PP AU Non-Canon General Regency
NOTE: edited Ch. 14 to clarify things in regard to Alexander's family and to show more appropriate consequence for Mr. Crane. I did write to someone but I guess FF did not deliver note, sorry. However, anyone wishing to reread it may.
Previously:
Alexander 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.
Amber Hall
Ch. 18
Late August air blew through Lady Catherine's carriage as she and Mr. Bennet traveled down the road. The carriage gently swayed, and the open fields lay barren as the pastures had been emptied of their animals due to being moved to upper fields. It would not have mattered had the beast been there for Thomas's mind was not on the scenery it was on what Lord de Bourgh had said in regard to Sir Lewis' words to Mr. Timmons.
"I really am sorry, Thomas." Lady Catherine shook her head when she was finally able to pry it out of Mr. Bennet's mouth. "I alternate between utter disbelief he would pull such a stunt to having the urge to toss him into the English Channel if he were still around."
"If he were still around, we would have no idea of any the papers, or diaries." Thomas gave a half-hearted smile. Then, rubbing hie forehead he gave a sigh himself. "Thing is, Lady Catherine, he had to be thinking of you and Anne. I have to give him that much."
"But to the point of risking making it appear as if you would be aiming to take Rosings Park from me? At the very least it would have made us both look bad were it not for his son doing what he could to clean up his family's name."
"Answer me this, why are you really not fighting this search? Rosings Park is Anne's inheritance. You admitted part of you have problems with the idea of losing you estate if the earl finds solid proof of what the diaries and letters point to, so, what are you not telling Anne?"
"Nothing. I have told her everything." Lady Catherine sighed. "It is nothing complicated, Mr. Bennet. Truth is, as much as I wish to remain at Rosings Park, there is no desire to keep it under false pretenses. If you are, as those documents highly suggest, the rightful owner—and Jane the rightful heiress—we have no desire to stand in the way. And Anne agrees."
"You are more honorable than many give you credit for."
"Close your mouth in regard to that type of remark, you will ruin my reputation as a pompous, tyrannical, very much overbearing, patronizing matriarch. Imagine the scandal around Kent, Derbyshire and Hertfordshire if people found out I have a heart- they are still in shock over two de Bourgh's seeing people with the last name of Bennet as it is."
Mr. Bennet chuckled. "Well, we cannot have that now, can we?"
Lady Catherine smirked. "Indeed not. Let us keep this between us. It would not do for the whole county to think I have gone soft. I rather like seeing their puzzled faces trying to figure out on earth we are 'managing' to be around each other. But, of course, it must be because we are both selfish, self-centered creatures. You who always mock your family member. Forget the fact it is they who refuse to see your changes."
Thomas grinned then his mouth went flat. "Looks as if we have arrived."
His eyes fell on a dark-brown, four-story—six if you counted the attic and basement—home of Marquess Taylor. Multiple carriages had been taken down to one very large carriage house, or down to the stables. Lady Catherine's was no different. Soon she and Mr. Bennet were being shown to their destination with the kind of deference reserved for distinguished guests.
A liveried footman greeted them with a deep bow, taking the reins of their horses. "Welcome, Lady Catherine, Mr. Bennet. This way, please."
They were led through a gravel pathway that wound around the side of the house, the scent of blooming roses filled the air. Elegant hedges and meticulously maintained flowerbeds framed their path, creating quite the inviting atmosphere as they approached the grand entrance.
Upon reaching the main doors of the marquess' home, another servant opened them with a flourish, revealing the luxurious interior of the house. A grand staircase rose before them, its banisters gleaming under the gentle, glowing, light of crystal chandeliers. The sound of music and lively chatter drifted from the ballroom, leading them to their destination.
As they entered the ballroom, they were met with a dazzling display of candlelight and richly adorned decorations. The guests turned to observe their entrance, their curiosity could be, annoyingly, felt for their stares lasted longer than was necessary. Lady Catherine and Mr. Bennet exchanged a knowing glance, as this -by now- was a standard reaction for them to bet getting.
"After we dance the first dance." Thomas whispered low. "You stay and keep people occupied and I will get the marquess' consent to have someone show me around his home. Perhaps I can show an interest in some of those ramblings I have heard."
"It definitely would draw less suspicion if we do it that way." Lady Catherine took his hand and allowed him to take her out onto the dance floor. "I highly suggest you ask to look into the studies and libraries that servant you overheard talking about."
So, it was with that remark in mind that Mr. Bennet walked away from Lady Catherine after the dance and found the marquess. He waited until the gentleman was finished talking with an earl who had traveled down from bath then Mr. Bennet spoke.
"Lord Derbyshire, may I have a word with you?"
"Yes, of course. Is there something I can do for you... Mr. Bennet, I believe?"
"Yes, I am Mr. Bennet. I have a great love for books and old keys. I was told you had quite the collection. I was hoping, if you did not mind, to look at them?"
"A man after my own heart," Lord Derbyshire said with mile wide grin. "I would be delighted to show you my collection. Please, follow me."
Mr. Bennet followed the marquess through the grand hallways, adorned with old family portraits and ornate decorations from far off lands. The air was filled with the faint scent of polished wood and old paper. They reached the library, a magnificent room with typical high ceilings and shelves lined with books from floor to ceiling.
"Here we are," Lord Derbyshire announced. "My humble library."
Mr. Bennet's eyes widened in appreciation as he took in the sight of the extensive collection. "This is extraordinary, Lord Derbyshire. I could spend days, months, even years here. My family may have to end up sending out a search party for me."
"Feel free to browse as much as you like," the marquess replied. "And over here, you will find my collection of old keys," he added, leading Mr. Bennet to a large oak cabinet filled with keys of various shapes and sizes. "I believe there may even be a few stray keys in a drawer over in that drawer over there, my servants are always complaining about what I bring into my house." The gentleman laughed and pointed to a corner drawer off to the side."
Mr. Bennet examined the keys with keen interest, marveling at their intricate designs. "These are remarkable. They appear so unique."
"They do indeed," Lord Derbyshire said. "And since you share my passion for these items, I would like to offer you a token of my generosity. You may choose two items from my collection as a gift."
Mr. Bennet was taken aback by the offer but was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. "That is incredibly generous of you, Lord Derbyshire. I humbly thank-you."
"It brings me joy to share my collection with a fellow enthusiast. Take your time and choose whatever speaks to you." The marquess smiled and left the room.
Mr. Bennet honestly could not believe the opportunity he had just been handed. He had not been too concerned about his request being turned down as to looking through the library and study. However, he had been certain the search was likely to be something akin to an uphill battle. And now... to be offered to take two things as a gift...hat had been, as far as he was concerned, an answer to prayer.
As he began to explore the library, more particularly the collection of keys as he could not shake the feeling a second key was to play a major role in unlocking the 'box' which held the answers to all their questions. One key after another in the cabinet, some brass, some iron and even some were made out of bronze all different and yet all the same. None of them held any attraction. So, finally Thomas turned to the drawer with stray keys.
The drawer held mostly keys made out of nickel not likely to last over the eons of time. However, there was one key -pushed to the back -one that Thomma was surprised was not with the others in the large oak cabinet. It was a brass skeletal one with an extra wax covering. It held a miniature green gem in the middle with a crown shape top. Feeling as if it held magnetic pull, Thomas put it in his pocket and shut the drawer. As not to insult the marquess, and not draw attention to the fact he had only been after what the servant had been rambling about, he went to take a book about Shakespeare only his eye caught sight of a brown folded map and he took it off the shelf and unfolded it.
"I see you were not joking about a search party." Laughed the marquess as he walked back in with Lady Catherine.
"Oh, I am so sorry, I lost track of time." He held up the map. "I am so fascinated with this map. What is it?"
"That old thing?" Marquess Taylor waved his hand and laughed. "That is a map of Kent and the smaller one. It did not even belong to me; some guy with a tall black hat put it there; cannot remember his name for life of me asked me to keep it for me until he came back. I received word from later from a Lord Dawes he was dead and anything the gentleman had given me was a gift and to please keep it. However, I have no need for it. Keep it if you wish. There is another one next to it; I have no idea if it goes with it, or not, I simply know I never look at it. And, if Lord Dawes expects me to keep it until the day I die, the man is insane."
"Are you sure?"
"Most certain, as I just told you, the man is crazy if he expects me to keep things I have no interest in but..." the marquess winked. "I insist this time you come and give this dear lady the last dance of the evening. Your search party has come to tell you the evening is almost over."
"But of course."