Julian Archwood leaned forward, hands clasped behind his back and a light in his eyes Elizabeth hadn't witnessed before. The nervous energy calmed as a slender leg stepped down from the carriage. Unable to look away, Jane and Elizabeth watched a shapely woman blessed with natural curves descend from the carriage in men's clothing of the finest material. Long, thick black hair piled high in a braided bun crowned her head, decorated with a pearl silver hair comb.
"Mrs. Ariti." He said to the Bennet sisters. "My wife is the loveliest of ladies. A true half to my heart."
Unable to look away from the scandalous attire choice for a lady, they nodded.
The gentleman who exited the carriage captured their complete attention. A man from the east, his brown eyes and black hair was tied back at the base of his neck in a ponytail. He wore a similar outfit to Mrs. Ariti, accented with pops of poppy whereas hers boasted pops of primrose.
"The gentleman is from a distant nation known as Japan." He explained to them. "We have many traveling companions and acquaintances throughout the world."
"You are blessed, sir." Elizabeth said enviously. "Our society would be better if we met more worldly influences."
"I admire your trail of thoughts, Miss Elizabeth." Julian advanced toward his wife and swept her into his arms. They pressed their foreheads together and basked in the proximity of each other.
Jane nudged Elizabeth. "I will call upon you tomorrow, but please write me to tell me how Mama receives you and if Kitty will stay here in your absence."
"Certainly, sister." Elizabeth smiled, unable to look away from the mysterious strangers. "I know you do not want me to leave, but Lydia has become unbearable at home. Kitty needs rescued and Miss Boording needs a companion she can relate to."
"I will miss you."
"And I you." They leaned on each other briefly.
Mr. Bingley cleared his throat and startled them. "I give you my word, Miss Elizabeth, that we will call upon you often. Mr. Darcy needs the stimulating conversation."
A dirty look passed from Mr. Darcy to Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth breathed. The flames burned between them, but she could never have him as she wished. "I do not know what you allude to, sir." Mr. Bingley just beamed and peered straight ahead as the trio of immortals approached the remaining half of the party.
Selene glanced over Jane and Elizabeth quickly before nodding to the gentleman guarding over the sisters. "When I heard Charles chose a bride, I thought I lost my hearing. I am in all shock to learn the accounts of your beauty is truth, Miss Bennet." She held out her gloved hands to Jane. "And this must be the sister of equal beauty." Elizabeth bowed her head.
"This is Elizabeth Bennet, ma'am." Jane replied shyly.
"A strong, proud name. Your mother must praise your beauty to the…heavens?"
"Heavens, yes." Elizabeth relaxed. She liked Mrs. Ariti. Aside from the odd choice of attire all of England would eat her alive for, she made Mr. Archwood glow. Her heart bloomed and she hoped Jane enjoyed her long life in this precious coven. It felt like family, a true home. Sometimes Longbourn felt more like a prison than a home, unlike the Coven and their open arms. "My mother is proud of us all. We have three more sisters."
"Five daughters. Truly, truly blessed. Jane, I know I only just arrived, but I have your first lessons prepared for this evening." She turned to her companion and motioned him forward. "Miss Bennets, this is my traveling companion and long-time friend, Saji Nagayasu. He does not speak English, but he is learning French and can speak it well enough to be understood."
"We were not taught French." Jane said.
"Mr. Nagayasu- "
Selene held up a finger. "Saji is his family name. Nagayasu is his given name. Mr. Saji, if you must." Turning to her husband, she offered her arm.
"Your carriage will be prepared shortly, Miss Elizabeth." Mr. Archwood assured her as he wrapped himself around his wife's finger.
Saji Nagayasu bowed to them before following the elder couple into the home.
Elizabeth breathed. The tension lifted off her chest and she turned to discover Mr. Darcy a breath away. "Sir, may we walk in the garden one last time?" She asked.
He offered his arm to her. "It would please me to no end, Miss Bennet."
Jane tugged Mr. Bingley along instead of submitting herself to the foreign company.
"She appears to be an interesting lady, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth approached the subject immediately. They entered the manicured hedges and the main walkthrough. "Her clothing is most flattering."
He chuckled. "I should have warned you, Miss Elizabeth."
"I enjoyed the surprise, Mr. Darcy, but Mama will be most scandalized, and my aunt will talk for ages. Won't she, Jane?" Elizabeth turned her head and looked to her sister for support.
Jane clung to Mr. Bingley. "Do not involve our aunt in this, Lizzy. Meryton will not hold their tongues."
"We can not hide it forever, Jane."
"Regrettably."
Elizabeth faced forward again, quite pleased with the surprise. For once Meryton would speak of someone other than them. She admit that Mrs. Ariti appeared beautiful in the clothing, and the contrast between primrose and black quite stunning. Daring! Bold. Just what London would approve of if they were less focused on the social standards being trampled recklessly by a worldly lady.
Mr. Darcy pat her arm. "Were you pleased with your stay?"
"Yes."
"I will ensure that Miss Bennet calls on Longbourn tomorrow." Mr. Darcy promised devoutly.
"I hope so, Mr. Darcy. My mother will be most displeased I am returning home early." Elizabeth revealed. "Mother hoped that you would be lured by my beauty. We have displeased her, but an intelligent gentleman such as yourself has already seen through her schemes."
Mr. Darcy exhaled. "A common scheme we are familiar with."
"Exceedingly." Mr. Bingley corroborated.
"I must apologize for her behavior. It is most…unacceptable." Elizabeth sighed.
Mr. Bingley bowed his head to Jane and whispered something Elizabeth could not hear.
Feeling she ventured too far on what she thought to be a comfortable established ground, Elizabeth breathed deeply and allowed herself to be at peace with the world around her. They finished the walk-in silence, and when Elizabeth returned to the front of the veranda, servants carried her trunk to a waiting carriage as fine as the carriage Mrs. Ariti arrived in.
"Safe travels, Miss Elizabeth." Mr. Darcy wished her.
She heard the anguish and commiserated with him. She'd find someone like him – someone as honorable and respectable. One day.
Jane waved after her, and when they turned into blurs, Elizabeth wiped away the tears with her sleeve. Folding into the seat and her broken heart, she sniffled and steeled herself for the confrontation with her mother and father. Mrs. Hill stood outside on the doorstep waiting for her. Elizabeth instructed the driver to wait and approached the family's hardy housekeeper.
Mrs. Hill bowed her head. "Miss Elizabeth."
"Mama is upset?"
"She refuses to acknowledge your return and refuses to send Miss Catherine in your place."
Elizabeth squared her shoulder. "So be it. I am not returning. Jane's future awaits while mine is here until I meet the man I marry. Instruct a manservant to remove my trunk and carry it to my room. I will resolve this here and now.'
The door creaked and she entered a ghostly quiet vestibule. Shrieking caught her off guard as Lydia and Kitty shouted at each other upstairs over Kitty's requested placement at Netherfield Park. Lydia's pouting of it being unfair and Kitty's gloating turned anger as they fought over whose bonnet was whose dominated the disturbing quiet.
"Feels like home." She mumbled under her breath as she sought out her father's study and knocked on it.
Her father opened the door and ushered her in. "I have missed you, Lizzy."
He kissed her cheek. She hugged him and melted into the open affection, starved for a real connection. "I am glad to be home, Papa."
Locking the door behind her, he moved to the window and clasped his hands behind his back. "Your mother is furious, but I am pleased to send Kitty in your place. She needs the change of company. Lydia has become unbearable and I know not how to curb her." He faced her, the age lines on his face revealing his exhaustion with the world.
Saving her comments for herself, she made herself comfortable in a chair and considered him – pitied him – for the position he found himself in now. Had they cracked the whip and pulled in the reins when Lydia was younger, she might have been more manageable now. Alas, the opposite happened. Lydia turned into a spoiled brat, and Kitty suffered the most for it. Mary avoided the backlash from Lydia purely due to her disinterest in the busybody hobbies Lydia indulged in.
"Is Jane pleased with her betrothed? Mr. Archwood believed we forced her to accept the offer."
Elizabeth's heart sank. "She seems happier. Mrs. Ariti arrived today, and she will begin her lessons on immortals."
"Two more weeks, she will marry, and they will leave for Scotland. I will miss Jane. As long as she is happy…"
"Papa, I am certain Jane will be exceedingly happy in time. She is nervous, wanting to please and not wanting to disturb the delicate natures of unfamiliar individuals."
Her father chuckled. "Dear Jane, trying to make everyone happy. I recall telling her that it was impossible, but she insisted prayer and ladylike behavior would prove me wrong. I hope she does prove me wrong." He seated himself and lounged. His gut protruded; years of neglect culminated into a portrait Mrs. Bennet cried about often.
Silence overtook them, and loud knocking at the door ripped it from them moments later.
"It is your mother. Are you prepared?"
"Yes, Papa."
"Unlock the door and face her. Best now than before." Mr. Bennet resigned himself.
She cringed away from the door after removing the latch and stepped backward rapidly. Mrs. Bennet heaved into the room and pointed a fat finger at Elizabeth. "This is your fault. If they pull each other's hair out, you'll be to blame."
"No, Mama. Lydia is the youngest- "
"I am the mother, not you. Learn your place, child." Mrs. Bennet ordered her out of the study. "Make yourself useful to Mary before Mr. Brook loses interest in her."
The door slammed shut locking Elizabeth out. Putting herself together, she permit the pain of her mother's frail emotions. She chose this, she ought to face the guilt as well. Mounting the stairs, she paused halfway. Lydia's whining turned into a full-blown tantrum and Kitty locked her out of their shared bedroom. Lydia kicked the door wildly and ceased after stubbing her toe.
"Calm yourself." Mary scolded from the end of the corridor.
Lydia muttered something unladylike.
"God will frown upon this. Upon you."
"Why don't you flee to Mr. Brook? He's the only person who would want you." Lydia sniped.
Cresting the top, Elizabeth braced for the worst. "Hold your tongue. I do not care that Mama favors you. You are no lady. You're a child. Kit, finish packing! The driver is waiting!" Meeting Mary's gaze, Mary bowed her head in deference and steadfastly guarded Elizabeth from Lydia's anger.
"I hate you."
"No, you hate that you are not invited to Netherfield." Elizabeth replied coolly. "Disappear. Now."
Lydia's face screwed up, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks before she ran down the stairs and to her mother's waiting solace.
The bedroom door opened, and Kitty stood amid a mess of thrown clothing scattered between the floor and bed. "She tore it all out, Lizzy."
Mary picked up undergarments and gowns, slinging each over her arm. "Something must be done, Lizzy."
"Something will be done." Elizabeth promised darkly. She nudged the door shut with her foot and aided Mary. Together they repacked Kitty's trunk and escort the manservant to the carriage, Kitty using Mary as a shield from the glowering Lydia, who once again burst into tears after Kitty departed. Largely ignored by her mother and youngest sister, Elizabeth indulged Mary in her musical diversions and her father's lighthearted jabs at Lydia's childishness.