PP AU NON-CANON GENERAL REGENCY
Ashes to Honor
Previously:
As they approached Pemberley, the grandeur of the estate became apparent. The impressive manor house stood majestically atop a gentle rise, its stone façade gleaming in the sunlight. Well-kept lawns and meticulously arranged flowerbeds framed the pathway leading up to the entrance. The carriage came to a halt at the steps of Pemberley, and Fredrick squared his shoulders as if preparing himself for the conversations that lay ahead.
Bridging a Divide
Ch. 20
Fredrick alighted from the coach right after Jeffrey. He had not expected to see Lady Catherine's coach at Pemberley and what he muttered under his breath was not meant to be heard. However, Sir Jeffrey, sounding as if he had just choked on a lizard, let the gentleman know his volume had been louder than the marquess had meant it to be.
"Sorry, Sir Jeffrey, I did not mean to slip like that."
"If you are Mr. Montgomery to me, then it is Mr. Cumberland to you." Jeffrey winked. "Just do not tell Lady Catherine I said that."
Fredrick laughed as the two walked up the flight of stairs. "I suppose I will have no choice but to use my title sooner than I wanted to." He sighed. "Would you mind speaking on my behalf to the Darcys while I am dealing with Lady Catherine? Prepare them as to my sister and my reputation?"
"I will be more than happy to."
It was not long before the marquess had not only been introduced to Lady Catherine and the Darcys but that Sir Jeffrey was speaking to the Darcys while Fredrick found his way to the library and spoke to Lady Catherine in the presence of a footman. It was not company he enjoyed, however, it needed to be done.
"So, Mr. Dunkin did get money from you?"
"Yes, he did." Lady Catherine sat stiffly. "Insisted an investment in a business venture was going to produce much income. I never saw a dime in return." When asked how much she had invested she told him one hundred and fifty pounds.
Fredrick reached into his pouch and drew out a handful of gold sovereigns, neatly wrapped banknotes, and a few guineas. "Lady Catherine," he began, holding out the mixture of currency. "I have come to repay the debt incurred by Anthony Dunkin. Here is the sum in full."
The gentleman had not been able to pay in full some of the others. No, to those he had written notes and told them which banks to go to in order to get their money. So, it felt good to at least have this woman out of the family's hair.
"Lord Montgomery, I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter," Lady Catherine's tone showed she was pleasantly surprised, in a good way. "I am thrilled to know the Montgomery family has not gone south."
"Now, if you will please excuse me, I need to speak to Mr. Darcy and his wife." He left fighting back a smirk, not bothering to ask what she would think when she found out who his future wife was.
Lady Catherine herself left as she had other business to attend to.
Voices down the hallway echoed out of the room as the door opened and Fitzwilliam stepped out. It was a welcome sight as far as Fredrick was concerned. It meant less hassle as far as getting the man away from Elizabeth.
"Mr. Darcy, may we speak alone?"
"Yes, of course." Fitzwilliam led him down the hall and into a small office.
The office held wall-to-wall bookshelves with one large window. Thankfully, the curtains were completely open allowing plenty of sunlight to flood into the room. Fredrick sat down in a very comfortable chair in front of one very sturdy, mahogany desk while Fitzwilliam sat behind it.
"What is on your mind?"
"I do not know how to say this tactfully; nonetheless, considering her past, we feel it is still better coming from me than Elizabeth's mother and Kitty's beau seems to agree. So, I am talking to you first." Fredrick did not take much of a breath and continued on. "Larissa Bennet and I are to be married, and no, she did not fawn over me because of my title or my brief time in the military. The fact is, your mother made no move towards me and, the moves she did make towards my daughter were instigated by my own Patience, and my sister, Charlene—whether or not she will admit it." He then explained his own family dynamics, suspected birth and how he was raised. "Larissa is still willing to have me as a husband. She is not bothered by the fact we may not be able to prove any of it in the end."
"When did this happen? She only went up there three months ago."
"Just before we headed down here. She is now over at my other estate in Matlock. We are to be married at the end of the week. I am hoping you, your wife, and the other girls and their men can find it in your hearts to be there."
"I suggest we go to the drawing-room and you can reveal this to everyone else. I will have your back. And, yes, Jane's husband is back from his business in London. He lays as low as you do on titles even though his is far lower than yours, and keeps his family hidden from public eyes, so you two may know each other without realizing it."
It was not long before Mr. Darcy and Fredrick were standing in the drawing room. They were kept company with four out of five of the Bennet sisters, along with their husbands, or in Kitty's case, her intended. And, indeed Fredrick was shocked to learn he did indeed know Jane's husband.
"Andrew McCoy? Since when did they give you a title and what did they stick you with?" Fredrick slapped the man on his back and shook his hand while he did it.
"Just recently and they handed me a knighthood. Thank heavens, I am not required to mess with parliament."
"Lord Porter's speeches are drier than the Sahara Desert. There's not enough water in the Atlantic Ocean to make them palatable to the tongue." Fredrick then turned his attention to the subject which had brought him to Pemberley in the first place.
"Thank you all for gathering to hear me out. I appreciate your time and understanding as I share some important news with you. Over the past several months, I have had the pleasure of getting to know your mother quite intimately. Our connection has grown deeper with each passing day, and it is with great joy and anticipation that I announce our engagement. And I am interested in bridging a divide, and I hope to do so by coming to you and speaking to all of you of this openly before Mrs. Bennet and I exchange vows though we do not need permission."
Mr. Darcy, when Elizabeth went to speak, ordered her to let the man finish as he knew Fredrick had more to say.
"I understand that comes as a surprise to most of you. However, I assure you that my intentions are pure and honorable. I have already spoken with Mr. Darcy privately, as I did Sir Jeffrey on the way over. They are both aware of my intentions and the seriousness with which I approach this commitment.
In our conversations, I expressed my deep admiration and respect for Larissa. I also openly acknowledged the sensitivities surrounding her current situation. I am not ignorant when it comes to the strained relationships within the family. I am also fully aware of the rumors that have been going around Meryton, and apparently now down here about her alleged involvement in Longbourn's fire."
Elizabeth said nothing, but everyone could see her squirming just a little.
"Let me be clear: there were times up in Carlisle when it would have been easier to lie to me than to tell me the truth. Your mother always told me the truth; I will not go into those situations, suffice it to say the truth was told. So, yes, I believe in her innocence and integrity as to the Longbourn fire. She is oftentimes misunderstood. Her tendencies to be forthright and direct are qualities I deeply respect and cherish. Though, I will openly admit, there are times I fight the urge to toss a wet rag her way. Though I would not ever dream of tossing anything hard at your mother."
The girls could not help it, even Elizabeth could not stop it, they all giggled.
"Mr. Darcy and I discussed the importance of approaching this matter with the utmost respect and consideration for everyone's feelings. And that I am attempting to do. I am here today to seek your understanding and, hopefully, your support as we move forward with our plans. We would like to see you at the wedding, though I would hope..." He looked at the men. "You would not force your wives to be there."
"We, or at least I would not." Mary's husband spoke and then smiled. "But I doubt I could keep her away even if I wanted to."
"When are you getting married?" Kitty asked softly.
"At the end of the week, I bought a special license."
"You mentioned parliament to Andrew." Elizabeth asked skeptically.
Fredrick found her tone rather annoying, but kept it hidden and replied politely. "Yes, I did, but—as already stated—your mother did not fawn over me due to my title; which I prefer not to use and would prefer being called Mr. Montgomery for the most part. Unfortunately, I had to use the title of Lord with Lady Catherine because her reputation is far spread. And sure enough, the lady insisted on knowing my full lineage and standing before discussing any financial matters. It does not matter that it was a subject in her favor."
"Why did Mother not come with you?" Jane asked and was kicking herself as soon as the question came out of her mouth for it made her sound stupid, which she was not.
"If I have to answer that then, I am sorry, but you really would be vapid. If you will excuse me, I need to take my leave. Any of you are welcome at the Montgomery Estates. You do not have to come but the wedding is this coming Saturday at noon."
Fredrick then excused himself and walked to the terrace out back. He hoped the family could mend; Larissa really did hope her daughters would be at her wedding.
"Mr. Montgomery." Mrs. McCoy's voice turned his head as she stepped out onto the terrace. "I want to apologize for my question, especially since the answer is obvious."
"That is easily forgiven." Fredrick turned and truly faced her. "What I want to know is what happened to cause you to quit talking to your mother in the first place. Yes, you have started to somewhat write to her, but why quit in the first place? Do you really blame her for the fire?"
"At first, I am ashamed to say, yes, I did." Jane twisted a handkerchief she had brought out with her. "I was distraught over father's death. I turned all my negative feelings onto mother. Then, when Elizabeth turned so bitter and, well, she and I have always been so close I let her own thoughts affect me I am afraid. Plus, I..." Jane sighed. "Have been blaming myself for not heading home sooner. Telling myself I could have helped out and so, I..." Larissa's daughter hung her head in shame.
"Took it out on your mother."
"I am afraid so." Jane lifted her head. "Could Charles and I come back with you to Matlock? Truly reconcile with my mother before the wedding?"
"Yes, of course."
NOTE: To guests who seem to insult Jane A LOT...Just because Jane slipped and asked a stupid question does NOT make her stupid; We ALL have done that and it does NOT lower our intelligence either.