Chapter 31

"L izzy, you are not alone," Jane said as the Bingley coach turned into Longbourn's drive. "You know you may come to us for assistance at any time, if and when, you need it." Mary nodded her agreement vigorously. "For your security, I spoke to Charles, and if our father banishes you, you are to come straight to Netherfield Park."

The conveyances had made a stop at Netherfield Park first where the ladies from Longbourn and Lucas Lodge had enjoyed an hour with their friends, or in the case of one her fiancé and two others, their suitors. Elizabeth had spent her time with Louisa, Becca, and Gigi. Charlotte had then been dropped off at Lucas Lodge before the three sisters were conveyed on to their estate.

"Thank you, Jane. I am supposed to be here to be of support to you before the wedding, not the other way around," Elizabeth objected but felt a deep gratitude that her sisters were so reassuring when, for the first time she could remember, she was not very sure of herself. At least Jane would not have long to wait to see Charles as he would be arriving in about an hour to see her father to have the finalised version of the settlement signed.

"We are sisters, and we will make sure Papa does not pull you back into his web," Mary insisted firmly. Her growing confidence since meeting Andrew was clearly evident.

As it was a cold day, there was no surprise that none of their family members were waiting for them in the drive. A Bingley footman had the step in place and the door open very soon after the carriage came to a halt. Hill was ready with an open front door for the three Miss Bennets so they did not need to remain in the cold air for longer than was absolutely necessary. He assisted them in removing their outerwear.

"Are our mother and youngest sisters in the drawing room?" Jane asked for the three. Hill nodded his head.

"Jane and Mary, you are come back…" Fanny halted her welcome as she noted her second daughter, who she had not expected to see until her brother and sister arrived from London a few days before the wedding. "Lizzy, you are most welcome too, but I thought…"

"All is well, Mama," Elizabeth assured her mother. "I will come and see you in your chambers later." Fanny nodded.

In the meanwhile, Kitty and Lydia looked like they were going to burst after they greeted their older sisters. They very much wanted to ask if they had been brought anything from London, but Mama had told them not to mention anything until it was spoken of by their sisters.

"Yes, Kitty and Lydia, we have some gifts for you," Jane shared. The two aforementioned girls clapped their hands over their mouth as squeals began to form. "Our trunks should be up in our chambers, so as soon as we have greeted Papa, we will go and unpack. We will bring the presents for you two and Mama down to the drawing room, and then we can discuss the time in London."

The two youngest Bennets clapped their hands and then returned to work on their samplers. Their older sisters were greatly impressed. They had never seen Lydia pick up a needle and thread before, unless it was to remake a bonnet.

Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary nodded to one another and made for their father's study. Jane made sure Lizzy was ready to face their father and then she knocked. Elizabeth was standing between her older and next younger sister, and each one held one of her hands .

"Come," Bennet called out from within. He hardly lifted his head from the book he was reading when he heard the sounds of more than one entering his domain. He assumed it was Jane and Mary returning from London and stopping to make their obligatory greeting to him. "Welcome back Jane and Mary, close the door on your way out."

"I am here too," Elizabeth said. How had she ever thought the man sitting behind the desk was worthy of her respect? There was a glass of port close to his left hand, and he had been so dismissive of her sisters, who had been away from home for a sennight.

Bennet's head snapped up. He needed to see if he had in fact heard Lizzy's voice. He had! At last, the doldrums were over! Lizzy had come back to entertain him and assist him in making sport of her mother and sisters. "You remain Lizzy, your sisters may go," Bennet grinned thinking things would get back to normal now.

"I am unable to now, I am afraid. I came home sooner than I anticipated to assist Jane in preparing for her wedding. You have my apologies, but I will have no time for anything else," Elizabeth stated.

He knew he could order her to remain with him, but at the same time Bennet was well aware how stubborn Lizzy could be. If he attempted to force her, she would sit and say nothing. It had occurred once or twice over the years. If she were missish, it would be annoying and not at all entertaining. Bennet did the only thing he could do; he waved his second daughter away with the other two.

Not a word of welcome was said, and no mention that he was now well aware what Jane and Lizzy had told him about their sister's imminent ruin, had been nothing but the truth.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

At dinner, Lizzy treated her mother with respect and did not join in the two times Mr Bennet tried to make sport of his wife and daughters. They did not react at all, nor did his second daughter join in, not even in the smallest measure.

The fiancé had brought the final draft of the settlement for his signature, which Bennet had done as it took very little effort to sign his name. He had attempted to make fun of Bingley, but just like had occurred at dinner, Bingley had not taken the bait. The tradesman's son had wanted to leave a copy of the documents with Bennet, but he had instructed the annoyingly calm man to drop the copy off at Phillips's office in Meryton.

If Lizzy had been her normal self, Bennet would have joined his family in the drawing room subsequent to the meal, but he would deprive them of his company now. They did not deserve his attentions, besides, there was no sport to be had.

Had Bennet known how relieved all six of his womenfolk were that he had decided to return to his study without a word, he would not have been pleased. What he saw as a punishment to them, they thought was a boon. As soon as the tea service was delivered and served, Kitty and Lydia poured over the ribbons, fabric, and a section of Belgium lace they had been gifted. Fanny admired the fabric and lace she had received from her returning daughters.

While the two youngest Bennets were so occupied, Jane told her mother what she had ordered, and about the wedding gown which would be delivered in a sennight by one of Madame's seamstresses in case there were any last minute alterations needed. Mary then related about her interactions with the Fitzwilliams and how welcoming the Earl and Countess had been of her. Mary glowed when she told her mother how Andrew had requested a formal courtship, which would remain informal until it was time to ask for her hand for the reasons they all knew.

Fanny could not believe the daughter she had called plain, firstly was not plain in the least, and although she had proclaimed along with Lizzy, Mary would never marry, she was well on her way to marrying. Not only that, she would be a viscountess, and then one day, a countess.

At the usual time, Fanny and her daughters made their way up to their chambers to prepare for bed. After changing into her warm night attire, she had just released her maid when there was a knock on her door. "Come Lizzy," Fanny called out.

Elizabeth entered her mother's chambers and pulled the door closed securely. It was one of the safest places to speak as it was the last location her father would enter. She remembered how one day, about two years past, her father had gleefully told her that he had not visited her mother's chambers since before Lydia was born.

"Mama, I know you told me in the one letter we need to move on, but you must allow me…" Elizabeth stopped when her mother shook her head.

"No Lizzy, we have both apologised and both accepted the other's amends. It is time to move forward, and not look to the past," Fanny insisted. "Now tell me how is it you are back well before you had thought you would come home?"

"I made many very painful discoveries. Some were connected to my father, but others were my own actions which I should have known better than to behave as I had been used to…" Elizabeth told her mother about her two-step process and what she had concluded regarding her father.

"As much as I hate to say this about the man I thought I loved when we married, he is cruel. I can only thank goodness you are no longer following his lead, and more so for yourself than me," Fanny revealed. "No matter what I thought of him, never did I think him so bad as to try and keep you at home for his amusement. That is far beyond the pale, and the opposite of what a parent is supposed to do. Yes, I am well aware I erred, especially with you, Mary, and to a lesser extent, Kitty, but I always loved you and never wanted you to waste your life away for my own selfish needs."

"Mama, since what occurred with the former Lieutenant and my father's refusal to act, I may say from that moment, I have seen my father's manners are sorely lacking. It has been impressed upon me with the fullest belief of his arrogance, conceit, and a selfish disdain of the feelings of others. More than that, cruelty! Seeing the truth has formed the groundwork of disapprobation on which his succeeding behaviour has caused me to lose any respect I had for him. Since then, I have known he is the last man in the world who should have the title of husband or father."

"You see him as he is now, my Lizzy, but unfortunately unlike you and your sisters who will marry and leave his authority, I am married for life, and am bound to obey him. As long as I know all of my girls are safe, I will be well and live with the burden I must carry." Fanny paused as she wiped away an errant tear. "I was very different before, you know."

Elizabeth hugged her mother tightly. "Uncle Edward told me what you were like before my father's behaviour changed you. It is the Mama I am getting to see now. There was more Mama, the second part of my contemplation was looking at the things I could have known, and should have known and changed…" Elizabeth related what she had found. "I have begun to make changes, but it will not be the work of a day, of that I am certain."

"Nothing worth doing is ever easy," Fanny encouraged. "You are too stubborn not to succeed."

"I think you have the right of it, Mama." Elizabeth hugged her mother and then kissed each of her cheeks. With that done, she made for the chamber she shared with Jane.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Due to the fact his daughters, and more often than not their mother, spent almost every day at Netherfield Park, the master of Longbourn was left to stew on his own. He had invited Lizzy to join him a few times before giving up. Each time it was the same, she was busy assisting Jane with the infernal wedding.

The only positive was it was less than ten days until the day Jane married and then Lizzy would no longer have an excuse to avoid him. At least he would be able to purchase more books once Jane was married thanks to the savings to be had by no longer feeding, clothing, and giving her an allowance. Knowing he would be getting his companion back soon; Bennet began counting the days until the wedding. He was actually looking forward to walking Jane up the aisle and then attending the wedding breakfast, even if it was to be held at Bingley's estate. As soon as it was over, Lizzy would spend her days with him once again, as it would be until he shuffled off the mortal coil.

At Netherfield Park, each time Elizabeth spent time in Mr Darcy's company, she felt closer to him. They were at ease with one another, and although she was not ready to admit it to herself yet, Elizabeth was forming tender feelings for one of the best men she knew.

Two days previously the soon-to-be former Colonel Fitzwilliam had proposed to, and been accepted by Charlotte. They had wanted to wait to announce their engagement until after the wedding, but both Jane and Bingley had insisted the good news be shared with everyone.

To say the Lucas family were well pleased for Charlotte was a gross understatement. The only bit of sadness, if it could be called that, was their soon to-be-son's estate was in Derbyshire, which for them, was a long and costly journey. They had been reassured when Charlotte told them how she and her husband would be in London for part of the season each year, and they would always stop at Lucas Lodge when travelling to and from Town.

Seeing the unbridled joy his brother and future sister exuded at their betrothal inspired Andrew to request a private interview with Mary. As Fanny was present at Netherfield Park that day, she gave her consent for the Viscount to address her middle daughter.

The two went into the same parlour Elizabeth and Darcy had met in twice. Andrew sank on to a knee. "Mary, I never thought I would find a woman who matches me in every way. One who shares not only my love of music, but has as deep a reverence for God as I do. If that were not enough, I love you with all that I am. Please marry me, Mary Bennet."

"Andrew, I feel the same about you. Until I met you, I did not think anyone would ever love me, and I cannot be happier I am wrong. Yes, Andrew, I will marry you," Mary who never did so, gushed.

Their agreement was sealed with some kisses, a first for both of them. Then they returned to the drawing room to where the rest of the party were waiting. The wishes for happiness and a long and felicitous marriage flowed once their news was shared. Fanny hugged her middle daughter to her and whispered apologies in her ear for ever making Mary doubt her own worth.

"I should ride to Longbourn to go see Mr Bennet," Lord Hilldale stated.

"May I make a suggestion?" Elizabeth asked. The Viscount nodded. "Go to London instead and have the settlement completed so you may present him a fait accompli …"

"I had it drawn up while we were all in London," Lord Hilldale grinned and Mary blushed with pleasure.

"Good. I suggest you speak to my father at Netherfield Park, as soon as Jane and Charles prepare to leave the wedding breakfast. At that point, take my father to the study, get his permission and have him sign the settlement. That way when I have my discussion with him, there is nothing he can do to deny your request for her hand and it will free Mary from his brand of mocking until Jane's wedding. Knowing him and his vindictive nature, if you apply to him after I confront him, he would seek to punish me by denying your petition. Once we are at Longbourn, he will not be in a good mood after I see him."

Elizabeth's suggestion was accepted.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

As she watched her eldest daughter marry the man who she loved, Fanny Bennet could not have been more pleased. Her husband sat next to her looking bored with the proceedings. Mary, the Viscount, Kitty, and Lydia sat in the pew on Fanny's other side. Unlike her husband, they were all paying attention to the ceremony unfolding before them.

Bennet's hope his wife or one of his younger daughters would expose themselves at the church, had been in vain. He was rather confused why the Viscount was sitting between Mary and Kitty. Surely a man of his rank wanted nothing to do with the daughter of a minor country gentleman. Could it be his entertainment would be provided by Mary being crossed in love? He could not understand how it was the younger Fitzwilliam brother had engaged himself to an impecunious woman like Charlotte Lucas. That at least would give Sir William a new story to tell.

While Jane and Bingley said their vows one to the other, lost in one another's eyes, their attendants were exchanging surreptitious looks at each other. For Darcy's part he had never seen Miss Elizabeth look better, and Elizabeth had finally admitted, if only to herself that as unlikely as it had seemed a month or two ago, she had developed tender feelings for Mr Darcy.

Once Mr Pierce declared them man and wife, Darcy escorted Miss Elizabeth, as they followed the newly married couple into the registry to witness the bride's and groom's signatures. With that done, they left Mr and Mrs Bingley and pulled the door closed behind them.

From the church, carriages were taken to Netherfield Park where the wedding breakfast was held in the ballroom. After a little less than two hours Jane asked Lizzy to accompany her to the suite she had been assigned by Louisa, where she could change into her travel attire. The latter had expressed much joy at having sisters once again.

As soon as Lord Hilldale saw Jane Bingley leaving the ball room with Lizzy in tow, he decided there was no time like the present. He had seen Mr Bennet make for the sparse library, which is where he found him.

"Mr Bennet, a word please," Lord Hilldale addressed the man.

"Come to berate me again, have you?" Bennet sneered.

"What I seek is your permission to marry Miss Mary. I proposed to her, she accepted me, and," he extracted the documents from his pocket, "I have the settlement ready for your signature."

"As much as I appreciate a good joke, I know you would never offer for…" Bennet began to say, but he stopped when he saw the anger on the Viscount's countenance. Even he knew you did not push a noble too far.

"It is no joke. Not all of us live to make sport of our friends and neighbours, and laugh at them derisively. I am perfectly serious; otherwise, why would I have this?" The disgusted Viscount dropped the settlement in front of Bennet.

As soon as he began to read, Bennet knew this was no joke. It was a settlement naming his middle daughter and Lord Andrew Fitzwilliam. It was much more generous to Mary, than Bingley had been to Jane. Bennet did the only thing he could, he signed each copy of the document.

Without a word Lord Hilldale took the signed documents. Lizzy's advice had been sound; there was nothing the useless man could do now to stop the marriage. He joined the rest of the well-wishers in the drive. When he saw Mary, he grinned and nodded his head. Mary beamed a smile at him in return.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Even repeating twice that Mary was engaged to a viscount caused no vulgar effusions from his wife, so Bennet gave up and sulked. Why were his wife and younger daughters behaving so well?

"May I meet with you in the study at home?" Elizabeth requested.

"Of course you may," Bennet agreed. At last! It had taken far too long for Lizzy to come around.