Bennet, Jane Bennet

There is much more to Jane Bennet than her ethereal beauty. From her earliest days, she has been the silent protector of her family, getting her father to step up to his duties, getting her mother to curb the worst of her mothers vulgar behaviors, and watching over her sisters. None need this as much as Jane's two most impetuous sisters, Lizzie and Lydia.

AN: This was for "Guest," asking for a smart, responsible, strong Jane. Hope you like it.

Longbourn, October, 1811

Jane pulled her curtain aside just enough to watch as Elizabeth walked briskly off towards whichever destination called to her that morning. It will be Oakham Mount this morning. It is always Oakham Mount when Lizzy is troubled. Jane sighed. She had been on the other side of the dance floor getting Lydia to behave like a lady when Mr. Darcy issued his insult. By the time that she reconnected with Elizabeth again, she had shared her "amusing story" with Charlotte within the hearing of one of the worst gossips in Meryton. The cat is truly out of the bag now. Lizzy treated it like a joke, but I could see the hurt in her eyes. She was attracted to him and he insulted her looks. It would not have mattered so much if Mama did not insist on doing the same all of the time.

Jane let the curtain fall and stepped out of her room. There was work to do. First, she went down to speak with Mrs. Hill and look over the shopping list that her mother had given to the housekeeper. Together they whittled the list down to what was actually required, oftentimes also reducing the quality that Mrs. Bennet had demanded. Francine Bennet was insecure in her position even after so many years, so she insisted on setting an extravagant table to prove her value as a hostess. Jane, however, knew that Mrs. Pike was an excellent cook who could create high-quality dishes without using the most expensive ingredients.

The savings from this new list would be handed directly to Jane. Once per month the total would travel to their Uncle Gardiner, a very successful tradesman. He would note the total on the books as an investment. This had been arranged between Jane and the Gardiners six years ago when she became aware of her family's precarious financial position. Between this and other small ventures, the account was becoming respectable by now. Jane was no great mathematician, but the idea of compound interest was one which she applied herself to with great energy.

Having completed that daily task, Jane went to the morning room and opened the writing desk. She wanted her letter to leave with the morning post, so she kept it short. Aunt Gardiner came from a little town in Derbyshire. Jane wanted to know what, if anything her aunt knew about Mr. Darcy. Was he a good man? Was he trustworthy? Would he be a good match for Lizzy? Somehow Jane just felt that their story together was not over. The letter complete, she gave it to Mrs. Hill just before she departed with the shopping list.

Papa had been up late and in his cups, so Jane knew that he would not wake for another hour at least. She knew where the key was kept, so she let herself into his study and made a perusal of his books. As she feared, he had forgotten to account for the dresses that Mama had purchased on account. Even with Jane returning to the dress shop and altering several parts of the order, the price was steep. Jane took up her father's quill and made the corrections. She knew her father's handwriting quite well by now.

Uncle Gardiner had emphasized more than once how important it was to the honor, solubility, and survival of the estate that all bills be paid on time. Jane prided herself on the fact that no bill was left unpaid for more than a month since she began her secret mission.

Some instinct caused her to sort through her father's correspondence, just in case something vital had been ignored. She found one unusual letter sent by a Mr. Collins from Hunsford Parsonage in Kent. As she read it, her eyes went wide. Is this good or bad? His wording is ridiculous, but how is his character? Unless I am mistaken, he is to come here seeking a wife from among us. Jane quickly found a scrap of paper and copied down the name and address.

Her letter to the Gardiners had already been sent, but tomorrow she would send another. Uncle Gardiner would not begrudge her the franking cost if it meant the safety of the family. Uncle Gardiner employs men to investigate potential clients, investors, and partners. They can easily learn what there is to learn about our cousin.

That done, Jane set all to rights and left the study before her father woke.

Mary would be up soon and Jane would insist upon having her help in the still room. This was an opportunity to give her middle sister the attention she would deny that she craved and get her to talk and think on matters other than Fordyce and sermons.

Lucas Lodge, two weeks later

"He cannot keep her eyes off of her, Jane. You see it just as I do."

"You are correct, of course, Charlotte, but Lizzy is determined to be intransigent on the matter. She will not admit it, but Mr. Darcy hurt her with his careless words. Lizzy is nothing if not stubborn, but we must both continue to work on her. My aunt writes that Mr. Darcy has the very best of reputations in Derbyshire. He is known on his estate in in the local area as the 'best man, the best master, and the best neighbor'. The only complaints about him are that he is socially inept... I think that we already knew that."

"Lizzy would be just the person to draw him out of his shell, if only she would forgive him. On that matter, I cannot help but notice that Mr. Bingley is quite taken with you. If you like him, then you should let him see it, or even show him more than you feel. You do not want to end up like me."

Jane squeezed Charlotte's hand in commiseration. "I continue to hope and pray that the right man will find you. I know of nobody who deserves happiness more than you."

"Thank you," Charlotte said softly. Though she tried to pretend it didn't hurt, the fact that she was seven and twenty without ever receiving one proposal pained her deeply. "But you just ignored or pretended to ignore what I said about Mr. Bingley."

"That is because I do not yet know what I want. He is a good man, but do I want him to be my good man? To be honest, I am not so impressed with the way that his sisters seem able to control him."

"There is that. Well, those sisters have watched his growing interest with concern, so I would expect them to invite you for tea soon. How they behave will help you to decide what you feel about him. Oh look, my father is attempting to pair up Mr. Darcy and your sister for a dance... oh, drat that stubborn girl! Jane, we may have to lock them in a room if we ever hope to get her to talk to him."

Jane sighed, "It might come to that."

Longbourn, November

Jane read the letter from her Uncle Gardiner a second time. Their cousin, Mr. Collins, was not the brute that his father had been, but he was also a stupid, silly man who was a mixture of sycophancy and arrogance all rolled into one oddly-shaped person. The reports from Hunsford were in no wise complimentary. Jane had thought to pair him with Mary, who wished fervently for a life in service to God, but no. It seems that Mr. Collins subscribes to the Gospel of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

It is ironic that this lady should be the aunt to Mr. Darcy. Uncle was concerned to learn that the woman speaks openly about Mr. Darcy's betrothal to her daughter. Perhaps it is good that Lizzy does not give him the time of day after all.

Jane stepped into the drawing room where her mother and sisters were working on various tasks. "A letter for you, Miss Bennet," Sarah, the second maid said, extending the note. It was the anticipated invitation from Mr. Bingley's sist... Jane jumped as her mother snatched the missive out of her hands. For the next few minutes she had to listen to her mother crow and scheme. The end result: Jane was soon seated upon Bessie, the old mare, and riding towards Netherfield under the threat of rain clouds.

Netherfield Park, November

Jane was seated on the chaise lounge trying to listen to Mr. Bingley while also watching Mr. Darcy's eyes, which seemed unable to stay away from her sister's face and form. He is in love with you Lizzy. I wish that you could see what I see. I am afraid that your stubbornness may cost you dearly. She returned her focus to Mr. Bingley and saw something there which made her uncomfortable, He thinks that he is in love with me. But try as I might, I cannot feel the same toward him. I want a strong man who takes charge. Mr. Bingley allows others to take the lead if he possibly can. It pains me to hurt him, but I must find a way to discourage him before it is too late.

Talk turned to the the idea of Netherfield hosting a ball. Mr. Bingley was eager. Mrs. Hurst was indifferent. Mr. Hurst was snoring. Miss Bingley was against the idea entirely. And Jane saw Mr. Darcy shooting glances at Elizabeth, as if he wished to ask a question. I need to find a way to speak with Mr. Darcy.

Longbourn, November

Mr. Collins was just as ridiculous as Jane had feared. Sadly, Mr. Bennet was amused and Mrs. Bennet, initially opposed to the man's very existence, had changed her tune when she finally understood that he was there in want of a wife. Jane was not one to listen at doors, but when she saw Mr. Collins stepping into the morning room to have a private word with her mother, she found a convenient place to listen in.

As expected, Mama turned him away from me and pointed him at any of the rest of my sisters. Naturally he will choose Elizabeth. People say that I am the most beautiful, but men are drawn to her like flies. Lizzie will refuse him, but that will cause its own problems. I must speak with Mr. Darcy tomorrow morning if I hope for any chance of altering the course of this mess!

By the following morning, Jane had a new concern to address with Mr. Darcy. So when she spotted him riding his horse on his usual trail, she stepped out ahead of his path. She saw the man pull his horse to a halt and eye her warily, so Jane wasted no time in speaking, "Mr. Darcy, I apologize for approaching you in such a manner, but I have need of your assistance.

Darcy looked for all the world as if he wished to turn his horse and ride away, but he stayed in place, "I will listen."

"First, I know that you are Mr. Bingley's close friend and that he values you opinion, sometimes more than his own."

Darcy made no move to confirm or deny her words. He waited. "I am asking you to prevent him from proposing to me." This seemed to surprise him, but he still remained silent, "I consider Mr. Bingley to be a very good man, but he is not the man for me. If he can be discouraged, then I will not hurt him by my refusal and my mother will not end my existence for the same reason."

Darcy barked a laugh before he could stop it from escaping. Then he said, "I have noted that he has become attached to you, but I noticed no true regard on your part."

"If I could make myself care for him in that way, I would. As I said, he is a very good man... but I fear we would both be miserable in the long run. If I may, I have three other concerns."

The wary look returned, but this time he nodded, "Again, I am listening, Miss Bennet."

"First, have you any influence whatsoever on your aunt's parson?"

He furrowed his brow in confusion, "I am afraid that you have me at a loss. Of whom are we speaking?"

"Yesterday, when you came upon us in Meryton, we were walking with a man of the cloth. He is our cousin, Mr. Collins, and he holds the living in Hunsford which falls under your aunt's control. Do you have any influence with this man?"

"I have never met him before. You seem to know a great deal about me and my family?"

"I protect my family, Mr. Darcy, much as I am sure that you protect yours. I looked into you after you insulted Lizzy at the assembly. Then I looked into Mr. Collins when he sent a letter informing us of his intended visit. Those two investigations revealed the connection."

"What insult do you speak... Oh Lord, she heard that tripe? I was only attempting to get Bingley to leave me be! No wonder she seems hostile to me at times."

"Not just 'at times,' Mr. Darcy. You hurt her deeply, whether she will admit it or not. Here was a handsome man who instantly appealed to her and you rejected her outright by insulting her appearance and her appeal. Our mother often compares her other daughters to me in a thoughtless way which hurts, you just happened to stick your finger right into an open wound."

"I need to apologize to her immediately!"

"Not so quickly, Mr. Darcy. First I need to know if the story that this stranger, Mr. Wickham, spun last night at my aunt's card party has any smattering of truth. If you are the man he claims, I would prefer that you stay away from her."

"I am not in the habit of laying out personal information to those who hold no claim upon me, Miss Bennet."

"I do not blame you, but I suspect that my sister holds more claim upon you than you are currently willing to admit," Seeing the alarm on Darcy's face, she raised a hand, "Do not worry, other than the fact that Miss Lucas and I have tried, unsuccessfully, to tell Lizzy of your interest, I will say no more on the matter. You will decide on your own whether you wish to turn fascination into anything more tangible.

"But that still leaves the matter of Mr. Wickham. He clearly knows you well enough that he saw the direction of your interest instantly. He has now assigned to himself the task of assassinating your character to my sister. That is a matter between you and him. But my fear is what else he might seek after he is done with you. Lizzy is my dearest sister, Mr. Darcy, and I will allow no man to harm her."

Fitzwilliam Darcy regarded Miss Jane Bennet for a long time, realizing that he had not understood her at all before that moment. Then he nodded decisively. "What I am going to tell you now I tell in the belief of your absolute confidentiality. You may tell Miss Elizabeth what you must to protect her, but please no more. My own dear sister will be the one to suffer otherwise..." For the next ten minutes he laid out all of his dealings with George Wickham, including what happened at Ramsgate.

When he finished his tale, Jane's only question was, "How is your sister now?"

Darcy was comforted that this was her first concern, "She is well enough, but she blames herself too much and has lost her confidence."

"I wish her the best. Thank you for speaking with me. If you have any authority to re-direct Mr. Collins away from my family, it would be greatly appreciated... and Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth may not be from the first circle, but I think that the two of you would suit. Good day."

Jane turned to take her own trail, but Mr. Darcy called out to her, "Miss Bennet, I can only feel sorry for my friend now. The man who you choose will be a very lucky man indeed."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I sincerely appreciate your words." And then she was gone.

Oakham Mount, November

Jane had considered going directly to Lizzie with the information, but thought better of it. Instead she wrote to her Aunt Gardiner and asked her aunt to write back with enough information to warn her sister away. It turned out that Madeline Gardiner already knew enough about George Wickham to frighten away any sensible maiden.

As Elizabeth read her aunt's words, Jane could see her shock. Jane waited until her sister's facial expressions indicated acceptance before continuing, "Lizzy, I spoke with Mr. Darcy about Mr. Wickham..." Elizabeth's face twisted up, but this time Jane had enough, "Lizzy, I love you, but you are being ridiculous. Did you know that Mr. Darcy was not aware that anyone but Mr. Bingley heard his words? He was foolish, but he said what he did in order to discourage his friend, not to hurt you. When I confronted him..."

"YOU DID WHAT?! How could you?! JANE!"

"LISTEN TO ME, LIZZY!" Elizabeth went silent, but her face was set in stone, "Lizzy, he was mortified. His very first reaction was that he needed to apologize to you that very minute! Does that sound like a man who meant to hurt you?"

Elizabeth Bennet paced silently for several minutes while Jane sat and regarded her fondly. Finally she said, "If he apologizes, I will listen. But how came you to have such a conversation?"

"I asked him to discourage Mr. Bingley from proposing to me."

"What?! But I thought... I thought that felt that he was just the right sort of man?"

"I did, at first. But as I watched his sisters controlling him and his lack of interest in his own estate, I became disenchanted. Lizzy, not only do I want to marry for love, but I want a man who will take care of his responsibilities because it is the right thing to do. Mama may be foolish at times, but her nerves are a product of a husband who will not do the things he should. She does not feel safe, Lizzy. I do not want to live my life like that. If Mr. Bingley was more like Mr. Darcy, then I might consider him."

Lizzy felt an uncomfortable jolt in her chest, but she said, "It sounds as if the man you want is Mr. Darcy?"

"I am not interested in Mr. Darcy, Lizzy. Mostly because we would not fit together, but also because his interest lies elsewhere." Jane very pointedly looked at her sister. Lizzy's blush showed that she was not as indifferent to the man as she would like people to think. "For now, I believe that we need to return to Longbourn. This time away from Mr. Collins has been a gift, but Mama must be at her wits end."

Netherfield Park, November 26th, 1811

Jane smiled at her father as he helped her down out of the family carriage. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia had not ceased talking since leaving Longbourn, a situation which boded ill for the evening. Jane wished that she had some tincture that she could give her mother to settle her. I will need to sneak into Papa's study again and read up on that.

The family was herded into the manor, where they exchanged greetings with the Bingleys and Hursts. Mr. Bingley seemed to search Jane's face before looking down in defeat. Jane felt bad for him, but she was also relieved.

Mr. Darcy was not in the receiving line but he was in a corner. He exchanged the very briefest of nods with Jane, but pushed off of the wall to approach Lizzy. Jane was too far away to hear the exchange, but she felt relief when her sister nodded. The same expression was mirrored by Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Collins was not in attendance. Jane had no idea what Mr. Darcy had said to the man, but he was very flustered when he pronounced that he would not be going to the ball, that he had other matters to see to.

Jane was startled when Mr. Darcy appeared before her a few minutes later with a very handsome man who shared similar features to him, but who had blond hair and the greenest eyes. "Miss Bennet, would you allow me to introduce you to Mr. Andrew Fitzwilliam, my cousin?"

The man smiled at her while seeming to search her eyes. Something pleased him and he asked, "Miss Bennet, do you have any sets available?"

"All but the first, Mr. Fitzwilliam."

"Then do I ask too much by requesting the supper set?"

Jane could not hide her blush, "It is yours, Sir."

St. Paul's Cathedral, 1812

Happy... and shocking... was the day that Mrs. Bennet married off her two eldest. She was astounded enough to learn that her Lizzy was engaged to Mr. Darcy, but even more so when she learned that the handsome Mr. Fitzwilliam that was courting Jane was actually Viscount Ashbourn! Her Jane would be a viscountess!

At the wedding breakfast at Matlock House, Francine Bennet had been mostly restrained in her conduct, but she could not help but loudly declare, "My Jane! I knew that you could not be so beautiful for nothing. Just think, the report of your beauty reached all of the way to London!"

Jane was mortified, but her husband only shook his head and replied, "You are wrong, Mrs. Bennet. It was the report of your daughter's character which reached me. When I heard the report of her true nature, I just had to travel to Meryton to meet her myself."

Mrs. Bennet did not understand at all, but Jane did. She looked down the table where her new brother-in-law, Mr. Darcy, sat with Lizzie. He had been listening, so when Jane's eyes met his, he nodded in silent answer to the question in her eyes.

Mr. Collins did not marry any of the Bennets. Neither did he marry Charlotte. Mr. Collins returned to Hunsford and asked for the hand of a local woman who had caught his eye months before. Jane did introduce Charlotte to several men she thought might suit, but it was not until Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam returned from the war that Charlotte received her first and only proposal.