PP AU Non-Canon General Regency

Previously:

Charlotte, upon seeing her husband stroking his beard, asked if everything was all right. "Just thinking about the documents we carry. They really should be the key pin that holds everything together as to proving Mr. Bennet's tie into the de Bourgh line as Lord de Bourgh as told us. At least as far as I can tell it does."

"Well, if it does not, I am sure the Earl will let us know, so, relax. There is nothing more we can do. Let us just pray there is no other attack for we have no more back up papers."

Private Party and Private Discussion

Ch. 22

Lord Bryce may have been handing over the real documents to Lord de Bourgh and discussing his opinion on Lord Dawes' involvement in any events—past and present—with him and Mr. Bennet, but all the women, including Lady Catherine, were all in Rosings Park's smaller drawing room celebrating the engagement of Jane to Alexander.

The private family drawing room, much cozier and more intimate than the grand space Anne had recently redecorated, featured elegant but understated furnishings. Plush chairs and sofas were arranged around a modest fireplace, and the warm tones of the room made it an inviting space for close-knit gatherings. Heavy drapes framed the tall windows, through which the late afternoon light filtered gently, casting a soft glow over the scene. The walls were adorned with family portraits and delicate landscapes, adding to the room's charm and character.

"I cannot believe you bought me this thing." Jane spoke to Elizabeth as she opened up a box revealing one very large, over-sized bonnet. "Where am I supposed to wear this?"

"Preferably to my grave," Lady Catherine spouted off without having to think about it. "Make everyone roll their eyes."

"Mother." Anne did her own eye rolling. "I cannot believe you have everyone convinced you have no kind of sense of humor."

"How do you think I get some of my best material? Now..." Lady Catherine turned back to Jane. "Let us see the rest of your presents and I seriously do hope, with all due respect to your sister, they are far more useful than that silly hat."

Elizabeth laughed and promised her husband's aunt her next one to her sister would be far more practical. "That hat was her payback for the oversized dress she bought me for Christmas."

Jane was given dishes, blankets, a tea set, some China plates, and other such items; she was even given an expensive writing set from Lady Catherine. Anne's present was last; it was a bundle of perfumed sachets, decorative hair combs, and silk ribbons.

"It feels great having you all here." Jane looked at Kitty and Mary, who had traveled together from Meryton; Kitty was in from the sea and begged forgiveness if she were out of line but asked how long they were going to wait.

"Not that it is any of my business, I admit." Kitty gave a lopsided grin. "I have simply been considering coming inland and am weighing the advantage, and disadvantages, of waiting to do so. I love my captain and all; just missing out on so many family events is all."

"We are talking about this spring actually. I know that is quicker than most. However, I am almost twenty-eight and he will be forty-one. So, it is not as if we have just reached vetting age."

"Oh, goodie." Lady Catherine spoke dryly, though her eyes were dancing bright. "More food for your aunt's mouth to fill my ears."

"Sorry?"

"Do not be." Mr. Darcy's aunt broke into laughter. "That lady is more entertaining than she realizes." She then grinned. "Oh, and..." Lady Catherine laughed. "You two were too busy looking at each other the other night at the party, but Miss Caroline stepped in just as you were making your announcement. Should have seen her face. I thought for sure she was choking on a cow; her fellows a 'mere' knight."

The men came in to visit with the women to get a break from going over the items. Mr. Bennet proceeded to crack up laughing, Alexander grinned, and Jane covered her mouth as her eyes danced as loud as her father's laughter. The men, after a bit, then excused themselves and went down to the library to go over what they had collected over the period of their search.

The study was lined with dark wooden bookshelves filled with tomes of all sizes. A large oak desk dominated the center, flanked by high-backed leather chairs. The walls were adorned with maps and framed letters. Heavy curtains, similar to those in the drawing room, draped the windows, adding a sense of privacy and seclusion.

Books, diaries, journals, letters, and now the marriage, birth, and death certificates lay spread out before them. And what they were reading set in stone Alexander's suspicions.

"Thomas, there is no question you are not only related to the de Bourgh's but you come through the same line as Sir Lewis. It is no secret you are a year older than Lewis was and..." Alexander tapped his fingers on the table in front of them. "My instincts still say if my cousin went through all the trouble of hiding what he did, dealing with the likes of Mr. Simmons Sr and..." looking at Mr. Bennet. "Lord Dawes' father had to have been the other gentleman coming to this house, why else would Lord Bryce's carriage have been attacked?"

"Thank heavens I did not carry those certificates on me." Hayden stretched out his legs from where he sat. "And thank heavens, I happened to know someone who makes excellent copies, fake as they may be. Though, I promise you, it is not his—nor my—standard rule to use it on papers such as those."

"So, where do you propose we go from here?" Thomas sat back. "It is not as if we have a clue where to look. Yes, we have two keys; my head says they have to unlock something, or at least one I think does; it certainly was not in any standard place. As to the other, well, that I cannot say for certain."

"Let me see that map you brought back from the marquess' place." Alexander was handed the brown map and unfolded it. "Did the marquess say how he got a hold of this map?"

"He said he did not recall a name when I asked." Thomas held up his hands when Alexander's forehead muscles raised. "Honest, that is what he claimed."

"However, he gave a description that matched your own. Hence, I can tell you who put it there. And I can tell you who told him to keep them there."

"My description?"

"Tall black hat?"

"Mr. Timmson Senior." Alexander set his jaw hard and when told who had asked the marquess to keep the maps in his study the earl about blew his proverbial chimney stack. "What?!"

"You heard me correctly."

"Well that explains what I am seeing on these maps."

"I confess, I did not have time to look at them at the marquess place, by the time we left I was too tired and since we arrived back, well, I have been too tired. What area do they cover?"

"Cumbria. And one, fortunately for us; I bought a couple of years ago. Let us hope whatever what was up there is still in place. However, we need some serious plans on how to get there safely." Turning to Lord Bryce, Alexander asked how good those other papers had been.

"Lord Dawes would be hard-pressed to tell they are fake. All his experts, even his father's, would have extreme difficulty. They might be able to though; I am not promising you anything. However, it would not be surprised if Lord Dawe's father took you to court over them."

"You could prove they are fake?"

"That I could. And, what I gave you, I promise, are real."

"In that case, we need to talk to the women and then decide where to go from here."