If I were to title this chapter, it would be called EXPLOSIONS. Just because it fits. ;) Enjoy, and keep the feedback coming!
Chapter 10
The morning after the Netherfield ball, after making sure the children were ok, she locked herself in her father's study with a box of her husband's journals that had arrived for her just yesterday. She had requested for them. She thought maybe her husband would have some advice for her in them.
She was leaving for London in a fort-night, where then she would finally sit down with her husbands solicitor, and lawyer and go over his will. She had put it off too long.
She almost felt it was an invasion of privacy. These were her husband's most private thoughts.
Her husband wasn't much of a talker. And it looked like he wasn't much of a writer either. Most of the entries were dated, and just a few sentences long.
She got to the day he had met her.
May 18, 1797
I met the most charming girl today at the Price Ball. She is visiting family here from Hertfordshire. Her name is a Miss Elizabeth Bennet. There is something about her country manners that leave me in desire of her company more.
She smiled. That was it. A man of few words she thought. She turned the page. From then he had skipped six whole months until the day of his wedding.
November 27, 1797
I am to marry my love tomorrow. I could not be happier.
Elizabeth read on. Skipping various entries on events they attended.
May 16, 1798
Elizabeth is to have a child! I am all elation! An heir, I can scarcely believe it!
The next passages were over her confinement, and how he was loathe to leave the house, but knew he had to for business.
August 3, 1798
I hate that I cannot bring Elizabeth with me on this trip to Devonshire. She dearly loves the estate.
Elizabeth was in tears, remembering the trying times of her confinement. Though they did not know she was having twins at the time, It mattered not. Her confinement was a miserable time in her young life.
October 31, 1798
We thought Elizabeth's pains had begun, she has not progressed though. The physician will monitor her until she delivers.
November 10, 1798
Elizabeth is in labor. I hate being locked in this room. I can hear her cries all the way down the stairs. I must go get some air.
November 11, 1798
It is well into the night, and Elizabeth still has not delivered. I did not realize that the process could take this long. I am told by Mrs. Bennet that she is doing fine, though very tired.
November 12, 1798
It is around one in the morning and I am a father! I just heard the baby cry. I am to go see after they get prepared.
November 13, 1798
I have a son! An heir! And also a daughter! Elizabeth has safely delivered twins!- his writing starting to get sloppy in his excitement. - We have not named them yet.
December 15, 1798
I have decided on the names. My son is William, named for me and my father before me. My daughter is Sophia, named for my grandmother.
Elizabeth frowned. How did she not remember how her children's names were selected. She had no choice in the matter at all. And yet she never thought to question his choices.
She continued onto the next journal. But what she was to find would soon break her heart.
January 15, 1799
The children's christenings were today. I was hoping that it would get over quickly so I could attend to some business at hand.
What could be more important than the christenings of your own children, your own flesh and blood," fumed Elizabeth.
February 23, 1799
It has been a while since I wrote this. The children are thriving. Elizabeth is well recovered. I attended a dinner party tonight, where I met a most charming young woman. A Miss Bingley.
Elizabeth gasped. Miss Bingley?! How did her husband know of her.
March 15, 1799
I am afraid to go to Elizabeth's bed. I have firsthand knowledge of what can occur after such duties and I do not want to put her through that again. I must admit, Elizabeth and I have not been on the best of terms since the New Year. All our energy is focused on the children and their well-being.
Elizabeth remembered those hard times when she was just becoming use to being a new mother. William was always available, and often took the night shift, but rarely did they speak to one another. Elizabeth's heart sank. These journal entries were fast becoming towards the end days of his life.
April 24, 1799
I have done the unimaginable. I have slept with a woman who is not my wife. And worse that this has been going on for more than a month. I am a monster. But I cannot bring myself to quit. Miss Bingley is all I can think about.
Elizabeth was devastated. The man she thought she loved, and whom she thought loved her, had betrayed her, betrayed their vows, betrayed their family, betrayed their children.
May 20, 1799
I am starting to wonder of Elizabeth suspects anything. I do not think I can face her if she does. I am a coward. What am I doing to my wife?
That was his last entry.
Elizabeth through the last journal down with a scream that shook the old panes at Longbourn. "AND NOW SHE MOCKS ME! YOUR MISTRESS IS NOW MY WORST ENEMY! SHE IS WHORE WHO WILL NEVER SEE THE PLEASANTRIES OF SOCIETY AGAIN! HERE I AM MOURNING YOUR LOSS, WHEN YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT HAUNT ME FROM THE GRAVE! AND NOW THIS?! AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE THAT HER BLATANT DISREGARDS FOR MY FEELINGS ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF GAINING MR. DARCY?! NO! THEY WERE BECAUSE OF YOU! BECAUSE SHE WANTS WHAT IS MINE! YOU, MY CHILDREN, MY TITLE! SHE WILL NOT WIN! YOU WILL NOT WIN! I WILL RUIN HER!
She pulled open the door with such force that it put a mark on the wall when it slammed against it. As she stormed downstairs, ordering her carriage to be prepared for a trip to Netherfield, her family, who had heard the commotion, stood stunned at the bottom of the stairs. Even Lydia Bennet knew something was amiss.
Mr. Bennet stepped forward. "Now Lizzie, you must tell us what has gotten you so upset. "
Elizabeth, who was as determined as ever to be as ruthless as the whore who slept with her husband, decided that everyone should know this surprising turn of events.
"MISS BINGLEY, HAD AN AFFAIR WITH MY HUSBAND!" and with that she was out the door, determined as ever, and feeling every bit the person in power.