"Now what?"
"I fear I may have given Olivia the wrong idea; while I am certain it has been corrected by now, I think she was under the impression other people I know lived on the property of Netherfield besides the Bingleys."
"From what you tell me, I doubt she will hold it against you, and I am most positive -if your cousin has mentioned the subject, she has been corrected on the matter." Richard grinned. "I suggest your bigger issue is what they will think of your other idea." He finished as the carriage drew closer to Netherfield..