AN: So there will be no confusion, although Caroline has her moments in this chapter, the faux pas I promised comes later. At least we are at the long-awaited dinner party. (Long for me, anyway – my last four chapter drafts were tentatively titled 'A Dinner Party' before I realized each time we were not there yet.) Enjoy.

When Will, Charles and Alex joined Lizzy and Mary in the drawing room they found a similar seating arrangement to the evening before. Will's aunt and Mrs. Blackwood had taken the comfortable sofa near the fire where they were engaged in quiet conversation. Lizzy and Mary had taken adjoining seats in a small arrangement of chairs near the window. The location provided them with adequate light for the embroidery projects on which they worked and had the additional benefit of being warmed by the sunshine pouring through the windows.

Once again, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst sat as far from Lizzy as possible in the room. As the men entered, Charles's sisters were sniggering to one another over some comment Miss Bingley had just made. The three men offered the shallowest possible bows in their direction. The salutations they gave the older women were far more respectful, and the same went for their greetings as they approached Lizzy and Mary.

"Have you shared all your news already?" Lizzy asked Will as the men chose their seats.

"As much as we needed to share for now. Alex wanted a chance to become acquainted with you both before the dinner."

"I know you have written to your cousin about us. What more could Mr. Fitzwilliam need to know?" Lizzy asked in a teasing voice.

"You must call me Alex, cousin, and I hope you will both consider me close enough family to call you by your given names as well." Alex smiled winningly at them both.

Lizzy looked to Mary and cocked her eyebrow questioningly, the teasing glint still in her eye. Mary rolled her eyes at her sister. "Thank you, Alex," she said. "I do not mind if you call me Mary. Lizzy is just being silly this afternoon."

"I am wounded," Lizzy said crossing her hands over her heart with mock dramatics before she turned back to Will's cousin. "But, I suppose you may call me Lizzy if you wish."

"It is certainly much simpler, given that Will and Charles both call you by name. Now, I know you have spent some time in London with your uncle. What fun things did you do in town the last time you were there?"

"Now, Alex, that is not really a fair subject of discussion since Mary has not had the chance to visit London yet. We leave her out if the rest of us discuss the delights that she has never experienced."

"I am sorry, Mary," Alex said. "I had not realized you had never been able to visit your uncle."

"I do not mind if you discuss your time there. I was too young to visit at first, and then when I was old enough Jane and Lizzy needed the time away from home more."

"That is a shame. The Gardiners are fine people and I expect you would have enjoyed visiting them," Alex replied.

"I would have, but it worked out for the best. Had I been there this autumn, Jane would not have met Charles, nor would Lizzy have married Will. Problems with our mother aside, I like the way things are at this moment."

"I am certainly glad I had the chance to meet Jane," Charles said. "Although I think somehow I would have found her eventually anyway. We were meant to be together. I can just feel it."

Will looked at Lizzy. "I think the two of us might have been as well, but I suspect it could have taken years before the time was right. We are in a good situation now and we can weather anything together."

"And we will make certain the rest of my sisters have their chance at a happy life in whatever form that takes," Lizzy added.

While they had been talking quietly together, Lady Ashby and Mrs. Blackwood had left the room, presumably to look after some details for that evening's party. Will had noticed their quick departure and wondered if they had just been staying until Mary and Lizzy had other company to separate them from the Bingley sisters. It seemed their absence left Miss Bingley feeling free to join the group near the window. Before the conversation could continue she walked up next to Alex and broke in.

"Mr. Fitzwilliam, I understand you have known my brother for years. Perhaps we could have a little private conversation and get to know each other better. The seats by the fire are now free."

Charles rolled his eyes at Will as Alex responded politely, "Thank you, Miss Bingley. It is true I have known your brother for years and your father as well. However, at the moment I am becoming better acquainted with my new cousins-by-marriage. If I should wish to know more of you, I can talk to you later."

"Come now, sir. I know you are simply being kind to your poor cousin who has been trapped in a marriage with a disgraced country miss of no distinction. Her sister has even less to recommend her to your company. By allowing an introduction you have already given them more notice then they could reasonably expect. What pleasure could you find in their conversation as opposed to someone who has been educated in one of the finest seminaries for young ladies?"

"I believe you have just told me all I might ever need to know of you, Miss Bingley. Thank you for the enlightenment. Now, if will excuse me, I wish to return to my conversation." Alex turned back to face Lizzy and Mary.

"Whatever do you mean, Mr. Fitzwilliam?" Miss Bingley asked in a tone that implied he was flirting with her.

Putting on his sternest expression, Alex turned back to the woman. "Just what I say. I am here to celebrate your bother's wedding to another of my new cousins-by-marriage and to spend time with my own cousin and his new wife. While I have every respect for your brother and father, I have no interest in conversing with someone who behaves in such a disdainful manner towards the people who are important to me."

"You cannot mean that, Mr. Fitzwilliam," she said, batting her eyelashes and smiling coyly at him. Will had to look away from Charles, who seemed on the edge of bursting out laughing, and he could tell Lizzy was avoiding looking at anyone else for the same reason.

"It seems I must be more clear," Alex said quietly. "I assure you, I do mean what I say. I have no interest in becoming better acquainted with you. What I do not understand is why, after the discussion my mother had with you yesterday, you would wish for any closer acquaintance with me or even think it possible I might wish for the same." Once again, he turned away from her, entirely missing her angry glare in his direction. Will put on his old stone face to avoid smirking at her and causing further irritation.

"Have it your way, then," she snapped. Turning on her heel, she stomped back to join her sister.

Despite his amusement at her antics, Will also felt uncomfortable at the scene and he could tell the others were also torn between laughter and discomfort. He was glad when Lizzy spoke up.

"It is a lovely clear day. Would anyone care to go for a short walk around the gardens? There is very little blooming, of course, but the gardeners have done a lovely job with the decorative evergreens."

The others quickly agreed, and all headed up to collect their outerwear. A few minutes later found them on the garden trail along with Georgiana. She had been only too glad to step away from her lessons and her governess when Will stopped by her suite and invited her to join them.

Will and Lizzy walked a little ahead of the others, while Charles spoke with Georgiana and Alex escorted Mary. By unspoken agreement, they all refrained from commenting on the brief scene with Miss Bingley.

"I hope Jane will be able to get away without interference from Mama," Lizzy told Will. "She does not lie, and she has trouble redirecting Mama's questions. I know she, and my aunt and uncle, will come no matter what but it could be very frustrating for them if they have to confront my mother."

"I have been wondering why almost no one does confront her. She has behaved this way for years, after all. Yet, it was only after her actions at the ball that people began to cut her and express outright disapproval."

"I think our neighbors were trying to avoid making things more difficult for me and my sisters. Some of them have confronted her on her behavior over the years, not just my aunts and uncles, but people like Sir William and Lady Lucas, Mrs. Long and Mrs. Goulding. Mama simply does not seem to hear them. I have often wondered if she has some illness of the mind."

"I have wondered the same about my father," Will admitted. "It is like they both have a vision of the world as they want it to be in their heads and are incapable of hearing anything that contradicts what they believe to be true."

"I hope nothing of the sort ever happens to either of us."

"I have sometimes worried about that for myself. At least you know if it does begin to happen to you, I will not ridicule you or ignore you, and I know you would support and gently correct me as well."

"I would never consider treating you the way my father treats my mother. I hope I would never treat anyone that way, playing on their fears and weaknesses for my own amusement. I know I sometimes engage in what I think is playful conversation, but that others might see as teasing. You must stop me if you hear me starting to sound like him." Lizzy fell silent, looking around her uncomfortably.

"Mary was right. Your mood is different this afternoon. I would not call it silly as she did, but I can tell you have a specific worry on your mind. Is it something you can share with me?" Will asked gently.

"Well, yes, it is true I am concerned."

"About tonight?"

"Not about tonight so much as tomorrow. Tonight is fine. The guests are all people I have known and respected all my life. They are good company and I am certain it will be a good evening, especially because Mama will not be there. She will be at the wedding and breakfast tomorrow. I do not know what to expect. She can be so predictable in some ways and so unpredictable in others."

"At church she has ignored you and Mary."

"But this is a wedding and you and I will both be standing up with the bride and the groom. The wedding is for her daughter, the only one of us she accepted fully. I know she will think neither of us has a place in the wedding she intended to plan but never got around to. I would not put it past her to stop the wedding and try to redirect someone to replace us both or to try to call it off altogether because it does not meet her supposed plans."

"How will Jane react?"

"She will not allow Mama her way, but any interruptions of that kind will disrupt the wedding, making it less special. I will feel that in some way it is my fault even though the real perpetrators are both Mama and Papa." With the hand that was not resting on Will's arm, Lizzy plucked a small stick tipped with a few brown leaves from where it had stuck in the hedge after falling and started twirling the stick between her fingertips.

"I think you know Jane will not blame you." Will said.

Lizzy dropped the stick and answered with a hint of frustration. "I know. I know Jane does not blame me for anything. Yet I feel guilty all the same."

"Your mother's choices are her own, my dear. Would she not have been just as likely to do what she did to Jane or Mary had one of them been dancing with Captain Loften when the idea to prompt the compromise struck her."

"Yes, she would. It still does not change how I feel about tomorrow."

"We cannot control her any more than we have by not inviting her tonight. Jane and Charles will marry and we will stand up with them. At least you know she will not object to the marriage itself."

"No, never that," Lizzy chuckled. "On a different topic, have you noticed how your aunt has made herself part of the planning for the dinner party. It is as if she wants to place her mark on it or show her approval somehow."

Will knew she was still uncomfortable, but he let her change the topic. "That is her way. She likes to organize events, and it is a way for her to show her approval even if the party is for Jane and Charles, not for us."

"I am glad the attendance is more limited than the ball was. Aunt Phillips worked hard to ensure the guest list comprised people who truly have been a part of Jane's life and will be here to celebrate with her. They are the reason she is here, after all."

"I think you and your other sisters are the reason Jane is here for the wedding, but having these people as well should make it more special for her."

"I suppose you are correct. Speaking of my sisters, does that look like Uncle Phillips's carriage coming down the drive? I am not quite tall enough to see well over the hedge between us and there."

"I believe it may be. Would you like to go greet them?"

"Of course." Lizzy turned back to the others. "I think Uncle Phillips has arrived with Kitty and Lydia. We are going to go greet them."

"Oh, yes!" Georgiana said excitedly. "I am so glad the Admiral invited them to keep me company tonight."

"I am liking him more and more," Alex added. "I say we all go greet your relatives. Apparently I have two more cousins-by-marriage to meet."

Lizzy and Will knew the grounds very well and were able to guide the rest by the shortest way around to the front. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips had already descended from the carriage, as had the two girls. They saw Georgiana and rushed to meet her. It was only as the three girls stood together that they realized one member of the company was someone they did not already know. Alex was not insulted. He had watched with amusement how excited Georgiana was to greet the newcomers.

When given the chance, Alex gladly accepted introductions to Lizzy's relatives. Since the girls were occupied, he started to talk with Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, but could not help overhearing Lydia's rather loud whisper.

"He is as handsome as Will and Lord Ashby. Are all your male relatives good-looking, Georgiana?"

"I think so," was the slightly quieter response.

"Georgiana, do you want to show your guests to your room? You can talk more privately there," Will asked her, chuckling inside.

"Yes, brother," she replied.

As the three walked away, the others heard Kitty say, "I think they heard you, Lydia."

"What of it? Lizzy already knows I think she found a very handsome husband. Why should it matter that I think his other relatives are handsome as well," Lydia said as they stepped inside the door.

"And not one word about me, I noticed," Charles said, pretending dismay.

"What can we say, Charles?" Alex teased. "It is just the Fitzwilliam charm and good looks."

They all laughed. Then, Mrs. Phillips indicated she wanted consult with Mrs. Blackwood on the last-minute details, so the remainder of the walking party escorted the new arrivals inside.

~o~

Jane and the Gardiners arrived about a half hour before any of the guests. They had managed to leave the house without any confrontation with Mrs. Bennet. However, Mr. Gardiner was still a little worried.

"I think Bennet knows about this party," he said. "I doubt he really cares to be here, but you never know what he is going to do in order to amuse himself."

"He hates social situations," Mr. Phillips replied. "That is a point in our favor."

Jane explained to Lizzy and the others that Tom had kept his promise. When their mother started asking why Jane and the Gardiners were leaving for the evening, he had found a way to distract her.

"He started to cough and complained of a headache," Jane said. "I must find some way to thank him, because you know Mama will be trying to get him to drink one of those nasty concoctions she thinks are good for him."

"He hates those," Lizzy agreed. "Well, I do not know what you could do to top those new riding boots of his. Will told me how excited Tom is over them. The only thing I think he might like better is a new horse of his own and the freedom to ride whenever he wants to."

Jane smiled brightly. "You may be right. He was able to sneak in after Will and the boys left, but he did not want to take the boots off and hide them again. He kept returning to his room to check on them through the day."

"I am pleased to see him take an interest in something and I know riding will be good for him. It is much better than sitting in the house all day thinking about dying."

A few minutes later, Jane went up with Lizzy and Mary to help them put the finishing touches on their clothes and hair for the evening as well as check on her own outfit. They came down in time for Jane and Charles to join the hosts of the event as they greeted the first of the evening's guests.

Will and Lizzy managed to avoid much attention at first. Along with Mary and Alex, they stayed in the drawing room and greeted the guests who joined them their. Lizzy was kept busy providing introductions to the Earl, Mr. Bingley and Lord and Lady Ashby.

She would have also provided introductions to Charles's sisters and Mr. Hurst but the latter gentleman had not yet come down. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley were present, but their discontented and disgusted looks and the way they stayed close to one another, talking in undertones while sneering at the guests, did little to recommend them. No one requested an invitation and Lizzy did not volunteer.

Although the party was in honor of Jane and Charles, many of the guests took the opportunity to congratulate Will and Lizzy. Some had already done so at church, but others had not had the chance to say anything because the couple generally stayed so close to their family before and after the service. Sir William Lucas, who arrived early with his family, was one of those who already managed a few words with them, but he genially accepted the chance to say more and finally was able to introduce Will to his daughter, Charlotte.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lucas," Will told her, meaning every word. "My wife tells me you have been a good friend to her over the years."

"We have been neighbors since shortly before I came out in society. With the way Eliza walks everywhere we have often met and talked about our lives, becoming good friends over the discussions. Then, once she was in society we met at many occasions. I always enjoy her company."

"Why do you call her Eliza?" Will asked. "I had thought she was generally either Elizabeth or Lizzy."

Lizzy blushed slightly as Miss Lucas answered. "I suppose I am the only one who does. I started calling her that when she first came out. We both hoped a more grown-up version of her name than Lizzy would help her feel more like she belonged out in adult company."

"It never really caught on," Lizzy told Will quietly. "In the end it did not matter and Charlotte is the only one who uses the name."

"So, it is special between the two of you. A mark of your friendship?" he asked, trying to ease her discomfort.

"Exactly." Lizzy gave him a look of relief and they turned the conversation to other things. Sir William had been slightly distracted by all the guests arriving while they spoke of names, but now he came back and talked about his pleasure at seeing both Lizzy and Jane accepted by Will's relatives.

"It seems amusing that you had not yet met Lizzy despite your family's connection to Mr. Gardiner."

"I had not met Mr. Gardiner before my wedding to Lizzy," Will explained, "and my relatives would like to keep any talk of my position here to a minimum, Sir William. They are not ashamed of me, but as you know, the gossip of the Ton can be merciless. I would not want my sister's eventual come out spoiled by lingering gossip that I had earned my way in life."

"Understood, sir. Not a word from me then. Is your sister here?"

"Yes, she is on an extended visit with my aunt and uncle, and I am certain my aunt will be the one to attend to her presentation. She is the same age as Lizzy's youngest sister and it will be a few years, but you know how gossip can surface when least expected."

"Yes, indeed. Well, that makes her the same age as my Maria. If your sister will be here for much longer I could bring my daughter here to keep her company for a few hours."

"I think that is an excellent idea, Sir William. Kitty and Lydia are with her tonight and will return to the Phillips home after the wedding tomorrow. I believe my uncle plans to leave on Saturday. Perhaps you could call on Thursday or Friday in the early afternoon if the Admiral has no objection."

"I will check with him and bring her if it is acceptable. May I have the honor of meeting the Earl this evening?"

"I am certain he will allow that." Will left Lizzy with her friend as he accompanied Sir William to make an introduction. His grandfather was amenable to the introduction and soon the two men were discussing current events and matters of the court as if they were old friends. Will checked on Alex, who was the subject of much attention from the ladies in the room of marriageable age and their mothers. Mrs. Long took advantage of Will's proximity to request he introduce Alex to her two nieces, who were about the same ages as Jane and Lizzy.

Not long after, they were all called in to dinner. Will had insisted that no matter what the correct order of precedence might be, he would take Lizzy in and sit with her. Charles had done the same regarding Jane. Alex had decided he would take Mary in and protect her from any unpleasant comments, although with this set of individuals they did not expect anything untoward. She also served to protect him from the matchmakers in the room.

The company arranged themselves around the table, drinks were poured, and the first course began. Will knew Mrs. Nichols and her staff were responsible for the quality of the food and the elegance and grace with which it was served. At the same time, it was clear the three ladies in charge of the event had also done much planning to ensure a successful evening. He heard several comments from around him that showed others felt the same.

It was nearly time for the first remove when a great commotion could be heard in the hall outside the dining room. From the reactions, everyone recognized Mrs. Bennet's voice.

"Get out of my way. I realize we are a little late, but my husband got the time mixed up at first. I am Jane Bennet's mother. Of course I am expected here." She bustled into the dining room, shoving the servant who had tried to stop her aside. Close behind her, but absolutely silent, was Mr. Bennet. He had a knowing smirk on his face as he entered and leaned against the wall just next to the door frame. From that spot he had the best view of all the room's occupants and he clearly expected an amusing show.

Will reached to take Lizzy's hand under the table. He could feel her trembling slightly and assumed it was anger and possibly disgust at the scene in play. From a quick glance her way he saw that she was more intent upon her father leaning languidly against the wall than on her mother.

As she forced her way into the room, Mrs. Bennet seemed completely unaware of the situation and failed to notice the looks of disgust or resignation on most of the faces there. Mary was one of the latter group. From across the table Will saw her lower her head and place all her attention on the hands she held tightly clasped in her lap.

Looking around, Mrs. Bennet made her decision. "There is room for you to place me right there, next to Jane. As the mother of the bride, that is where I belong."

Will saw his aunt look to Mrs. Blackwood for permission to speak up and settle the matter, but it was Jane who stood and responded. "No, Mama. You were not invited to this party and there is no room at this table for you."

"Of course there is room, Jane. Do not be silly. A wedding is the most important moment of a girl's life and naturally she wants her mother at such a time. After all, I have done so much to make this wedding possible. I do not know why you said nothing about it to me this afternoon, although I suppose you were distracted by Tom's coughing fit. At least your father told me, even if he was teasingly late about it."

The rest of the room waited in silence, sensing this was a matter Jane needed to handle, although Will saw the Admiral, his aunt and uncle, his grandfather, Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Phillips and even Sir William shift as if they wanted to jump up and deal with the obstinate woman.

Jane continued to speak in a firm but quiet voice. "You are correct that my wedding will be one of the most important events of my life. I am thrilled to marry Charles tomorrow and you will be there as my mother should be. This is not my wedding. It is a dinner party to which you were not invited, a fact of which Papa was perfectly well aware when he told you about it. There is no room for you here. It is time for you to leave."

"Nonsense, Jane. All the neighbors are here. My brother and sister are here. Why would I not be invited? Clearly the dinner is to honor your marriage. Just sit down and let them make a place for me. You are making a fuss over nothing."

As Mrs. Bennet turned as if to walk around the table, Will felt Lizzy grip his hand tighter. Mary sighed but had not looked up. The other guests seemed caught in fascination at the spectacle of the usually demure and quiet Jane Bennet firmly facing her mother, a woman who was anything but demure and quiet. However, instead of answering her mother's last comment, Jane turned to her father.

"This was very poorly done of you, Papa. You seem as determined to humiliate your family in your quest for entertainment as she has been in her quest to get rid of her daughters. You knew neither of you was invited or welcome here and you knew why. Yet you just had to bring her here. Why would you choose to spoil this celebration in such a selfish manner?"

"Is that how you talk to your father?" he asked, his smirk widening. "How was I to know we were not welcome when no one said so to me?"

"Not welcome?" Mrs. Bennet shrilled over his last few words. "The entire neighborhood is here. Of course, we are welcome. Now stop all this tedious talk and let them set a place for me. Better yet, Mary is not needed here. I can take her spot."

Jane shook her head as she moved to head off her mother, who had started in Mary's direction. She captured her mother's arm, halting her forward motion and turned her back towards the door.

"Enough, Mama. It is time for you and Papa to leave. Mary is most definitely wanted here and you will not shove her aside again. You clearly have not noticed, but most of the neighborhood has cut your acquaintance since the shameful way you behaved towards Lizzy."

"Shameful?!" The pitch of her voice hurt. Will saw more than one guest shake their head slightly while reaching up to rub their ears. "Lizzy is the one whose behavior was shameful. After all I did to get the lot of you safely married? Yet she defied me at every turn. Now you seem to be as bad. Why would anyone cut me for being a concerned mother?"

Up to now Jane had remained calm. In answering this latest comment her anger clearly began to show.

"Safely married? You tried to force me into a marriage with Mr. Troxell, a man who beat his late wife viciously on a regular basis. You tried to force Lizzy into marriage with a visiting officer who was far more willing to assault your daughters rather than marry them. You have never cared about our safety, only your own. You are being shunned by everyone, and you do not even have the sense to realize it. This party was given precisely so we could celebrate my safe and happy marriage to Charles, one that you did not have any hand in bringing about, without you."

Will was pleased to see Charles get up as Jane began to speak the final piece. By the time she finished he was standing next to her, holding out his hand. She dropped her grip on her mother, stepped aside and grasped his hand in hers.

Lizzy was only just restraining herself from joining her sister. Will could tell by the way her grip on his hand kept tightening. In fact, he was surprised she had not spoken up at any point.

When Jane had addressed her father, the Admiral motioned over one of the servants and quietly given orders which the man quickly left to fulfill. Now the servant reappeared with four large footmen in tow. On their entrance, the Admiral stood.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, your daughter has spoken very clearly, yet you seem incapable of understanding her. Let me reiterate. You were not invited here tonight and you are not welcome, either of you. My footmen will escort you to your carriage, which is ready to take you home. If you do not go now, voluntarily, they will carry you out." He pointed at the door and roared, "Dismissed!"

Mr. Bennet lazily pushed away from wall and sauntered into the hall, still smirking. However, Mrs. Bennet simply stared blankly at the company. She gaped in surprise at the Admiral's order, looking something like a goldfish that has suddenly found itself in a bowl of brandy instead of water.

"Is the woman an imbecile?" the Earl loudly asked.

At the Admiral's signal, two of the footmen moved to her side. Each taking one of her arms at the elbow, they propelled her from the room with the other two footmen following to lend assistance if needed.

As they disappeared from sight there was a sound as if everyone released a long-held breath at once. Some started to talk among themselves, but many people in the room spontaneously began to clap.

Jane, on the other hand, looked as if she might cry. She did not resist at all when Charles drew her into an embrace. No one could hear what he whispered to her as he gently stroked her back but soon she drew a deep breath and moved away. Without another word, Charles escorted her back to her seat.

Will saw Alex quietly speak to Mary. Propriety kept him from touching her, but his words obviously provided some comfort, although when she did finally look up it was clear she had been crying. She took the handkerchief Alex offered and wiped her eyes.

Lizzy's grip on his hand was still tight and fierce. "No one blames you," he said quietly. "And no one blames your sisters either."

"I know," she whispered back in a voice as fierce as her grip. "I am angry, so very angry, at Papa. He just had to do this and you can tell he feels no remorse about it. It disgust me what he has become and even more that I used to respect and adore him." Will had no idea how to respond to that, so he just leaned against her slightly, letting her know he was present and cared. Eventually her grip loosened a bit.

As Mrs. Blackwood called for the remove, the company discussed the scene they had just witnessed. The general tone was sympathy for Jane and her sisters. However, Miss Bingley could be heard saying something cutting about the family her brother chose to ally himself with. Will wondered if she was slightly hard of hearing, since even what was probably intended as whisper to her sister was clearly audible. He did not really care enough to ask; he just wondered.

The remainder of the dinner went well, although the tone had clearly changed. To both his surprise and pleasure, Will heard several people ask Jane if they might attend the wedding to support her, although they still preferred to avoid the breakfast. After Mrs. Bennet's performance that evening, Will wondered if she should be barred from the wedding entirely, although they could not prevent her from attending the breakfast in her own home. He thought he heard his aunt asking Jane something of the sort as the ladies separated after the meal.

The talk among the men was less about Mrs. Bennet and more about Mr. Bennet's failures as both a father and steward of his estate. Mr. Gardiner proudly announced that Tom was taking on many of the responsibilities of the master. Mr. Phillips made it clear he would help his nephew deal with any legal issues that required an adult. It was good to hear the offers of support from the neighbors and their assurances that Tom could turn to them at any time. Sir William, especially, declared his willingness to help.

"I may not be the best of landlords or know as much about the land as some," he said, "but I know accounts better than most. There have been some among the merchants who have taken advantage of Bennet's ways, although less so since Miss Lizzy, Mrs. Alexander that is, started doing the estate books a few years ago. I will make certain Tom gets a fair deal with any unusual expenses. Gardiner, you tell him to come to me if he has questions about dealing with the merchants."

It was pleasing to see how supportive these people were. Of course, they knew that failure of one estate could cause ripples of discontent over the entire neighborhood. It was to everyone's benefit to help one another. All the same, Will knew that did not often happen. He could see his uncle and grandfather shared his surprise and pleasure at the outpouring of support. It gave him a warm feeling to know his wife's siblings were cared about and would be helped by their neighbors if the need arose. That feeling stayed with him through the rest of the evening as they rejoined the ladies and enjoyed the playing and singing of several of the young women before the party broke up. It was very late, so he knew he and Lizzy would probably not discuss the events until their walk early the next morning.