Chapter 14 Deception
As per her instructions from Bennet, Mrs. Hill closed the study door quietly after letting Viscount Rand into the room.
The Master of Longbourn was already standing to greet his friend.
As they shook hands, he quietly said, "Welcome, Rand.
Even if we will have to pretend otherwise, it is very good to see you. "
Rand replied in equally low tones. "I say the same, Bennet. Mrs. Hill had me practically tiptoe in here. I saw Miss Stanton in the music room with the girls, but we were very careful she did not see or hear me."
"Good. If we are quiet, we can talk for a little while before we begin our show.
With the door closed I can just hear Lizzy playing her lesson.
We will want to start our argument as they shift from Lizzy to Mary.
So, tell me how things went in London. Were you able to complete all your business and is Richard settled with his new unit?
" Bennet gestured Rand into one of the seats arranged to catch a breeze through the partially opened window.
As Rand sat, he said in what was nearly a whisper, "I have become far too used to these little performances.
I wish my older sister had a personality more like our younger sister did.
Anne was too kind a person to ever cause the sort of trouble of which Catherine is capable.
The work in London did go well, however, and I am certain my older son believes that Richard and I are out of sympathy with each other.
Richard even complained to his brother about how he had to rely on his aunt to help him enter his profession because I was too much of a tightwad to assist my younger son myself.
It was fun in a way, but also stressful because a little bit of it is true.
I do not really want him to be in the military even while I am very proud of him for being willing to serve his country and follow his calling. "
"I know what you mean. I am as fond of that young man as I would be of a nephew or son of my own and I feel torn about his choice the same way you do.
At least I have the easy role and can offer my support openly.
Lizzy could probably sympathize with you even more than I.
She has been very careful of her speech and no longer calls him anything other than 'Lieutenant Fitzwilliam' when she speaks of him, which she is doing less and less. "
"That is probably wise. I doubt Catherine ever approved of those two so much as knowing one another, let alone being friends."
Bennet shook his head sadly. "It hurts me to see it all the same.
In a way, Lizzy is in mourning and it helps fuel her playacting.
Richard entering the military has changed everything.
He is now, rightfully, classed as an adult.
Before too many years she will be as well.
Even if Lady Catherine and her spies were not a consideration, they can never again treat each other with the open and easy friendship they have shared up to now. "
"Do you think she is in love with him?" Rand asked with concern.
"In a romantic sense, no, although I would say she loves him.
She is still far too young to be 'in love' and they have always treated one another as siblings.
I should say it is to my sorrow, because I know he would treat her with the respect she will one day deserve for her intelligence, wit and, I am certain, modest behavior.
No, the one you will have to consider as a potential romantic attachment on both sides may be Miss Charlotte Lucas.
There is an undeniable spark between them when she and Richard are together. "
"He has not been trifling with her, has he?"
Bennet smiled and shook his head. "Oh, no.
I do not think so. I heard enough of a recent conversation between them to believe they have not exactly admitted the attraction to one another, but Richard has warned her that he will not allow himself to form an attachment until he is older and has taken his career to a higher point, nor will he idly flirt with her or any other girl.
It was subtly done, but I think she got the message. "
"Well, in time I would not mind her for a daughter-in-law.
She seems a sensible and well-brought up girl.
If Richard comes to me in five or more years to ask for my blessing on a match between them, I would give it.
However, I doubt she will remain on the marriage mart long enough for that to come about.
He made her no promises, so far as you know, did he? "
"None at all," Bennet confirmed. "Or he would not have been quite so subtle in warning her not to expect anything from him."
"Well, if you catch a hint of anything in the future, let me know.
I rather hope they might someday come to an understanding.
She is certainly a far better match from the standpoint of personality and intelligence than any of the women James has been looking over.
My eldest is not looking for a match so much as he is shopping for a dowry or connections to a title combined with a pretty face.
I am rather glad my father has discouraged the two possible matches James was looking at recently, although I know better than to count on that forever. "
"He will do what he will do and there is little likelihood he will listen to you over your father. You have known that about your eldest for some time. But you did not answer my earlier question. Is Richard settled with his new unit?"
"Very much so. He made me promise not to pull any strings to get him a plum posting.
No matter how good it sounds to a parent, he told me he has heard it creates jealousy with the other men that means you have to work harder to prove yourself.
Aside from that, there is the matter of continuing to make Catherine feel I resent his choice.
We used my unwillingness to get him a prime post as the subject of a play argument within earshot of his brother.
Richard gained a good post, all the same.
He has gone in as a trainee under a relative of one of his former classmates.
Richard's new commanding officer is known to be a fair man as well as a competent commander.
My boy is well-pleased with the assignment. "
"Then I will be pleased for him as well. I look forward to his letters as he starts to learn his way. Ah, I think we are nearing our cue. Would you quietly go check to make certain Miss Stanton is still in the music room?" Bennet asked.
"I will do better," Rand said. "If I take the back hall, I can sneak around to the main corridor and make her think I have just arrived.
Then it will look even more like we are starting an argument from the beginning of the visit.
It will also make it look better when I storm out again, since I did have my men keep my luggage on board the carriage and told them I would not be staying. "
Bennet shook his head. "I hate to miss out on the actual visit from you, but that was a good idea, Rand.
Go quietly. I hope this works. Travel safely after our performance, and remember, we are doing this to shield our children from harm, so play it well.
I will look forward to your next letter via Gardiner. "
"As will I, old friend," Rand said, standing and offering his hand to Bennet yet again.
They shook hands in friendship before Rand quietly opened the door to make sure he would not be observed leaving the room.
He could tell that Lizzy's lesson was just winding down and he heard Miss Stanton speaking, which confirmed she was still in the music room.
That meant he did not have to chance taking a peek to check.
As quietly as possible, he turned into the small back corridor that was generally used by the servants.
He knew it would take him back around to the main portion of the house, although he had never used it before.
It took him past a side entrance to the house and what appeared to be a storeroom.
He turned a corner head in the direction he thought he should go and almost ran into Mrs. Hill coming from the other way.
"Viscount Rand?" she said, speaking quietly despite her surprise. "What are you doing here, sir?"
"I was trying to work my way around so it would appear to those in the music room that I had just arrived," he explained.
Mrs. Hill shook her head and clucked her tongue slightly.
"Ah, I see. The master should have just called me, and I could have escorted you around.
Well, if you continue this way, you will be seen by a few servants who would not do very well at playing along with your plan.
" She opened a nearly hidden door in the wall. "Come along through here, sir."
Rand followed her through the door and found himself in the formal dining room.
He never would have thought to try that door on his own.
Mrs. Hill was correct – they probably should have called her for help.
His guide opened the door that would lead back to the main corridor while motioning Rand to hold back for a moment.
He saw her peer carefully down each direction before she stepped out and gestured for him to follow again.
They were close enough to the music room now that he could hear Miss Stanton's voice as she was, presumably, starting the lesson with Mary.
"Please come this way, Viscount Rand," she said loudly, obviously playing for the audience. "Even if Mr. Bennet is not expecting you, we have standing orders that you are welcome anytime."
"Those orders may change after today," he said ominously, putting on a thunderous expression by thinking of how annoying it was that he had to work around the plots of his older sister. This had to be convincing.
This time, they made no attempt to hide as they passed by the music room door.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the three older girls in the room - Jane and Lizzy at writing desks set up for them on one side, while Mary sat at the piano forte with Miss Stanton, whose attention had clearly been caught by the comments.
'So far, so good,' he thought to himself as Mrs. Hill knocked at the study door, which he had deliberately left slightly ajar.
"Viscount Rand to see you, sir," Mrs. Hill said, opening the door a little more before stepping back to let Rand go by her. "Good luck, sir," she silently mouthed. With a brief nod, she headed back down the hall. The performance had begun.
"How good to see you, old friend," Bennet said as he approached the door. "I have been hoping you would come for your visit soon."
"Friend?" Rand asked testily, remaining in the corridor just outside the study door, as planned. "Really? Is that what you call yourself?"
"Why, Rand, whatever is the matter?"
"Interesting question from a man who thinks himself so smart. Well, scholar, the matter is you and your so-called friendship."
"So-called? Rand, we have been friends for years. What could have happened to upset you?"
"I have to wonder at your idea of friendship. Is it the act of a friend to incite a man's son to rebellion - to encourage him to disobey his own father and enter a dangerous profession in a manner that will likely end in his death?"
"Is this about Richard? Why would you characterize my support of him as inciting rebellion?"
"Was it not? We have discussed before how much I despise the idea of my son entering the military.
You know I have made provisions for him so there is no need for him to take up a profession.
Yet you have persisted in encouraging him to follow his foolish dream of becoming a cavalry officer!
He respects your opinion and yet you have come out on the side of foolishness.
Have you spent so long hiding in this study that you have forgotten we are at war?
!" Rand shouted the last sentence with a vehemence that made Bennet's reaction even more natural.
The Master of Longbourn drew back in surprise.
"Rand? Please come in. Let us discuss this rationally. You know I am fond of Richard and have no desire to see him harmed. Let me explain why I have supported him."
"Discuss? That is all you do anymore. You sit in this study and discuss the world.
It is all an academic exercise to you. I am sure you sat and calculated the odds of his survival or the time he would take to rise in the ranks, but this is life!
He will be exposed to swords and bullets, illness and deprivation, and for what?
Some dream of glory? Richard is not even quite eighteen years of age.
He is too young to know what is best for him.
You know that! You counseled him to accept Catherine's offer and to disobey me in the process.
You have always encouraged him to be rebellious, but this goes beyond the bounds of friendship. "
"Calm down, Rand. I know you are upset, but we can talk this out," Bennet said soothingly.
"Oh, I am upset all right," Rand said sharply, "and I came to talk, but not to discuss.
I am here to tell you that you have gone too far for our friendship to continue as it was.
I am not here to visit or spend the night.
I am delivering a message. Stay out of my business, Bennet!
You have come between me and my son, and I will not tolerate any more!
From now on my only contact with this house will be to speak with my goddaughter.
You had best hope I do not counsel Mary to foolish choices as you have done with Richard! "
Rand spun on his heel, breathing hard from the effort he had put into making the argument believable.
He stomped back down the hall, glancing sidelong into the music room as he passed.
Their play had gained the desired result if the looks on the faces of all four occupants was any indication.
He did feel a strong twinge of guilt as he saw Mary start to scramble off the bench, but he did not stop or turn.
"No, Mary," he heard Miss Stanton say. She must have stopped the girl from chasing after him or running away. Bennet would explain to Mary and Lizzy later, but that would not help his goddaughter now.
'Blast Catherine anyway!' he thought, angry that they had to go through this charade just to keep his sister from causing worse harm.
Bennet was right, they were shielding the younger generation from greater harm, but it was still a heavy price to pay.
He would have to find a way to plant spies in her camp as well.
The war was not just on the Continent. He and Bennet had one of their own to fight right here.