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Chapter 24

Posted on Monday, 1 May 2000, at 6 : 58 a.m.

Mary flung herself onto her bed and had a good old cry. She had never though she would have an attack bordering on hysteria in her life. It was dreadful, everyone spoke to her nicely, and The Duchess and Kitty and Elizabeth had offered to go shopping with her but it was so hideous.

Mary felt like she had dug herself into a hole. She had trapped herself in a marriage of convenience with a man who couldn't remain serious for more then two seconds, who was known for all the wrong reasons and was just plain infuriating. To top it off he appeared to be treating her like some common *thing* he picked up off the street as if he expected *her* to suddenly conform and fall into *his* arms. She had blown any chance of subtly trying to conform her husband, and the reaction he had had to Fordyce was like no other she had ever received before. Mary noisily blew her nose on a rather lacy handkerchief he found on her floor. Mary went cross-eyed as she focused on the embroidered initials on the handkerchief. E.S. E.S. Mary started to frown. AS she went over all her names. No there was no way she could own a handkerchief with the Initials E.S. Mary then thought about her husband, discounting the improbability that any handkerchief he owned would be decked out with border roses, no it could not be his initials either.

A wave of completely stupid jealously ran thorough Mary. She tried to tell herself that she had no reason to be jealous, she only married him for respectability and to run away from her Mama. But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, it would not go away. It lurked like a serpent, she thought it was her morals telling her it would be wrong for her husband to have another woman's handkerchief, because for the life of her she couldn't imagine another way for a handkerchief to get into her bedchamber. It could hardly be a maid's not with all the finery attached to it.

However if Mary had looked hard enough inside her she would have realised that her jealously was nothing to do with morals, it was more of a case of "I managed to get his ring on my finger, so I'm not going to share him with anyone!!" type of attitude. The type of Attitude that she was condemning him for trying to get her to take. Women, go figure :)

Richard looked up at the imposing edifice of the Dowager Town House. He had arranged to meet Edwin there, to look over the place. The door opened and he saw his brother waving towards him. Richard sighed and mounted the steps.

Onwards and upwards thought Richard as he mounted the stairs to what might be an uncomfortable future.

The house was much as Richard remembered and after being showed all the furniture that had been left in covers Richard sat down with Edwin. Edwin had thought far enough ahead to have somehow procured some brandy and glasses.

Richard swirled the amber liquid around in the bottom of his glass and focused intently on it. What he had to say was difficult, but would not be made any easier if he had to look his brother in the eye.

"Edwin, there is something I would very much like to know."

Richard heard a sigh emanate from his brother, but Edwin didn't seem inclined to say any more so Richard pressed on.

"I think you know what I am going to say..............I just want to know why you didn't tell me sooner, and why you didn't do something about it."

Richard gulped the rest of the burning liquor and looked Edwin directly in the eye. Edwin stood up and straightened his coat and started to pace the room.

"It wasn't something people told people."

"Is that what I was to you...........people??"

"No. I mean you were young."

"I wasn't that young, do you not think I deserved to know something?"

"It was thought you not knowing was for the best."

"Who thought so? You?" Richard felt fortified by the drink and poured himself another he watched as Edwin leaned on the back of a chair while obviously collecting his thoughts.

"Not only by me."

"Really........that is interesting." Richard swirled the glass, "Grace didn't know did she? She didn't know she was going to be a rich woman either did she."

"No she didn't, but she knew provision had been made for her."

"She thought it was a pittance, but it is rather generous for a poor little orphan wouldn't you say."

"Yes generous is the word." Edwin paced towards the window.

"Damn you Edwin you realise that she died believing that..............she had no parents."

Richard watched as Edwin glanced up at the ceiling and then focused back on Richard.

"You would have wanted her to know the truth? To know the pain and the shame?" Edwin turned abruptly around and looked searchingly at Richard

"No............but she deserved to know."

"What if it had changed her irreversibly? You couldn't have wanted that!" Edwin paced up and down the room throwing an accusative glance at the end of his sentence.

"No but Grace had a motto, you know that. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change those I can and the wisdom to know the difference." * It would have strengthened her."

"She would have lost her innocence!" cried Edwin with an angry inflect in his tone, throwing his hands up at the same moment.

"Innocence couldn't have been lost from Grace you know that Edwin."

"You are wrong Richard. The decision was made and I stick to it. It was the right thing to do." Edwin thrust his hands down forcibly on the back of the chair.

"Again I ask you who made this momentous decision and if you dare blame Mama for this Edwin by god I will..........."

"By god you will what? Mama did have a say in it, she thought it would be for the best that Grace not know at least until she was older."

"I don't believe you Edwin."

"Don't believe the truth and what you know has to be the truth if you don't want to Richard, I can't help you accept this."

Richard downed his third glass of brandy and stood up to face his brother.

"I know why you had to keep all the money and everything a secret, it was simply because you revel in being a patriarch, admit it you enjoy holding purse-strings and lording it up over your family. You always did."

"I shall not dignify that with a response."

"Oh no??? Well I ran away because of you! I envied your power, because I knew I could use it far better then you! I would not cajole all my family into doing what I say."

"I command respect." Richard noted that his brother's voice appeared to crack at his statement

"No you don't, you tried to instil fear." Richard rejoined quickly with a more callous edge to it then he really meant.

"I have never sought or wanted anyone to fear me Richard and I doubt anyone does." Replied Edwin with a weary tone in his voice.

"Really well tell me that you haven't enjoyed being the Earl of Matlock."

"The Earl of Matlock is not me Richard. I'm EdwinM Fitzwilliam, it has taken me years to realise that I can't reconcile those two sides of me to be one entity they will never be reconciled. The Earl means responsibility that Edwin does not want. "

"You don't want the earldom! That IS rich! You covert the fortune you revel in the power, you CHASED me away for heavens sake!" cried Richard, sitting abruptly down in a chair. Edwin clamped his hands together appeared to be trying to separate them, several times he opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Finally with a shake of his head he spoke in tones of anger that belied years of hurt.

"You really think I chased you away?"

"Yes I do." The words slipped out of Richard's mouth before he could check them, he had forgotten why he had comes to cuffs with his brother, it was for Grace, the old animosity between himself and Edwin should have never have come into this, Richard rebuked himself. Though it was too late to take it back.

"By God Richard I would never have thought to live to see this day! Do you think it's all plain sailing? Do you think that it's all wealth and consequence? Do you not perceive how difficult everything was for me?"

"You did not have to take it all on your shoulders! You weren't alone Edwin, you chose to keep everything to yourself, and you deserve what you DAMN well get, for what you did to Grace." Richard shut his eyes, he had drunk too much brandy, this was not what he wanted.

"I see we are brought to Point-Non-Plus, I never thought to be here with you. By George I do deserve everything I get, and so do you Richard. TAKE it Take all of it. You obviously will never forgive me for past sins, so much so that you must find new faults in me and you wish revenge, well you shall have it." As he spoke he threw something on to the table, that span around like a top. Edwin leaned on the table and looked into Richard's eyes. "I'm giving it to you on a plate. Is this what you wanted? To reduce me to nothing?" Edwin strode out of the room.

Richard focused slowly on the spinning object, finally trapping it in his large hands, he raised it to his eyes.

It was the Earl of Matlock's signet ring. It had been Edwin's, before that it have Been their father Spencers, and before that it had been their grandfathers. It had been worn all the way down the line from the 1st earl. Richard couldn't remember a time when he hadn't seen his father or brother take it off when they were respectively earls. Richard blinked. Suddenly a realisation swept over him.

"Eddy!" he cried racing to the door.

* The serenity poem as it is oft called, it is anonymous as far as I can tell and it holds a special place in my heart as it was the motto of my grandmother who died when I was very young and before I could know her.

Lady Marcross shook hands warmly with Lady Ashbourne. She noticed her youth and her fashion and a glow. Erin sat down upon the divan next to her. Mary who had brought her aunt, much against her will to see her sister, sat in an opposite chair.

"Ah Lady Ashbourne, it is a pleasure to meet you. Mary has told me so much about her sisters! You are very young and very pretty!" Erin patted Lady Ashbourne's hand.

"Oh dearie! You are expecting!" Erin noticed Lady Ashbourne look confused. "Oh don't you worry it isn't showing yet! I can just tell." Erin turned to face Mary, "Mary why did you not tell me that your sister was pregnant? You never tell me anything."

Mary coloured, Lady Ashbourne looked confused. Erin pinched Lady Ashbourne's cheek. "Well what are you called? Catherine?"

"Kitty." replied Lady Ashbourne.

"Kitty!!!!! Here puss, puss, puss!" Erin suddenly found this rather amusing and went into peals upon peals of laughter. Kitty joined in much to Erin's happiness, although Erin suspected that there was more to the laughter then pure contagiousness.

"What is the joke dearie?"

"Oh Lady Marcross, I had that problem once!" cried Kitty.

"Please call me Erin! I insist on you calling me Aunt Erin!"

"Very well, Aunt Erin..............it was one day before my marriage..."

Edwin paced outside the Saracen's Head in Aldgate High Street. He was thinking. He didn't have the Matlock signet anymore and he didn't bring any of his cards with him so he had no way of proving he was the Earl of Matlock. Though he thought he had called many times on all the post houses and turnpikes from London to Matlock. But in other places in the country he would be very little known.

Why oh why did I go to the Dowager House, thought Edwin, but it was a rhetorical question and he even knew the answer to it, he just didn't want to admit it. All the responsibility and everything had weighed down on him for over a quarter of a century, how long that sounded he thought, and he wanted Richard to discover everything. A huge burden was lifted right off his shoulders. Edwin had known it was a trap and had walked in willingly. Now all he had was a desire to go back to being that boy he was before his marriage before his earldom, before everything. A little twinge assailed him, Harriet.....but Richard would explain, Harriet knew, she would understand.

Edwin thought to himself, finally I'm just plain Edwin Fitzwilliam............I haven't been that in years. Over a quarter of a century, Nigh on 30 years. The thought struck him that he didn't know HOW to be plain Edwin. It chilled him, he remembered telling Richard that he was reduced to nothing. It had been a cheap parting shot, but Edwin suddenly realised the truth of the statement.

He could no longer be identified as the Earl of Matlock, indeed he didn't think he could BE the Earl anymore. But he couldn't be Edwin, in essence he was nothing.

Edwin looked towards the Inn, sighed and strode in

Mary glared at her Aunt and glared at Kitty. She was most put out. She had determined to ask her sisters advice about the Affair of the Handkerchief only to meet Lady Marcross upon the stairs to her house, and she insinuated herself into the party and now she had not had a single private word with Kitty and she could hardly say in front of Aunt Erin. "I think my husband is having an affair and we have only been married a few weeks"

Kitty smiled at Lady Marcross, or Aunt Erin as she should say. She was a rather eccentric old woman, Kitty thought. Though Kitty could perceive some shrewdness in her and she appeared to have a very kind heart. She was telling some story about her son in loud tones breaking off to laugh hysterically at places it was deemed necessary.

Somehow it was impossible not to laugh along with her. Kitty smiled at Mary who was sitting opposite her, Mary had her usual sullen expression on her face and didn't seem to be enjoying herself at all. Kitty tuned a bit out of Aunt Erin's conversation instead thought of the rather good joke she had played upon Ash. He had been most upset to learn that it had been all a joke upon his vanity and it had taken Kitty some time to coax him out of sulking. She had managed to make him laugh after she told him that it wasn't often a wife was ready before a husband.

Kitty was practically falling asleep before she could stop herself. Suddenly she had two unknown hands on both her feet, swinging him up onto the divan. Kitty was shocked out of the daze.

"There you are. You should lie back nice and easy. " Aunt Erin, shoved a pillow behind her back and forced Kitty to lie back.

Lady Marcross sat down again began to prattle on about the latest ton news, Lord Such and Such had become engaged to Lady So and So's last remaining daughter. Lady something or other had cried off her engagement to a mere Mr whats-his-face. Kitty was starting to drowse, in the midst of the enveloping sleep she heard a knock on the door downstairs. Steps on the staircase, mingled with the steps in the dance she had shared long ago with Ash that was replaying through her mind. Ash opened his mouth to say something romantic.

"Kitty!!!!! Edwin has left me" came a screech. Kitty sat bolt upright, shocked by the entrance of her mother-in-law. What Harriet had to say didn't really assimilate though Kitty could see that Harriet was very distressed, Kitty was about to ask Harriet to repeat what she had said, when Harriet fainted dead away on the floor.

Chapter 25

Posted on Friday, 12 May 2000, at 12 : 50 a.m.

Erin was right in the middle of a rather in depth explanation of why Lady Margola had refused her consent to her daughter Lavinia's engagement to the Baron Rutherfed when Lady Matlock burst into the room. Erin felt no compulsion to cease her story but was forced to abandon it when Lady Matlock had shrieked "Kitty!!!!! Edwin has left me." Erin sat there with arm's in mid flail for the seconds between this admission and Lady Matlock fainting upon the floor. As she crumpled to the ground, Erin sprung up and signalled to Mary to help her. Between them they managed to haul Lady Matlock onto a couch and Erin started fanning her with her fan.

"Mary go get some smelling salts!!" waved Erin madly.

Kitty had sprung off the couch and was also waving a cushion madly at Lady Matlock.

"Harriet? Harriet!!" shrieked Kitty.

Mary raced back in the room and shoved something that smelled vile under Lady Matlock's nose. She started to stir and began to sit up weakly.

"Oh Kitty, Kitty what shall I do??? I don't know what I did, I must have done something dreadful and I don't know what it is!" Lady Matlock was convulsed in sobs.

"Nonsense" Erin said sternly.

"Yes Aunt Erin is right, Papa Matlock would never leave you, he has been called away on business surely?" said Kitty sitting beside her on the couch.

"On business and leave me such a note??" Sobbed Lady Matlock passing a note, that made Kitty turn ashen in hue. Erin commandeered the letter.

My Dear Harriet,

Do not be alarmed Madam on receiving this letter, something has occurred which makes it impossible at the present for me to stay in London. Nemesis has caught up with me at last.

Adieu my own one

Edwin.

"Nemesis! What a ridiculous thing to write about at such a time!" exclaimed Erin. "And what pray in this Madame makes you think that YOU have anything to do with your husbands extraordinary flight?"

Lady Matlock, struggled to make an answer then seemed to focus on Erin for the first time, "Lady Marcross???"

"Yes it is me, now what we shall do is we shall go to your house, I shall get a servant to fetch my clothes and we shall stay closeted up in your London home until your husband comes to his senses."

Lady Matlock appeared to be about to reject Erin's plan and Kitty appeared to be on the verge of also doing so, so Erin launched into the description of the nonsense that her husband Marcus had once took into his head and how everything would turn out all right, just like her own brief marital problems had. Before either Mary, Kitty or Lady Matlock could put a word in edgewise, Erin had Lady Matlock snuggled up in a chaise and was waving goodbye as they drove up Park Lane.

Kitty stood on the steps of her house, rather surprised at the turn of events, Kitty had never seen so body so forceful in their commandeering of a situation, no wait Lady Catherine would have been undoubted more forceful. My God Lady Catherine!! Kitty shuddered at the thought of her finding any of this out. Kitty fled up the stairs through the doors, wrenched open by two very curious footmen, following in her wake Mary ran after her.

"What a mess! Oh What a mess" cried Kitty as she found herself in a saloon. She ran her hands through her ordered curls, throwing themselves into disarray.

"Fordyce says on this subject, 'I am astonished at the folly of many women, who are still reproaching their husbands for leaving them alone-'* "

"Yes Mary, that's very nice but I must be going out." exclaimed Kitty with a glare at her sister. The sister took the hint and with a purse of her lips whisked out of the room.

Kitty took a deep breath and started to pace around the room. What to do what to do. Finally she sat down at the nearest writing desk and scribbled a note.

Ash,

Come quick, not even quick come immediately, post-haste. Your presence is most Urgently needed.

Your dearest, Kitty
P.S You haven't by chance seen Papa Matlock have you? If so make every effort to bring him to me.

Kitty despatched the note with a footman, with the orders that he was to run Lord Ashbourne to the ground even if he was obliged to criss-cross town until he collapsed.

The footman, was rather curious but my lady's manner and tone showed him that she was indeed serious. So he set off post-haste.

* The spectacular Fordyce from his admonishing sermons.

Ash was sitting in White's with Col F. and Darcy, he had been talking to Sir Christian as well, but that gentleman had prudently pretended to be writing some correspondence at a nearby desk when Darcy had arrived. They were discussing the latest on-dits around town. When the sight of a footman wearing very familiar livery flashed in the corner of Ash's eye.

"Isn't that your footman?" Exclaimed Darcy pointing over Ash's shoulder. Ash turned and saw that he hadn't been seeing things. The man raced over and presented the sealed note to Ash.

He read through it and looked to the footman for some more illuminating information. He couldn't expect the man to say anything and of course it would be highly improper for him to ask a servant anything and highly improper for the servant to volunteer any information, but Ash was hoping something would be betrayed. Nothing was.

"I must leave you fellows, I am urgently needed at home. You haven't seen my father have you?"

"No why Ash?" remarked Col F, rising to his feet.

"I don't know, it appears to be clouded in a mystery! Perhaps you should come with me Fitzwilliam."

Ash saw Darcy glare towards Sir Christian who had suspended his pretend writing to watch the unfolding events, Ash decided to take pity on the man.

"Darce I dare say you should come also." The three gentleman left and hastened back to Park Lane. The conversation was limited as the footman accompanied them back, he opened the door for the three gentlemen and due to being torn between being of use and of being improper he whispered at his master.

"I believe Lady Matlock has suffered a shock, your lordship."

Ash raised his eye at the footman's remark but gave him a reassuring smile and raced up to the drawing room.

He found Kitty pacing the room.

"Thank god." She cried and flung herself into his arms, he gave her a reassuring hug and kissed the top of her messy head. She pulled away from him when she saw Darcy and Col F. Enter the room.

"You have not brought Papa Matlock!!" she cried.

"No I haven't seen him all day!" replied Ash confused.

Kitty resumed pacing the room, Ash lead her to a chair and sat her down.

"Kitty, tell me what is the matter, I'll ask them, " Ash inclined his head towards Darcy and the colonel, "to go away-"

"No it's not that", she cut him off mid-sentence and looked at him, " Your mother thinks that your father has left her, He left a truly confusing note and I have just had news from Aunt Erin that indeed he has packet a portmanteau."

Ash gaped at Kitty and turned to look at the Colonel and Darcy who eyes were also bulging. Ash ran through what Kitty had just said and a point leapt out at him.

"Aunt Erin??"

"Lady Marcross, Sir Christian's Aunt, she was here with Mary - That is hardly the point Ash, the point is where has he gone??"

Darcy started to pace the room, looking flustered and Col F sat down heavily in a chair.

"Right well we must go to Matlock house, ascertain the truth of the whole situation and go from there." Said Ash calmly, squeezing Kitty's hand. The other gentleman nodded and were about to exit when Uncle Richard was announced.

Ash noticed how pale he was looking, and rose to greet him. Richard grasped his shoulders.

"This is all my fault Ash, all my fault, too much for one man to handle, a shock, you know, my coming back, Andrew, Bonnie, His own children leaving the nest, additions to be delivered soon, Catherine, Too much, I was just so angry, forgive me won't you?"

"Sir, I do not comprehend...." Ash tried to calm his uncle down.

"This you must comprehend!" he exclaimed, thrusting something in front of Ash's face. He focused on it and gave a cry, he took the signet from Richard in wonderment, Col F, joined him looking at the ring and Darcy gaped at it.

"He took it off!" said Col F.

"I think we have comprehended that much, brother." Replied Ash caustically. He regarded his uncle, "Perhaps Sir you would like to enlighten us?"

"I can't, not my place, but I will find him, never you fear that my boy, never you fear that!" stated Richard before marching out of the room.

Ash sighed and wondered if it was just HIS world that appeared to be falling in.

Sir Christian sighed as he entered his little study and was quite surprised to find Mary there, pacing up and down.

"Don't wear a path in the carpet," he said lazily sitting down at a desk and swinging his legs up onto the desk.

"It's horrible Christian horrible! Poor Lady Matlock...........how could he just leave her. Fordyce says that it is mostly the women's fault but I cannot believe that of Lady Matlock I mean I only met her a few times but really........."

Mary's conversation grew less understandable from here, but from what Sir Christian could make out and from what he had seen at Whites, he was able to ascertain that his Lordship the Earl Of Matlock had absconded somewhere, to a destination unknown. He then perceived that Mary was expecting him to say something.

"If you want something very, very badly, let it go free, If it comes back to you, it's yours forever. If it doesn't, it was never yours to begin with .*"

Mary glared at him made a humphing noise and practically flounced her way out of the room. Several moments were spent thinking that he never would have guessed Mary to be a flouncer and then several moments were spent pondering at her reaction, he thought it was a particularly apt quotation for the circumstance.

* Anonymous

Andrew sat at the dining room table with lemons, bottles of Rum, sugar, nutmeg, pink champagne and sherbet surrounding him.

"One sour, Two Sweet, Three Strong, Eight Weak" intoned Andrew looking at his first attempt of brewing a punch, he wished that Harry was here to give his opinion on it.

The door burst open, and Andrew saw his father on the threshold looking like the devil was after him. He saw the punch and grasped it, liberally drinking a large portion. He set the glass down and practically choked.

"My god what IS that??" he exclaimed

"It's my punch!" answered Andrew.

"It's Awful!" gasped Richard coughing and pounding his chest. Andrew noticed that a load appeared to have been lifted off his fathers back, until his father stopped choking and started to think, Andrew was shocked that his father suddenly looked a decade older.

"Andrew, you and Bonnie need to go stay with someone."

"Someone sir?"

"Yes someone, it's imperative I have important business to pursue."

"Business?" Andrew forehead screwed up as he tried to think what kind of business his father could be referring to.

"Yes I must find my brother before he it is too late!" With that Andrew watched his father fly out of the room. Andrew shrugged and looked back at his punch.

Chapter 26

Posted on Tuesday, 30 May 2000, at 7 : 28 a.m.

Lady Catherine stormed into the Matlock town house, situated in Curzon Street, as angry as she had ever been before. To think that SHE had not been called upon in this time of Fitzwilliam crisis, to think she had received a polite note from Lady Marcross informing her of the regretted situation, her sister-in-law Lady Matlock found herself in.

Lady Catherine practically threw her cloak at the startled footman, all the while bellowing for Harriet.

Lady Catherine turned a purplish colour (resembling puce) when Lady Marcross arrived on the scene looking in complete control of the household. THE FITZWILLIAM household no less, fumed Lady Catherine.

"What are you doing here Erimentha, shouldn't you be at home with your husband I'm now here to take care of my sister." Lady Catherine said with a glare.

"No, Because if you were MY sister, *I* wouldn't want you looking after me." replied Lady Marcross.

"What! You impertinent........................Hoyden, that's what you are and have always been, get out of my home!"

"Were you invited? I believe you were not. You were only apprised of the situation. That makes YOU the impertinent one."

" I don't NEED to be invited!" Spluttered Lady Catherine, "It's my house." Lady Catherine's eyes narrowed. " I doubt you were invited either, it would be just like you to take charge without a invitation!"

Lady Marcross simply smiled at Lady Catherine.

Lady Catherine glared her most ferocious glare, and was tongue-tied, Lady Marcross had always made her feel like that, even 17 when they had both just come out.

"Catherine, I'm staying here and no doubt you are staying here also. You are staying due to your family bonds, I am staying because I know how Harriet feels and because its a perfect opportunity to get in your way."

Lady Marcross then swept up the stairs leaving Lady Catherine to pace around the lower floor like a bear with a sore head.

What had possessed Edwin! The stupid, stupid boy! Of course Edwin is older then our Lady C so hardly a boy, but well we shan't contradict her mid-rant. How could he just leave his family. His Wealth his title, everything! It was totally repugnant to Lady Catherine, who as we all know lived off her consequence.

In this state of Confusion and tongue-tiedness we shall leave our dear Lady C

Bonnie sighed as she watched her father's carriage pull away, the events of the last few days had been hectic. The entire family had been in complete and utter uproar. Lady Marcross and Aunt Catherine had installed themselves in Curzon Street where they were taking Aunt Harriet's mind off her troubles, by continually getting on each other's nerves and Aunt Harriet had to be the mediator. Kitty had been in a state of near collapse as she tried to follow out the decision the collective family had made, which was to act as though nothing was wrong. Anne and the Colonel had been discussing way's of finding Uncle Edwin, without causing undue attention. Harry had been a messenger of sorts. Mary had preached constantly at anyone who came near her and Elizabeth had come very close to bludgeoning her with a clock , that was until Georgiana had taken her for a nice long walk. Bingley had run around with his wife telling everyone it was going to be fine, and how could anyone think it would be any different. Lord Ashbourne and Sir Christian had frequented their clubs, both separately spreading the story of Uncle Edwin's trip to Matlock, and subsequent onset of gout. Darcy had posted off to Matlock in the hope that Uncle Edwin was there. And Andrew had concentrated on his punch.

All that Bonnie could have hoped to have done during this time was listen and help where necessary and since her father appeared to have blamed himself for the entire incident, she was mostly soothing his ruffled nerves. But she did not succeed and now he was riding off to find his brother, leaving her and her brother in the care of the Ashbournes.

Anne sighed as she entered the carriage, she smiled at the Colonel who was sitting opposite her. It just didn't feel right, going to a ball when the family was in turmoil. But one must keep up appearances thought Anne.

"Penny for your thoughts?" asked Col F playfully. Anne looked up and smiled.

"I was thinking how wrong it is for us to go off to the Marchester's Ball when -" Anne vaguely waved her hands around as she became lost for words to describe the situation.

Col F nodded, "I understand Anne." Anne watched as his eyes moved downwards, Anne's heart leapt until she realised he was only looking at her necklace. She protectively put her hand up towards it.

"It's nice isn't it Richard, my mother dug it out for me, saying that I was a De Bourgh and should go into society looking like one. But it has a bit of a faulty clasp, but hopefully it should hold out for tonight."

"It would be a pity if it didn't, it's very distinctive." Commented Col F, whose attention was suddenly grasped by something outside of the carriage. Anne took the time to re-examine the necklace, she had really just clasped it around her neck, not really noticing what is what. It was a mass of small stones, really just tiny chips all interlaced, creating a thick band clasped around her neck, joined by the loose feeling clasp at the base of her spine. Then the chips enlarged and formed a sphere that dropped into her cleavage. That is if she had any, huffed Anne. She had to admit, looking at it now it was a very distinctive necklace, all the colours of the rainbow, emeralds, topaz, sapphires, amethyst, black opal, rubies, diamonds and garnet. It particularly went well against the pale gown, she had been forced into. Her mother had flown home from Curzon street, simply with the objective of bullying her daughter into a gown that made her look like a little girl, rather then an advanced spinster!

Anne sighed and resumed staring at her cousin, who was still enraptured by some horse pulling the carriage that was directly outside the window. Their carriage had been standing stock still for some time, in the crush of carriages making it's way to the ball.

He thinks more of horses then of me, sighed Anne, wistfully pulling an auburn curl around her gloved hand. She leant further forward to see the horses, then she noticed the coach that was pulling them. 'Sir John Halstead' Anne smiled sweetly at her unsuspecting cousin, she would have him looking at her yet!

Darcy looked around the ballroom, quite a family affair he thought. Though he noted with satisfaction that the Montgomery's were not present at least not yet. He nodded as Col Fitzwilliam came over to him with a smile on his face. Darcy still couldn't believe the lady on his arm was Anne De Bourgh, she looked quite radiant tonight.

Col Fitzwilliam exchanged some pleasantries until he spied his brother and departed. Darcy smiled at Anne, and was quite taken back when she suddenly announced she had to have a desperate word with someone. Darcy turned his head to see who she was chasing after, and was shocked to see Anne touch Sir John Halstead's arm. Darcy was even more surprised, when he heard what she said.

"A horse a Horse My kingdom for a horse" * Anne laughed at the surprised Sir John. Darcy's eyebrows narrowed and he watched as Anne drew Sir John off to some secluded part of the ballroom.

Darcy shook his head and turned back to watch the ballroom. He frowned as he saw Lord Brunstein smiling at Georgiana.

The Baron Ernst Brunstein was an upgraded model of George Wickham. I believe that explains all, he was acceptable due to title, and his little habit of keeping most of his exploits underwraps. However young ladies where warned of him, and all he ever did was imply. (so of course he was allowed into Almack's, and most of the ton were such jolly loose screws so he was allowed there too :) )

Darcy strode over to reclaim his sister.

* Richard the Third Shakespeare

Kitty was bored stiff, she was sitting amongst the dowagers. She never thought she would be sitting down at a ball. It was almost an oxymoron, to be sitting down at a ball. Kitty sighed, if someone told her 3 years ago, she'd be at a fine London Ton Ball, and sitting down, she would have laughed.

Kitty's eyes narrowed as she saw the source of her affliction dancing with her sister. She was so focused on sending him death glares that she didn't notice someone sit down beside her. When she did she turned her head to see a rather tall and attractive man seated beside her. He had a brooding look on his face. Kitty gave him a pointed look.

"My Lady, pray let me hide myself here. I do not think I could stand another moment of his curst awful ball. Lord Brunstein at your service."

Kitty raised her eyebrows at him and gave him a demure nod.

"Did his lordship warn you against speaking to me? He and Mrs Darcy make a good couple do they not?"

Kitty didn't say a word, she kept tapping her fan against her leg, she didn't appreciate this man coming to talk to her. She glanced around for a rescuer, because she didn't intend to stand up and run away with no destination in mind.

"You know, my lady, he is a fool for leaving such a beautiful girl like yourself alone."

Kitty turned slowly and looked at Lord Brunstein with astonishment.

"Well!!" Kitty exclaimed indignantly.

"My Lady is quite young, and His lordship so old."

Kitty almost choked.

"You would be well served Lord Brunstein if my fan accidentally lodged itself in your eye." Hissed Kitty at him.

"Mon Cherie. The Night is but young." He sighed leaning back in his chair.

Kitty started to boil with rage, so she was quite happy when she suddenly saw Sir Christian lope into the ballroom. She exclaimed, possibly a bit louder then she intended to and went to greet him.

"Christian"

Sir Christian entered the ballroom and was quite put off balance, by being greeted by his sister-in-law in a most affectionate manner. He noted Darcy's glare from other side of the ballroom, and Ashbourne's raised eyebrow from the middle of the set.

Kitty clamped down on his arm and whisked him up the length of the ballroom.

"Is that dreadful man a friend of yours?"

Sir Christian looked around until his eyes alighted on Lord Brunstein, giving him a death stare. Sir Christian's mouth fell open and he was about to claim no friendship with Brunstein when Kitty continued.

"He is such an odious man, and if he is a friend of yours, well he is rake, so I suppose you must know him, you must tell him to go away and stick his head in a pan of boiling water."

Sir Christian gulped at this rather radical notion, he wondered what Brunstein would say to someone telling him to do that. Then he became rather annoyed at the idea that just because he wasn't the most moral of gentlemen, it would be automatically assumed he had a close relationship with every loose-screw, libertine, peep-of-day boy or anyone else who was known to tie one's garter in public.

"Lady Ashbourne, I will have you know I'm not such a loose-screw as to be associating with people of Brunstein's calibre."

Kitty appeared to be taking no notice.

"You know I threatened to stick my fan in his eye, it didn't deter him, would it deter you?"

"Kitty" exclaimed Sir Christian explosively. Sir Christian turned pale, as he Saw Colonel Fitzwilliam turn up from a conversation to glare at him.

Sir Christian gave up, gave a hasty bow to Kitty and beat a hasty retreat to the card room. He didn't want every Fitzwilliam man chasing him down, to call him out. Sir Christian calmed himself down, severely telling himself he could not be held responsible for Kitty greeting him and that he was well in the bounds of what was proper, in calling his sister-in-law by her first name. But this didn't calm his nerves. His nerves calmed down, but his anger didn't, as he calmed down his anger rose. Why did everyone assume the worst of him. Everyone glaring at him, presuming him to have the worst reputation in the world. He didn't blame Kitty in the least, she was a naïve little thing, and meant no one any harm but everyone else should know that he wasn't totally lost to the world.

HE was so busy telling himself to stop being so angry when he ran into the last remaining Fitzwilliam male, Andrew.

Andrew took pity on Sir Christian and offered to take him to a small card room and play piquet

They had several rounds, and many a glass of punch, in fact, neither of the two competitors were in there right minds. Sir Christian was still upset at being classed in Brunstein's category. And Andrew couldn't hold his liquor.

Though Andrew was well and truly wining. Sir Christian was being very careless in his discards. The conversation was as meandering as the game. Sir Christian was vaguely aware of Franz Norstrom and Sir John Halstead, entering the room and sitting on a couch having a discussion.

Andrew heard the words "unsuitable for a lady" and raised an eyebrow. He then turned to look at the two men, accidentally sweeping some cards off the table. Andrew picked them up and arranged them on the table, rather groggily.

But the next sentence he heard clearly. It was uttered by Sir Christian.

"You are having extraordinary luck this evening."

Andrew flushed.

"What is that supposed to mean??"

"What I said." Sir Christian snarled. He was quite mad, everyone twisted everything he did and said, and he was starting to see red.

"I do not cheat!" cried Andrew, attracting the attention of the other occupants of the room.

Sir Christian gulped. What? He was thinking. Had he missed something.?

"You will pay for that insult sir!" Andrew rose unsteadily to his feet and threw his glass of wine into Sir Christian's face. "Name your friends!"

Sir Christian, was livid now.

"With pleasure. Franz, John!"

The men assented, and Andrew regally assured them *his* seconds would call the next morning then swept out of the room.

Chapter 27

Posted on Wednesday, 7 June 2000, at 7 : 58 a.m.

Ash circumnavigated the numerous elderly women, whose relationship to his mother forced him to call them Aunt, or by other affectionate titles and using the permanently raised eyebrow and hand on the quizzing glass technique to depress at 10 paces anyone unwise to even contemplate moving to talk to him, he made it up the ballroom in record time. Quite nonchalantly he slipped into a room adjourning the ballroom. Kitty was sitting quite abjectly waving her fan at her face. But she jumped up as soon as Ash entered the room.

"Ash, can we please go home - goodness wanting to go home from a ball - anyway if you won't let me dance, it's simply boring."

"I would have thought being accosted by Lord Brunstein and throwing yourself at your brother-in-law would have made it quite enjoyable."

"Throw myself at Christian?" Laughed Kitty, looking up at him questioningly.

"My little joke, though you will tell me if Lord Brunstein repeats his little performance tonight won't you?"

Kitty threw her arms around Ash's shoulders and smiled. "Of course I would, but why he should do so, escapes me."

Ash buried his head into Kitty's curls and mumbled something that sounded like, "you are so very beautiful."

At that precise moment, as it always happens, Col Fitzwilliam burst in.

Ash turned around and gave his brother a look, that really conveyed much more then any author could write in words. The Colonel however did not look as though he was much affected by this brotherly, 'look'. Instead he gasped,

"Good God, if we didn't have enough to worry about."

The couple standing in the room, looked questioningly towards the Colonel.

"YOUR cousin, has decided to challenge YOUR brother-in-law to a duel." The colonel exclaimed, finally catching his breath.

"I can understand how I can have a brother-in-law solely to myself, but dear brother how I can be in sole possession of a cousin escapes me."

"Ash! I don't think that is the point!" cried Kitty, moving towards the Colonel. "who has challenged who to a duel?"

"Andrew has challenged Sir Christian to a duel, and has named If you please, yourself, and Darcy as seconds."

Kitty was not stupid enough to mistake that The Colonel's 'yourself' meant her, but looked towards her husband who looked rather amused.

"Ash, I really don't see what there is to smile at!" exclaimed the Colonel. "I mean we are skating on pretty thin ice here."

"Never fear my dear brother all will be well, all will be well."

"How can you be so sure?" asked Kitty.

"Because my dear, I have every faith in both my errant cousin and the roguish Sir Christian."

Ash held his arm out to Kitty, and the group moved out into the ballroom.

"You mean, I suppose that they will call it off?" whispered Kitty.

"No, no, no. That would be a definite loss of face, there are other ways of resolving the issue."

Andrew rolled over with the most splitting headache he ever imagined possible. Suddenly a vision loomed in his head. He had challenged Sir Christian to a duel, the one person, who had well still treated him like a child, but with such camaraderie that it wasn't at all offensive. Why on earth had he done such a thing. He accused me of cheating. No he didn't, he just said you were playing well. Thoughts swung through his head. He felt violently ill, and not just because of the hangover.

Andrew put his face down into his pillow. Stupid Stupid, of all the stupid things to do. Andrew couldn't put his finger on it at all, but for the past week or so, with all the flurry of activity due to the Earl of Matlock's disappearance, he had been treated more like a child then before. But then thought Andrew, this latest display hasn't really proved I'm up to any responsibility. Finally Andrew decided it had been a irrational act, from a foxed imbecile, who had been feeling the effects of only being 19 years of age, and being treated like one who was younger.

Of Course Andrew neglected to realise that he hadn't offered his services during the crisis, if he had they would have been readily accepted. Being the rather spoiled child he was, he expected them to come to him, and when they didn't his blood boiled, causing last nights little catastrophe.

A realisation hit Andrew, he didn't want to take pot-shots at a person who he had thought of as a friend, but he didn't want to suffer the humiliation of either Ash or Darcy putting a stop to the incident, he wasn't a child! Whatever had possessed him to name Darcy or Ash anyway. Darcy, when told of his new found role had turned a rather alarming shade of puce and almost choked on his wine. Andrew couldn't remember if he mentioned the affair to Ash, or even how he got back to the Ashbourne Household.

Andrew gave up trying to rise, instead fell back down upon the bed, and thumped his fist into the pillow. Of all the stupid fixes to get into. He didn't want to go through with it, but the mortification of backing out. He wasn't a child anymore.

Darcy practically snorted as he followed his cousin, out of Sir John Halstead's townhouse.

"Why on earth did you not just nip it in the bud."

"Nip it in the bud? Why on earth would I want to do that?" replied Ash Nonchalantly, staring at the singular sight, of Sir John's team of greys being lead off down the street.

"Possibly because Sir Christian, will lodge a bullet into our cousin's heart?" replied Darcy sardonically.

"Hmmmm yes... Where on earth are they going with his horses?"

"Ash - do we give a damn, what is happening to his horses? Ash, earth to Ash?" cried Darcy, waving his hand in front of his entranced cousin.

"Oh I wasn't attending. My Apologies."

"Ash, you do realise what you just organised in there might lead to Andrew's death?"

"Death, who ever mentioned anything about death.?" asked Ash, confused.

"Sir Christian, he has been in a few duels before, for all we know, he might have killed his man before!"

"Oh don't be so melodramatic, Sir Christian is no Devil's Cub." Ash replied climbing into a hackney.

Darcy felt his blood boil, why wasn't his cousin taking this more seriously.

Mary smiled sweetly as she showed her new Aunt out of her drawing room. How on earth did Aunt Marcross, find out about a proposed duel, that was challenged at a ball she was no where near, earlier then the wife of the challengee who was actually present at the ball.

Mary was not a happy lady, she was the first to condemn duels, and well she intended to condemn this one, but she was hurt that Sir Christian hadn't mentioned it to her, directly, instead of putting her through an hour's lecture from Lady Marcross, on how to keep your husband out of trouble. Mary was quite determined to check Fordyce later, she was sure there was nothing in there about stopping husbands being challenged to duels. Mary used to think, Fordyce was the answer to everything, she was beginning to see the errors of her ways.

Mary climbed the staircase, and after a polite knock, entered her husbands bedchamber she expected him to still be in bed. Mary had never known someone be able to stay asleep for such long periods of time. She was quite surprised that Sir Christian, actually knew what the term 'Morning' meant.

However that gentleman was not in bed, in fact he was fully dressed (and it was still before eleven!! ) he was standing with one boot placed on a sofa (Mary groaned, a big boot on that delicate fabric) cleaning his pistols.

"So it's true then?" asked Mary quietly.

Sir Christian didn't look up, instead he continued cleaning. "Yes"

"Well." Mary couldn't really think of anything to say. (Really that was quite a first for her, she thought, no moralising, nothing at all her mind was blank, a clean slate. )

She slowly crossed the room and sat down primly on a chair, "Well you aren't going to kill him are you?"

Sir Christian turned around, causing the pistol he was cleaning to point towards Mary. Fascinated, Mary could see down the barrel, it was quite a chilling thought, that suddenly something could shoot out the end, and kill you. Mary thought, it would take some nerve to aim that thing at another living person and mean to kill. You would have to be filled with some sort of evil; desire, anger or greed to even want to point something so deadly with the intention to kill. Honour....... to protect honour, men would point these things at each other, and subject themselves to the guilt of it all.........it was inexplicable, yet Mary sort of understood the principles, though to want someone dead, no. To want to have that power over someone yes, that was how you won back your honour, you had that power, and you didn't even need to use it to be avenged. Just the thought, that you could, was all most people ever needed, or wanted. So without even looking at Sir Christian, she replied to her own question.

"No, I suppose you don't mean to do that. " Mary looked up at her husband, and felt there was some things that needed to be said.

Sir Christian felt his blood start to boil, when he heard Mary's question. How dare she even ask something like that of him, how dare she think that he would do something like that? Sir Christian started to see red, he felt the unfairness of a bad reputation, the stain of a few previous duels, one which had the outcome of his opponent being injured, but that had been an accident a very unfortunate accident which thankfully had a happy ending. The whole thing, the censure of the Fitzwilliam family started to remind him of some lines; He left the name at which the world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a tale. *

Sir Christian, was surprised at Mary's quiet answer to her own question she seemed to be on the verge of saying something, Sir Christian quite expected preaching, so he opened his mouth and said something rash;

"A woman preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all. " **

Her quickly closed mouth and hasty exit from the room, proved to Sir Christian that Mary was not on the point of preaching at him. Though Sir Christian, realised that accidents happened, and if anything did happen it was better to have kept Mary at arms length then at least she would not grieve, or anything of that nature. Sir Christian sighed and continued cleaning the pistols.

It was a chilly morning upon Westbourn Green, Ash was watching his cousin who was breathing heavily. Ash had made Andrew sit down and read the Honour Code, and then spent about 20 minutes talking to Andrew about various duels he had heard of. Darcy had not been impressed.

Darcy appeared to think Ash was encouraging Andrew in this duel and was being a terrible role model. He was currently engaged in stomping his boot down on some grass, complaining about the chilliness and probably hoping against hope that information would be laid.

Ash looked at Andrew with a raised Eyebrow, Andrew appeared to be quite calm and collected, but Ash couldn't tell if this was a front or not.

Andrew felt like he was suffocating. He was wondering whether, if he didn't injure Sir Christian, people would say it was down to his youth, or say he did the right thing.

Was it worth it. The ultimate answer was no. Nothing was worth, injuring, maiming or Killing somebody. But it was a matter of Honour, a matter of Skill, a matter of showing yourself to be the man.

But it wasn't. Andrew was having trouble with the conflicting sides of his brain.

Sir Christian approached the grounds, his seconds approached his opponents seconds. That was how you dealt with it, you made it impersonal. But it wasn't the gentleman, nay boy, standing not far from him it was someone he considered a friend. Had considered a friend.

Ash watched impassively as the pistols were chosen and the paces marked out, earlier that Morning, Kitty had begged him to do something, Ash watched the eyes, of the two men, trying to gauge if he could keep his promise to Kitty.

I am a man. No I'm not. He is A friend, No he is not. I'm a stupid Child, Yes you are.

Accidents do happen. She doesn't love you, you are stupid impersonal gentleman can't even let your wife, finish saying something to you.

You always fail, failing this will just be another thing to stop people respecting you.

My reputation is mud already, of course I must have goaded him into this. Accidents do happen.

Ash, sighed and hoped that all his years in judging characters wasn't going to fail him now. The handkerchief dropped. A dull Thud was heard.

* Line 221. Vanity of Human Wishes Samuel Johnson. 1709-1784.
* Samuel Johnson. 1709-1784.

Continued In Next Section