PP AU Non-Canon General Regency

Previously

In the corner of the room, Lord de Bourgh and Jane—who had turned plenty of heads themselves—watched with a satisfied smile. The act had been pulled off flawlessly, and now it was time to see where these newfound alliances would lead, and what Sir Lewis had sealed and hidden before his demise.

Lord Dawes Arrives

Ch. 13

Jane asked the earl as she watched her father and Lady Catherine discussing battle plans, their words not hers. "You mentioned needing to search places. Why the need for an act? It seems to me that you, Lady Catherine, and Anne could do that on your own."

"Not really," Alexander replied, shaking his head slightly. "We cannot guarantee Sir Lewis hid things solely within the bounds of Rosings Park. If he did, then yes, we could manage on our own. However, there are other places he might have used, and it would raise suspicion if we were to work alone."

Jane bit her lip and tapped a finger on the side of her cheek as she thought on his words. "How so?"

Alexander continued, "If Lady Catherine has Mr. Bennet along, and you have me along, it provides a plausible reason for you both to be in places that might otherwise raise eyebrows. Not to mention, it allows for multiple cover stories. If it were just us, our options would be limited."

Jane nodded, beginning to see the logic. "So, having us pair up creates a cover for our movements, making it seem like we are socializing rather than investigating."

"Precisely," Alexander agreed. "We will all go to a party tomorrow night, other than the one we attended previously. By the end of the party, it will be clear to everyone that I am courting you, and it will cement the shock over your father and Lady Catherine."

Jane smiled. "I see. It is not just about searching; it is about creating more opportunities of gathering information for our group and avoiding suspicion for anyone watching us."

"Exactly," Alexander affirmed. "With this approach, we maximize our chances of finding what Sir Lewis hid without drawing unwanted attention."

Jane nodded again, her mind racing with the implications. She was more than capable of grasping the complexities of the situation, but she appreciated Alexander's clear and strategic explanation. It was a partnership built on mutual respect and shared goals, and she was ready to play her part.

Alexander and Jane had been sitting on a bench over-looking the front gardens as Anne joined them. They were all waiting for Lord Dawes to arrive as his post said he would be arriving that morning. Their trio might have waited in silence only Lady Catherine and Mr. Bennet came out and the three could not decide if the two were seriously arguing or simply poking at each other just because they could.

"And you really expect me to wear that hideous thing to a party?" Lady Catherine scoffed. "It is older than a dinosaur."

"So are we, Catherine," Mr. Bennet retorted with a silly grin.

"Speak for yourself, you old curmudgeon, I am only forty-five" she shot back, narrowing her eyes but unable to suppress a smile.

"Well, I may be old, but at least I have taste," Mr. Bennet replied, leaning against a tree with a satisfied grin.

"Oh, please, you have an eye for beauty when it comes to clothing, you have got to be in jest. If your taste is anything to go by, I should be thankful I am capable of dressing myself." Lady Catherine again shot back.

"Would you two please stop it." Ann groaned.

"Oh, but we just got started." Thomas and Catherine spoke simultaneously while pretending to pout.

"Well, please, stop it, Lord Dawes' just arrived." Jane replied as she saw the Baron ascend from his coach.

"Great, I have heard about him; the classist and stick in mud has arrived." Whispered Thomas to Catherine; she about choked on her own oxygen, and playfully slapped him before heading back down towards the dowry house.

Robert had not been close enough to hear what Mr. Bennet had said, but his eyesight was good enough to see Thomas grinning wide and Lady Catherine's slap on his upper arm. He was shocked. This particular baron had not believed the reports he had been hearing all the way to Rosings Park, but they must be true for Mr. Bennet was clearly at Rosings Park.

Robert was a thin man, with a wiry nose. His hair was too greasy for Jane's taste, and she could not fathom what Anne saw in the baron. However, it was none of her business. So, she kept her mouth shut.

"Hello, Mr. Bennet, I must confess you, and Miss Bennet, are not the people I expected to see visiting the de Bourgh's home. Do you not have duties to attend to at Longbourn? Tenants to check after?"

"Oh, my dear man." Thomas pushed himself away from the tree. "As to Longbourn, I have not neglected my duties, I assure you all is well, and my estate manager is very capable of taking care of things in my absence. And surely, you are not deaf. People had to have told you the news, or at least one gossiping mouth. I cannot believe the likes of Lady Lucas or Mrs. Philips keeping their tongues still on a subject such as this."

'You know your neighbor and late wife's sister well."

"I do at that. Now, if you will excuse me, I promised Lady Catherine I would go help the stable master with the horses we are to use for an afternoon ride for me to look at a house she wants improved on. I told her I would accompany her as it would allow me to see what the men hired are doing."

Once he was gone, Robert turned Alexander. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Lord de Bourgh. I have not seen you since last fall. I believe it was for your daughter's debut?"

"Sarah is my niece." It was all Alexander could do not to grit his teeth; he did not like the man's tone, nor what he had just implied. "Not my daughter. You of all people should have known that by now."

"Oh, I am so sorry. I did ask around at the celebration; I was horribly misinformed."

"You could have asked me directly; I was there all night." Alexander walked by Lord Dawed not believing a word he said, shooting a look Anne's way that shouted, 'Are you really that desperate?' Holding out his hand to Jane. "If you do not mind, I would prefer we go on a walk. I happen to know a footman who is available."

"Of course." Jane took his hand eager to get away as she saw a look in Anne's eye; one that shouted Miss Anne did not want to be around when the lady blew her fuse.

Anne de Bourgh stood on the terrace, her blood boiling, face turning dark red and eyes narrowing with fury. "I cannot believe you, Lord Dawes," she began, her voice trembling with restrained anger as she felt her temperature rising. "Your audacity in speaking the way you have just now is beyond comprehension."

Lord Dawes squared his shoulders, an extreme arrogancy air surrounding him. "Anne, it is not my fault if the company here offends your delicate sensibilities."

Anne took a step forward, her expression fierce. "My delicate sensibilities? Mr. Bennet and Jane are our guests! And you, insulted them so blatantly. It shows nothing but your own arrogance. Mr. Bennet's status is as secure as yours, by law and by standing."

"By law, perhaps," Lord Dawes replied so coldly he might as well have had ice coming out of his mouth. "But the company one keeps speaks louder than our voices, does it not? And the rumors of Mr. Bennet and Lady Catherine—"

"Are none of anybody's concern." Anne interrupted, her voice rising. "Your tone was cold, dismissive, and right down rude. Mr. Bennet responded with far more politeness than you deserved."

Lord Dawes raised an eyebrow. "Politeness, you say? Ignoring the reality of their presence here does little to change it."

"And practically ignoring Jane," Anne continued, her eyes flashing. "You may be a baron, Lord Dawes, but your behavior is anything but noble. Mr. Bennet has more honor in his little finger than you could ever fathom; he may as well have been the baron just now."

"Honor?" he scoffed. "A gentleman of true honor knows his place, and the place of those around him. He is barely a member of the upper class. One acre less and he would not be a gentleman at all."

Anne stepped even closer; her fury could still be felt in the air around her. "You, who claim to have seen Lord de Bourgh with his daughter at her debut, and yet it was his niece. Do you not understand the ties of family and respect?"

Lord Dawes' face reddened. "I merely remarked on what I saw. The earl's reaction was unnecessary."

"The earl's reaction was justified, he has no daughter. You implied either Jane was knowingly seeing a married man, or that he had no morals himself." Anne retorted. "I happen to know he has no problem defending those he cares for, unlike you, who -I now know- would trample over anyone for your own gain."

Lord Dawes glared at her; his arrogance was clearly not going down an inch. "I will not be lectured by you, any more than I will anyone else."

"Then you need to leave," Anne said sharply. "Leave Rosings Park and do not return. You are no longer welcome here, Lord Dawes." She then turned on her heels and left him speechless.