Elizabeth grew silent as the Bennet carriage drew closer the Hurst's townhouse along the busy London streets. When she returned home from Netherfield Park the day before, Mrs. Bennet told her of the express from her father. Elizabeth decided she would go to London. She knew her own mind and it was time. She was ready to meet the Hursts. She wanted to meet them. Delaying the reunion would only contribute to the anxiety of both parties.
"How do you feel, Lizzy?" Her mother sat beside her in the Bennet carriage. She, too, had grown quieter as the distance from Longbourn grew.
"I am well, Mama. Truly. The time for cossetting is over. While I appreciate the deference everyone has shown me, I am not the only one affected. I have no desire to prolong the suffering of the Hursts. And though I love you and Papa and could not wish for better parents, I am excited." Elizabeth spoke the last words hesitantly.
"You must not worry, Lizzy. We know how you feel about us. It is only right that you should be excited. You need not feel disloyal. We did not search for your family all this time to not let you go once we found them. Or they found us, as is the case. It is bittersweet to be sure but let us focus on the sweet."
Her mother's sentiments mirrored Elizabeth's own. There had been much focus on the sorrow of her parting from the Bennets and the sorrow the Hursts experienced at her loss. Now was the time to apply equal focus to happiness. It may not be easy, but she was eager to begin.
"What should I call them? While they are strangers, I think Mr. and Mrs. Hurst sounds so cold."
"Why not start with Mother and Father? It is more formal and as you grow more comfortable you may call them whatever feels most natural. If at some time you wish to call them Mama and Papa as well, we will accept it and handle any confusion as best we may. It will not hurt our feelings."
"Do you think Jane is hurt that she is not coming with us." Elizabeth was upset at the thought of leaving Jane out of this journey as they had always shared so much. Also, Jane grounded her.
"Lizzy, you are a good girl to worry about Jane, but she knows you need this time." Mrs. Bennet patted her hand affectionately.
"But Tessa and Louisa are coming. It feels wrong to leave Jane out," Elizabeth countered.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hurst will wish to have all their children around them. Of course, Louisa and Mr. Michaels are included in the party also. It is not a slight against Jane. You must accustom yourself to your Hurst family. Your Papa returns to Longbourn tomorrow, but I will remain with you for a few days. I will then move to your aunt and uncle Gardiners' home. I will be close by if you need me and you will always be welcome at Gracechurch Street."
"I know, Mama. I am just nervous for I imagine we are almost there."
~~IOAF~~
"There is the carriage! She is here!" Mrs. Hurst exclaimed. She had not moved from the sitting room window for the past hour. "Let us go meet her, Wes."
Mr. Hurst nodded to Mr. Bennet who slipped out of the room quickly. He took his wife's hand before she could follow him. "Mr. Bennet will meet Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth and then bring them to us. You have only a few minutes to wait. As you said, she is here, and she is not going anywhere." He pulled here closer and kissed her temple.
Though it was only a few minutes before Mr. Bennet returned with the ladies, the wait somehow felt longer than the last nineteen years. When the door opened, the Hursts were standing shoulder to shoulder, holding hands as if gathering strength from one another. After they were announced, Elizabeth walked into the room behind Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. They stepped to either side of her, revealing Elizabeth, as they flanked her in an unconsciously protective configuration.
Mrs. Hurst hands came up immediately to cover her heart as she released an anguished sob. Her husband's arm came up around her shoulder as silent tears slid down his face. They both looked expectantly at Mr. Bennet. The gentleman introduced Mrs. Bennet and then gently brought forward Elizabeth.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, it is my great privilege to return to you your daughter Zibby. It has also been my, our, privilege to love her as our own Lizzy. It is our most profound hope you find peace in the restoration of your family after these many years of turmoil." Mr. Bennet voice wavered as he said the words. Mrs. Bennet, too, could not stem the flow of her tears.
"Thank you, Mr. Bennet." Mr. Hurst whispered. He and his wife were rooted to the spot, waiting for a sign from Elizabeth to advance.
She smoothed the skirt of her dress nervously. As she was waiting, she studied the people before her hoping for some spark of recognition. A foggy memory came to her. As it became clearer, she sketched an awkward curtsey and said one word, "Pleased." That released the Hursts from their stupor. They rushed to her as Elizabeth rushed to them at the same time.
Elizabeth was enfolded into a three person embrace. Mrs. Hurst held her tightly as Mr. Hurst's arms wrapped around them both. He alternated kisses on the head of his wife and his daughter repeatedly as he whispered, "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Elizabeth returned the embrace with equal fervor. They stayed that way for some time.
Mrs. Bennet smiled weakly and motioned to her husband to leave the room. They would join the Michaels and the younger Hursts where they were waiting in the morning room. Before they could make it to the door they were stopped by Mrs. Hurst.
"Please stay." She disentangled herself from the other two and went directly to Mrs. Bennet. She took her hand in both of hers raised it to her lips for a reverent kiss. "Mrs. Bennet, you have my undying gratitude for the life and love you have given our Elizabeth. And please know when I say our I do not mean our as in me and Wes, but rather our as in the Bennets and the Hursts. If it is acceptable to Elizabeth, we would like to acknowledge her as Elizabeth Celia Bennet Hurst."
Mrs. Bennet responded by embracing Mrs. Hurst. The two women clung to each other as the others sat. Mr. Hurst moved a chair, positioning it near the end of the two settees that faced one another. With a wide grin on his face, he escorted Elizabeth to the chair. He sat on one of the settees, as close to the edge, and Elizabeth, as possible. Mr. Bennet sat beside him. Their wives settled on the other settee with Mrs. Hurst also taking the position closest to Elizabeth.
As tears gave way to sniffles and smiles, Elizabeth became shy. She could not say she was surprised by how emotional she felt upon meeting the Hursts. She was surprised the emotions that were the most easily discernable were affection and tranquility. As her parents had stood before her, she had a flash of memory and warmth washed over her.
Elizabeth was in a similar sitting room. It had amused Tessa to teach a not quite two year old Elizabeth proper introductions. She brought in David to practice with her, bowing and curtseying again and again before her. Elizabeth was bored and would bow and curtsey in turns. When brought before her parents that night, she only said 'Pleased,' very seriously, as she dropped into a wobbly curtsey. At the bottom of the movement, she bowed. Toppling forward, somersaulting and landing on her bottom at her parents' feet. She was quite uninjured but found the somersault wildly fun and started giggling.
Watching the Hursts, standing together as they were, the memory resurfaced. She was not sure what provoked her to mimic her own particular bow-curtsey that she often repeated before her disappearance. It was as if she wanted the Hursts to know she remembered something of her time with them. The Hursts had obviously remembered as well.
Now that the meeting she had anticipated was over she was at a loss as to how to proceed. She was not alone. As Elizabeth waited for someone else to start the conversation, she looked around the room. It was an odd mixture of older classic décor and newer pieces that represented what the ton considered fashionable. It was not exactly displeasing just incongruent.
Mrs. Hurst noticed Elizabeth's scrutiny. "It has been some time since we have been to London. We have not undertaken any major renovations on the house. The newer style is a reflection of Louisa's influence. I suppose I should not talk of redecorating. There are more important things of which to speak."
"I do not mind. There are many things of which we must speak but it does not stand that we must address everything immediately. In fact, I think it may be best if we do not." Elizabeth knew this would become easier in time and she remembered Mr. Darcy's words. "I am just happy to be here with you now. I would like to be friends not just family."
"Of course, we do not wish to force anything. We will simply address things as they may arise." Mr. Hurst was again thankful to the Bennets for raising his girl to be this poised and sensible young lady.
"In my eagerness, I am afraid I have been a poor hostess. Let me show you to your rooms so you may refresh yourselves. We have plenty of time to talk of the future."