Harriet and Edwin are Lord and Lady Matlock, Ash and Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents.

It was a sunny day, it was a week before Christmas, it was 1813, they were in London. These happy thoughts ran through an excited boy's mind, as he awoke.

We shall have to call him a boy although he was in his nineteenth year. His name is Andrew. That is all you need to know of him at this point, except to tell you that his sister called him Andy and his father called him lad.

Andrew leapt out of bed and dressed himself in such a hurry. He really didn't know why he did because it was unlikely that he was going to go anywhere. Papa had brought them back from the continent about a month before, but he did not seek acquaintances, instead he stayed indoors.

One might suspect that Andrew's Papa was an old, infirm man, he wasn't he had just reached his fortieth birthday.

Andrew walked down the passage and entered his father's chambers.

"Sir?" he questioned when first glance did not distinguish his father's form from the gloom.

"Lad? What are you doing here?" came a voice from the window.

"I was coming to tell you that I'm going out." The figure turned abruptly at Andrew's statement.

"You will do no such thing."

"Of course sir, I will no longer come to inform you when I intend to go out." Andrew replied cheekily, before turning to exit the chamber. He had not got two steps before a hand descended on his shoulder. The hand thrust him backwards forcefully and Andrew fell upon the bed.

"You will not speak to me in that tone, Lad. I am your father as such I deserve respect from you."

"I am a man and as such I deserve better than your current treatment of me." retorted Andrew angrily. He had heard this rant of his father's too many times, normally he listened patiently but he was fed up. They had come to London and yet they did not do anything, the other young men he met in the park practically laughed in his face.

"You are not a man" spat his father, " you are a child, nothing more. You think you can get away with the things you did before? If you do you are mistaken. I will not put up with it."

Andrew flushed angrily, his father never listened. Andrew knew that he had not been the model child, he got into all sorts of scrapes, but he was trying to be a man now.

"I understand you perfectly, sir." Andrew rose from the bed, trying to look dignified as he walked out of the chamber, but he could still feel the piercing glare on his back.

Andrew galloped down the stairs, almost crashing into his younger sister.

"Andy! Watch out!" she shrieked. Andrew slid to a stop.
"Sorry Bonnie! Didn't see you there!"

"Are you going out?" she asked in a tone that wavered between hopeful and fretful.

"Yes, do you want me to get you something?" Andrew lowed his voice.

Bonnie smiled up at her older brother, there was only 5 years separating them and as their mother had died while giving Bonnie life, there was a strong bond.

"Well, I was hoping that you might buy me some sort of trinket." They had walked down to the front door, which Andrew opened and he started to walk down the front steps.

"A trinket? Whatever for?"

Bonnie looked around and quietly shut the door behind her. "You see all those girls have pretty things to show off..............." Andrew followed her gaze over to the little park opposite their house. He could see a gaggle of the neighbourhood girls taking a stroll. The neighbourhood wasn't a particularly wealthy one in fact it was rather unfashionable but it was fairly respectable The square that they inhabited was rather cliquey and as they, no papa, had made no effort to fit in, both Andrew and Bonnie felt shunned. So Andrew could understand why she wanted something to show off to the girls.

"Ok, I'll see what I can do!"

Bonnie's hazel eyes lit up they matched her auburn hair which hung loosely in ringlets around her face held in place by a cream ribbon. She threw her arms around her brother.

Bonnie, it might be interesting to note, is a beauty she takes after her mother, her face may in time be said to be a face that launched a thousand ships. But she was no Helen of Troy...............

"Thank you Andy! It means so much to me, all they talk about is their acquaintances and visits they were allowed to go on. Victoria knows the daughter of a baron and....oh Andy they aren't nice to me."

Andrew smiled at Bonnie and gave her a small hug. "Bonnie, those girls wouldn't know how to be nice................even if the "How to be Nice" book leapt up and bit them on the nose!" Andrew waved his hands around majestically, hoping to cheer his little sister up. It worked Bonnie gave a small giggle and hit him on the shoulder.

"Oh go away! You'd better you know before Papa catches you!" Andrew leapt down the remaining steps and strode off down the street.

"Where are you going? Come back here! Bonnie!!" The upstairs window was thrown up and Bonnie's father looked angrily down at her.

"He is just going for a walk, Papa" called up Bonnie. Her father's face disappeared and she heard the window close with a thud. It was obvious that he wasn't pleased so Bonnie decided to go walk in the park.

The gaggle of girls were seated on the grass, with Victoria reigning queen in the centre. Bonnie shyly walked over to them, one of the girls by the name of Jacqueline, motioned for Bonnie to sit down with them.

"Well, so father is seeing whether I will be able to go to school with my new friend Rosalind." Victoria, was a rather stout girl of 15 with chestnut hair, she was the envy of every girl in the neighbourhood. She concluded her long-winded speech about her new friend the Baron's daughter and condescended to look at Bonnie.

"Bonnie isn't it? What do you think of my new locket?" Victoria handed over a silver locket. Bonnie had never seen anything so pretty in all her life and she remarked so to Victoria, who laughed.

"Of course it's pretty! One would think you have never seen a simple locket! Oh but by the look of you, you probably haven't!"

Bonnie flushed, while the rest of the girls tittered at her, but she could not bring herself to leave.

"Well you know, now that I know Rosalind I shall definitely be launched into the best circles......................" Bonnie sighed, she wished that she had known more people her own age when she was younger, she just didn't seem to have the knack of making friends.

Andrew caught a hackney cab into the more fashionable part of London. He wandered around the streets trying to imitate the air of some of the more distinguished gentlemen that he passed. Andrew had basically run free when he was on the continent and he didn't see why on coming to England he needed to act any differently. His father had tried to impress upon him that London was different to the villages that he had previously inhabited. Andrew took no notice of his father, he understood the class system but it was unlikely that he would meet anyone of any real class, since his father refused to make any acquaintance in town.

Andrew walked until he spied a jewellers, he then remembered his promise to Bonnie. Andrew loved his sister dearly because she and his father were the only family he had ever known. His mother was only a fleeting memory which was sometimes awakened when looking into Bonnie's eyes. Any other family he had were long gone..........or not talked of. He had one time gone through all of his fathers papers and there was only one reference to any family whatsoever, it was like his father was trying to erase them all. The reference was a small portrait of two faces, it was obvious that it had been a portrait of a large family group, but all that was left was two faces. The names were written on the back and Andrew was determined to find them though he really did not know how to go about such a thing.

He knew that one face was his Aunt and the other a cousin, but strangely enough the Aunt was not the mother of the small boy in the picture. Andrew could not fathom why out of the whole portrait those two mis-matched faces had been kept.

The face of the aunt, dear reader was a happy face, she could not be more than 23 years of age. The boy beside her was around six and even at this young age had a mien surrounding him.

His father had briefly spoken of the portrait on the night Bonnie was born, Andrew still remembered although he had only been five at the time. Andrew had crept from his bedchamber and found his father pacing holding the portrait.

"Papa who is that?"

"This Andy is your Aunt and cousin."

"Is that little boy her son?"

"No he is her nephew, he is my brothers son."

"Oh."

"He is a Viscount, you wouldn't think that to look at him..........."

This conversation rang through Andrew's head as he approached the display cabinets. One of the reason's he remembered the conversation was it was the last time his father had called him Andy.

"May I help you sir?" A portly assistant looked Andrew up and down.

"I'm looking for something to buy my sister." Replied Andrew, realising that he probably wasn't dressed well enough for the establishment. The assistant however did not turn him from the place instead waved him over to where some simple lockets were kept. Andrew was perusing the contents, when he heard another gentleman enter the place. The assistant hurried over.

Andrew looked up, the man who had entered looked about 30 and was very smartly dressed, Andrew suddenly felt very ashamed of the way he was dressed. But Andrew also felt angry that the assistant would desert him, he had arrived first therefore he should be waited on first. The other customer did not even look at the display cabinet instead he addressed the assistant.

"I'm looking something for my wife."

"Of course my lord, right this way, would a hair comb be at all suitable for your lordship's purpose?" The assistant bowed and smiled. His Lordship looked very amused at the way the assistant was treating him. Andrew sighed and turned back to the lockets, how he wished someone would treat him like that. How nice it must be to be a lord.

The Lord bought something and requested that the assistant send it to Ashbourne House, Park Lane. Andrew sighed he wished he had a house in Park Lane. The assistant was soon waiting on Andrew, who had picked out a simple locket for Bonnie. However something was niggling at his brain.

"That gentleman who came in who was he?" Asked Andrew finally.

"Sir? Oh you mean Lord Ashbourne." The assistant tried to give a worldly air as though his lordship always came to this particular establishment.

"So what is he? An earl?"

"A Viscount, heir to the Earldom of Matlock" sniffed the assistant.

"Oh." Andrew picked up the wrapped package, placed it in his coat and walked towards the door. Various cogs in his brain were slowly working, but it wasn't until he was half way out the door that something clicked. He raced back to the assistant.

"What is his name? Lord Ashbourne I mean?" The assistant looked shocked, so did the new customer that he was serving they both looked distastefully at Andrew.

"Horatio Fitzwilliam, now sir if you don't mind, please remove yourself from the premises." The assistant propelled him towards the door. Andrew did not mind. There was no reason for him to stay.

Once he was on the street, he hailed another Hackney cab.

Chapter 2

Posted on Saturday, 15 January 2000, at 9 : 46 p.m.

The cab pulled up at Park Lane, Andrew alighted and paid the coachman. It had taken him a long time to finally decide whether to come or not. The adventurous side in him won out. He looked up at the grand house and started to think he had made a grave mistake, but it was growing late and he wasn't one to shy off at the last moment. He walked up the front steps and knocked.

A footman opened the door and looked inquiringly at him. Andrew didn't quite know what you said to footmen, so he looked back blankly.

"What is your business.............sir?" The footman was having great trouble using the word sir to describe the gentleman, no boy, standing in front of him.

"I've come to see Lord Ashbourne" swallowed Andrew.

"May I have a card?" A card! Heavens! Thought Andrew I don't have a card.

"I-I don't have a card." Replied Andrew, kicking himself for being so afraid of a servant.

"May I have a name?" Oh dear thought Andrew. He licked his lips, which had for some reason gone dry.

"I think it would be better to tell my name directly to Lord Ashbourne."

"Oh...........come in." The footman had run out of things to say to him and decided to usher him into the hall, then think about what to do with him, it wouldn't look good to have this positive urchin on his master's doorstep.

Andrew stepped in and suddenly was in awe of the place, it was magnificent!

"Sir? May I ask if this is a business or social call?" Interrupted the footman.

"Um.......a bit of both?" shrugged Andrew. The footman turned to walk, Andrew not knowing better followed him. The footman knocked on a solid oak door then opened it. Andrew could not see inside but could hear that there was more than one person inside.

"Yes?"

"My Lord there is a gentleman to see you."

"Yes? Who?"

"He does not say my lord."

"Is it business or social?"

"He says both."

Then Andrew heard another voice.

"Oh god Ash, don't see him if he can't make up his mind and he doesn't know who he is."

"Show him in"

"Lord........." sighed yet another voice.

The footman turned around and looked rather shocked to see Andrew standing right behind him.

"Go in Sir," he said standing aside to let Andrew pass. Andrew mustered up his courage and walked into the study. The footman closed the door directly behind him causing Andrew to jump. One of the gentleman snorted. Andrew looked around, two gentlemen were sitting in chairs holding brandy glasses and looking at him quizzically. Lord Ashbourne was standing in front of his desk, glaring at his companions, who were both not acting very gentleman like in Andrew's opinion.

To help ease some confusion in this ensuing conversation as our intrepid Andrew is not acquainted with either of the gentleman seated we will refer to them as gentleman one and gentleman two. Of course I could just tell you who they are but that would not be fair on Andrew who has to be left in the dark.

"Well.............?" Lord Ashbourne said after what seemed like an eternity of silence.

"Yes! What is your business pray, have you lost your way and need directions home?" asked gentleman one. His companion, gentleman two, started to chuckle. Andrew flushed. He suddenly felt the impropriety of what he was doing and how he did not know how to act in front of such people. Lord Ashbourne however came to his rescue.

"Oh shut up Darce, remind me to never give you brandy again, it goes to your head. So sir, what is your business?"

Andrew swallowed thinking that this was it, "My business is that I think that...................." he stopped, for he suddenly noticed that all three pairs of eyes were intently on him, he could feel them boring into his soul. But he must go on.

"Lord Ashbourne, I believe that I am your cousin, Andrew Fitzwilliam." Andrew gulped, he was unsure of what to do or say next. However gentleman one, leapt up.

"The hell you are! Just who's son do you think you are? Richards? Well let me tell you, that you aren't, Uncle Richard ran off after our grandmother's death. That was 22 years ago and no one has heard of him since."

Andrew was quite alarmed, the man had obviously been drinking. Lord Ashbourne crossed the floor and interposed himself between them, pushing gentleman one down onto a chair.

"What is the matter with you Fitzwilliam?"

Gentleman one remained silent, reaching for another glass of brandy, however gentleman two replied.

"He has had an argument with Lizzy."

"Well that is no reason to shout at frightened boys."

Andrew was angered by this statement, he knew he wasn't a boy but he wasn't 21 so.......but it wasn't that that angered him.

"I'm not afraid sir." Andrew said curtly.

Lord Ashbourne had his back to him, so Andrew did not see his slow smile. What Andrew did see however was Lord Ashbourne spin around, face contorted, yelling "Gah!"

Andrew yelped and almost jumped a mile, causing the three gentlemen to go into convulsive hysteria. Andrew flushed deeply.

"I'm sorry for taking up your time.......sir," Andrew said before turning to go. For the second time that day a hand descended on his shoulder thrusting him backwards. This time he fell into a chair. Lord Ashbourne had a hand on both arm rests and was looking deeply into Andrew's eyes.

"Oh no you don't. You can't come in here, announce that you are my cousin and then leave. It's not done my boy." Lord Ashbourne's voice was low and harsh. Andrew swallowed, he had this feeling that you did not cross this man.....ever.

Lord Ashbourne straightened up, "Brandy?" he asked in a much brighter tone. Andrew didn't trust himself to speak so he nodded. The truth be known he was scared stiff. Somehow a glass appeared in his hand.

"So you must be what...nineteen?" Andrew nodded, "then you must be Richard's boy." Lord Ashbourne paused then addressed him self to gentleman two.

"Our father did get occasional information about uncle Richard but not conclusive enough to be able to contact him." Lord Ashbourne turned and addressed himself once more to Andrew. " Last I heard was 14 years ago, when I was 17, it was announcing the death of your mother along with the birth of your sister...................my condolences by the way."

"What for the death of his mother or the birth of his sister?" snorted gentleman one, finishing his glass of brandy.

"Both," replied Lord Ashbourne, "What's her name?"

"Bonnie" Andrew practically squeaked.

"So Andrew, I suppose I should introduce you, this is my cousin Fitzwilliam Darcy and my brother Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam................Darce would be your cousin too."

Andrew looked at the gentlemen and swallowed, three male cousins! Then he looked back at Lord Ashbourne.

"Then there is Anne and Georgiana."

"Oh," replied Andrew feeling rather confused.

The Colonel looked at his pocket watch.

"We're late............"

"Fashionably late" smiled Lord Ashbourne.

Both Lord Ashbourne and the Colonel's eyes swung to Mr Darcy , then back to Andrew.

"You think Lizzy will be upset?" asked the Colonel. Mr Darcy had reclined back on a sofa and seemed to be in a drunken stupor.

"You think?" retorted Lord Ashbourne. The Colonel sighed.

"Well we have his carriage...........so what do we do with........" The Colonel inclined his head towards Andrew. Andrew felt his blood boil.

"You don't have to do anything with me!" Andrew cried.

Lord Ashbourne rang the bell, within seconds a footman opened the door.

"Sir?"

"Can you get my carriage brought round along with Mr Darcy's? Quickly."

"Yes sir."

The footman left. Lord Ashbourne regarded Andrew with a piercing look. Then looked at Darcy. He then rolled his eyes and head towards the ceiling. He appeared to be mouthing 'why oh why'.

"How 'bout I take Darcy with me in his carriage and you can take Andrew home, fair division?" remarked the Colonel. Andrew wasn't happy about being made out to be such a child but he kept quiet.

Soon the two carriages were brought round and the Colonel helped Darcy into his carriage. Andrew climbed into the second one, feeling rather sulky. Lord Ashbourne closed the door on him.

"You aren't going with him?" questioned the Colonel surprised.

"I'm sure he is able to sit in a carriage without any assistance, Rich." Lord Ashbourne then smirked and looked over at his brother, "This coming from a man, who on his eighteen birthday decided to high-tail it to Scotland!!"

The Colonel, laughed.

Lord Ashbourne asked Andrew for his address. He then passed it on to the driver along with the strict instruction not to stop anyway. The carriage moved off, Andrew still felt rather like a child. He was also dreading going home, what had he done??

Chapter 3

Posted on Monday, 17 January 2000, at 4 : 21 a.m.

Richard Fitzwilliam sat sullenly regarding his daughter. It wasn't as if he did not love his children, just he did not know how to deal with them, their mother had died when Andrew was five, Bonnie had never even known her mother. Sure he had family but he did not want their help. He had escaped them once before, he did not need them. But a niggling thought kept at him, if he didn't need them why was he back in London?

He did not need their financial help, he had managed to amass a reasonable fortune, that is if his son did not get into debts. His son, that was why he was so angry, Andrew never listened to a word he said, he got into financial difficulties, every kind of scrape a boy could get into, Andrew did. Except one, Andrew hadn't to Richard's knowledge got a woman into trouble as they said. Richard thanked his lucky stars, that he didn't have that to worry about.

"Papa, I'm sure Andrew will not be much longer. He went to buy me something, so you see it is my fault that he is not here."

Richard looked at his daughter........God there was so much of Grace in her. She always tried to cover up for Andrew, in fact he did not believe that either of his children loved him. This saddened him for he had been devoted to his mother and his father had been nothing but a loving man. The rest of his family..............well he had never been on good terms with his brother but there was 14 years between them. With the help of hindsight he could see that being left the vast Fitzwilliam fortune at 25 had taken it's toll on his brother, he could forgive the oversight. For that is what Richard had been a little oversight on his brothers behalf. He was also distant from Anne, she was a good woman but there was little love between them, she was devoted to the elder brother, had little time for a small eleven year old. But his other sister............................

"Papa??"

Richard realised he had been silent for too long.

"Bonnie, go to bed." he said sharply. Bonnie rose and left the room silently, Richard felt like crying. What had he done to deserve his life? His father died when he was 11, his mother when he was just 18. He wasn't more than a boy then. Then his wife, the love of his life had slipped away aged 25. She hadn't deserved to die. He didn't deserve to be made a widower at 26.

Richard heard the door open and his son appeared in the doorway. Richard stood up angrily.

"Where have you been?"

"Out," Andrew replied.

"Sit down." Richard barked.

Andrew obeyed, "I ask you again my boy where have you been?"

"At Lord Ashbourne's." That statement almost stopped Richard's breathing. Ash, surprising really that he should have been made an uncle at nine. More surprising that he had always loved his little nephew, who had been nine at the time of his mother's death. He could still remember the jokes that they had had played.

"Really?" replied Richard trying to control his voice.

"Yes, my cousins Richard and Fitzwilliam were there."

Richard closed his eyes and swallowed. His world was caving in around his ears.

"Do they know who you are?"

"Yes."

It is strange that a single word could have such power. If it had been a 'No' it would have been the saving of Richard's universe. Instead it has caused destruction.

Richard swallowed.

"Go to bed Andrew." Andrew rose and went upstairs. Richard downed a glass of brandy, shaking uncontrollably. He wanted it to be on his terms, now Edwin would have the control, he would be back to being little Richard the child, 'we must look after my little brother'. Richard felt a surge of anger towards Andrew, that propelled him up to his son's chambers.

He burst in on his son, who was in the process of getting undressed.

"How could you do this to me? Do you have no concept of anything?" He screamed at the boy.

"You do realise that NOW I will have to go crawling back............YOU will not leave this house tomorrow. Neither will your sister. As god is my witness.......if you dare to disobey me, so help me.............."

Richard left the room and slammed the door.

Bonnie lay shivering in her bed, she heard the screaming from next door and as soon as she was sure her father was downstairs, she ran to her brother.

Andrew was sitting on the bed, Bonnie leapt into his lap crying.

"Oh Andy what are we going to do?"

"Hush, everything will be fine. Look here is a locket for you."

Bonnie looked at the necklace, it was even prettier than Victoria's her heart swelled.

"Oh Andy! I'm sorry that I'm the reason Papa is angry at you! I shouldn't have asked you to get it for me. But I do love it."

"No! You are not the reason Papa is mad."

Bonnie pulled back from Andrew's embrace and looked at him quizzically.

"What have you done then to make him mad?"

"I'd rather not say."

Bonnie was curious but she trusted her brother absolutely. So she kissed him goodnight and went back to her chambers, hugging the silver locket.

Edwin Matlock reclined in a chair, regarding his wife. Harriet noticed him and smiled.

"My dear, where is Lizzy and Kitty?" asked Edwin.

"They have gone shopping, apparently last night's dinner party was somewhat less than a success."

"Really?"

"Yes, to start with the gentleman were late meaning that dinner had to be postponed ruining some of the dishes. Then apparently Darcy was a little worse for wear when he finally did show up."

"Oh...." Replied Edwin, wincing a little at the thought of what Harriet would have done to him if he had done such a thing at one of her dinners.

"Fortunately it was only a family gathering and the Gardiners aren't one to hold such things against people though I believe Mr Bennet is a little put out."

"But Lizzy and Kitty have gone shopping..........."

"Yes I believe they aren't on speaking terms."

"Kitty and Lizzy??"

"No Lizzy and Darcy and I don't think Kitty is speaking to Horrie either.'

"Oh dear......." It never did to be not on speaking terms with your spouse. Lizzy and Darcy had been married a year so he was not at all worried about them, but his son had only been married a a short while. He knew the pain of not being on speaking terms with a relation and he knew the consequences of it. He sighed.

"Don't worry my dear, they will all sort it out." soothed Harriet. They both heard the door.

Richard pulled up outside the Matlock's residency. A pang of remembrance washed over him. It still looked the same, he took a huge breath and climbed up the stairs. He knocked on the door, it swung open and he was afforded the sight of the butler....................Herringsworth? It can't be him.......he was around when ...........

"Master Richard?" exclaimed the elder man clutching at the door frame.

"Herringsworth?" It was him. The sight of him brought back so many memories.

"Come in sir, come in!" The Butler seemed to have recovered and looked so happy to see him. Richard passed into the familiar hall, the scent of roses swept over him, Harriet! Roses always reminded him of Harriet.

Herringsworth briskly walked up the stairs, Richard followed him feeling warmth that one only gets when they realise that they are home. The feeling left him suddenly when he realised he was on the verge of entering the drawing room, to face his demons.

Herringsworth opened the door announced, " Master Richard Fitzwilliam, sir"

Richard walked in, he could see Edwin's head, he was facing away from him but Harriet's mouth had dropped.

"Herringsworth, you don't need to announce my own son like that!" Richard watched as Edwin rose and turned.

"Rich?" he gasped, holding onto the vacated chair for support. Edwin's eyes grew wider and wider as Richard slowly walked towards him. It was like an intricate spell had been woven over the brothers. They could not speak or move. The spell was broken by the bursting open of the door.

"Papa! You will never guess who I saw...." Ash stopped, " Oh, well I guess you do...........hang it all why do you always spoil my fun!"

Richard turned to look at his nephew and gave a low chuckle. Edwin meanwhile sunk back into his chair looking very pale.

"Papa!" cried Ash moving to his father aid.

"It is nothing, Horrie, I just need a glass of something.............maybe some thing for your mama too."

Ash went to the brandy, while Richard glanced at Harriet, she seemed less shocked then he would have thought she would be. Ash gave his mother a glass then turned to hand his father the other. But Edwin had already risen to face Richard.

"Oh Richard!" he exclaimed crossing the floor to embrace him. Richard was shocked to say anything, Edwin was never emotional. The next sound that reached his ears shocked him even more. Edwin sounded like he was crying.

"Oh brother...........I'm so sorry................I should have done better by you............I wanted to tell you..................I should have treated you like my brother............not my son."

This from Edwin? Stiff proud Edwin? Edwin who had lost his father at 25 and suddenly was the head of the family, who had lost his mother at 32 and had to live with the guilt of driving his brother away. Richard before he knew what he was doing was crying too. The two brothers after embracing for an indefinite time, retired to a couch.

Ash and Harriet, looked on silently.

"Why Rich? Why? You could have lived with Catherine."

"Yes with Sir Lewis openly despising me?"

"Anne and George would have loved to have you."

"Yes and George treating me like a child rather than a brother-in-law?"

"I'm so sorry." Edwin hung his head.

"No don't Eddy. I needed to find myself."

"For 22 years!" exclaimed Edwin.

"I couldn't come back..........not until I didn't need you for anything."

"So you are financially..............?"

"My son will have a fortune of three thousand pounds a year and my daughter will have an eight thousand pound dowry."

"Your son...........your daughter......." Edwin looked sadly at Richard. Richard was feeling guilty, he should have known that his family would have missed him.

"Andrew and Bonnie, Andrew is 19 and Bonnie is 14."

"I've met Andrew!" piped up Ash. Richard turned to him.

"Isn't he insufferable!"

"No more then the usual boy who thinks he is a man." replied Ash.

Richard turned back to Edwin. "That is part of my problem, Andrew, I can't cope with him, he doesn't respect me, he doesn't heed my advice.............and Bonnie she is almost a woman and ............what do I know about ladies?"

"Grace was a lady..........your daughter will be exactly like her." replied Edwin. Richard smiled, Edwin had always had a soft spot for the little orphaned Grace De Winter.

"And your son, well he just needs his corners knocked off and I happen to know three gentlemen well suited to that job." Edwin looked at Ash.

"Aye, Aye sir. I shall get Richard on to the military plans...this means war." Ash laughed, then suddenly found something more amusing and started to laugh harder.

"Horrie??" exclaimed Harriet looking worriedly at her son.

"Nothing Mama............we shall have to call Richard Fitz now! Unless you want to be called it." The last part of Ash's statement was directed at Richard. Richard smiled, no he most definitely did not want to be called Fitz.

They continued along in this manner, until Fitzwilliam and Darcy entered. Richard would have known the Darcy mien anywhere and Fitzwilliam looked a great deal like his grandmother............... Ash took after his grandfather and father. Seeing Fitzwilliam brought back memories for Richard.

Ash leapt up, "Ah Fitz! How does it??" Both men started, looking curiously at Ash, until they noticed Richard.

"Uncle Richard?" They both spoke at once.

"My, my this will be confusing, " smiled Richard. "We have one Fitzwilliam Darcy, known as Darcy but could be known as Fitz, we have two Richard Fitzwilliams, one known as Richard but could be known as Fitz. The other Richard was known as Richard but now to be known as Fitz. We have one Lord Ashbourne otherwise known as Horatio Fitzwilliam who is known as Ash and Horrie but could be known as Fitz We have one Edwin Fitzwilliam, who affectionately was known as Eddy, but used to be known as Fitz by school chums." Richard took a deep breath then addressed himself to Harriet.

"So my dear sister, if you want us to all come at once, I suggest you call FITZ very loudly." The entire room dissolved into laughter. Fitzwilliam after the laughter stopped, put his foot down bidding everyone that if a name change was in order, Fitzwilliam would do very well and that anyone calling him Fitz would meet with a very nasty surprise.

Richard then began telling his nephews of his adventures in the continent, when for the second time that day the door was heard in the drawing room. There was a large expanse of time between hearing the door and hearing footsteps on the stairs.

"I tell you that tardiness is not acceptable, I shall inform my brother of your actions."

"I'm sorry my lady but the house is fair in uproar............"

"The condescension of your ladyship to allow us to accompany you on this auspicious visit, will not be forgotten by Mrs Collins or myself."

It seemed to Richard that a cloud had descended upon the group. And when the whining voice, who was obviously a Mr Collins was heard, Richard saw that Darcy and Fitzwilliam groaned . The rest of the group looked inquiringly at them, until Darcy replied,

"You have obviously not met MR COLLINS!"

The door opened, the footman appeared. "Lady Catherine and Anne De Bourgh, Mr and Mrs Collins.

Mr Collins walked in first, followed by his wife, he was bowing constantly.

"I must compliment her ladyship on the fine taste and impeccable state of her household it is second to none, bar Rosings Park of course."

Richard practically blanched when he heard this gentleman's speech. He rose to greet his sister who had entered the room last, and was giving dagger eyes towards her nephews.

"Kitty!" he exclaimed.

Her ladyship's eyes locked on to him and with her mouth still open for a scathing remark that died in her throat. She fainted dead away.

Chapter 4

Posted on Monday, 17 January 2000, at 9 : 28 p.m.

It is in a terrible position as a writer I do find myself, I have two Annes to refer to, the late Lady and the Miss De Bourgh. I have two Richard's, our errant prodigal son, and the dear Colonel. I have two Catherines, our estimable invalid and the charming Lady Ashbourne. Not to mention the additional heartache that they both appear to react to the nickname of Kitty. And I have Fitzwilliam's galore. I have the heroic Fitzwilliam Darcy and the grovelling William Collins. But worse still, the father of our elder generation, the late Earl is regrettably called Spencer but luckily for the writer the other Spencer is on his honeymoon in Wales. We must kiss our hands at our late Earl for being so discerning as to marry a girl of Russian decent by the name of Tatiana Ivanova Iakoleva. Her name is not reused for she was unique in every way. However dear reader, bear with me and in following contexts everything shall be made clear.

They moved her ladyship to a couch and fanned her, Richard leaning over her, while behind him his younger relations mouthed "Kitty??" at each other.

Her Ladyship's eye's opened, "Richard?" she asked.

"Yes sister, I've come home." Catherine sat up and launched herself off the couch, not once looking back at her brother. Richard felt hurt, she had always been his favourite sibling, and he had thought that he was hers.

"The abomination of allowing him in your home, brother." Richard thought for a second that Catherine was talking about him, until he realised her eyes were on Darcy. Darcy was now standing as he exchanged glares with his aunt.

"Do you have no compassion for Anne? He broke his betrothal to her, for a woman with nothing, no fortune, no breeding, no class. Every since Anne was in her cradle we planned the union!"

Richard was shocked into saying "Pish-Posh" Suddenly every eye was on him.
"What are you talking of Kitty? It was never planned, Anne suggested it would be nice if they grew to love one another and you said pish-posh! I remember it perfectly. You said you never wanted to plan your daughters life, that no one would plan anything............"

"Nonsense. Planning is what gets you places in life. Why I have arranged many of my tenants lives and they are very happy. And I have secured many posts for women who need to earn their livings. I always plan." Catherine's voice was cold.

"You never used to........what happened, when did you start planning?" spat out Richard.

Catherine stepped towards Richard, who was feeling so confused. How did his fun-loving sister turn into this hideous creature who stood before him? Surely living with Sir Lewis couldn't have exacted this change.

"I can mark the date precisely. It was 22 years ago.....................I didn't plan for you to desert me.................." Catherine suddenly stopped and fled the room.

Mr Collins broke free of his wife's grasp and ran after her calling, "My most estimable, noble patroness, you have been most cruelly used..........."

Catherine's voice broke his speech.

"Get away from me you horrible little man..........." They heard the front door slam and Mr Collins re-entered the room looking rather shocked.

Andrew sat up at his father crossed his chamber.

"Son, I'm off to see Lord Matlock. I don't want you stirring out of this house, but if Bonnie wishes to go across to the park, that is fine."

His father seemed so much calmer today, though it seemed he was not altogether happy, so Andrew played it safe and just nodded.

"Son, the only reason I don't want you going out is that you don't know London and I want you to be here, in case anyone visits."

"Yes, father." Andrew watched as his father left the room.

Andrew did not have an enjoyable day, Bonnie spent it in the park, even though it was frightfully cold. Apparently she had been invited back to one of the girls houses for some of the time. Andrew was glad, at least she wouldn't catch cold and she was obviously making some friends. Though he didn't like the sound of one of them.

Harry, Bonnie would not shut up about Harry. He was some lawyers son, he appeared to be Victoria's brother. He was the same age as Andrew, had brown hair and really deep brown eyes. Andrew almost choked several times through dinner by the end he most definitely did not like the sound of this Harry character.

On one of the brief excursions away from the subject of Harry, Bonnie asked where father was.

"He found his relations, Bon. He was going to call upon them."

"Relations! Oh won't it be nice to have relations...........speaking of relations Harry.........."

Andrew gave up, he did not listen to his sisters conversation anymore and was very pleased when she decided to retire to bed.

Andrew sat up waiting for his father. His father on arriving home, went and poured himself a large brandy, he very surprisingly offered some to Andrew. Andrew accepted and they sat down.

"So, how was it father? Were they not pleased to see you?" For his father had a sour expression on his face.

"No they were overjoyed. Edwin no longer treats me like a boy, I am treated like his brother, my nephews have respect for me.............."

"Then why the long face........Papa?" Andrew did not know why he used that word, but it seemed the right one to use.

And sometimes the choice of words means more than the meaning of the sentence it's self. To say "Oi you!" compared to "Excuse me sir", both get the person's attention but the overall meaning is completely changed. Was it this use of Papa that caused our dear Richard to start on the road to closer relations with his son? Well we shall see.

"My sister..........she was surprised to see me...........she has changed...........I hope.............. Well it does not do to dwell on it. So my boy, you will have cousins! You will have relations to cure you of your predisposition towards scrapes. Your sister will have female relations to help her become a woman."

Andrew wondered if this was the time to mention Harry.........he decided not.

Bonnie crossed the road into the park. She saw Jacqueline along with some other girls, sighing she saw Victoria was one of them.

"Bonnie!" cooed Victoria. "What an absolutely charming dress!"

Bonnie flushed, she did not have many clothes it was not that they could not afford them, it was just that Papa overlooked such matters. Hence Bonnie's dress was old and very drab. Bonnie decided that a little white lie was needed.

I will interpose, to remark that a comment like that from the mouth of such a superior being as our Victoria, will make even the shyest being want to push her into some convenient mud. So it is not surprising that this is the point in time where Bonnie decides to fight back.

"Oh yes, isn't it frightful! We did not take all our clothes on the boat and I simply haven't had the time to do anything about it!" Bonnie gulped, it was the most forward thing she had ever said.

"Oh!" said Victoria. Bonnie joined the girls as they walked around the park. Suddenly Victoria cried out.

"Oh Harry!"

Bonnie looked up and saw a young man, about Andy's age walking towards them, he had brown hair and was tall but not too tall. Bonnie gasped, she thought he was superb.

Victoria nudged her, "Bonnie you must meet my brother."

The introduction was made and they started to walk around the park. They all at first walked in a bunch talking and laughing, well everyone but Bonnie did that. She was listening to Harry, he first impression did not alter, his connection to Victoria did not matter because he was a pleasing person and talked well.

Before Bonnie realised what was happening, the party had somewhat separated and she was walking with Harry, alone, well not alone enough to be considered improper but alone enough for Bonnie to be slightly embarrassed.

"So Miss Fitzwilliam, do you like the outdoors?"

"Indeed I do, Mr Stapleton. Though I must admit I prefer Summer to Winter."

"What is this Mr Stapleton! I sound quite ancient, you must call me Harry, like all Vicky's friends do! Though I must still call you Miss Fitzwilliam!" Harry laughed as Bonnie blushed.

They walked around talking quite easily, Bonnie amazed herself that she could continue talking. Finally they sat upon a bench and watched the other people in the park. Bonnie was having a wonderful time, which was only marginally lessened by Victoria coming to sit with them.

"Oh it is cold! Perhaps we should go back home!" cried Victoria. Harry made a motion that he would like to stay. Bonnie watched as Victoria's eyebrows narrowed.

"Of course Bonnie, you may come back too! You must be simply freezing!"

So the three of them set off to the Stapleton home, which was only a few doors down from Bonnie's home. As they walked, Harry was musing.

"Miss Fitzwilliam, Fitzwilliam where have I heard that name before? Do you have any family in London?"

"I don't know! Papa says he has not set foot in London from nigh on 20 years, I suppose he does have relations but I do not know them."

"Oh....." replied Harry as they walked inside.

Vicky was not impressed, her brother seemed to be falling over little Miss Bonnie Fitzwilliam. It vexed her greatly considering he did not care tuppence about Rosalind and she was a baron's daughter. While Bonnie was little Miss No-body.

Vicky did her sisterly duty and told her mother and father, while Harry was not present, about his behaviour to Bonnie. Mama acted properly, but Papa did not.

"Oh Mr Stapleton! What shall we do, oh Vicky you must cut that little minx when you next see her. To think at her age to be conniving after a lawyer's son. Though she has no mother to teach her better. Mr Stapleton you will have a word with Harry!"

"Nonsense Mrs Stapleton, he is 19, too young to be thinking of anything serious. Though she is a pretty thing, if he wants to dally around with her, so be it. Though I dare say her family will stop it."

"Her family! They will positively welcome it! They are SO poor!" cried Mrs Stapleton.

Vicky added all she knew about their misfortune and embellished it.

"Don't be so silly Victoria, I happen to know that are not that destitute! And I should not obey your mother, what if she turns out to be a Matlock Fitzwilliam!"

"A Matlock Fitzwilliam!!" laughed Mrs Stapleton hysterically as Harry re-entered the room.

"The Matlock Fitzwilliam's! I knew I had heard that name before. I wonder if Miss Fitzwilliam is a distant relative," cried Harry.

Vicky and her mother went off into peals of laughter, while Harry looked affronted and Mr Stapleton sighed.

This topic of conversation was the dominating force in the drawing room that evening. We shall not dally here much longer to hear it because I'm sure all know what kind of things are coming out of our dear Victoria and her even dearer Mama's mouths.

Chapter 5

Posted on Wednesday, 19 January 2000, at 8 : 54 p.m.

Lizzy, Kitty, Jane and Mrs. Gardiner sat, in the drawing room of Ashbourne House. They were partaking of some tea, while Lizzy vented some of her feelings.

"Lizzy my dear, it is no use fuming about it. Now tell me how did it start?" asked Mrs. Gardiner.

"I'm not fuming! I just wish Papa would understand that I have forgiven William and if I can he should be able to."

"Lizzy, you were always Papa's favourite and you said he misunderstood what the argument was about," replied Jane serenely.

"Well will one of you tell me what happened?" cried Mrs. Gardiner

"Oh sorry Aunt, well you know how Papa wished to come to town and see how I was, well Mama decided she wanted to come with him, to help Jane with Mary, where is Mary by the way?"

"Mary is with Mama, remember?" answered Jane.

"Oh, that's right, " Mrs. Gardiner shot her niece a look, causing Lizzy to hurry on with her story. "Yes, the problem with that was that Lydia is visiting with Mama, who apparently sent her money to come down because some of the officer's wives were being 'terribly cruel to her poor dear girl'. What nonsense that is likely to be." Lizzy paused and her Aunt could see that it was likely she would pursue this tangent so she headed her back on course.

"What was the problem with Lydia? Mr. Darcy's problem is with Mr. Wickham not Lydia!'

"Oh no it was nothing like that, the real problem was that I very stupidly promised Aunt Phillips that she could come visit me sometime this year. Now I thought I could invite all of them, but William requested I ask only two. Now I couldn't do that! If I invited Mama and Papa, Lydia would be left alone at Longbourn, if I invited Mama and Lydia, well what about Papa and since the invitation was for him in the first place...........So Papa had to get one of the invitations. Now the only person I could invite with him was Aunt Phillips but could you imagine the fuss Mama would have made!"

"A terrible fix!" cried Mrs. Gardiner shaking her head at Mr. Darcy for putting her niece in such a position but not blaming him, for one second.

"So I rather foolishly offered all of them invitations. I meant to tell William.........but well he did not know until the day they arrived and the housekeeper chanced to make a comment about 4 chambers. We were in the middle of the confrontation when Papa was announced, he had decided to go ahead, they were not expected until later that evening. So well Papa took some of the words William used and misconstrued them, he believed well that William was angry because I hadn't yet fulfilled..............a certain duty.........hadn't become a mother......." Lizzy stopped, blushing slightly.

"Oh," replied Mrs. Gardiner, understanding what Lizzy was speaking about.

"We noticed Papa and stopped quarrelling but William quitted the house and when he came back, for the dinner party he was quite foxed. Well you were all there."

"What a shambles that was!" replied Mrs. Gardiner, clearly remembering the sight of Lord Ashbourne and Col. Fitzwilliam practically carrying Mr. Darcy into the dinning room.

"Oh! But it got so much worse, Aunt! You do not know, that I asked Kitty to see if perhaps well Mama and Lydia could stay here with her............." Lizzy glanced at Kitty who hadn't said a word, but was sitting fidgeting. Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, who it must be said was not her favourite.

"Worse? What happened?" queried Mrs. Gardiner. She looked at her three nieces, finally Jane answered.

"Apparently the answer was a loud no. Then well they all arrived anyway, then the dinner party........."

"Kitty you are being awfully quiet," remarked Lizzy

"Am I? I'm sorry, if you'll excuse me........." Kitty stood and quitted the room.

"What is that all about?" asked Mrs. Gardiner.

"Oh another quarrel............I told you that I had created a mess. She wasn't happy at Lord Ashbourne's answer to her suggestion so she was most horrible to him yesterday evening. She pointedly ignored him and acted quite ........................silly with Lydia."

"Lizzy, she wasn't that bad," Jane commented.

"Well she was almost back to her previous self!" exclaimed Lizzy. "So you see what a mess I have created, Aunt. William has since apologised and I have given him my apology. But Papa is still angry and is only staying 'under his roof for my sake', so he told me. And well then there is Kitty............"

"My dear the problem is, do you really think Kitty is suited to her new life? I was very shocked when her engagement was announced." Mrs. Gardiner looked at her two nieces.

"Oh Aunt! They are very much in love," cried Jane.

"Jane, I believe that Lord Ashbourne holds a great deal of affection for Kitty, but will affection be strong enough if she displays herself as silly as you have said she did last night. I mean I did not notice it myself, I was too caught up speaking to your Mama, but I did notice some coldness........................"

Jane just opened her mouth in amazement at Mrs. Gardiner.

The reader has at this point, been previously intimately acquainted with the inner workings of Kitty's mind, so they will be most vexed at Mrs. Gardiners spin on events. However we must realise she does not have the power of omnipresence or omnipotence, unlike yourself. We must consider the facts that there is a 12-year age disparity between the discussed pair, along with a considerable fortune disparity. Adding to this the view Mrs. Gardiner and indeed the rest of the world, had of the Kitty Bennet as was, we can hardly blame her for having reservations. Then to have these reservations blown into fears and suspicions by the unwise actions of our dear Kitty, we must sympathise with her. For as an Aunt she does not really wish to think ill of her niece.

Lizzy nodded slowly, "Kitty is much improved," but her tone belied the doubt that was creeping in, " but I managed to talk to William and sort out our problem. Why hasn't Kitty done so................"

"They are very much in love," repeated Jane, because she was having trouble believing the doubt expressed in both her companions.

"Jane, you are too good, but I do hope that it is so. However the question then remains, is Kitty in love with the man, or the fortune, title and position?"

Kitty walked back to the drawing room, pausing at the door before opening it, she heard her Aunt's words and part of the previous conversation. Kitty drew in her breath, but she knew she must enter no matter how much she would prefer to turn and run.

As soon as she turned the handle, the conversation within abruptly turned to how Mary was finding London.

"So Jane I hope very much that Mary is enjoying her time in London, perhaps we could go to the theatre or something?" Aunt Gardiner remarked.

Kitty managed to make it to her chair, sinking down into it shakily. She tried to appear calm and attentive to the conversation but her mind withdrew to the previous evening.

"Perhaps, well it might be nice, for Lizzy if we, well you know, maybe well mama or Lydia or Aunt, well two of them came and well, stayed with us."

The look on Ash's face was pure horror.

"God no! Absolutely not! No! How could you even think such a thing! Definitely NOT" Ash's face contorted with the obvious disgust that such an idea invoked.

Kitty stood up and stormed over to her Mama.

"Well Kitty? Shall we?" Jane asked Kitty.

"I'm sorry? Jane I was miles away."

"Go shopping tomorrow," replied Lizzy.

"Oh! Well I had not thought..........."

"Of course we will invite Lydia......", Aunt Gardiner added. Kitty could see no way out of it but to agree. Her mind wandered off again, so she missed the glance that passed between Lizzy and her aunt.

You will of course understand this glance, it meant in code.......Is she in danger of becoming Lydia's shadow again?

Ash walked up to Kitty while she was conversing with Lydia. Kitty ignored him, cutting him most obviously.

Later she pointedly avoided him, she changed places to sit the furthest away from him at dinner.

She did a thousand other things but she cared not to remember them. Except that she started to think she had gone too far......

In the drawing room after dinner, Aunt Phillips patted Kitty on the knee and whispered conspiratorially at her.

"Don't worry my dear, soon enough he will go away, once you give him an heir, then well we won't say anymore but you will be free."

Kitty was too shocked to say anything in reply to her Aunt but Lydia who was on her other side was happy to oblige.

"Yes Kitty! Then you can come and stay with me! We shall have such fun, he will have to still give you pin money of course! Oh I can see it now..........my sister Lady Ashbourne! Oh it was a pity that your letter did not arrive! You could have knocked me over with a feather when I arrived at Longbourn and Mama told me you had married a Viscount!!"

Lydia had prattled on while Kitty was horrified. What kind of impression had she given her family? She watched her uncle and father entrance into the room, she was suddenly convinced that everyone in the room thought like her aunt and sister.

Then there was the carriage ride home.

Ash was looking stormily out of the window, Kitty thought she should say something but she was still angry. So they sat there in silence, separated in the hall, each to their own chambers at different times and when Kitty awoke, Ash had already left.

Kitty was not sure how she made it through the rest of the day. Her visitors left, she had dinner alone, no one knew where Ash was. Then she retired to her chamber and lay awake listening. Finally at some unknown hour she heard him return into the room next door. After thinking for some time about how angry she had been, balanced with the fact that in some way she was glad that he had said no. She crept out of bed and into the room next door. She meant to talk to him, unfortunately emotion took over and she ended up collapsing on his shoulder crying.

Chapter 6

Posted on Friday, 21 January 2000, at 7 : 19 a.m.

Ash sat back in the carriage, the day had been tiring. He had gone out early on urgent business, well it might not have been that urgent if he hadn't wanted to avoid Kitty, then he had gone to his fathers. Uncle Richard was already there and Aunt Catherine had shown up with the snivelling Mr. Collins. God, he had thought they had all exaggerated about him! He had become much worse after Aunt Catherine's hasty exit.

He spent the day with his family, listening to Richard's tale, deciding what to do about Andrew and Bonnie. He was sufficiently distracted to enjoy himself but he was distracted no longer. He tiredly dragged himself into his chamber, undressed and lay upon the bed, he closed his eyes, begging sleep to wash over him but it did not.

He heard the door open, the footsteps cross the floor he felt the tears upon his shoulder, he heard them stop and Kitty fall into a deep sleep.

He wanted very much to put his arms around her but he could not bring himself to do so. How could she have acted like she did? All of her family that had seen them together in London last season understood that it was a trifling argument and that they were in fact very much in love. But since those people's numbers to Lizzy and Darcy, Ash did not feel much comforted.

Ash dislodged himself and went into Kitty's chamber, falling upon her bed before he too fell into a deep sleep, images of his wife flashed through his head.

Kitty awoke the next morning, feeling cold. Where was Ash? She cursed herself, she had meant to talk to Ash and make everything better, why did she cry, why did she fall asleep?? Kitty hauled herself out of bed and moved to her chamber, on opening the door she gave a small gasp. Ash?

She moved over to her bed, Ash was sprawled across it, she sat down and stroked his hair, he stirred. Kitty smiled when she saw his eyes open.

"I'm sorry." she mouthed as she leant down to kiss him. Ash moved violently away, rising from the bed and striding back into his chamber, Kitty rushed to follow him.

Bursting through the door, she cried, "I'm so sorry, I was angry!"

"That is supposed to make it better is it? You expect me to be sorry now? I'm not sorry! I was supposed to be happy at any suggestion of guests in my house, when we have not even been married two months??" Ash thundered.

"I know, I was mad because Lizzy made me ask and I did not really want them here, but they are my family!"

"Any other time, you can have the entire Bennet clan here! But did we not speak of this, that we wouldn't invite anyone until the New Year! Then what do you do, you display yourself."

Kitty couldn't speak she could feel tears welling up in her eyes and sobs pushing in her throat.

"Do you realise what kind of sympathetic looks I got from your father and uncle? Not to mention your Aunt Gardiner. They all think it's a sham and that I've been caught by a fortune hunter.............I'm pitied. You know how I feel about pity."

Kitty couldn't do anything but nod. She tried to stop the tears but they came along with a sobbing, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Ash's heart almost broke when she started crying. He crossed the floor and embraced her.

"There, there, don't cry, I didn't mean to shout, I'm just angry."

Ash picked her up and walked back into her chambers. He meant to just place her on the bed and leave, he was not angry anymore, it was obvious that she had realised her mistake and he had realised his. But he needed time and space.

He moved away, but Kitty had her arms wrapped around his neck, jerking him onto the bed. She clung to him sobbing so that he couldn't move.

Ash closed his eyes and in much the same way other men would recite times tables he talked.

"Well, did I tell you that I had another uncle? Uncle Richard, he is nine years older than I am, the Colonel is named after him. Well after Tatiana's, my grandmother's, death he fled to the continent with this girl, a friend of the family, who was an orphan. He was eighteen. Well suddenly he turns up in London, now! 22 years later. Well his son saw me and came to visit, that was why we were late for the dinner. That was also why I was out all day. His son, Andrew is 19, he also has a daughter Bonnie who is 14, though I haven't seen her. Grace, the girl he ran away with died giving birth to Bonnie. Aunt Catherine almost had a fit when she saw Uncle Richard, and Mr. Collins! Why did no one tell me he was so bad............."

Ash knew he was rambling but he was trying to keep his composure, but it was no use, a lock of Kitty's hair fell across his face. He pushed it back, his hand was in her mane of hair. Oh who was he kidding! He roughly grasped her waist pulling her up to his level. She looked into his eyes, her eyes were brimming with tears. He wanted to kiss them away, so he did and of course being a man, it didn't stop there.

Ash lay there, fingering a lock of Kitty's hair, she was sleeping. He sighed, she was so pretty and full of life, but prone to mistakes. Though, he thought with a laugh, the only people convinced that it is a marriage of convenience on her side, was her family. The ton thought she was devoted to him, he had at least three separate gentleman ask him for good destinations in Hertfordshire as it seemed to be the place for good wives.

Some one knocked on the door. "Lord Ashbourne?" Ash knew the voice to be one of the maids.

He slid out of bed, reaching for his dressing gown, which was not there. He groaned, he saw Kitty's dressing gown, and rolled his eyes to the ceiling, that it would come to this!

He opened the door a crack, so that the maid could not really see him.

"If you please my lord, your brother, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are waiting for you down in the study."

Ash groaned, he had totally forgotten that he was to go and visit Andrew with them this morning. He nodded at the maid after asking her to fetch his valet. He walked back into his chamber.

His valet, Middleton, did not turn a hair at his masters rather interesting attire. Ash was glad of it, Middleton helped him dress without a word but Ash thought he could perceive a smirk on his face. Ash felt induced to talk, so he unburdened all his thoughts about the sudden reappearance of Uncle Richard and the problem of Andrew. He could always talk to Middleton, he was practically dependent on him.

Ash walked back to Kitty's chamber, he looked at her still asleep. He kissed her swiftly on her cheek and started to move towards the door. Kitty stirred behind him, he looked back at her. He felt torn, he really should go help the others with Andrew by the sound of it he was a terror, though he seemed a lamb........but he wanted to stay here. Kitty opened her eyes and sat up clasping the sheet to her body. She was looking at him questioningly.

Middleton, entered the room with some query about a coat, while not looking at Kitty, it was what a servant seemed to be trained best at, turning a blind eye. A thought came into his mind as he looked towards Kitty and then back at Middleton.

Ash cleared his throat, "Middleton! Tell them to go away." Ash flung away his cane and fell back upon the bed.

Middleton closed the door behind him. He walked down the staircase. 'Tell them to go away.' No that would not do at all. He knew that his master did not mean him to do any such thing. Middleton was devoted to Lord Ashbourne and was much entrusted with knowledge from him. They had been together for a very long time.

However Middleton was having trouble with this particular request. He knew Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, they would not be easily put off. Phrases ran through his head, 'His lordship is regrettably indisposed'. No that would not do, if he was he would have sent a note round, earlier this morning. 'His Lordship is too busy'. Again, no, if so he would have been up in his study, not still upstairs. 'His Lordship is in bed with his wife'. Now that would certainly make them go away and not press the issue, but no servant would announce that, even if it was true, as in this case.

Middleton, opened the study door. The men inside turned and looked surprised at seeing him and not Lord Ashbourne.

"His Lordship is not coming." He said bluntly.

"What? Why ever not? He cannot be ill, as you have obviously been to him, so he must be dressed!" cried Darcy.

"Oh I bet I know what the matter is," remarked the Colonel. Middleton privately thought that he could not.

"He must not be at all happy with his cravat. Well I will not have him shirk anything because he doesn't think he is dressed well enough!" laughed the Colonel. "I will go to him."

The Colonel moved towards the door, which Middleton opened for him, as the Colonel passed him, Middleton gave him a look that he was sure the Colonel would understand. He had known the Colonel as long as he had known his Lordship.

"Oh............well on second thoughts come on Bingley, Darce we better be off."

Middleton accompanied them to the door, sighing when he shut it on them.

Col F climbed into the carriage after Darce and Bingley. The carriage moved off.

"Fitzwilliam!" expostulated Darce. "What was that all about! Why did you not go and get Ash!"

Bingley seemed to nod in agreement. Col F chuckled.

"Oh don't be so stupid!.....................and to think that I'm the only unmarried man here."

Darce and Bingley suddenly seemed to catch on, finally understanding why Ash wasn't with them. They both seemed to grow rather red. Col F burst into laughter. That two married men, just past there first anniversary should still turn vaguely red.

Col F laughed heartily all the way to his uncles house much to his companions discomfort.

Chapter 7

Posted on Saturday, 22 January 2000, at 10 : 20 p.m.

Mrs. Gardiner followed her sister in laws up to the door. She sighed, the idea of going shopping with Fanny, Jenny Phillips and Lydia did not appeal to her. Though the sight of her other nieces comforted her. Though she would soon be joined by her fourth niece who confused her thoroughly.

"Not at home! Nonsense! Kitty is to come shopping!" screeched Fanny.

"Mama!" cried Lizzy and Jane mortified with their mother's tone to the footman.

Lydia soon started tormenting the poor footman, telling him that his uniform wasn't nearly as smart as an officers, and that he could be dismissed for telling such tales about his mistress.

Mrs. Gardiner felt for the poor footman who was being harassed most dreadfully by Fanny and Lydia. Finally he let them in and they were admitted into the drawing room.

"Oooh look at this place!!" Fanny was practically drooling over everything, Lydia and Jenny weren't much better.

Mrs. Roberts watched as the footman closed the drawing room door. The poor man looked quite flustered as he approached her.

"Mrs. Roberts, a Mrs. Bennet is waiting for Lady Ashbourne, I told her she wasn't at home but...................she says they have an engagement."

Mrs. Roberts took pity on the poor fellow and told him she would deal with it. She summoned one of the maids and climbed the stairs to the mistresses chambers.

She rapped on the chamber door and called through it. "Lady Ashbourne! Mrs. Bennet is waiting upon you in the drawing room, she says that you are expecting her."

Instead of a lady's voice, Mrs. Roberts could discern her masters voice though being a respectable woman she would not own to knowing the meaning of the words he was uttering. After some time, Lady Ashbourne called out to them to enter.

Mrs. Roberts opened the door and entered with Sally. Mrs. Roberts, as a proper servant pretended not to notice the articles of clothing strewn across the floor, she nudged Sally to go help Lady Ashbourne.

The dressing was done in a trice, Mrs. Roberts liked her new mistress, as did the rest of the servants. They had a little chat about shopping and Mrs. Roberts opinion of Lady Ashbourne rose notches with the next words she had to say.

"Mrs. Roberts, Sally, what would you like for Christmas?"

"My lady, we are given a bonus and that is quite enough!" Scolded Mrs. Roberts and practically booted Lady Ashbourne out of her chamber, for Mrs. Roberts was a motherly character. Though she did hear Lady Ashbourne call back, "How dreadfully impersonal!"

Mrs. Roberts turned back to Sally and looked at the state of the room, Middleton burst through the door, surveyed the room groaned and went about picking up the Master's possessions. Middleton was not Mrs. Roberts favourite servant and he wasn't improving her notion of him. Some of the things that were coming out of his mouth! Although words that Mrs. Roberts did know the meaning of, they were words one should not say about one's master. She was about to dish out a lecture on the subject when she heard the masters voice.

"Cane! Cane! Hurry Man!"

Middleton extracted the object from under the bed with a "I shall give my notice! I shall I shall, is this to be borne???"

Mrs. Roberts gasped, her amazement increased tenfold when she espied her Master standing calmly at the door, listening to all Middleton's rambling.

"Sir? You will leave me now? Is my wife a more cunning and scary enemy then any you saw on the Peninsula? I will receive your notice now, when in the face of the attack of many a enemy you sat calmly sipping a cup of tea! Middleton you disgrace yourself!"

Middleton got off up the floor dusted off his breeches. Mrs. Roberts held her breath and hoped that the master really gave him what for!

"You my lord, have ruined my breeches." Mrs. Roberts gasped out loud. Shocking that he should say such a thing, he should know his place!

But what was even more shocking was that the master started to laugh, quite heartily at it. Middleton passed the master, who clasped a hand on his shoulder. Mrs. Roberts was shocked, she straightened her cap and hoped in her heart that she would always know her place!

Col F sighed, Andrew was a pleasant boy, he supposed though he really didn't know anything of the world and the scrapes he had managed to get into to!! The group of men were distracted by the door being opened by the maid.

"Lord Ashbourne to see you sirs."

Col F raised his eyebrows when his brother entered the room. In fact all three of the elder gentlemen, were looking at Ash queerly. Ash sat down, looked at the astonished faces in front of him and enlightened the group.

"Mrs. Bennet."

"Oh" chorused the gentlemen, understanding all except Andrew who looked confused. Bingley was looking most sympathetically at Ash, Col F did not understand it until he did the maths. Netherfield was three miles from Longbourne and Bingley did not take a long honeymoon.

Col F burst out laughing at about the same time that his brother worked it out, Darce was a little slow on the uptake but Bingley sat there looking like a turkey until he realised what everyone was laughing about.

Presently they stopped. Ash looked at Andrew enquiringly. Andrew looked back blankly. Ash frowned at Andrew. Andrew looked back blankly but slightly worried. Ash jerked his head towards the decanter. Andrew jumped up and poured Ash a glass.

Col F was amazed, they had been here over an hour and Andrew hadn't lifted a finger to give them a drink! Perhaps Andrew wouldn't be so bad, as long as Ash was around, considering he was the eldest and probably had more experience with dealing with boys who thought they were men.

Andrew gave Ash the glass. Ash coughed. Andrew looked confused. Ash coughed and looked severely at Andrew.

"Oh do the rest of you want one?" asked Andrew. The group groaned.

Continued In Next Section