PP AU NON-CANON GENERAL REGENCY

Family Ties

Previously:

"Well then, Fitzwilliam, surely you can find a way—if he refuses it—to ensure he benefits from Georgiana's dowry, especially considering what you did with it once she fled that night." When Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her aunt and husband grinned widely, and Lady Catherine grinned even more. "We Darcys can be as stubborn as any Bennet. Georgiana is not a poor woman. We would have given it to the Captain, only he was away at sea so much, and there were other factors involved. Ones better left unspoken, for there is nothing to be done about them now. Radcliffe may have learned what the current arrangement is, though I confess I have no idea how."

Stopover at Harris'

Ch. 17

A thin layer of snow crunched beneath the wheels of the Bennets' coach as it rolled up to the front of Lord Harris's stately home. Mr. Bennet descended from the coach and proceeded to help Georgiana down. They had stayed in Scotland for a month but were now back in London. The couple climbed the stairs and were soon being shown into Lord Harris's newly remodeled home.

The high ceilings had been repainted with fresh white paint. Old, chipped marble floors had been replaced with polished stone floors, hinting at blue speckles in them. Busts of famous artists, musicians, and scholars adorned the foyers. Portraits of ancestors and living family members hung along the walls, and the scent of dried flowers mixed with the warm, crackling fire filled the air.

"Follow me," Lord and Lady Harris's butler spoke as he ushered them into the foyer; the gentleman took the Bennets to the drawing room. "The Harris's will be here shortly."

Lord Harris's residence clearly showed his esteemed position and wealth. The drawing-room boasted intricate woodwork and luxurious furnishings, with velvet drapes framing the large windows that offered a stunning view of the snow-covered gardens. A grand piano stood in one corner, its polished surface reflecting the soft glow of the chandeliers above.

Had they moved further into the house, they would have seen a library filled with an impressive collection of books, some of which were rare and valuable editions. The room exuded an air of quiet sophistication, with dark oak shelves, leather-bound volumes, and a large fireplace that added warmth to the space. Comfortable armchairs were placed strategically for reading, and a massive desk occupied the center of the room, hinting at the serious business Lord Harris conducted within these walls.

However, they were nowhere near that room and instead sat down next to each other on a comfortable sofa. "Relax, my dear, Lord Harris does not bite."

"He may not, but..." Georgiana took a deep breath. "What does he think of the Gordons? I was one for seven years."

"I think you were married to an extremely honest man, just as you are now." Lord Harris walked into the room alongside his wife, Charlotte. "And, remain steadfast; I am not letting up on finding hard evidence of who was really behind that major heist the night your late husband died."

"We thank you for that," Mr. Bennet spoke for both of them and then asked Charlotte if she would mind keeping his new wife company while he talked to Lord Harris privately. "I really do need to talk to your husband, and I do not think Georgiana wishes to be alone."

"I most certainly do not mind."

Thomas stood up and followed Lord Harris down the hall, though two guards remained behind to keep an eye on the women. The same high ceilings that had graced the foyer continued through the corridors, keeping to the theme of grandeur and space. The walls were adorned with more portraits of the Harris family members and intricate tapestries that hinted at Peter's family's long and storied history.

The soft sound of their footsteps on the polished stone floors echoed slightly, accompanied by the faint crackling of a distant fireplace. As they passed several rooms, Thomas could not help but notice the attention to detail in the decor—each room seemed to have its own unique character, yet all were tied together by the same overarching elegance and refined taste.

The corridor gradually transitioned into a more intimate setting as they approached Peter's smaller study. The warmth of the wooden paneling, combined with the dim light of wall sconces, created an inviting atmosphere. The study's door, slightly ajar, revealed a room filled with dark mahogany furniture and shelves lined with an impressive collection of books and documents, clearly indicating this was a place where serious business and private conversations took place.

"So..." Lord Harris sat down behind his desk. "Is Radcliffe up there as I thought?"

"Oh, he is up there all right. Stirring up all sorts of trouble. He tried to get hold of my wife and even sent men after me."

Thomas told of names he had heard people mention. Men connected to Radcliffe. Shipments spoken of near tavern's fires when people thought Thomas was too far away to hear things. Finally, Thomas wrapped things up.

"Mr. Radcliffe is not telling his men the truth. He has got to be looking for something in particular, maybe a couple of things. But whatever it is, it is not any box of treasure he has those men convinced they are after."

"What makes you say that?"

"Why focus on the Gordon place so much if that was the case? At first, I thought he was eying my wife for so long solely to gain a footing into Pemberley, access to talk to the Darcys and Lady Catherine, and her dowry."

"But?"

"After what I heard up there, I think he wanted her for two reasons: her presence at social events as a distraction. She is pretty and quite charming. Having a wife like her would bolster his own reputation and keep fewer prying eyes off his private business. Even a few of his men could be easily distracted if Mr. Radcliffe thought they could not be fully trusted. Her good name would be a perfect cover even without her family or their money physically around. And two; he could then rummage the Gordon place without raising eyebrows."

"So, he basically just wanted to use her as a pawn."

"Nothing new there, I am afraid. And from what a traveler told us as they passed us on their way down here, Mr. Radcliffe and his men were scouring the Gordon's property something fierce after we left."

"Coming up empty-handed, I take it."

"The rider seemed to think so. He did not tell me any different." Thomas shrugged his shoulder. "I am sorry, I am afraid that is all I can tell you. Right now, I feel as if everything is eluding us and proving to me it is really a good time for me to stay out of my former activities. I do not seem as sharp in details as I once was. That or I am more focused on keeping Georgianna safe than getting you information. I never took Larissa on these types of jobs so, I guess, I am simply more distracted."

"Do not be sorry." Peter leaned back. "You telling me Mr. Radcliffe is lying to his own men is more than I knew when I sent you up there and explains a visit I got the other day. Though, I cannot tell you what it was." He lifted a hand and then set it back down. "You will have guards sent with you on your trip down to Longbourn, and they will stay until this mess is over with."

Thomas was surprised when Peter tossed him a folded parchment; upon seeing that it was a special license, he thanked the gentleman.

"Consider it my wedding present to you and Mrs. Bennet, for I know how you feel about Scottish irregular laws. And, everything considered, this way will be safer for the both of you."