IMPORTANT NOTICE! NO SPOILIERS I PROMISE! As of Tuesday, I am only going to be posting once a week, on Tuesdays in fact. I know! We are just getting to the really good parts. There are a few reasons why: My son asked me about a Hobbit story I was writing for him and I realized I haven't posted on it in a while. I need time to work on it because I am stuck on it. This is one that I am writing and posting for him because he asked me to. Neither of us (though I knew how it would end) were happy with the end of the Hobbit, so I started a story for us (more for him.) I need to do this. I also have other stories that I would like to start posting, including one of the Kitty/Oliver stories I am working on. That one actually is two because after chapter nine, I had plots that went two different directions. Anyone know how to go about posting that here? Can't I post a story that is the same for a few chapter and then differs from another, or it their a protocol for this? I am only about a week and a half ahead on this story now. I have the bones, I just need the meat! I actually haven't done much writing on any story in the past few weeks. It has been so busy around here. So, by posting once a week, I am buying myself time.
In the meantime, if you are looking for a couple of good Kitty/OC stories, look under Shem on A03. This author's stories have influenced mine. I gave credit for them at the beginning of 'A New Life for Catherine Bennet'. I actually reread them this week because it has been almost two years since I read them before and enjoyed them just as much as I did he first time. They are titled 'A hit, a very palpable hit' and 'the Brighton Effect'. The Brighton Effect actually has a few sequels that follow some of the sisters romances, but if you are a big Lizzy/Darcy, DO NOT, for all that is good and bright, read the Pirate Effect. It is the last and just... no. Don't do it. If you are feeling very adventurous, there is a Kitty/Darcy one called 'To Bear is to Conquer Our Fate', which seems to have unknowingly inspired the beginning of my Kitty/Oliver stories, and is one of my favorite stories ever! I love Pride and Prejudice, but I have no problem messing with canon couples. This story should have made that clear. I haven't read the Lizzy/Darcy one.
On to the chapter!
Jane made her way to the downs stairs drawing room. It had been very difficult to hide their news from her family for a week. Her mother fawned over her as she always did. Her father and Mary eyed her as though they knew something were suspect. Her aunt asked her repeatedly if she was alright. It didn't help that Lizzy and Kitty went around throwing their not-so-secret smiles at her and Oliver. He found it amusing and marveled that no one had caught on. They had finally told Amelia the night before, having decided that telling her too early would lead to an earlier reveal than they wanted. When she had checked her this morning, she was still bouncing in excitement. Jane smiled at the memory of it.
It seemed as though she was the last one to arrive. Oliver smiled at her and rose to seat her next to himself. The Richards' and Gardiner's had brought all their gifts to join them. The family's especially liked watching the children open their gifts. Amelia was so excited to have so many from different people. Jane and Oliver had been pleased to see their oldest child getting along so well with her family. Her mother positively adored the child.
Once the gift exchanging was finished, Jane called for tea. She was so nervous. Oliver kept glancing at her to try and determine when she was ready, but she wasn't sure she ever would be. It was so easy to tell Lizzy and Amelia, one would think it would be just a simple to share the news with everyone else. Finally, she looked to her husband and gave him the go ahead. He stood and gained the attention of the room.
"I want to thank you all for being here. This last year has held many changes for us all. Changes I know that I am certainly pleased with. I find myself sometime marveling at how filled my life is now, and it is about to become even fuller," he said, sharing a smile with Jane. "It is my privilege to inform you all that our family shall be increasing by one this next summer."
"Mama's having a baby!" exclaimed Amelia. Jane and Oliver laughed at her before she was surrounded by her female relatives. Her mother was crying and her aunt, too, had tears in her eyes, but she was smiling widely at her. Mary seemed very pleased for her as well. A glance in her husband's directions and she witnessed his cousin and uncle embrace him happily and her father shake his hand firmly before coming to congratulate her.
Little else was talked about for the rest of the day. Just as they had thought, her parent's planned to come to Roxwood as her time drew near, and would stay for a few weeks after. When her mother mentioned staying on for a while, her husband reminded her that they would be needed back at their own home after so long away, and wouldn't she like to tell their neighbors of their second wonderful grandchild. The best news was that Lizzy and Mary would return to Roxwood with them once they left Town in early April.
The day, overall, had been wonderful. They had even received a letter from Lydia wishing them a pleasant holiday. It wasn't long, or particularly warm, but it instilled hope in her family. Jane determined she would write more to her youngest sister. Ms. Richards had been writing recently of her sister's diligence in learning, and also of her calculating nature. Most surprising was Lydia's continued practice in watching and listening to what was going on around her, to what was being said. She appeared to be blending in well with those they associated with. It worried Ms. Richards because she seemed to be losing a piece of who she was. Her father was determined to get to the bottom of it. No one had said anything to her mother about it, not yet ready to possibly break her heart if she had lost her beloved youngest daughter.
Just after the New Year, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet departed for their stay in Bath.
Mary wandered around the house. Her parents had left the day before and it was noted that things were about to slide back into a more scheduled format. This pleased her. She loved the holiday and time spent with family. She had developed an appreciation for some more fashionable things, but at her core, she was still herself. She loved structure and study. At the moment, she was heading towards the music room. A week before, Mr. Andrews had come upon her admiring his pianoforte. It was a wonderful piece and she itched to have a go at it. He encouraged her to do so, saying that no one but his mother had played it, and even now, it was rare. She had yet to do so.
Mary entered the music room and sauntered towards the instrument. Taking a moment to lightly trail her fingers along the keys, she took her seat. Closing her eyes, she thought of the piece she wished to play, and from her memory, the soft melody of her pick filled the room. She had never favored the songs that caused ones heart to pump with excitement. No, she preferred the slower, more serious pieces. The one's that moved a person and brought their deepest feelings to the surface. She did not know how long she played, flowing from one selection to another, when she finally to a stopping place, she was not met with silence, but the sound of someone clapping.
"Bravo!" exclaimed young Mr. Richards. "Your sisters said you were talented and I am pleased to finally hear it. Why have you not played until now?"
"Since receiving proper instruction, I am more hesitant to display my ability in front of others. It is ironic since I had no problem doing so before, but I suppose learning that I embarrassed myself a few times might contribute to it. Mostly, it is that there has been so much going on and you sister has been happy to play for us."
"Well, next time I shall tell Ellen to make room so that we might enjoy hearing you play as well," he said, taking a seat nearby. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mrs. Whitmore enter and take a seat. She nodded her thanks. "Where is everyone?"
"Lizzy and Amelia are spending the day at my Aunt Gardiner's. Your father is escorting your sister, aunt, and Kitty around to several shops. Jane is resting and I believe Mr. Andrews decided to join her."
"And you decided to play."
Mary had begun to play a soft, yet lively song. She watched him sit back and enjoy the melody. Having a thought, she smirked and prepared herself. "We were surprised when your father and sister arrived without you in tow. I cannot think of a time you haven't arrived with or before them, but Ellen said you wished to sleep in."
"They convinced my valet to not wake me. They're up to something."
"Well, your father was certainly excited this morning. He apparently received a letter from a friend who had just arrived in Town. A Mr. Phillips and his son. At first, I thought her meant my uncle, but he and my aunt have no children. Anyway, they shall be at the assembly tomorrow night and he is excited to introduce us."
"What?!"
"Are you not pleased, Mr. Richards? Your father said that they were good friends of yours."
"They are good people, and you will get along with Oscar Phillips, I am sure, but I don't understand my father's persistence in arranging for Catherine to meet them. He is not suitable for her," he groused. "And call me Benjamin! Addressing both my father and I as Mr. Richards will get very confusing."
"I am not sure if I should be offended or not, Benjamin. He is suitable enough for me, but not my sister?"
"I didn't mean it like that. I do not know your preferences and she has told me of hers. He would not suit her desires. She wants someone who will adore her like Oliver adores Jane. Someone who will take an active interest in her and their children, want to get to know her. Who will get her humor and listen to her gaily talk about what her friends and family have written. Someone who will look at her as though the sun would not rise if she did not."
"And your friend would be unable to fulfill those preferences?" He glared at her. She wanted to laugh so badly. He really did not see. "Shouldn't he have the opportunity to see if they might not make a respectable match? Good men are hard to come by, and if someone has not laid claim to her heart, I do not see why another should not be allowed to make an attempt. Wouldn't you say, Benjamin?"
"No, I would not say."
"Why? If he is as good a man as you and your father claim, why would he not be good enough for my sister? Do you have someone else in mind? Someone you believe better suited for Catherine?"
She watched as his eyes became unfocused and fell into his thoughts. Mary continued to play her happy tune, allowing the music to fill her once more, her smile felt wide upon her face. He sat there, many thoughts appearing to flash through his mind. He suddenly sat forward, a surprised look upon his face. His eyes shot to her and he started to laugh.
"They said you were the serious one. That you do not take part in mischievous schemes."
"I don't know what you are speaking of."
"Who else suspects?" he asked, obviously not willing to play her game.
"Lizzy, Jane, Oliver, your aunt, and I believe your father and sister. I am fairly certain my father figured it out as well, before they departed."
"Oh, my father knows, and if he knows, so does Ellen. They have been baiting me. I should have seen it sooner." He eyed her again for a moment. "What about Catherine? How does she feel about me?"
"Now, what would be the fun in telling you?"
"You are a cruel lady, Mary Bennet. I will remember this," he laughed, standing.
"I am sure you shall."
"I will take my leave, Miss Mary. I have some errands to attend to. I shall be back later."
She bid him farewell and looked towards Mrs. Whitmore. "I do believe I shall have another sister married by spring."
"Better make it summer. She's very particular about the flowers she wants for her wedding."
Mr. Bennet looked around at the house and shook his head. His son-in-law, it seemed, always made sure to have the best. Mr. Andrews had sent word ahead to make sure that his in-law's every whim would be seen to. He and Mrs. Bennet had arrived an hour before. His wife was impatient to see her youngest daughter, and he was no less eager, so he dispatched a footman at his earliest convenience and now held the reply in his hand. Ms. Richards had invited them to dine. His wife was pleased and they made ready to do so.
They walked to the house and were greeted by the doorman. Once inside, Mr. Bennet felt as though time stood still. Standing beside Ms. Richards was not a young woman he would recognize on sight. His Lydia was never able to hold herself still, even her hair would bounce around. Her dresses had always made her seems like a little girl playing dress up, which she practically was. This Lydia, for it was his daughter, was still, every hair in place. Her clothes suited her well, for she would be seventeen in half a year's time. She smiled warmly at her mother, but her eyes viewed him with cold civility. He stepped back as his wife cried and exclaimed over the beauty her daughter was, she was stunning. Jane had always been considered the beauty of the family, but he was quickly coming to see that with the right attention, all of his daughters could be described as nothing less than beautiful. He felt shame fill his body once more.
Her greeting to him was not as welcoming as his wife's. They entered the drawing room where Mrs. Bennet asked their daughter all kind of questions, inserting her amazement at her daughter's new manners and grace. Dinner was announced and Mrs. Bennet began telling Ms. Richards and Lydia all that had taken place over the holiday. Ms. Richards claimed she was going to write her nephew a sternly written letter for not writing to tell her himself, especially after he told the rest of them. Lydia did not seem overly enthused, but stated that she would send Jane a congratulatory letter.
After dinner, Ms. Richards offered to give them a tour, which Mrs. Bennet accepted excitedly. Mr. Bennet indicated that he would like to stay behind and speak with his daughter. The elder ladies left and closed the door behind them. Mr. Benner locked eyes with his youngest and found himself, not for the first time in the last year, without words.
"Are you not proud of me, Papa? Have I not become the lady you wished me to be?"
"I wish for you do be yourself."
She scoffed. "That is a lie. If that were the truth, you would never have sent me away."
"It was in your best interest to be placed somewhere that you could learn…"
"It was in everyone's best interest that I be sent somewhere that I could do the family no harm. Do not insult me. I am not the foolish girl who left Longbourn eight months ago. You allowed me to be sent away so that I would not ruin the family, and perhaps you were right in that. I was likely to run off with a soldier and not think about the consequences. I was painfully ignorant."
"For that, I take the blame. As your father, it was my responsibility to see that your mother had at her disposal the means to give you all a proper education."
"Well, I know better now. You know, I can't be angry with you. I find I much prefer to the place I am in. I understand the world in a way I never would have if I had been left under your roof. I have seen what people think of girls like I once was, and I know what people appreciate in young ladies such as myself."
He listened as she continued to speak of what she had learned, her tone mocking. Her eyes remained cold and a smirk in place. He missed her jubilant smile. Now, she reminded him of another young lady he encountered more than a year before. Miss Bingley, who always thought herself above her company, but for Lydia, it was because she felt she had figured out how to work society, and perhaps she had.
"I almost think I could content myself with an existence similar to Ms. Richards, but I am not as fortunate as she. My father will not leave me a large dowry, and I have no brother to help provide for me. I would rather not be forced to have to endear myself further to Mr. Andrews to have him bestow upon me more than he has already given. Truly, I am happy for Jane, and I hold no ill will for Mr. Andrews either, I merely wish to make my own way in the world, and it seems I shall have to do that through marriage to a prosperous man."
"I am sorry I have failed you, Lydia." He felt like weeping.
"What's done is done. I prefer not the think about it. Frowning causes lines. No, I prefer to look to the future. I am going to enjoy myself, and when I find a gentleman that suits my needs, I shall marry and relish the privileges of that state. If I am very lucky, he will be a man who already has an heir, and it won't be put upon me to bear his children."
Mr. Bennet did not sleep that night. He wept in his private chambers. His other daughters had done so well, he had almost allowed himself to forget how neglectful he had been. Lydia had become so cold and calculating when she had once been so full of life. She had often been cruel and foolish, but she loved life. It had been his hope that she would realize her faults and seek to correct them. There were many, things, he realized, that they could have done differently. As the sun began to rise, he concluded that his youngest had been correct: what was done is done. You cannot change the past. He knew his daughter would no longer accept his authority over her, but he would endeavor to be the best father he could under their current conditions.
What do you think of Lydia? How about our match-making Mary? Only four more days to the Lizzy/Darcy encounter.