Pemberley Ranch

employees— they were to be told what to do, not question their betters.

“That’s true, ma’am, but the grass’ll be green, an’ there’ll be plenty o’ water. As long as the herd don’t get spooked by lightnin’, we ought to be fine.”

“Fitz knows what he’s doing, Cate,” Darcy assured her.

“Very well,” Mrs. Burroughs ended the discussion.

Darcy had another subject to bring up, but it involved family. “Fitz, would you excuse us?” The Pemberley foreman picked up his hat and was escorted out of the room by Bartholomew, the Burroughs’ longtime butler.

Once the door closed, Darcy turned to the two ladies seated before him. “Cate, I want to talk to you about George Whitehead.”

“Again? That subject is closed, William.”

“You don’t know what kind of man he is.”

She waved her hand in dismissal. “I know you two had some unpleasantness during the war, but that is all in the past. He has proven to be a worthwhile advisor, and I have the money in the bank to prove it. He has connections with the government in Austin, and that is worth its weight in gold in times like these.”

“He talked you into selling that bottomland to those settlers. You know what’s going to happen to them if we get a flood.”

“It’s been years since we had any problems. Besides, that land was useless—it was doing me no good. Why shouldn’t I make a profit?”

“Money—is that all you care about?”

“What else is there? Where did this foolishness come from?”

Darcy glanced at Anne, who had been sitting quietly throughout the discussions. They both knew his arguments were useless with her mother. Plain, sweet Anne had, unfortunately, inherited most of her looks from her father. Sick for much of her childhood, she still bore the scars from her scare with the measles.

“Cate, I urge you to cut all ties with Whitehead. He can’t be trusted. Look, he brought in that Denny character and his entire gang. They’re running your ranch! I think you’re making a big mistake…” He stopped, surprised at his cousin’s reaction. “What do you find so funny?”

“You,” Mrs. Burroughs chuckled. “You think I don’t know about Denny and his so-called cowboys? My men keep a close eye on them, don’t worry. When I have no more use for them, I’ll run them off.” She then leaned towards Darcy. “As for Whitehead, he’s been far more useful than you can possibly imagine. Take my word for it. When everything is said and done, you’ll see.”

Darcy narrowed his eyes. “What are you up to?”

Mrs. Burroughs wore a very sly expression. “Never you mind.” She looked at her daughter. “You know, I wouldn’t need Whitehead’s help if you would just do your duty and marry Anne.”

“Mother!” “Cate!” The two cried together.

“I do not understand why you two are so opposed to marriage! You’re second cousins—surely there’s nothing unseemly about that! Besides, you would finally reunite Pemberley with the B&R.”

Anne hid her face in her hands. “Mother, please.”

Darcy gave Anne a sympathetic look before addressing his cousin by marriage. “Do we have to go through this again? I’ve told you—I love Anne like a sister, but I want no closer relationship with her, and she feels the same.”

“But the land! You would control all of Long Branch County!”

“Great-Grandfather Darcy split up the land for a reason— Pemberley for Grandfather George and Rosings for Great-Aunt Elizabeth—and I’ve no desire to undo what he did.”

“That has nothing to do with anything. That is not a reason to defy my wishes.”

“And Anne’s wishes? What about them?”

“Anne will do as she’s told,” Catherine demanded.

With a sob, Anne fled from the room. Darcy watched her go before rising to his feet, fury painted in broad strokes across his face.

“Why do you do that?” he demanded. “Why do you diminish her at every turn? She’s your daughter, madam!”

“How dare you speak to me that way? Indeed, she’s my daughter, and you’ve nothing to say about how things are done in my house! Until you marry Anne, she lives here, follows my rules, and you can keep your opinions to yourself!”

Darcy sat down, working to control his temper. He had no desire to wed Anne, but he did wish to broaden her rather limited horizons. He had to be at his convincing best. “Please pardon my outburst, Cate. You’re right— this is your house. Whatever our disagreements may be, I’d like it if Anne kept a close relationship with Gaby.”

“Her name is Gabrielle, William. I despise pet names.”

Darcy seethed. “Be that as it may, I’d like my sister and Anne to spend more time together.”

Catherine nodded. “That is a suitable activity.”

Her smile was not lost on Darcy. She’s thinking, no doubt, that any closer attachment between Anne and Gaby can do nothing but further her goal of a union of Pemberley and the B&R. Poor, deluded fool! How could my cousin have married such a woman?

“Thank you. Perhaps they can see each other after church some Sunday soon, if the weather moderates?”

February

The weather stayed cold and windy for most of January. It wasn’t until the second week of February that the temperature rose. So it was that the Bennet women walked from the church that Sunday in a relatively balmy forty- five degrees towards the Bingley household. They would have accompanied Jane and Charles after services, but Mary delayed their departure, speaking at length to Reverend Tilney about the musical selections. Mrs. Bennet and the others were impatient to leave—Mr. Bennet having already ridden home to see to chores—but Beth saw what her mother did not, thankfully for Mary.

She sidled up to her sister during their short journey. “The reverend was very accommodating today, wasn’t he?” she teased.

It was not the air that caused her sister to blush. “I… I don’t know what you mean,” Mary stammered.

“Don’t worry,” her sister whispered in her ear. “I won’t let Mother know.”

Mary pretended ignorance. “Know what?”

Beth gave Mary a condescending look. “Mary, you can’t fool me. I know you like… someone.” If anything, Mary blushed brighter. With amusement, Beth added, “And I think he might like you, too.”

“Yeah,” Kathy agreed, who had been listening in.

Mary began coughing, which turned Mrs. Bennet’s attention from her discussion with Lily over the dresses favored by the other members of the congregation. She fussed over her middle daughter, claiming that she had certainly caught a cold, while Beth and Kathy shared a giggle.

“What’s so funny?” Lily demanded.

“Nothing,” Beth managed before giggling again.

Lily pouted. “No one tells me anything.”

“That’s because you’re the baby, and you don’t understand such things,” Kathy opined.

“I do too!” the youngest Bennet cried.

“What is this?” Mrs. Bennet turned from Mary. “What are you arguing about?”

Kathy crossed her arms. “Lily is being nosy again.”

Lily was indignant. “Am not! You’re keeping secrets from me again. It’s not fair!”

“Now, Lily…” Beth tried to placate her, but was interrupted.

“It isn’t. But just you wait. One day, I’ll have a secret to keep from all of you. The biggest secret in the world! And I won’t tell any of you a thing!”

Mrs. Bennet hushed her daughter. “Stop it, all of you! Do you have no compassion for my nerves?”

“Oh! You always take her side!” cried Kathy.

In this manner the five women continued to their destination, earning not a few curious stares from the townspeople they passed along the way, only ceasing the complaining once Mrs. Bennet reached the Bingleys’ small