Page 57 of Shields and Roses

"As you say, we can travel fastest on horseback," Richard mused, "but if we go by carriage, we will be more believable when we tell Aunt Catherine we have come because I decided to pay my respects after so much time spent out of the country and that you decided to join me for the visit. Something that can be construed as a compliment is the sort of excuse that will please her best. Of course, we will make no mention of my plans to retire or your discovery that the mysterious Miss Rose is actually Elizabeth Bennet."

"I am sure she will have plenty to say regarding my search for Miss Rose, since it is clear she knows of it. I can honestly tell her I have given up the search for any lady of that name. It will also not be a lie to state that I have thought better of my previous folly, while not specifying exactly what I mean, and that I have come to my senses, although she will take that to mean I have decided to marry Anne."

"Hmm, that will certainly give us a good way to spend time with Anne and better assist her. I think I know what kind of an escape she may have in mind. You will have a better chance of carrying it off than I, if Aunt Catherine believes you are likely to bend to her will."

"Then that is our plan," Darcy said. "We have plenty to do before we go. I will give instructions to my staff to have everything ready for us to leave at first light, even if I have to wake the whole household to make it happen."

~o~

It felt much earlier than seven o'clock to the two men in the carriage headed out of London to the south, even though both were early risers by nature. Their late-night visit with the Gardiners had extended even later as they took the steps needed to be certain all would be ready for them to leave at this early hour. The household servants who had been roused the previous night to pack bags, inspect the carriage and do all the other tasks needed before the travelers could depart would now be able to return to their rest with the master of the house on his way. The travelers, themselves, were not so lucky. Darcy and Richard knew rest would be difficult in a carriage traveling along rough and rutted roads.

An early morning drizzle left even the air inside the carriage feeling damp and close. Darcy was thankful for the flasks of hot coffee his cook had provided along with a basket containing fresh bread, cold meats and some cheese. He took frequent sips from the flask, wanting to enjoy the drink before it cooled. On the seat across from him, Richard did the same with his own flask.

"I hope the rain becomes no worse today," Darcy said. "The road already looks a bit slippery."

"I had forgotten how frequently it rains here," Richard grumbled.

"It is good for the crops," Darcy replied with a brief chuckle. "You will appreciate it more when you are farming your own."

"If you say so." The doubt was clear in Richard's voice. "At least I am not having to move a company of men, horses, cannon and supplies in this mess. The dust may choke you on the dry, hot days, but it is infinitely better than trying to move heavy gear over churned-up mud."

They fell silent for a time, both wearily watching their progress through the side windows while continuing to take the occasional sip from their flasks.

"Do you know what plans our aunt has for the Bennets?" Darcy asked after finishing the last of his coffee and placing the empty flask back in the basket.

Richard put his equally empty flask in with it, then shifted in his seat so he could lean back into the corner of the carriage. He extended his legs more comfortably to one side as he made the best use of the available space.

"Not exactly," he replied. "We have suspicions, but even Anne has had problems finding out the details. From the tone of her letter, she may know more specifics now."

"What do you think is going on? And what is our aunt's argument with the Bennet family in the first place?"

"Ostensibly, the problem began when Miss Elizabeth was born, which was just a few days after Uncle Lewis died. I think you know Uncle Lewis and Mr. Bennet were good friends and Uncle Lewis was godfather to Miss Jane Bennet. Aunt Catherine was still in full mourning when Miss Elizabeth's christening was scheduled, so they did not invite her out of respect. She chose to take offense, although Father says she would have been equally offended if they had invited her."

"But she is Miss Elizabeth's godmother, is she not? How did that happen?"

"Father says that was the beginning of her campaign against the Bennet family. She arrived at the church just before the ceremony and insisted on becoming the baby's godmother. She claimed it was to make up for Jane having lost her godfather and the connections he gave her, but really, she was establishing a reason to keep in contact with the family so she could take other steps later. It was a clever move on her part. Under the guise of looking after her goddaughter, she could offer gifts, advice and recommendations, while nudging events in the direction she chose."

"Just as she did for Georgiana and me."

"Exactly. By recommending a nursery maid or a governess she could plant a spy in the household and influence the way in which the girls were educated. Miss Elizabeth is smart, and she would have been inclined to learn in any case, but Lady Catherine, through the governess she sent to the Bennets, demanded perfection in education, manners and accomplishments and tried to instill a large dose of pride in those accomplishments as well. Fortunately, my childhood friend thinks for herself and has her father and the Gardiners to support her. She soaked up the education but rejected the pride."

"Why would Aunt Catherine want her to be the perfect lady when she dislikes the Bennets so much?"

The carriage hit a pothole, causing a large bump that knocked the basket over and jostled the two men. Richard picked the basket off the floor and handed it to his cousin, who settled it back on the seat.

"Good thing the food did not spill all over," Richard said.

"I hope we do not go over many more of those. I would hate to be delayed by a broken axle," Darcy replied as he arranged himself more comfortably on the bench.

"I am sure your driver will be careful. He does not want to be stuck on the road any more than we do." Richard leaned back into his corner. Darcy looked at him questioningly and Richard returned to his explanation. "For a long time, Father and Mr. Bennet were just as confused over why Aunt Catherine would be so insistent that Miss Elizabeth must learn everything perfectly. The difference in how Miss Stanton taught the other sisters was obvious. However, the more Aunt Catherine, through her agent, the governess, tried to drive the sisters apart through preferential treatment, the more stubbornly Miss Elizabeth insisted all her sisters would receive a good education if she had to teach them herself. Mr. Bennet helped, of course. He also did what he could to circumvent our aunt's plans without making it obvious he was aware of them. Over time, it has appeared most likely that Aunt Catherine intended Miss Elizabeth to be a paragon only to make it more devastating for her and the entire family when she took steps to ruin them."

"Like the gossip I foolishly spread?" Darcy asked.

"Perhaps. Although I think she would not rely on something so flimsy as gossip. I hope Anne has found the full plan and can help us defeat it."

"It sounds as though you think Miss Elizabeth is the primary target."

"Ah, but that is the thing," Richard said. "Ruin one member of the family and all the other sisters are ruined as well. But, if any of them are already married, the ruin is not as complete. That would be why the betrothal worries our aunt. She was also concerned years ago that I might end up marrying one of the Bennet sisters, which would give them my family name as protection against her schemes. That was another reason she wished to send me as far away as my commission could take me."