Wow! I'm surprised by the responses the first chapter received. I'm really glad many of you are willing to give this story a try :) Hopefully, I won't disappoint. Anyway, the reason I updated a day earlier was because we're going on a trip tomorrow and I don't know if I could update.

I'm sorry for the mistakes in the first chapter. I posted it almost as soon as I finished and may have overlooked some mistakes. I supposed that was because I'm more used to writing in a female character's perspective that even when I am writing in a male's POV the use of 'she' and 'her' was unavoidable; hence my use of 'daughter' instead of son and 'her' instead of 'his'. Anyway, it's fixed now so I hope that's okay…

Before you guys start; yes, Francis was named after the Mrs Bennet of this story. I decided that I would use Fanny for mean Mrs Bennet (in OEAaL) and Frances for nice Mrs Bennet (in this story, PHW).

Proving Him Wrong

© 2020 Zest Layne

TWO

Frances Bennet did not know what happened last night to her second daughter but she certainly would not complain. It seemed that her wishes were starting to come true. Oh, for the first time ever, Elizabeth wanted to go shopping with her! Her daughter was finally growing up, albeit a little late since Lizzy was already twenty. Still, Mrs Bennet would take what she could get.

"Mama, could Molly try some new styles on my hair tonight?" Lizzy asked in the midst of breaking their fast and it took all of Mrs Bennet's control not to burst in excitement.

While Frances loved all her children very much, she and Lizzy did not always agree to everything more often than not. This was mainly because her second daughter preferred doing unladylike things with her twin brother, helping Mr Bennet managed the estate, horse riding (in astride position), playing chess, studying and not caring if her clothes got six inches (or more) deep in the mud. But now, her little girl came to her to go shopping. And was asking if the abigail could try new styles on her hair!

Indeed, Mrs Bennet was beyond pleased. That was why after breaking their fast, Mrs Bennet immediately called for the carriage. Minutes later, she and Lizzy were off to Madame Faure's shop. Frances would push the trip to London if it was up to her, but she was scared that Lizzy would change her mind, so to the biggest shop near Meryton they went.

Jane and Mary were left at home. Mrs Bennet was always accompanied by Jane when shopping, anyway. As for Mary, she had a lot of new things to last for the rest of the year after their last shopping trip when she came out a month ago, weeks after her eighteenth birthday. Right now, Mrs Bennet would focus on turning Lizzy into an Elizabeth. After this trip, her second daughter would walk like a queen on the next gatherings that they would attend.

Mrs Bennet wanted to squeal in excitement but refrained from doing so. Instead, she gave her dear Lizzy a pleased smile.

When they entered Madame Faure's shop (one of the biggest shops in Hertfordshire and just a few towns away from Meryton), Mrs Bennet was happy to see that unlike their previous trips there, Lizzy actually told the modiste what style she wanted and even asked for advice on what would look good on her figure. This made Mrs Bennet smile even more – if possible.

Whereas Jane was born with the classic beauty that Mrs Bennet knew would help her daughter in securing a husband, Lizzy possessed wonderful curves and Mrs Bennet was certain that her second daughter could tempt anyone. That was not to say that Lizzy was not beautiful, for she was. Jane only exceeded in that aspect the way Lizzy surpassed Jane's figure.

"Mama," Lizzy turned her head from the modiste's assistant to face her. "What do you think of this?"

"Oh, yes, that is lovely, Lizzy." Mrs Bennet said eyeing the designs her daughter liked while trying hard to show her surprise. Who knew that her Lizzy had such good taste in clothes? Frances briefly wondered what had happened to her daughter and why was she willing to wear less plain dresses? Why, the designs Lizzy chose had a touch of frills and furbelows – so unlike her daughter's usual wont.

"How many dresses do you require, Mademoiselle, Madame?" Madame Faure asked.

Lizzy looked at her for an answer and Mrs Bennet happily smiled at the modiste, replying, "Three morning dresses and two evening gowns." She paused then added: "Could you also make pelisses, shawls, and spencers that would look good with dresses and gowns as well?"

"Could I also have some new riding clothes, Mama?"

Mrs Bennet smiled at Lizzy and turned to Madame Faure. She might not be fond of seeing her daughter ride a horse in an unladylike manner but Lizzy always looked lovely in riding clothes. "Two sets of riding habits as well."

Thank goodness that Mr Bennet took the estate management seriously. Now, they have an income of five thousand a year at the very least and with their other investments courtesy of Mrs Bennet's brother, Mr Gardiner, their family lived a more than comfortable life.

"I believe my brother delivered new fabrics here yesterday?"

"Oui, Madame." Madame Faure smiled then turned to one of her assistants. "Chloe, tell Maurice and Paul to ready the fabrics in the storage room." When Chloe left, Madame Faure addressed Lizzy. "Come now, Mademoiselle Elizabeth, let us go to ze other room so we can measure you."

Frances brows creased at Madame Faure's words. Mrs Bennet knew that her Lizzy hated being poked by needles and surrounded by ladies taking her measurements. She silently prayed that Lizzy would not suddenly change her mind and run.

Much to Mrs Bennet's relief (as Madame Faure and her assistants began taking Lizzy's measurements), her daughter did not make any attempts to flee. Not even a frown or a grimace could be found in her features. It almost appeared like Lizzy was, dare she say, smiling? Was Lizzy actually enjoying herself?

Mrs Bennet watched her daughter's behaviour in awe that she wouldn't have noticed that they were done if it weren't for Madame Faure speaking. "Now, shall ve choose ze colours and types of fabrics to use?"

Nodding silently, Mrs Bennet along with Lizzy, followed Madame Faure to another room. As instructed earlier, samples of fabrics were now ready and once again, Frances had to hide her shock at Lizzy's obvious excitement. Frances could still remember the last time her Lizzy had been eager to see new fabrics – that was over ten years ago!

"What colour should I pick, Mama?" Lizzy looped her arms around Mrs Bennet's eagerly, dragging her towards the green fabrics. "I figured green should be one of them. They bring out the colour of my eyes, do they not?"

"Yes, they do indeed." Mrs Bennet replied, smiling. Apart from her figure, Lizzy's eyes were declared as her most remarkable feature in terms of appearance. Frances then led Lizzy towards the other side of the room after pointing a particular shade of green to Madame Faure. "But you would also want colours that would complement your complexion like the lavender here." Mrs Bennet held the fabric out for Madame Faure to see and the modiste nodded her head approvingly.

"This blue would also look good on you," Mrs Bennet continued showing fabrics to Lizzy all the while making sure that Madame Faure was taking notes of what she chose. "Burgundy and those cream coloured ones!"

When they had finished selecting the fabrics, Lizzy leaned into Mrs Bennet and whispered, "Could we make it five morning dresses and three evening gowns, Mama?" Before Frances could answer, Lizzy revealed two guineas from her pocket. "I'll pay for the ones I added."

Frances smiled. Despite having a moderately large amount of pin money, Lizzy was keen on saving it and investing in her Uncle Gardiner. So seeing Lizzy actually spend money – which was not for books – made her giddy.

After finalising their orders to Madame Faure, Mrs Bennet and Lizzy left the store in favour of going to other shops where they could purchase ribbons, bonnets, fans, shoes, some parasols, and perfume. Of course, they've brought with them the samples of the fabrics they'd selected earlier to make sure their new purchases matched with the dresses. My, what a surprising day it was!

-p&p-

Thomas Bennet could not believe the events that occurred this morning. It seemed that his Lizzy had hit her head and had woken up a different person. Why else would his second daughter be the one to initiate a shopping trip? Why, he almost thought that he had been sent to another world by the absurdity of things.

That was, until Thomas noticed the expression of his only son. While Jane and Mary were as shocked as him at Lizzy's strange behaviour, Francis was trying hard (and not succeeding) to stifle his laughter. He had to know what was going on. So after breaking their fast and after watching Frances and Lizzy depart, he called for his son in his study.

"You called for me, Papa?" It was clear that his son was trying to hide his smile. Thomas concluded that Francis was not and could never be a great actor.

"Do not play innocent with me, Francis." He said, looking up from the book of Longbourn's accounts. "What has gotten into your sister?"

"Which one of my sisters?"

Thomas sighed. He had forgotten that when it comes to Francis, he had to be specific. Otherwise, his son could go on and on teasing and messing with him. At times like this, Thomas didn't like it much that his son had inherited his sense of humour. "Your twin sister Elizabeth, Francis."

"Ah, Lizzy!" Francis smiled. "I have no idea what happened to my beloved sister, father. Although, I suspect that she might have woken up on the wrong side of the bed."

"I saw you laughing earlier."

"Father," Francis began softly, "surely you know by now that all your children dearly love to laugh at the absurd."

Thomas sighed and Francis continued. "Truly, father, I do not know anything. You do know that if I know something that concerns Lizzy I would be the first to tell you, right?"

There was silence before Francis spoke again. "Why are you even so distress by Lizzy's behaviour, father? Perhaps, she really just wanted to spend some time with Mama." Francis paused. "Or have you again forgotten that Lizzy is a young woman and there will be times when she'd love to buy new clothes?"

Thomas Bennet once again sighed. His girls were all growing up, he knew this was inevitable. For Jane and Mary, he would not be as surprised as he was now. Perhaps it was because Lizzy had always stuck with him and Francis. He let Lizzy attend balls but it had never crossed his mind that a gentleman might soon ask for her hand. Why would he, when their family knew practically everyone in Town and when no one knew the amount of each of his daughter's dowry?

Then again, this time there was the Netherfield Party, which according to his wife had two single young men in search of a wife. That was something to worry about… but Frances did not really seem to approve of the newcomers – apparently, one was overly amiable and the other one exceedingly aloof.

Nevertheless, he would focus on estate matters in the meantime. At least, only his family knew about the amount of his daughters' dowries and how much Longbourn truly yielded. That should keep away unwanted suitors for a while.

A thought then occurred to Thomas: Wouldn't it be funny if one of the new gentlemen asked for one of his daughter's hands thinking she had little to no dowry?

Shaking his head from his thoughts, Thomas motioned for his son to join him in computing their monthly expenses.

He would just have to talk to his daughters after dinner.

I hope you enjoyed reading this version of Mrs Bennet as much as I enjoyed writing it. I meant what I said though. This story will be E/D centred. I just thought that using Mr and Mrs Bennet's POV for Lizzy's first part of the plan would be more fun and would give us more insight into the dynamic of their family.

BTW, I only have a vague idea of how people shop during the Regency period but I hope this chapter managed to capture some real bits on how it was done.

Anyway, what do you guys think of this version of the Bennet family, particularly of Mr and Mrs Bennet? What of Lizzy's plan? Do you think she will succeed?

Of course, Lizzy's plan will not only focus on appearances… what else does she have in mind? Find out next Sunday!