PP AU Non-Canon General Regency

1st note: A MINOR edit in ch. 14 shows another consequence of Mr. Crane's actions.

2nd NOTE: a small edit was made about the key. It is made out of brass with an extra layer of brass (stainless steel was not invented until the early 1900s' ...a JAFF pointed that out to me in private).

Previously:

"There is a marquess Sir Lewis knew not far from Pemberley. His friends wish for Lady Catherine to bring me to party at his estate. Personally, I think their own motivation is simply to attempt to make me highly uncomfortable in 'their' society. However, I happen to have heard some odd remarks from one of their servants about strange trinkets they have been turning up. I figured, since the estate used to belong to an associate of Bradley Timmson and, since one of those odd remarks involved Sir Lewis's name, we ought to go."

"Accept the invitation. See if you can get yourself shown around the place or, better yet, get permission to walk around on your own."

Time Out

Ch. 17

Alexander had grown tired of traveling around asking questions and digging into old books, not to mention going through dusty basements and attics. Jane was no different in her moods as were the others. Therefore, the earl had suggested they, along with Anne, go for a ride over Longbourn since Jane was missing home. Lady Catherine and Thomas had declined the offer, but Jane had taken him up on it.

The early morning sunbathed the countryside of Longbourn in a gentle, soft glow as the trio prepared for their outing. Alexander had arranged for an open carriage to be brought over to Longbourn, and now Jane's face lit up. It felt grand feeling the familiar comfort of home.

Anne, ever the observer, watched her cousin with a sly smile. "I must say, Alexander, it is refreshing to see you taking a break from your relentless pursuit of answers, though I dare say I admire your high ethics of wanting to know the true facts."

Alexander chuckled, adjusting the reins. "Even an earl needs a respite from dusty old ledgers and cryptic documents, dear sister. And besides, I thought a day away from playing investigators would do us all some good."

They set off with the carriage swaying gently and the horses' hooves against the cobbled path creating a soothing cadence. As they rode through the estate, the beauty of Longbourn's rolling hills and vibrant meadows unfolded before them. Jane's spirits lifted with each passing moment; any stress of adulthood momentarily forgotten.

"Do you see that grove of trees over there?" Jane pointed to a cluster of ancient oaks. "When I was a child, my sisters and I used to play there for hours, or maybe, I should say Kitty and Lydia; Elizabeth and Mary would read while I would look up at the clouds and wonder where I would go if I could ride on the clouds. Some days though, we would actually play all together and build secret hideaways, imagining all sorts of grand adventures."

Anne's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "That sounds delightful, Jane. I had to do all those things by myself. Mother wanted more children, father did not. Shall we take a detour and visit your childhood hideaway?"

Without hesitation, Alexander steered the carriage towards the grove, eager to see the place that held such fond memories for Jane. The horses navigated the terrain with ease, and soon they arrived at the edge of the grove. The trees stood tall and majestic, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.

Descending from the open carriage, the trio wandered into the grove, the sunlight filtering through the leaves casting a serene light. Jane's smile widened as she led them to a large, gnarled tree with a hollowed-out trunk.

"This was my favorite spot," she said, her voice filled with nostalgia. "I would sit here for hours, sharing my secrets and dreams with Elizabeth and, in the past couple of years—when she came to visit—with Mary."

Alexander ran his hand over the rough bark, imagining the laughter and joy that had once filled the space. "It is a beautiful area, Miss Bennet. I can see why this place holds such a soft spot in your heart."

As they continued their exploration, they came upon a small, crystal-clear stream that wound its way through the grove. Anne knelt down by the water's edge, her fingers skimming the cool surface.

"Nature has a way of soothing the soul," the lady sighed. "I feel as though I could stay here forever, away from all the troubles and uncertainties. Would you think me mad to say I find Longbourn more soothing than Rosings Park?"

Jane sat beside her, putting one arm around Anne's shoulder while dipping the fingers of her other hand into the stream. "No, I would not. There is a sense of peace here that is hard to find elsewhere."

Alexander stood nearby, watching his cousin and Jane. Both women had a beauty that was not connected to their physical appearance. "I think this day out was exactly what you both needed. I almost hate the idea of taking you back to Rosings Park."

"We do not have to go back yet," Jane said, standing and heading back to the carriage, with Anne following.

They spent the next few hours wandering the estate, Jane rediscovering hidden nooks and forgotten pathways. "I purposely hid myself from my sister for hours one day in this place. Drove Lydia crazy. Elizabeth, I am convinced, knew where I was but kept her mouth shut, and my other sisters simply went home and complained to Mother. I heard about it later." As the sun climbed higher in the sky, they decided to rest in a sunlit meadow, the soft grass providing a comfortable place to sit.

Anne stretched out on the grass; her eyes closed as she soaked in the warmth of the sun. "I had no one to complain to my mother. Sometimes I wish I did." Turning to the earl, Lady Catherine's daughter smiled. "Thank you for suggesting this outing, Alexander. It has been wonderful to reconnect with the place I hold dear. I simply never told mother how much I loved coming here. When we stopped after father passed away, I dare not bring it up for her mood towards the Bennets had changed so drastically."

Alexander nodded, leaning back on his elbows. "It has been my pleasure, cousin. As I have already clearly stated, it was not just you who needed this. Clearly, there is no better place than Longbourn for such a respite."

Anne remained lying on her back, her gaze fixed on the clouds drifting lazily overhead. "Do you think we will ever find definite proof of the answers we are looking for?"

He sighed, contemplating the question. "I hope so, Anne. I really do want to know If I am correct in what I have said in in regard to why your father, who, for your peace of mind, I believe was a good man, was doing business with a man like Bradley Timmons. I refuse to believe he was selfishly motivated. Horribly misguided, perhaps, but that is the worst I am willing to believe."

Jane laid a hand on Anne's arm. "I do not remember your father much. However, I am convinced, he had to have had your best interests at heart."

"I tell myself that. I just wish he had not gone to Mr. Bradley Timmons Senior. Even I have heard of his reputation. Surely, he could have just talked to your father instead."

As the afternoon wore on, they reluctantly decided to head back to the main house. Alexander kept the horses at a steady pace, and it was not long before they reached the house. Lord de Bourgh helped Jane and Anne down.

"We will return to our search soon enough," Alexander said. He had things to check out, and since they were north of Meryton, he saw no need to take Jane back to Rosings Park, nor did Jane see a need to go back. However, he had been under the impression Anne also had business up north, which is why he had said "we."

"You mean, you will return later. I am staying here; that is if Jane does not mind?"

Jane nodded. "You are more than welcome to stay. And we can talk over this wonderful, restful day we have had. Plus, maybe, we can figure out how the pieces of the puzzles we have so far fit together."

Anne linked arms with Jane as they walked back to the house. "Indeed, it has. And who knows? Perhaps the answers we seek are closer than we think." Just as she finished speaking, they both fought against cringing as they saw Miss Bingley driving up in her open carriage.

"Lord de Bourgh, Miss Bennet," she greeted, her tone dripping with feigned politeness. "How delightful to see you both. However, I must say, I am quite surprised to see you lower yourself in such a manner."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, unfazed and spoke just as Jane went to open her mouth. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

Caroline's eyes gleamed with no good intentions out of her pupils. "Why, tales of Miss Bennet's impropriety during her stay in London. Some say she was rather too familiar with certain gentlemen at the assemblies. One can hardly believe such tales, of course, but you know how people talk. I would think you would care about your own reputation."

Lord de Bourgh's expression darkened, his voice cutting through her insinuations with ease. "Indeed, people do talk, Miss Bingley. Yet, I have often found such rumors are more about the person spreading them than their intended target. As for Miss Bennet, her character and virtue are beyond reproach. I have personally seen nothing but the utmost propriety and dignity in her behavior."

Caroline's face flushed with frustration and indignation. "Oh, but Lord de Bourgh, her family's reputation—"

He interrupted her sharply, "Her younger sister may have had problems, Miss Bingley, but Miss Bennet and the rest are above reproach. And I assure you, Jane's reputation remains untarnished in the eyes of those who truly matter to me. Perhaps it would be best for me to question the credibility of those who spread such baseless slander."

Caroline, realizing her attempt to get Lord de Bourgh away from Jane had not only failed but had also backfired spectacularly, ordered her driver to move on.

Alexander then bid Jane and Anne good-bye, climbed into the carriage and drove off. He did not think about the Bryces, knowing they would not be looking for the requested items just yet; their time would not be freed up for a while. However, he did hope Lady Catherine and Mr. Bennet would have some luck in finding something—anything—that would be another piece in the puzzle to figuring out what Sir Lewis had been attempting to keep under wraps.