/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /
Chapter Four
Getting settled in the carriage, Elizabeth watched as her father climbed slowly up into the seat beside her. He was getting old, Elizabeth realized, and he probably didn't have much longer in this life. She hated to think what life would be like without her father. He was such an icon in her life, something solid and never changing. He was the one who made her into who she was today.
The carriage lurched into motion, Mr. Bennet allowing the horse fall into a slow and steady pace. Father rarely drove the carriage himself, but Elizabeth decided he must have wanted to talk to his daughter, alone at that.
A comfortable silence fell between them and Elizabeth wished it would go on all the way into Meryton. But apparently it wasn't meant to be, as Mr. Bennet cleared his throat and chanced a glance towards his second oldest daughter.
"I must say that I was surprised by your actions at supper this evening," Mr. Bennet finally said.
Elizabeth sighed. "I am sorry about that, Father. I've had a long day and it didn't help to have Mr. Wickham here at all. And to hear of Mary's suitor, well, I suppose that just did me in."
Mr. Bennet couldn't help but smile. "Indeed Mr. Wickham has that air about him. He seems to say that all the attention should be inclined toward him. Such a pompous fellow, after see him more than once or twice, I dare say. It is indeed a wonder that you, Lizzie, had fallen for him once."
Elizabeth smiled back. "Indeed we are all fools in love, are we not, Father? Charlotte used to say that to me all of the time."
"Your friend Charlotte was indeed a wise woman for her age. Despite my transgressions for my cousin, I am glad that she is with him and settled down nicely. They complement each other nicely," Mr. Bennet said.
"I'm sure her parents are happy she is no longer a burden to them. And I suppose Charlotte is happy enough, to be able to run her own home," Elizabeth answered. "But I don't suppose Mr. Collins is what you would call a dream come true."
"You are right of course, my daughter. I would have been easily satisfied if he had married our Mary though, wouldn't you say? They're temperaments are so similar, they are but one," Mr. Bennet said thoughtfully.
"Do you honestly think that, papa?" Elizabeth asked.
Mr. Bennet nodded, thoughtfully scratching his chin. "I do believe so, Lizzie. Mary follows the rules of society so diligently it's a wonder Mr. Collins hadn't noticed her at all. But I must say that Mr. Collins' cousin, the Colonel Albert Collins, that is, is remarkably like the prior. Mary should be happy."
"Do you honestly think this is a wise choice, papa?" Elizabeth asked. "Would you want to be further related to our ridiculous cousin?"
"If he makes Mary happy, then I will have no objections," Mr. Bennet stated firmly.
"But, papa, that's what you said when you allowed Lydia go off with the Forster's and look where it has ended her up at," Elizabeth said, not wanting to add 'as well as for the rest of us in society'.
Mr. Bennet said nothing at first. Then, "I don't think we will have the same mistake with Mary as we did with Lydia. Colonel Collins is following all the rules precisely and wouldn't dream of running off with a proper engagement and wedding."
Elizabeth sighed. There would be no use arguing with him. Why was it always hard to persuade a man of the right decision? But then again, there were woman just as stubborn and hard-headed, like herself, who would stick to what they believed in, even if it were wrong, because it was a comfortable notion.
Reaching the inn where she and her husband were staying, Elizabeth turned to her father. "Would you come in with me? I'm sure Mr. Darcy would be delighted to see you again. Just for a moment?"
Mr. Bennet smiled sadly and shook his head. "I'm afraid not this time, my dear Lizzie. I have a long way back and it is already late. Do give him my regards for me, would you?"
Elizabeth smiled and kissed Mr. Bennet on the forehead. "Of course, papa, I will. I won't hold you here, I know how much you hate town."
Mr. Bennet chuckled as Elizabeth slid down from the carriage and made her way towards the inn. His favorite daughter.
"Oh, and Lizzie," Mr. Bennet called out and Elizabeth turned back around. "Is everything quite alright between you and your husband. You seemed a little serious when you first came home early this afternoon."
Elizabeth laughed. "Quite alright, papa. I was just a little peaked from journeying."
And only then was Mr. Bennet satisfied that everything was ok. Tipping his hat, he urged his horse foreword and soon disappeared into the darkness, Elizabeth's last connection to her family for the night.
--
The common room of the inn was quiet by the time Elizabeth came in, tired and exhausted. Sweeping her gaze around the common room, she noticed a tall dark figure standing beside the fireplace. Her husband, apparently, had decided to wait up for her.
Coming closer, Elizabeth noticed that Darcy was deep in thought and hadn't noticed her coming in. She wondered if he was thinking about his aunt's letter and once again wondered what the woman had written to make the man so upset.
She was about to say something when Darcy looked up and gave her a rueful smile. He was indeed thinking about something, and something serious at that. Elizabeth desperately wanted to ask him what was wrong, but something inside her told her not to ask. Now wasn't the time for serious matters, especially since it was at night.
"I see you have made it home, my love," Darcy exclaimed, kissing Elizabeth gently on the lips. "I was beginning to get worried about you."
Elizabeth smiled and shook her head. "You know how my family is, Mr. Darcy. They all want to tell you their personal version of whatever story they are telling."
Darcy laughed, a deep one from deep within him. Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh along with him, delighted to hear his happiness. He rarely laughed anymore and to hear his voice was a privilege.
"Mr. Wickham was there today," Elizabeth said as soon as they stopped laughing.
Mr. Darcy's face darkened. "Mr. Wickham?"
Elizabeth nodded uncertainly, knowing how much her husband disliked his old childhood friend. "He and Lydia had come earlier today, apparently. I suppose it was Lydia's ruse to get me worked up. She must have known we were to arrive today."
"I wonder how he got the time off," Darcy said thoughtfully.
"Only he would be able to have the talent to do something like that," Elizabeth laughed.
"I suppose you are right." Darcy smiled but frowned when he looked closer at his wife. "You seem rather peaked, Lizzie. Are you sure you are alright?"
Elizabeth gave a pained smiled. "I'm rather tired, is all. It has been a long day."
Darcy nodded and took her arm gently. "Indeed it has. Let's leave these issues until the morning and get some rest."
Elizabeth nodded and allowed her husband to lead her up the stairs to their private rooms. She was too tired to protest either way. She just hoped tomorrow, things would be better.
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Author's Note: Once again, thank you to all who have been reviewing this story. I wasn't expecting the story to take off as it had and I owe it to all of you and I hope you all continue to read and enjoy the story. And hopefully I'll do all the characters justice, as I'm sure Jane Austen would have liked.
