Chapter 10:

Jane Bailey, nee Bennet, sat by the window looking at the pouring rain, worrying about her sister. It had been almost two years since Elizabeth had visited her and though it had been an unexpected visit, it was quite a lovely surprise. So many things had changed, Jane pondered as she saw the rain splashing against the street, Lydia had gotten married and if she could read in between the lines, she thought she was likely expecting—again. While she, Jane, was bleeding once again. She let out a heavy sigh and pushed that thought out of her head.

Jane was overall very happy for her sisters and her family—even though their situation had improved and one could argue she should have stayed in Longbourn and not foolishly married a tradesman, Jane was happy with her decision to marry Mr. James Bailey. James was as old as her father but they had become great friends and in their almost three years together, Jane had grown to truly enjoy his company. He brought her a feeling of safety and being cared for that she had never imagined possible. As if reading her mind, her husband lightly entered the room and interrupted her train of thought.

"My darling" said James, knocking lightly on the wall to announce his arrival.

"James!" said Jane, turning away from the window. She went to stand but he motioned for her to sit down with his hand and sat on the chair beside her, that also faced the street. This was the room that Jane had decorated—the only room she had redone. It was a small drawing room that had a large window that faced the street with two arm chairs with pink upholstery with a small wooden table in between them. The rest of the room had similar tons of wood and pink—classy upholstery and small details. It was where she received guests and where she spent most of her time.

"Are you worried about your sister?" asked James, seeing worry on his dear Jane's face.

"A bit" said Jane, biting her lip. "She is coming today and with the dreadful rain...I would not want her to get sick or her trip delayed but Lizzy is strong, I should not worry."

"You have always been very caring" he said, reaching for her hand. "Jane, I would like to speak to you about something, before Elizabeth arrives."

"Of course" said Jane, now fully facing him. Her hand was still in his and he was looking at her soft hands, unable to look into her eyes, "What is ever the matter?" asked Jane, now worried for he never hesitated before talking.

"Jane, I am unwell" he said simply, now looking up at her. Jane's face turned to surprise and before she could fret about him, he continued, "I have known since before we married" he added, a bit guiltily.

"What ever do you mean?" asked Jane, not believing her ears, taking her hand away from his. Here was the one person she had truly grown to trust and now, he had lied to her? She did not know how to process this new information.

"I know why you married me, my dear" he said, reaching for her hand again, wanting to calm her down, "It is quite alright. I know it was because of your family and their lack of stability and though many thought I married you only for your beauty, they were wrong. I married you because I saw your kindness from the moment I met you and I wanted to take care of you."

"I do not have the pleasure of understanding you, James" said Jane softly, tears swelling in her eyes.

"I am sorry I did not tell you sooner. I did not think I would live even this long, I credit that your love and care" he said sweetly, squeezing her hand, "I know you wanted nothing more than to have a child—even if you did not voice that pain to me. But I am afraid I did everything possible so you would not."

"What?" asked Jane, now crying, the pain from not being pregnant time and time again. Each month she could cry when she saw her menses, the blood staining her sheets. This was too much. It had been so painful to be seen by others as faulty, not having given her husband a child. Unable. Barren.

"I knew you were in pain...I am sorry I did not tell you sooner but I knew you would try to convince me and I could not. I wanted you to have another chance at life...at love...to love again, my dear" he said, coming from behind her and comforting her.

Jane cried for what felt like an eternity on his shoulder, processing everything he was saying and everything he was not.

"I do not have much time left. I have spoken to your uncle and he has all the paperwork. I am tradesman. My home is not entitled nor does it go to an heir...though my brothers may try to fight it, I have left everything to you. This home" he said fondly, looking up at the walls and ceiling, remember the pain and sweat it took to build his business and this home from scratch, "Is yours. It will not cost more than 100 pounds a year to sustain it, since we do with minimum help. And though I do not have land that will produce an income, I have savings of fifteen thousand pounds which I am leaving to you."

Jane looked up at him, with her bright blue eyes covered in tears. He was giving her another life. Security. She did not have to go back to her parents home nor did she have to remarry, if she did not want to.

"Your hands are cold" she said, touching them as if for the first time.

"I am afraid they will continue to be" he said sadly, looking at them.

"Shall I fetch a blanket or light a fire?" asked Jane.

"No, it is of now use. My father had this and now I do too. Do not fear my darling Jane, I just need you to promise me that you will live your life and dream once again" he added softly.

"I promise" said Jane, tears streaming down her face. James reached for her hands once again and kissed them lightly.

"I thank you" he said, now smiling. "For everything, my dear."

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Elizabeth Bennet sat in the carriage, overlooking the scenery before her. So much had changed since the last time she had been to London. Lydia was now married and had two children, Jane was still in London, and Kitty had caught the fancy of one of the nearby families. It seemed their luck had in fact turned and she was so very grateful.

Jane had invited Elizabeth to spend a season in London, and though Jane was not part of the ton, as she had married a tradesman, she had secured some invitations for Lizzy and was hoping to help her build her own life.

After two years of rebuilding their image in Meryton, the Bennets were much improved and it seemed it was almost all forgotten. Elizabeth did not know how much of the news had traveled to London nor how their social standing was. She would find out soon enough, she thought bitterly, by how others received her. If she were received...or shunned. She would only know once she would enter a ballroom or a gathering. However, she was brave and had endured worse things in her life. She knew she would handle whatever the outcome with grace.

The rain started to pour and it brought so many memories that Lizzy could not help but think of the one person she forbade her mind to wander to…she had not seen him since had been to Pemberley two years ago and now she was going to London. Would he be there? Was it too much to hope that he was? Or was it better to hope that he was not? Lizzy pushed those thoughts away and instead thought of Jane and her husband.

Jane had invited Lizzy the previous year but Lizzy did not feel she was ready. The Bennets were finally accepted back into Meryton society and she did not want to venture into London just yet. And Jane could not really travel. They did not own their own carriage and always busy with business, Mr. Bailey was not able to take time off and travel. That was something gentlemen could do, he would mutter, not him. Lizzy did not inquire why Jane did not come to Longbourn on her own but she supposed it had to do with Jane's own feelings towards her parents and perhaps her entire family. There had been a distance between them when Jane married, and though she had not voiced her disappointment with her parents, it was obvious that there was plenty. Her own mama had been in shock that she was to marry a tradesman and even voiced her disappointment, where Jane only looked at her quietly, in equal shock at her reaction and lack of acceptance of reality. Lizzy had likewise judged Jane and even her father had asked her, "Are you sure?" to which Jane wanted to reply. She did very much so, but she would not. For she did not know what exactly would come out.

Lizzy turned her attention back tot he rain, it seemed all thoughts were out of the question and she simply chose a tree to stare at, as the coach trudged on. A little later than she expected, the coach finally arrived in London and made its way to the less fashionable part of London. Lizzy recognized the Bailey House at once—it was a modest, though nicely situated home, with many rooms and even a modest garden in the back.

"Lizzy!" exclaimed Jane, running outside to meet her sister. They both laughed as raindrops fell on their heads and they hurried inside, where Jane asked on of their servants to bring in the luggage and place it in Miss Elizabeth's room.

"Oh Jane! I love what you have done to this drawing room!"

"Come! Let us sit, have some warm tea, and talk!" said Jane, forcing a smile. Her conversation with her husband was still fresh in her mind and though she did want to confide in Elizabeth, it was yet not the right time.

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Hi everyone! Thank you for the lovely reviews and for the interest in this story!

Someone asked well why wouldn't mrs bennet adopt lydias baby and pretend it was her? honestly, i had not thought of that as a possibility! but thinking about it, i dont think that would have worked bc longbourn is entailed away and mr collins and the lucases (whose daughter would inherit) would have a vetted interest in making sure it actually was mrs bennet's. the lucases live next door and would have know, i dont think mr collins would have accepted that so quickly.

I think the bennets did keep the baby as quiet as possible but obviously those around them, specially bc servants talk would have found out. either way, i loved the question! it would have definitely been a very "neat" solution and i think if the estate was not entailed and there wouldn't be "investigation" it would have been easier to pass off as their child.

I feel like i'm finally back in this story!

It has been two years since Elizabeth went to Pemberley. I felt it was important for there to be time, not only for the Bennets to be more accepted in society, but also for whats to come for lizzy and darcy. I promised a HEA and you will get one! I hope that you will like how this story unfolds.

xoxo