PP AU NON-CANON GENERAL REGENCY

Ashes to Honor

Previously:

Sitting down near the fire Aimme looked int the flames dancing in the hearth. As the fire crackled in the hearth, Aimee made a silent promise to herself. She would endure, for the sake of her family and for the hope that one day, things might change. And perhaps, in some small way, she could make a difference in the life of the quiet, watchful servant boy who seemed to know more than he ever let on.

Cautious Observations

Ch. 14

Aimee wondering about an overly quiet servant boy was not on Kitty's mind as she watched the newcomer to Derbyshire enter the ballroom of Pemberley. He was being introduced as Mr. Anthony Dunkin. The tall, dark-haired man stood out with his striking figure in his finely tailored coat. His confident stride suggested he had spent plenty of time in elegant settings. As he made his way through the room, Kitty could not help but notice how many people turned their eyes toward him.

Kitty, Jane, and Elizabeth stood together, each forming their own opinions. Although Elizabeth had not been on speaking terms with her mother, she knew all too well that Mrs. Bennet had gone to visit Lady Charlene Dunkin. It was a fact she knew because her mother had written of the trip and even sent a post upon her arrival. A small mention of this gentleman had been made and that was it.

And now, despite not having met him, there were already unsettling rumors about this man.

"I suppose we shall have to be cordial," Elizabeth murmured to her sisters, her eyes not leaving Mr. Dunkin as he made his rounds. "Though he is a stranger to us, it is best not to cause a scene."

Jane nodded, her serene face masking any apprehension. "I suppose it is only right and proper. We must give him the benefit of the doubt, even though I cannot help but feel as if something is... off about him."

Kitty, less inclined to feel the need to hide her emotions, frowned openly. "He reminds me too much of Wickham."

Elizabeth's mind then began to race with memories of George Wickham—the man who had brought such strife to their lives, especially hers. It had been quite some time since Mrs. Darcy had felt such wariness toward a new acquaintance. Watching Anthony boast to Mr. Darcy about his father's title and hearing her sister's opinion only reinforced those unsettling rumors.

"I overheard him telling Mr. Darcy that his mother was Lady Charlene Dunkin and his late father, a marquess," Jane turned to face her sister and spoke low enough so that only Kitty and Elizabeth could hear. "It all seems innocent enough, grand in a way, yet he carries himself with such an air of..."

"Affectation," Kitty interjected. "Personally, I think Mr. Dunkin is far too smooth, too polished. It does not feel genuine. He may as well be a shallow pool that has no use to anyone who passes its borders."

Across the room, Anthony's laughter echoed as he captivated a group of listeners with tales of high society and his family's noble lineage. It did not help Elizabeth's level of comfort, it only increased her unease. This was the man her mother had mentioned only in passing and, for all Larissa Bennet's faults, Elizabeth knew—inside herself—that if this Dunkin fellow had any true merit her mother would have mentioned it.

"Perhaps it is just our imaginations," Jane said, still a peacemaker at heart. "It would be unwise to judge him too harshly without any real cause to back that judgment up."

"Right as you may be," Elizabeth whispered back. "I cannot help but have my severe concerns, especially knowing mother is with his family. I hope they are not all like him."

The beautifully decorated ballroom of Pemberley, with its opulent chandeliers and polished floors, felt both inviting and somewhat depressing as the sisters stood, lost in their thoughts. Guests mingled about, unaware of the silent tension between the Bennet sisters and the newcomer. Musicians played a lively tune in the corner, oblivious to anyone's foul mood.

Mr. Darcy, very well aware of his wife's and her relations' temperaments, approached Elizabeth and her sisters. "I see our guest has made quite an impression," he remarked, his tone remaining neutral.

Elizabeth managed a polite smile. "He is able to command a room, I will give him that."

Her husband's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Anthony. "I would be hard-pressed to disagree. One must not let their guard down with one who can so easily captivate listening ears."

Kitty, feeling even bolder than before, spoke up. "We are just concerned, Fitzwilliam. He reminds us, at least he does me, a bit too much of Mr. Wickham."

Fitzwilliam sighed. "I understand your concerns. It is one I have to confess I have been thinking myself. I guarantee all of you; I have been keeping a close eye on him. I have listened to more than one of his conversations."

"If he keeps this up," Elizabeth squared her shoulders, "I would prefer to not have him invited back."

"I most certainly will seriously consider that."

As the evening wore on, Elizabeth found herself watching Mr. Dunkin even closer than before. He danced with several ladies the Darcys knew. And each time Mrs. Darcy noted his flashing, charming smile, it did not reach his eyes. His movements were graceful to be sure. However, they were too practiced, as if he were playing a role.

Jane, testing him more than anything else, tried to engage him in conversation, giving him a chance to show another side of him. "Mr. Dunkin, Derbyshire must be quite different from where you have come from. What do you think of it?"

Anthony's smile remained in place, but there was something darker in his eyes. "It is a lovely place, Miss Bennet. Quite... cozy. Though I must admit, I miss the grandeur of my family's estates."

Elizabeth, standing nearby, could not resist. "If that is the case, why even come here to Derbyshire, Mr. Dunkin?"

Anthony turned to her, his smile never faltering. "Duty to family, Miss Bennet. My father had bought an estate down here that needs attending to; it must not be neglected. And, of course, now I have the pleasure of meeting new acquaintances."

Elizabeth met his gaze, searching for sincerity. "I see. And how is your mother, Lady Charlene Dunkin?"

"She is well, thank you," he replied smoothly though Elizabeth saw him flinch, as if he had not expected her to know his mother's name as he had only said Lady Dunkin. "I received a post from her just the other day."

As Anthony walked away to join another group, Elizabeth felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something not quite right about him, and she could not shake the feeling that he could not tell a whole truth if his life depended on it.

Later that evening, as the guests began to leave, and the musicians played their final notes, Elizabeth, Jane, and Kitty gathered in a quiet corner. They had all sensed the same unease, though none had voiced it openly.

"I think he only wants people for what they can give him," Kitty said finally, breaking the silence. "I can feel it."

Jane sighed. "I fear you may be right."

Elizabeth nodded. "Agreed. But we must also be vigilant for Mother is there and she is so easily swayed by charm and titles."

"I think..." Kitty unexpectedly, or maybe not so unexpectedly, turned on her elder sister. "You need to get out of the forest and move our mother out of her past." With that she shocked her sisters by exiting the room with a very controlled march.

Darcy watched Kitty leave and then joined the two remaining sisters, his expression thoughtful. "Do not worry, Elizabeth. We will keep a close watch on Mr. Dunkin. If there is something amiss, we shall uncover it." He then tacked on, "Why did Kitty leave so upset?" When told Fitzwilliam took a deep breath and let it out. "At the risk of being made to sleep in another room," the ma spoke cautiously, "maybe Kitty is correct... for all of us; especially since you and I both each have a child who could be badly influenced by men like him."

Jane and Elizabeth said nothing, but as they retired for the night, the lingering doubts about Anthony Dunkin remained. Elizabeth lay in bed, her mind whirling with Kitty's words. She had distanced herself from her mother, blaming her for the fire and unwilling to see any possibility of change. Yet, Kitty's plea gnawed at her. Elizabeth began to realize she had been too harsh, too rigid in her judgment. If there was even a chance that her mother was trying to change, did she not owe it to herself and her family to find out?

However, her guard would remain firmly up about Anthony. The lessons learned from Wickham had taught her not to buy into charming facades. She would not be easily swayed this time, but she resolved to observe him closely, determined to protect her family. As sleep finally claimed her, Elizabeth resolved to keep an open heart and mind towards her mother while remaining vigilant about Anthony Dunkin.