Chapter 12 Games #2
"More that I do not want you to give away the part my father and I are playing.
You see, we have had several quiet discussions about my future military career ever since Aunt Catherine started to speak out in support of it.
Some of our early discussions had been echoed in her letters, leading us to believe that my brother, who was in the vicinity at the time, has been spying for her.
We both think she has been giving him money, buying his affection as well as information from him, for years.
Father actually reconciled to my hope for a military career over a year ago, but we played up the difficulty between us to give Aunt Catherine something upon which to focus her energies, the same way you kept Miss Stanton on despite knowing that she is my aunt's tool. "
"Better the enemy that you know..." Bennet suggested.
"Exactly. I was a little surprised by the commission.
Father was going to pay the difference between what I had saved and what I still needed to go in as a lieutenant.
We both thought she would be all talk and just try to stir the pot a bit to make trouble between us.
When she sent me the offer of the commission just before the end of the school year, I began a frantic correspondence with my father by express messenger.
Together, we decided I should accept her gift. "
"While maintaining the illusion of distance between you, hmm? And what is my part?" Bennet asked with a gleeful grin.
"You take my side," Richard said. "Father will come to complain about my disobedience, picking a time when Miss Stanton is present, of course.
You will argue my side, causing some apparent tension between the two of you as well.
I would suggest you warn Lizzy what we are up to.
It might work even better if she takes Father's side of things, although I am not sure if that will be completely believable. "
"Oh, I think she could pull it off. Then she and I would have a little something to 'argue' over on occasion.
I do think this could be fun." Bennet burst out laughing at the thought.
Then, he grew serious. "Just watch your back out there, Richard.
If she thinks she is manipulating you, she could also be manipulating others to harm you if it meets her goals. "
"I am aware of that, and I will be on guard. You should be on guard as well, both for yourself and for Lizzy. I've been hearing things, not enough to point out a specific danger, but enough to worry me. Aunt Catherine has plans for your daughter, and they are not kind ones."
"I have been trying to work those plans out since the day your aunt insisted on being Lizzy's godmother.
So far, nothing Lady Catherine has offered to Lizzy is beyond what I would want to do for my daughter myself.
Like you, I accept her gifts since they are things I would provide anyway, but I keep an eye out for trouble. "
"I hear from my cousin, Anne, that her mother has a definite plan for Lizzy.
Aunt Catherine keeps her cards particularly close to her chest in that regard, but she still sometimes gloats to herself.
Anne has heard just enough to make her worry, but not enough to say why.
Did you know Aunt Catherine has been in contact with your cousin Collins? "
Sighing, Bennet said, "Lewis once told me your father had warned him that Lady Catherine never released a grudge, but he had not fully believed it until after they were married.
I did not know she had ever heard about Collins, but somehow, I am not that surprised she would pull him in on whatever plan she has.
I am more surprised you learned this from Miss de Bourgh.
Based on Lady Catherine's letters to my wife and daughter, your cousin is a paragon of virtue, quiet and demure almost to a fault. "
Richard chuckled. "As well she might have been if I had not managed to encourage her to a little rebellion.
In fact, I have held up Lizzy as a model for my cousin, much as my aunt has used Anne as a model for your daughter.
She, too, plays a part for her mother and has become very skilled at hiding herself in plain sight.
She would like to be Lizzy's friend, but there is no way that can happen with the current situation.
In the spirit of friendship, though, she keeps her eyes and ears open trying to find out what is going on.
As far as Collins goes, my aunt has given him a small stipend on condition his son remains alive and reasonably well.
Apparently, the man is a brute and there was good reason to believe he might one day beat his son into oblivion.
The boy has been sent to school and is being prepared for life as a clergyman.
If Anne's sources are correct, it is an uphill battle, but if he cannot pass the test on his own, Aunt Catherine will find a way to help.
If she wants him to be a clergyman, he will be. "
Bennet shook his head. "This is even more confusing. What good does it do her to turn my vile cousin's boy into a clergyman? I shall have to think about this one."
"I expect it was just a way to keep him alive and in her debt.
Not to paint the clergy with a broad brush, but if the boy is not that bright, making his way in the church would be easier than trying to make him into a lawyer.
A soldier is too chancy - if she wants him guaranteed to be alive, that is. "
"Oh, she wants him alive because he follows his father as heir presumptive of Longbourn and could cause trouble for us on her behalf.
Collins, Senior, would have no compunction about throwing my wife and daughters out of this house before I am even buried.
Of course, I have made plans to assure their safety on my demise, but I have kept them to myself and my brothers-in-law.
It is probable Lady Catherine knows nothing of them.
Ah well, all I can do for now is keep an eye on her - and play your little game. "
"Thank you, Mr. Bennet. I knew I could count on you. I needed a bit of other help from you as well."
"And what kind of help would that be?" Bennet asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement at Richard's tone and expression.
"Hmm, something in the way of an introduction.
I understand your brother-in-law, Mr. Gardiner, has a thriving business.
I am looking for a good investment for a few years.
You see, since Aunt Catherine paid for my commission, my father agreed to match the funds I had saved, if I come up with a good investment for them.
In a few years, when I have sufficient experience, I can use the money to purchase a higher rank. "
"That sounds like a very good plan, and you would want to do that out of sight of Lady Catherine's spies. You are not quite of age, though, Richard. While Gardiner would either let you invest in his business or point you to a better option, you cannot sign the necessary legal documents yet."
"Oh, my father will come along and do the signing on my behalf. But we still need the introduction. We can always claim I am running an errand for you and Father came along to keep me out of trouble since my judgment is clearly impaired after making the reckless choice to accept the commission."
"I shall write a letter for you to take with you when you go back to London. I think I shall enjoy introducing you to Gardiner. You will find him an excellent co-conspirator."
"That was my hope," Richard said, "After all, Lizzy has had nothing but praise for her London relatives over the years."
"Speaking of Lizzy, perhaps I should rescue her from the parlor so we can fill her in on your plans. Oh, and the Lucas family are coming for dinner tonight. I hope you do not mind a small gathering."
"Oh, we can play out the game with a little help from Sir William. Will Miss Lucas be joining us as well?"
Bennet reached for the bell to summon Mrs. Hill. "She will. Of course, you are now an itinerant soldier who can only flirt with the pretty girls. I expect you to behave yourself and not break any hearts."
"Oh, you take all the fun out of it, sir," Richard grumbled. He gave his godfather a wink to show he knew they were joking before he stood to get the chessboard. "Maybe we can have a game after we explain the situation to Lizzy."