Dear Readers, I hope you have a lot of fun reading this chapter and are ready for the second part of this story. I hope you guys are happy and are following all the required precautions for your safety. And, if any of you guys are celebrating Easter today, then I hope it is a day of joy and love for you and your families. Happy Reading!
Remember, reviews are precious :)
Chapter V To Meryton
- Lambton -
The day Bennet met his daughter, was a warm sunny day, however the brightness of the day didn't do anything to cajole Bennet out of his reflective mood. However, he tried to distract himself from the importance of this day his mind would not let go of the fact, today was the day he, was going to meet his daughter, By Jove he had a daughter!
As he walked down the stairs to don his waistcoat and brown leather hat, Lucas's voice bellowed;
"How are you feeling my friend?" startling him from his myriad of thoughts making him drop his new hat on the ground,
"Nervous"
"Nervous… We, are not going to tell her you are her father right now, don't worry unnecessarily you must seem composed there, how else is she going to learn to trust you?"
Bennet nods and moves outside the house, waiting for the horses to get ready, so that he can finally meet his daughter.
Elizabeth, had been asked to pack all her meagre belongings in a small canvas bag, she had few luxuries, if the blue lace sent by her mother counted as luxury. Breakfast today seemed like an extremely slow affair, as anticipation of meeting her previously unknown paternal family, her father's brother was not something that occurred every day.
Elizabeth had never given much thought to Who her father was?, he was just not there and she was not the only girl with a father who didn't acknowledge her, Jane's situation was definitely more pitiable as her father was a merchant who lived in town, but didn't even show the slightest hint of recognition when they went to his shop to purchase something.
As, Elizabeth completed packing her belongings, Jane entered her room and said,
"I know Dr. Jones said that you need more resources for your treatment and your Uncle taking you in is very kind but I wonder how am I going to survive without you Lizzy?" Jane asked,
She, had been told Elizabeth had a rare illness and the mission didn't have the resources to accommodate her,
"Oh, Jane I too don't know how I am going to live withoutyou?
We will have to be brave won't we? And I will write to you from my new home, you will write back to me won't you dearest?" Elizabeth said ignoring what lied in her future,
"You know, I will Lizzy, you will get tired of reading my long missives",
"Tired of hearing from you, Never!" Elizabeth mocked with her mischievous smile,
As, the two girls sat up talking about how they will miss each other, Betty one of the younger girls came to tell them to come downstairs, as her uncle was here, with a familiar anxiety making home in her belly, Elizabeth stood up and giving Jane's hand a reassuring squeeze went downstairs,
As, she entered the parlour she saw Father Lucas sitting next to a man of slight build, holding a cup of tea and talking to Sister Mary and Sister Kitty,
"Ahh, Here she is Bennet meet your niece Miss. Elizabeth Francis Bennet, she has a special love for the written word just like you", Father Lucas said as he introduced Elizabeth to his friend and her Uncle,
"It is so kind of you to meet me Father" Elizabeth answered feeling caught up with nerves but not willing to give her weakness away,
"An absolute pleasure", Father Bennet answered his voice choked with repressed emotions,
She met the eyes of the tanned, middle aged looking man who had eyes as green as hers, and somehow feeling his discomfort decided to put him in ease, and kindly asked "What kind of reading material do you prefer, Father ?",
"I am a man of science, my dear but I can be influenced to enjoy good literature in any form"
"You, must be fond of novels then?" Elizabeth teasingly asked,
"You have figured out my secret Elizabeth, despite my analytical mind I too can't resist the wonderful escape provided by novels."
But, Sister Kitty, put an end to this line of questioning and abruptly interrupted Father Bennet mid-question,
"Father Bennet, were you informed about the situation that this young lady, now finds herself?"
"We know Sister, it is a delicate matter we don't need to discuss is right now with everyone in the room" Father Lucas, said on behalf of his friend,
"Sister Kitty and I are not comfortable with Elizabeth residing here as we also have other younger girls with us, and all belong to impressionable ages, so, it would be good Father, if everything regarding Elizabeth's living arrangements is decided today itself." Sister Mary sombrely stated,
"Yes, we have already asked her to pack her belongings" Sister Kitty chirped,
"We also have the address for a home for unwed mothers, if you don't want her behaviour influencing your congregation, Father",
"If, she is not wanted here, then she will follow me to my home today, she was forced and now she is with child, let this be clear!" Father Bennet said rising angrily from his seat, making Elizabeth feel affection for this awkward man who was willing to stand up for her, after not even a day's acquaintance,
"We, would not be facing this problem, if she would just name the father of the child", Sister Mary said trying to smooth things over,
"She, is allowed not to name the father, if he was a scoundrel, She can stay in my home if you don't want her, I will find her a decent man and if no fool is willing to have her, then she may live with me her entire life if that is what she wishes, you will always have a home with me my dear" Bennet said taking a place beside Elizabeth and squeezing her hand,
"Thank you for opening your home to me, Father but why are you being so kind, most people in your position would not be as compassionate as you?" Elizabeth asked unable to meet the eyes of her rescuer,
"We are family isn't that enough my dear"
"Family" Elizabeth tasted that word in her mouth, and was not able to say anything more for she knew she would break down, if she said more and she was determined to be strong,
She wants to ask more but felt that this was not the right place for it, She was going have a home that she can call hers, and maybe a husband, a thing that seemed so unattainable to her even in her childish dreams, that she never gave much thought to it, Father Bennet had somehow earned her trust after his remarkable defence of her, and she had faith in him that he would not marry her to someone who was at least not a good human being, Yes, she was determined to be happy now whatever happened to her, must remain in the past.
- Meryton -
It was decided that they would leave for Meryton in two hours, despite Father Lucas's dissuading Father Bennet to take a day and make a plan about how he is going to introduce her to the people in his village,
The journey to Meryton was mostly filled with silence as though they had accepted each other as family and Father Bennet was providing her a place in his house, he was still essentially a stranger and an awkward conversationalist,
When, they reached Meryton Father Bennet realized that in his haste, to be here, he had forgotten to write Mr. Hill a letter to pick them from here, and began searching for any acquaintances who could go to Darcy's home and ask him to send his carriage, On finding Collins sitting near the cobbler's store he decided to convince him to ride to Darcy's house,
"Collins, my good man how is your new wife?" Father Bennet called to a man standing a short distance from them on the other side of the road,
Elizabeth hearing the name of Charlotte's new husband, decided to look at the man her friend had described in her letters, on, looking Elizabeth found out that He was a short, pudgy man who looked nothing like her friend's obviously generous description.
As Collins came slowly walking towards them he declared "Oh, my Charlotte is such a joy to me, I don't know how I ever survived without her…" Collins joyously declared wiping sweat from his forehead,
"I am happy that you are happy with Father Lucas's choice for you Collins", Father Bennet answered thinking that this was a man, who seriously needed a wife to mind him,
"Yes, I can't describe how grateful I am Father to have a pious and an obedient wife", Bennet somehow smothered his laugh and gave a conciliatory nod,
Elizabeth seeing his reaction wondered if Charlotte was as grateful as him to as he was to her, as the tone of her letters didn't match the Charlotte she knew,
"I always want my congregation to cherish family values, Collins and I find myself pleased with your love for your new bride",
Collins blushed and started wiping his sweat even more profusely,
Father Bennet finding his prey suitably weakened attacked and said,
"I find myself in need of your help my friend I have forgotten to send the notice of my arrival to Mr. Hill, But It is nothing to worry about for I know you to be a helpful creature my friend and I am sure you will ride to Darcy's house and get his carriage for me, You won't deny me this help would you Collins? After all I have some share in your present happiness?"
Collins, confused by this manipulation mumbled,
"Yes, of course Father, I will go right away,"
But, before going to Pemberley to get help, Collins turned back and asked,
"Who is this young lady with you father?"
"My niece, Miss. Elizabeth Francis Bennet, now run along Collins",
"Niece…" Collins muttered and went on his way to get help,
Around half an hour later a sturdy black carriage arrived with a tall irritated man who was muttering viciously at Collins as he stepped down from his carriage,
"I am sorry for the delay Father, I would have arrived ten minutes earlier if Collins had not forgotten to … Who, is this young lady Father, did you all ready find me a wife?"