Note: This is Thursday morning. The assembly was on Tuesday the week prior.

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The night had held little rest for Charlotte. However, she found contentment within her fatigue. John had continued to bring himself to rights with decreasing periods of repose. By dawn, he was taking the thickened broth in gulps that had been awaiting him at each awakening with ease. He was venturing to speak often, but it continued to be a muddle. It was clear he was addressing someone in particular, as his eyes were of singular focus upon a single location upon the floor at each supposed discourse. Charlotte attempted often to divert his notice to her, but it rarely held more than a trice. Mr. Jenkins had given her advice to heed during his call prior. He spoke of John's mind likely being addled once he had awoken, yet predicted that it would not likely endure overlong. She was to placate, nourish, and encourage him to lie in quietness. She was to do her utmost in discouraging him from entering a state of high excitement. To that end, she would give her utmost effort.

…***...

Fitzwilliam and Alexander had found sleep to be rather chimeric. Neither chess, nor passive reading could lull their minds to rest. Beds remained pristine. However this was not the first night that sleep had been disregarded, nor would it be the last. Something about Richard's disclosures had set ill with them, though neither chose to divulge such notions to the other. Be that as it may, with the breaking of dawn came the cessation of their protracted silence.

'It does not serve his suit, Fitz. The information was all too freely given. It is perfectly clear that he has gone to such considerable effort to conceal the events surrounding his injuries and all connections within those occurrences. Yet with ease, he discloses all? I will not be convinced that a few drops of laudanum were sufficient stimulus for his impetus confession.'

'Hold a moment. Let us reflect upon what disclosures were truly made, and were not simply his agreeance upon our own inferences. He confirmed our speculations, true. He had indeed been within county prior to our arrival; years prior. His injuries transpired in this part of the country. His assertions of his acquaintance with the Bennetts, or rather, the Bennett twins is undeniable. We were fully aware that he considers the girls under his protection. Even so, it is more suiting to describe the circumstance more befitting a beloved cousin or honored widow. Sufficiently so that he has placed his own former batman to ensure their well-being. Even so, his long held non-revealment of the matter is readily discarded due to him being our cousin. However, I cannot see beyond his machinations of bringing us here.'

'He facilitated an introduction, and quite ham-handedly at that! How do his actions differ from any acquaintance that extended us an invitation, only to then be introduced to their sisters... cousins…due to their unexpected arrival?'

'Perhaps I had expected more of him, taking into full consideration of all that preceded his own brother's nuptials. Now that this has been brought to full light, does this affect your desired course of action with regard to Miss Mary?'

'Not at all. It raises my esteem towards her family. Accounting their brother gave his life in an effort to extricate a cousin who I hold in very close esteem from a most grievous occurrence, I can be naught but filled with gratitude. My affections towards her remain unaltered.'

'Affection? So soon within the acquaintance? Do not be hasty on such matters. Marry in haste, repent at leisure; and all that.'

'Do you not own similar feeling towards Miss Elizabeth? I have never bore witness to such unfettered speech from you with a woman who is wholly unrelated. In fact, you deprived us all of your infamous glower on the entirety of the call,' Alexander opined. 'Do you suppose, if we were to approach their father, would we do so as a unit or as individuals?'

'Approachment of their father? You are not of mind to raise expectations with petitioning for a courtship at such an early juncture, are you?'

'I find her quite charming. A trifle reserved, yet ever so endearing. Her mind is sharp; intriguingly so. I do desire to become better acquainted. However, the objective of our travels remains unchanged; to find a suitable brides. We have searched to the point of enervation, and I am well pleased with my choice.'

'I would think that it would be horribly trying upon them to separate them.' Fitzwilliam spoke in a distracted manner.

'Perhaps. Even so, they must be aware it would not be likely for them to remain perpetually within the same household. Would we not encounter such similar deprivation?'

'We will not both bein permanent residence at Pemberly. In time, you shall take your place at Meadowbrooke.'

'You are sounding like Charles. Meadowbrooke is not a fully functioning estate; of this you are well aware! The Manor house is a blackened shell whose fields lie on the boundaries of Pemberly. An investment. An extension of Pemberly's holdings. It is a false presentation, and I should speak with Charles of it as well.' Alexander declared.

The discourse was brought to an abrupt end by Fletcher's appearance, and subsequent preparations for the day.

The news that Richard would be taking his leave of their party soon after morning calls was of no shock. On the contrary, Richard's removal from the area brought to ease many concerns.

…***...

Kitty rose quite early. Although she was fully aware that it was her duty to see to her mother during her decline, there was a portion of her that wished to neglect such obligations. Her mother, her only blood relative known to her in this world, was bedridden. Even so, she was near to feeling a sort of consolation at her passing. 'What a dreadful woman I am becoming', she chastised herself. 'God bade us to honor our father and mother, who am I to feel near to ease at her passing? His Word gives no leave for a mother who draws trepidation from her children…'

She had given little note to the lack of sleeping sisters within the room as she dressed herself in a simple walking dress that she could dress with little assistance. With the continuous chastisement she was raining upon herself, she continued to be remiss of the household activity about her. It was not until she had neared the front door that a gentle hand drew her from her endless censure. There, all Bennett sisters stood. Each fully dressed for a morning walk.

Jane smiled one of her soft smiles.'You did not truly believe we would not attend you, did you dear sister?'

With glossy eyes, each sister reached out to Kitty to give her hands a gentle squeeze. 'You are not without support, dear sister.'

Their early exercise towards the main house was had in silence.

Upon their entry, it was made known to them that the reverend was above stairs with Frannie.

'We will await you below stairs. Have no concern over time, as we shall remain in wait. I am certain there are household matters which require attendance,' Jane smiled.

…***...

'Hugh…'Lady Matlock said to her husband while they were breaking their fast, 'Did Richard and the Darcys give word as to where they were taking their journey to?'

'Some little market town, if I recall. Do you require his direction? Have you need of him?' Lord Matlock did not look up from his paper until he had completed the questions. Had he turned his notice upon her, he would have made an alternative query. 'What is amiss'?

She sat, clearly staring at the society columns. 'You had indicated that they were on an excursion of sport. Could it be expressed as a … hunting party of a most peculiar nature? Oh Lud! I bid you to tell me that they have not embarked upon the incautious endeavour you made mention of prior to our eldest son's wedding?'

Without a word, Lord Matlock extended his hand towards the paper. Once in hand, it took but a moment for him to locate the column that had brought such queries from his wife. A whispered oath, and an increased firmness of the jaw were the only indication of his perturbation. 'I shall be in my study. There are matters to which must be attended.' He was nearly to his study when he returned to where he had been seated, removed the offending paper with far more effort that was required and returned to his original path.

Still quite ruffled from the content of the article, he was unable to fully assess the potential scandal upon all involved. Even so, there it was. The letters of his son, his nephews, the shire… Any person of even the most rudimentary of societal knowledge could discern through the papers full attempts. Over the course of many minute he made every attempt to restore himself to calm; each an utmost failure. Each glance at the headline, 'Leg-Shackle Rebellion' within the society page was sufficient to set him pacing about in a fury.

The hesitation of action was against his true nature. Even so, he was well aware how his previous thoughtlessness had contributed to this debacle. The notion of sending word to his associate across town did cross his mind. However, he what could he say that would be of help? Instead, he held hope that his counterpart would take notice of the paper and act of his own.

With little more thought, came he realization that the news would not reach Meryton in an expedient fashion. It would take days at least for papers within London to reach that far. Acting upon the niggling concern of unintended consequences, he summoned the butler to fetch an express rider.

…***...

Kitty approached her mother's door putting far more confidence on display than she felt. She seemed unable to compel herself to push the door and enter. Adrift in her thoughts, she nearly missed the rich notes of a man's voice floating indistinctly into the hallway. Stepping to the side, she attempted to identify who was in attendance of her mother. The voice was too low to belong to Mr. Bennett; the cadence was not of Mr. Jenkins.

'Morning, Miss.' a passing maid greeted.

'Is the reverend in call upon her?'

"Yes, Miss. Come in the morning, he has; these two days past.'

Kitty was perplexed. She had never heard word of his calling in daily attendance upon other grievously infirmed persons of Meryton. Once perhaps, twice even; but not on concurrent days. She briskly shook her head, she simply did not have room in her thoughts for additional quandaries.

Her first thoughts were to simply bide her time and wait upon his leave. However, such musings were done asunder when the maid she had spoken to entered the room and apprised the reverend of her arrival. The maid moved a chair nearest the door, pulled the door, then sat down in chaperone capacity.

Kitty felt she had little recourse but to comply with the unspoken request, and sat upon the seat nearest her mother, but leaving an appropriate space between herself and the reverend.

Kitty looked upon her mother. At first appraisal, she wondered to herself how she could have left unnoticed such matters which afflicted her mother so. One could not help but be affected by the miasma which permeated the room. Her hair, which had so often been worn to frame her face, was now pulled back sharply. This brought to notice the series of ulcers which had appeared upon her brow and upper ear. Her parlor was clearly admonished herself for failing to note her mother's condition prior to now. With a sudden shock of understanding, she recalled that her mother seemed to react towards them poorly whenever one would dare to look upon her fully. It was always best to avert one's eyes and avoid eye contact 'Could this have been a motive for at least a portion of her treatment of her and her sisters', she asked herself.

The reverend kept her company in her solitude, offering neither word of condolence nor scriptural solace. The silence continued for a time, when the reverend disturbed it by asking, 'Will you and your sisters remain in Meryton?'

'Mr. Bennett has made no mention of arrangements elsewhere.' Kitty stated clearly, then dropped her voice to a scarce whisper,'There has been talk amongst us of sisters staying with family near London, although I do not know what will come of it.'

'Family? Near London? Your mother spoke to you of her family?' He asked in the same scant whispered tone.

'Family? My mother has further family? If that is the case, she will likely take such disclosures with her. An uncle of Lizzy and Mary will take in the lot of us, at least for a time.' At this moment, Kitty had an increase in vexation. She had given too much information. She was not entirely certain if their visit was to be of casual knowledge.

'Yes. Family. You have a few cousins and the like, scattered about.'

'She neglected to mention anyone, to the best I can recall,' Kitty said haltingly; perplexed by this overwhelming information. It would not be until much later that she would come to the realization that she should have queried him further on such matters.

'I should not have encumbered you with such upset. Even so, I hold doubt in Mr. Bennett revealing such to you, if he is in possession of such knowledge. Nevertheless, you have kin. Should you desire to learn of such, I will hold such particulars. If I am no longer...available, there will be notice with Jane's uncle, Mr. Phillips.'' He whispered as he was clearly making preparations to end this most astonishing call. As he rose and took his leave, the maid followed him, and shut the door behind her.

Glossary:

Trice - a very quick moment of time

Chimeric - hoped for, but impossible to achieve

Impetus - stimulus. force

Veracious - speaking or representing the truth

Perturbation - anxiety and/or distress

Enervation - fatigue

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