Chapter 18 - Sophia

Lady Sophia already read the news and was disappointed from it. But her decision was already made at Eddie's birthday, she already chooses him as the next heir or the Head Master of Pemberley together with his entire family, she will pass the responsibility in the same day she will go back to her only friend at New York, America and decided to spend the rest of her days there. Not a very single of her relatives had seen her friend, she always go to New York alone and don't want a companion to travel with her there. Because the truth is she's actually a lesbian. She lied that she can't produce a children even tho she is the only daughter out of 4 siblings and the youngest among them. She's been dating an American girl she met on 1940 and they were both nurses and medics during the outbreak of the World War II. In fact, she was against the rule of prohibiting homosexuality in the family, but rule is rule, but according to her, "Her is Her". Now that she's the only sibling left, she's planning to change the rule, but she won't do that until she won't find a family member who is like her. She will arrange a date to talk with her nephew Eddie.

Fernan already received the letter from his Aunt Sophia that she already decided that his cousin Eddie is the one she picked as the next heir of their ancestor's house. Even when he was young, Fernan dreamed to live at Pemberly, he did everything so that his family will fit the qualities, but everything was wasted in a blink of an eye. His next move is to blame his son Hugh even tho he knows that his Aunt Sophia already chooses Eddie before the exposing of Hugh's club business.

Willie on the other hand is having breakfast with his sons and mother-in-law Emma, Emily isn't awake yet.

"Willie, what time did Emily arrived last night?" Grandma Emma asked while eating.

"About 11."

Emily finally went out from here room and still hang over about last night.

"Mommy.." Ellie went down on his chair to hug his mom.

"Good morning baby..Just wait there, mommy's gonna wash her face first okay?" Emily said while going straight to the bathroom.

When she got back from the bathroom, she just pretended that she didn't discovered something last night, she only remembered that she saw a text message last night, but she has no idea what happened when she got home drunk, also Willie pretended that it didn't happen. Their breakfast is silent unlike they used to be, Billy is losing his appetite, Ellie is just playing with his food, Granny Emma is secretly sensing what's actually going on.

Willie received a text message from Junior and told him that Hugh is coming to meet him, it made Willie uncomfortable and didn't finished his breakfast. He quickly ran to their room and get dressed, Emily was curious about it so she finally asked.

"What's with the hurry?"

"I got a call from the station."

"But today's Saturday."

"It's an emergency." Willie said and hurried to get his car keys then went outside in an instant.

Willie is planning to go in Sam's lair at London to seek help because he thought that Hugh will harm him.

William on the other hand arrived at his house, only he can find is their nannies.

"Where are they?" he asked one of the nannies

"Princess Irina didn't told us where they'll go, but I heard last night that they're talking about London." replied one of the nannies.

"Uh... They didn't told you anything? Like what time they'll be back?"

"No sir..You want us to make a coffee for you sir?"

"No, just prepare me a breakfast." He commanded while going straight to the bathroom to take a shower.

After he took a shower and get dressed, he saw Jerry on the kitchen with his nanny.

"Jerry?" he said while coming closer and tying his tie.

"Dad!" Jerry immediately hugged him.

"I thought you're at London.".

"Oh sir, I forgot to tell you that Princess Irina only brought Jim at London, and left poor Jerry in his room while he's sleeping." said one the nannies.

"What the..how could she only brought one of her sons, and left the other one here." William worried while hugging Jerry.

"Don't worry I'll take you to your brother William, you like him right?" he asked while carrying his poor son.

"Yes dad. I missed him too."

"Good, now don't be sad okay?"

"Okay Daddy.." Jerry responded ug hugged William.

You can clearly see the resemblance of Junior and Jerry to their father if you put them in one place. After they had their breakfast, William took Jerry to Junior to look after before going to work.

"William...!" Jerry immediately hugged Junior as they arrived.

"What is this Dad? You're leaving him to me?" Junior asked while being hugged tightly by his little brother.

"Uh..yes.."

"Why? Where's your wife and Jim?"

"They went to London without telling me and left Jerry to his room while he was asleep."

"What? Are they gone mad? And what could be their purpose on going to London? Vacation?"

"I don't know, I think she's up to something."

"But why involve Jim?"

"That's what I've been worrying about. Anyway... here's a money, buy something to eat with your brother but don't feed him peanuts, he's allergic to it like you" he said while handling a thousand pounds to Junior then get inside his car.

"Bye daddy." Jerry said goodbye to his dad.

Before Junior and Jerry got inside, Junior noticed a man in a black leather jacket looking at them, he recognized it, it's the same man who followed him from Barnstaple Railway Station, he knows that man is just spying at him, so he showed the man his middle finger as a sign of annoyance and disrespect. Jerry also copied him so he immediately put Jerry's hand down and rushed inside.

Willie on the other hand arrived on Sam's house gate and the guards immediately let him in. When he got inside the big house, he was shocked when he saw Irina and Jim with Sam on the living room eating deserts.

"What is going on here?" Willie asked in confusion.

"Oh hey Willie, come, eat with us. Sam's father arrived from America and brought us a very expensive Ice Cream." Irina said while indulging the ice cream she's eating.

"Hey Uncle Willie." Jim greeted Willie.

"Irina, why would you bring Jim here?" he asked while coming near to them.

"Woah..Relax out there Will.." Sam stopped Willie.

"What? Why would you drag a child into this?" Willie is completely annoyed.

"Excuse us? Drag? Willie.. we're just eating an ice cream here." Irina said while chuckling.

"Hon..I think you should tell Willie about it."

"Oh sure..." Irina agreed and stand up.

"What is it now?"

"You see..Life is a full of..what is called ..um ..." Irina stumbled. "Ah forget it, Sam is is the real father of Jim."

"I beg your pardon??" Willie was shocked and frightened in the sudden revelation.

"Yeah..Yeah...I was already pregnant when I fucked your brother at the hotel when I had him drunk." Irina said while smiling.

"You're really mad Irina." Irina just laugh at him. "Is William aware about this? That he's been raising a child that isn't his? And does Jim knows it?"

"Of course Jim knows about it, and he's loving Sam compared to his poof dad."

Willie just sat in the chair in shocked, now he gets that it made sense that his brother William was actually forced to get married by the Prime Minister's daughter. All he knows that they should hide Junior so that William will not be prosecuted, but he wasn't aware of the real feelings of his brother to Irina.

"By the way Willie, congratulations to us! You did it! The news spread across the country, and Lady Sophia will be disappointed to them. The Pemberley is ours." Irina said with excitement.

"Yeah, now I tell you what, Hugh is already looking for me and guess what? He's going to beat me to death." Willie said in annoyance.

"What do you want? You want me to eliminate him? That's easy for me." Sam asked while laughing.

"What the..Can you guys practice solving problems without killing the subject?" Willie immediately replied annoyingly.

"Oops.. That's what I do." Sam chuckled.

"Don't worry I'll talk to his wife. I was scheduled to meet her today." Irina said while eating.

"Susan? You want to face that arrogant lady?"

"She'll see who's more arrogant than her." Irina said with a smile.

Hugh arrived on St. Albans where Willie and his family lives. He knocked on the door only he sees are the kids, Granny Emma and Emily inside.

"Hugh... You're here, come inside." Emily welcomed Hugh inside.

"Is Willie here?" He asked immediately.

"Unfortunately, he left an hour ago, he's rushing, he said he's going to the station."

"Actually, I'm from his workplace, he wasn't there yet so I went straight here to talk about something."

"Maybe you didn't noticed each other in the road, he said that he's going to the station. By the way, what would you want to talk to him anyway? I can relay it to him."

"You haven't heard the news?"

"What news?".

Since the news spread first through newspapers and he immediately refused interviews, the news wasn't aired on television but it was all over Cambridge.

"Uh .Okay then.. I'll be going now." He immediately stand up in relief, but it was actually late for him, there's nothing he can do to change the decision of Lady Sophia.

Princess Irina on the other hand is already at Hugh's house to make a deal with Susan.

"Princess Irina, you've come, what a pleasure." She said in a smile.

Susan's lips is more red than anyone, she loves applying make ups even tho she's not going anywhere. Irina was just a simple beautiful lady, by outside you'll fall for her outstanding charisma and prettiness, and Susan was jealous about it.

They sat on the dining room full of fancy vases, and as far as we know, Irina is also obsessed of vases and the maids brought them coffees and tarts.

"I like your house, it's bigger than my father's house at Birmingham." Irina said while rolling her head to observe the house.

They started to appreciate each other even tho deep inside they're just faking it.

"So Irina, tell me what are you exactly doing here?" Susan finally asked.

"Let's get to the point." Irina said while drinking the coffee.

"What is it actually? Your family already won, the house will be in your hands this coming August."

"That's not the point I came here."

"Okay...then what is it?"

"I know that Lucius Selvig is your ex-husband." Irina said in a suspicious smile.

"How'd you know? Have you been spying on me?" Susan said while raising her eyebrows.

"No..I actually spied on him."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Yes."

"So you actually knew how we broke up?"

"Excuse me? Did I hear we? As far as I know, you're the one who broke up with him. You didn't just broke up with him, you also left all your responsibility to your son Lucas to him."

"Because he's gay you know!?" Susan said in a loud voice. "I can't stand a gay husband, so disgusting." she added while rolling her eyeballs.

"I know, my husband is gay too." Irina said in a smirk.

"I beg your pardon? You're trying to say that William is gay?"

"I thought you already knew about it, but I was wrong, you never saw Lucius hooking up with other guys, you immediately believed the rumors, because the truth is you really want to divorce him because you already had a relationship with Hugh. Am I right?"

Susan was shocked and annoyed about what Irina said to her. "And in addition, the guy that has been hooking up with your Lucius is William, and he was currently living in with Emily that time." Susan dropped the cup she's holding on the floor and breaks because she can't believe what she just heard.

At first, Susan actually make believe to herself that Lucius is gay even tho she's not sure if it's true so that it will be easier to file her divorce paper to marry Hugh immediately and move to a wealthy, rich family, in short, she's a gold digger.

"So does this mean that you're family is also not qualified, I gotta call Lylia." she immediately stand up but Irina stopped her.

"Not so fast Susan, I have a better plan for them."

Junior and Jerry on the other hand is on the mall spending the money that their father gave to them. They ate their lunch there, played some games and buy some toys for Jerry. In the middle of their strolling, Junior saw Lady Sophia on a wheelchair with her care taker Lylia, they immediately went to her and introduce themselves.

"Hello Lady Sophia, we are Grandpa Eddie's Grandsons." Junior introduced in front of Aunt Sophia. She hardly recognized them so she touched their faces.

"These are William's sons." Aunt Lylia told her and immediately remembers them.

"William? Eddie's eldest son?" she asked in a low voice.

"Yes, he's one of the 7 little boys you scolded back in the days because they destroyed some of the antiques in the house."

"Yeah..I remember now..They really looked like him, I always thought that kid won't have children like me. What are your names little Darcys'?" she asked them.

"I'm William Jr. and this is Jerry." Junior happily introducing himself and Jerry to their oldest relative.

"Junior?" Lady Sophia looked at Junior, she removed Junior's eye glass and touched his face. "Good Lord, you looked exactly the William I admired the most out of my Grandchildren."

If you wonder why Lady Sophia said that, it's because favoritism is so common in the old days, and William is his favorite Grandchild because she had a feeling that he's different than the her other Grandchild, and she's right about it. She's still touching the face of Junior and smiling.

"Who's with you here?" Aunt Lylia asked.

"It's actually only the two of us." Junior replied.

"Do...Do you mind that you come with me back at Stockport? I have something to show you on Pemberley." Lady Sophia asked Junior while still touching Junior's face.

"Uh..Sure Lady Sophia..It's Saturday anyway, we have nothing else to do."

Lady Sophia brought Junior and Jerry in Pemberley at Stockport. Junior didn't expect that he'll be going to Pemberley today, and Jerry still doesn't have any idea what's going on, Junior doesn't explored much on the house because he don't last long there before, but he got a chance to explore it today. But first, Lady Sophia brought him to her room because she want to show him something.

"Lylia, could you explore Jerry in the hall, me and little William will have a little talk here." She commanded Lylia so that she and Junior could have a talk in private

"Sure do Lady Sophia." Aunt Lylia replied and walked out with Jerry.

When they already left, Lady Sophia took something in her locked drawer, a box that is also locked, might be so important for her.

"I suppose you're aware of our family rule." Lady Sophia said while unlocking the box to William who is sitting on a plain chair.

"Uhuh..There are lot of it, I hardly remember most of it, I only knew one thing for sure."

"You see, we, your elders, we are not actually the one who made those rules, like you, we also followed and respect it. They say, if you break any of those rule, you'll be shamed in the eyes of your family, or even they'll banish you and remove you from the family tree." She said while opening the box full of letters and one picture.

The Darcy's Family Tree is at their hall, it was said that it was the biggest and oldest family tree in England, I mean older than the Royal Family of Britain. When a Darcy got married, they should take a picture or portrait in the old days, and then display it in the walls, must be organized in accordance of the bloodline.

"If you wonder if I ever broke those rules, actually I broke the major rule." She said while giving the photo to Junior.

A photo of her and her American girlfriend on the year 1945 after the Nazis finally surrendered. Junior was speechless about what he saw.

"Her name is Amanda Scotts, we first met at France when Great Britain declared World War against Germany, I was just 17 that time and she's 18 and I'm still studying Medicine but King George VI mandated to send us even if we're not yet ready. I was assigned in Paris, there I met Amanda who helped me a lot, not just to cure soldiers but to help me mentally, every night I felt homesick then she's always there to comfort me. We developed unusual feelings towards each other, I confessed that I loved her, and she loves me too. I know what we did is against not just on my family's rule but also biblically, it's not easy expressing our feelings knowing that we are not acceptable in the society."

"What happened after the war?"

"She told me to come with her to New York. But my family is waiting for me there, so we promise to write letters every week." She said while giving to Junior the bunch of letters. "She always told me to visit her at America. But my parents won't allow me to go overseas anymore after the war. So I also asked her what if she'll be the one to visit me here? She said its not gonna be easy, but she'll try, she only visited me once, so we made the day worth it, I thought it was the happiest day of my life. My parents once arranged me marriage because I'm the only left out of my siblings that aren't married yet, I keep insisting it, so I lied to them that I can't produce a child so that they'll stop forcing me to marry a man. When my parents already passed away, I finally gained my freedom, I started to go overseas, I went to New York first of course, I always told my brothers that I'll be going in New York every month to meet an old friend there so that they won't suspect me. Now, after your Grandpa Eddie will take over the house next month, I will spend my remaining time at Amanda's side."

"Lady Sophia, I think I heard you wrong, you mean August?"

"No, I'll move it on April so that I'll have more time with Amanda at New York."

"But I have one question Lady Sophia if you don't mind."

"What is it darling?"

"Am I the only one you told about this?"

"Not really, but I think he forgot it already since he was just a child when I told him, it was your father actually, it happened when your father was just same age as your brother Jerry, he crashed at my room when I was crying because Amanda was also forced in marry a man, but thankfully she also avoided it. Your father was so scared, he thought I'm gonna slap his butt again, so I told him to come near me, I hugged him while crying, he also comforted me, starting that day, I was rooting young William and observed his actions everytime there's a family gathering. I noticed there's something off with him, but I was surprised when he married the Prime Minister's daughter, I thought his-"

"Queer? Yes Lady Sophia, he is, and...so as his Junior."

Lady Sophia smiled when Junior confessed to her.

"Does he know about you?"

"Yes Lady Sophia, we both know, just my parents knows about it, we remained closeted in the eye of the community and to this family."

"You have plan on coming out?"

"No, in fact, I'm going to marry a woman.I never tried being in a relationship with a boy even tho I actually want one."

"That's not good, follow what you desire dear, I'll let your Grandpa change the family rules for you, I'll be the one to tell him." She said while touching Junior's face.

"Thanks Lady Sophia." Junior hugged Lady Sophia.

Lady Sophia decided to tour Junior to the house because according to him, he never got a chance to explore the whole part of Pemberley. She brought Junior to the hall where their Family Tree was posted, she showed Junior the pictures and portraits of the wedding pictures of their ancestors, the most popular was the portrait photo of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Ms. Elizabeth Bennett whom their story became legend in British History there is also a portrait of a very pretty young lady named Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Darcy's younger sister who is said moved to Northern Ireland after getting married and was never heard again, according to Lady Sophia, there's only one family member who looked exactly like Mr. Fitzwilliam and that's Mark Darcy, Aunt Bridget's husband who just became a widower. Lady Sophia also showed Junior the portrait of the hidden banished family member, Mr. Wickham as they read from the book. They didn't realize that it's 5PM already, so they bid goodbye, they fetched Junior and Jerry back to Cambridge.