We're at a point in the story where the Hursts start to interact. To avoid confusion (mostly in my own mind while writing) the canon characters will be identified by first name in the narrative. Also, I may breach propriety in dialogue for the sake of clarity.
David/Hurst=Canon
Wes/Wesley/Mr. Hurst=Father of David, Tessa, and Elizabeth
Louisa=Canon
Mae/Mabel/Mrs. Hurst=Mother of David, Tessa, and Elizabeth
(JLC, 07/02/2021)
~~IOAF~~
It was after dinner when another carriage pulled in front of the Hurst townhome. Mr. Bennet and David had been enjoying a brandy in the library when the butler announced Mr. and Mrs. Hurst had arrived and led them into the room.
"Mother, Father, I was not expecting you until morning." David hugged his mother and made to shake his father's hand when he was pulled into a firm embrace. Though it was quickly over, it was a sign that his father's emotions were very close to the surface. Turning to the other inhabitant of the room, David introduced Mr. Bennet.
"This is Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth's father. Mr. Bennet, my parents Mr. and Mrs. Hurst." Both parties received the introductions with as much composure as they could muster. "We have much to talk about. How would you like to proceed? Shall we speak tonight, or would you like to retire and discuss this in the morning?"
"Give us an opportunity to repair from the road. And perhaps you can have a simple meal sent up in an hour. Mr. Bennet, would you mind attending us in our private sitting room while we dine?" Mr. Hurst asked.
"Not at all. Your wait has been long enough. I will do whatever I can, you need only ask." Mr. Bennet's voice, while sincere was decidedly shaky.
"Thank you for your generosity. We are not unaware that this must be very difficult for you as well." Mrs. Hurst laid a hand on Mr. Bennet's arm briefly. It was a gesture acknowledging their shared turmoil. He nodded his acceptance of her words.
The hour went by all too quickly for Mr. Bennet, immersed in his own thoughts as he was. Some selfish part of him wished it might not be true, after all. That Elizabeth could stay at Longbourn and things would remain as they ever were. The moment he saw Wesley Hurst he knew his Elizabeth was lost to him. Elizabeth had the gentleman's dark hair and hazel-green eyes. Whereas David favored his mother, with his lighter coloring and dark blonde hair, he too had those same eyes. Mr. Bennet could dismiss it in David, for they did not have the expressive spark that Elizabeth's did. In Mr. Hurst, however, so close to the joyous recovery of his daughter, Mr. Bennet could read countless emotions. Just as he had read Elizabeth's so many times before.
When they assembled in the Hurst's sitting room, they were unsure how to start. As the Hursts ate, they talked of inconsequential things. Ultimately, David started, outlining how he came to suspect Elizabeth was Zibby. They marveled at the coincidence of Bingley leasing an estate but three miles from Elizabeth's home. When David told them of the comment that led to Elizabeth's discovery, a reluctant laugh bubbled from Mrs. Hurst. "Imagine being grateful to Caroline Bingley for her snide observations."
After that, the Hursts relived the blackest point in their lives, just as their son had only a few days before, with his wife occasionally contributing additional details. It was a tearful narrative. Time was marked by glasses of wine and wet handkerchiefs rather than the ticking of the clock. There was information David had been unaware of but none that could explain how the Bennet and Hurst searches had never crossed.
Mr. Hurst punctuated the tale with a description of the emotional reverberation within the family. "People tell you to move on, but it seemed more for their benefit. Apparently, our grief was too much for others. It was treated as something that was not to be spoken of, as if it were a scandal to be hidden. Admittedly, we isolated ourselves a bit after that, stayed mostly at Raber Hill or Clessondale. We kept Zibby alive with us there but did not speak of it in company.
"We had two other children who deserved our attention and who deserved to not live in the shadow of a lost sister. So, we did move on, but we lived in a purgatory of sorts. We did not know what became of her, if she were alive or…" Mr. Hurst's voice broke and it took a few moments before he could continue. "As hard as it would have been, there were times I thought it would be better to know if, if…all our hopes were at an end. Would not it be better to know?" Hurst was almost pleading for Mr. Bennet to understand.
"But we never forgot. We celebrated her birthdays and imagined what she would look like as she aged. We searched every face, hoping to see a glimpse of her. We held her close in our hearts every day, prayed for her every day. What people cannot imagine is how it-" Mr. Hurst sat suddenly, holding his head in his hands. His son took over for him.
"Thoughts of Zibby were inescapable. At night, I would wonder if Zibby was sleeping in a bed or if she was on the floor of some workhouse or worse. As I sat down at a meal, I would wonder if she had enough to eat or if she was going hungry. If it rained, I wondered if she were somewhere warm and dry. I felt guilty for everything I had, every luxury I enjoyed. I was not eating or sleeping. I was acting recklessly. It got to the point where I had to numb myself just to function. I drank to achieve that, so I could eat, so I could sleep, so I could ignore everything that made me feel guilty." The elder Hursts looked him as if just learning of their son's struggle.
"I did not want to be happy. I did not want to feel anything. It was different for Tessa. She was a sensitive child, so very empathetic, but she was not made for unhappiness. She was nine and her childhood was gone. She decided it was her responsibility to bring some cheerfulness into our lives. She became bold and cheeky and exuberant to combat our despair, which could be oppressive. She is not one to suppress her emotions, and they can run away with her even now."
"I do not mean to make light of Mrs. Michaels, but she might just come by that naturally. For Lizzy is very like that, too." Mr. and Mrs. Hurst listened eagerly at this mention of Elizabeth. They encourage him to relate how Elizabeth came to the Bennets and her life at Longbourn. There were more tears to be cried. Mrs. Hurst smiled at hearing the blanket and toy cat were still so treasured by her daughter.
Finally, Mr. Hurst walked over to Mr. Bennet and offered his hand. "Mr. Bennet. I do not how we will ever be able to express our gratitude for caring for our Zibby. How does one even begin to do so?"
"I understand your desire but there is no need. Lizzy changed our lives. I do not know what my family would be if it were not for her."
"How is that?" asked David.
"You see, I have a tendency toward indolence and selfishness. I would be quite content to be left alone with my books, not taking anything too seriously, for what do we live for, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn." Mr. Bennet stared into the fire, his severe tone contradicting his light words.
"I had a daughter of my own at a time we found Lizzy. My involvement with her was limited to reading and stories and a kiss on the head every night. I left everything to my wife. She is a good, caring woman but I did nothing to help her gain more understanding or to temper her enthusiasms. I was not seeing to anything beyond their immediate needs.
It is to my great shame that I say this, but assuming the care for another's child spurred me into taking action I did not take on behalf of my own child. We accepted the responsibility to care for Lizzy and provide for her as we thought her own family would, at least to the best of our ability. And I realized the best of my ability was woefully deficient. I needed to do better by everyone I cared for, that included Lizzy.
"So, I finally took charge of my estate and family in a way I might not otherwise have done. I shudder to think what might have become of us if left unchecked. I began by listening to my wife and I strengthened my marriage. I hired a steward, and increased Longbourn's yields. We engaged a governess, who only left us this past year. The girls had masters as suited their interests. When it became clear I might not have an heir, I planned for Mrs. Bennet's future and dowries for the girls. I hope I have become a husband and father that they can be proud of, for I am immensely proud of the ladies they have become."
Embarrassed at having become lost in his recollections, he smiled wryly. "So, you see, I owe a debt of gratitude too. But since I have already professed my selfish nature my request for recompense should come as no surprise. My family and I ask that we may remain in Lizzy's life in some way. Will you allow it?"
"Of course, we would not dream of keeping her away from you. There are many more discussions to take place regarding the future, but you may be assured of that. Zibby should be part of these conversations as she is of age. Thus, the most important decisions will have to wait." Mr. Hurst was firm on that point.
"When may we meet Zibby?" Mrs. Hurst asked Mr. Bennet. "Or should that be see Zibby? Reintroduced, perhaps?"
"I thank you for deferring that decision to me. But I have no wish to keep you from your daughter. On advice, we have decided to let Lizzy choose when the reintroductions are made." He smiled at Mrs. Hurst. "However, my intentions faltered when I was faced with Mrs. Michaels. She made for Longbourn earlier today. She will be with Lizzy now."
Mrs. Hurst's response was a thought shared by them all. "Oh, goodness. I cannot wait to hear about that."