PP Non-Canon General Regency

A Gentleman's Choice

Previously:

"Ouch as to his last change. What kind of woman is this Lady Shaw?"

"Reputation-wise, right or wrong, the lady calls it as she sees it." The men first looked for the traveling merchant. Praise be, when they located the located the man; he still had the items. And, when told why they were needed handed them over- at no charge.

News told at Peyton Hall

Ch. 12

Lady Shaw watched Mr. Hurst ride away giving him only vague answers, going back inside she listened to 'her' girls in kitchen and smiled.

"Oh, I think you need to go back to school and learn to read!" Christy spit out a piece of pie as Jo, who in spite of having gotten to be quite the cook, had accidentally put salt into a pie instead of sugar.

"They are both white?" That set everyone on the kitchen into fits of laughter, including Jo.

"Fine, I will give you that." Christy grinned and started chuckling. "Now, can I please get another and..." She pointed her finger at her 'sister', "Do not even consider saying it."

"Too late?" That set off another round of laughter in the kitchen; it only stopped due to Lady Shaw coming in. However, when told what was going on by Christy -it started right back up when the woman confessed to having made biscuits so hard that her father had used two of them for paper weights for a week before having to toss them out.

"Oh, that is bad." Jocasta groaned. "I do not feel so bad."

"No need to, you are an excellent cook for someone who has only been cooking for such a short amount of time. I notice a certain blacksmith, who also delivers a good share of milk, is coming around more and more."

"I am sure he is coming around for others besides me." Jocasta- who really did not think of herself as Jo very often, hurried out of the kitchen and went up to her room; Lady Shaw went to follow, Christy begged to go too, to have Lady Shaw hang back; it was a request that was honored.

Christy and she used to share a room, but Christy was in the process of moving on. Her parents had come the other day, and Jocasta had watched from the window as the other girl's parents had driven up in wagon. Her mother had climbed down and given her a big hug, as had her father. She had then watched the trio walk around the green garden with well-watered lawns, hedges that were not neglected.

"Jo?" Christy knocked on the open door and looked inside her sister's new room. It was quite spacious, but smaller than most of the rooms. Its walls were plain white with a simple Christian cross over a chest of drawers and a medium sized bed against the wall across from the window. A few vases full of flowers, a couple from Mr. Thompson and few other friends. Two chairs and a writing desk were also in the room "May I come in?"

"Of course." Jocasta turned around with a smile that Christy could easily see did not reach her kindred spirit's eyes. "Please, have a seat."

"May I ask you a personal question?" Christy spoke once she was sitting near the bay window where Jo was curled up in; when Jo gave a nod, Christy asked why her sister was resisting Mr. Thompson so hard.

"I know he is older than us, but the gap is no worse than my uncle and aunt's. Nor is he our exes. I have seen how he reacts when others attempt to get him to drink, or sit down at a game of chance. And if you fear a woman would turn his head...good heavens, Jo, you are not even his and no one has turned his head since you came here. Can you not see that?

"I see it but..." A tear slid down Jo's face "It is not that I am against the idea; but the idea of going down a second aisle without my father gives me great pain. And I guess part of me fears if I had to run again where would I run to? Mr. Thompson knows of Lady Shaw and my childhood home...I do not feel as if it is available to me anymore than you used to. Though I am thrilled yours has become available to you."

Lady Shaw had been given permission to write to Christy's parents and had recently received word that they would soon be arriving. Everyone at Peyton Hall was excited the young girl would soon be going back to her father's home. As was her 'sister', Jocasta.

"Jocasta..." Christy stood up and went over to her kindred spirit and sat down next to her. "I know Mr. Thompson is a stubborn, sometimes sarcastic, man but he has a heart of gold and a hard worker. He would not lay a harmful hand on you, nor would his sarcasm be aimed at you. He has already proven that over and over."

"I know." Jocasta had seen that for herself; it had always been aimed at those attempting to hurt Miss Shaw, not at the lady herself.

"And, no, he is not of the upper class but, besides working that blacksmith shop a few hours a day for a friend, he owns a sizable diary farm and is part of the lower-middle class. I know it is not as high up as what you were born into, but it is honest work. He is not a dishonest man and handle his money extremely well."

"In other words, he is no womanizer, gambler or drunkard."

"Christy." Lady Shaw stood at the doorway. "Your parents have just arrived, please, say your good-byes to Miss Andrews, and gather your things. They are waiting for you in the parlor."

"Promise me, Jo, open your heart to him?" Whispered Christy as she hugged her dear friend good-bye. "He is one of the good ones."

It was only when she was gone did Lady Shaw look at Jocasta and give her own understanding smile and come to sit by her side. However, then she sat down by her side and took on a more serious look -one that put Jo on guard.

"What is wrong?"

"When you came here and told me who your husband was and why you wanted a divorce; I gave you aid, helped you obtain it."

"I did not lie." Jocasta's heart started racing. "I promise."

"That is not why I am here." Lady Shaw laid a hand on the poor girl's arm. "I am sorry, I should have started different, I did not mean to give the impression I now doubted you."

"Then what is wrong?"

"Turns out you did not need that divorce, well, not in one way though I suppose it did not hurt you in another."

"He is dead? When? How?"

"I do not know the when, exactly, ...but his body was found pinned under a tree in a body of water. The one looking into it says it has been there for a good three and a half years. Says there was another man in the same spot, in the same condition. He was also asking questions about you...those I refused to give out."

Jocasta shook her head. "The ensign was very much alive when I fled, I swear. Drunk as a dozen men, but very much alive. I grabbed my things and fled out into the darkness before his fist could start swinging again, or his mistress could come to the back of the house. Though, after what I heard the voice say out from the darkness of that night, I cannot say I am shocked to hear what you just said."

"I think it is time you told me what exactly that was, and what made you flee...besides the ensign's drunken fists." When told, Lady Shaw let out an "Oh, My! No wonder you said as far you were concerned Lydia Bennet died that night and the name only lived in conjunction to anything with the divorce." Lady Shaw then repeated what Mr. Hurst had said about Mr. Bennet's own changes. "Do you think he speaks the truth?"

"If he has quit drinking, gambling, and is married to Kitty..." Jocasta let out a slow breath of air. "I... I do not know what to think...my mind is in shock." Then her mouth went lopsided. "But why should I be... look at my own past choices. If I can change, why not Mr. Hurst."