24th November

Mr Bennet arrived later that afternoon and was immediately shown into Mr Bingley's study where all the gentlemen, excepting Mr Hurst, had gathered.

'It appears that I will not have to force my Lydia into marriage with that toad Collins, after all,' he stated after a brief look around the room.

The Doctor looked up and brightened. 'Then she is not…'

'No, I am most relieved to be able to say that she is not with child.'

Sighs of relief went around the room and then there was silence for a few moments.

'In that case,' said Mr Darcy. 'I have a suggestion to make that could be to your family's advantage.'

About an hour later, Mr Phillips, briefcase in hand, arrived and was shown into the study where the gentlemen still waited, all now fortified with a little brandy.

'Brother! Welcome to our merry gathering,' said Mr Bennet, hoisting himself out of his chair with a wry smirk on his lips. 'Mr Darcy had an interesting idea. If you do not mind, I will leave him to explain it to you while I visit with my daughters. I must thank my Lizzy for her coded message, although I almost missed it. It has been many years since we played that game together.'

'Coded message…?' said Mr Darcy.

An amused Mr Bennet said, 'Oh, no, I will not explain. We may need to use it again in the future.'

Mr Phillips took the seat that Mr Bennet vacated, and Mr Darcy said, 'Thank you for coming so promptly,'

'I am at your service, sir.'

'After an unpleasant event here a few days ago, I had an idea which could benefit those affected by the event. It punishes the perpetrator without involving the legal system, and so avoids word of the event spreading and damaging the lady, and her family.'

Mr Phillips raised an eyebrow and looked at Mr Bennet, who was standing by the door, his hand on the handle. 'Would it be possible to know what this event involved?'

'Only if you do not tell your wife, else it will end up spread throughout Hertfordshire before the day is out,' said Mr Bennet.

Mr Phillips nodded, ruefully. 'Yes, indeed.'

'Mr Darcy, pray continue. I will see you all later,' said Mr Bennet, opening the door and closing it firmly behind him.

Mr Darcy briefly told Mr Phillips about Lydia's attack and the aftermath.

'Well, I am shocked. Shocked and grieved for my poor niece, especially with her being so unwell.'

'As are we all,' said Mr Darcy. 'The perpetrator being a clergyman and supposedly above that sort of behaviour makes it all the more shocking. However, I think we can use this to persuade him to sign a document that will benefit the family. We hope you will able to prepare it.'

Mr Darcy explained what he wanted the document to say and Mr Phillips raised his eyebrows, a slow smile spreading across his face.

''twould be a fitting recompense indeed, sir.'

Mr Darcy nodded, then continued, 'As we do not want word of this event to become common knowledge, leading to the ruin of Miss Lydia's reputation, a deal of this sort would be the best option. Indeed, should he attempt to refuse, then I can threaten to inform my Godfather, who is Archbishop, and my Aunt, who is his patroness, of his behaviour. No names need be mentioned but she would be incensed to know that a clergyman under her patronage behaved in such a way.' He paused for a moment. 'Indeed, I think I might mention it in confidence to my Godfather in any case. They do not need a man of his sort working in their name.'

Mr Phillips rubbed his hands together, a smile of almost unholy glee on his lips. 'I shall begin working on the document immediately, however I would ask… would you promise me one thing?

Mr Darcy raised an eyebrow in query.

'Only that I be there when he signs it.'

'I think we all want to be there for that,' chortled Colonel Fitzwilliam.

There was a tap at the bedchamber door, and then it opened to reveal Mr Bennet.

'Papa!' cried Lydia, from the bed.

'How are my girl's today?' he asked, with a smile.

Elizabeth smiled up at him from her chair by the window, and Lydia muttered, 'Awful.'

Mr Bennet moved over to the bed and sat in the chair situated beside it. 'Awful? What do you mean?' he asked with a small frown.

'Oh! I'm just sick of being cooped up in here, looking like...'She waved a hand, gesturing at her face. 'like this!'

Mr Bennet took her hand. 'You are beautiful to me.'

A tear dropped onto her cheek. 'I'm hideous... Don't pretend otherwise.'

He stood and moved to sit beside her on the bed, drawing her in for a hug. 'You'll always be my beautiful daughter, no matter what. You're ill now... but it will pass and you will be yourself again.'

Lydia leaned into his embrace. 'But I will look horrible. No-one will ever love me with such a hideous scarred face.'

'Believe me, you do not want such a shallow man as a husband. If he chuses not to love you because of a few marks on your face, he doesn't deserve you. Any man worth knowing will always look beyond that - to the person within - because looks fade, but a beautiful character is with you always.'

Lydia sniffed. 'Do you think I have a beautiful character?'

Mr Bennet gave a wry smile. 'I think you could have. You are full young yet for it to be properly developed, but in time, and with some work, I have no doubt it will appear.'

She moved restlessly. 'With some work?'

Elizabeth finally spoke, 'If you like we, and Jane, and even Mrs Gardiner, can help you reach your potential, but you have to want it.'

Lydia was silent for a few moments, then said, 'But mamma always says that men only like pretty women.'

Mr Bennet chuckled. 'Your mamma is not always right. Remember, she is not a man and so cannot speak for us. There are many men out there who want more than a pretty face to partner them in marriage. Having similar interests and interesting conversation is just as much of an attraction as beauty. Some men even prefer an interesting character to attractive looks.' He paused for a moment, then turned to face her. Looking her directly in the eye, he said, 'I'm sorry that I have allowed your mamma free reign over your upbringing, my dear Lydia. I have done you, and Kitty and Mary, a great disservice, and it is long overdue to put to rights.'

A little later, after Lydia admitted to feeling tired and in need of a nap, Mr Bennet and Elizabeth left her and sat on the window seat in Elizabeth's room.

'It was clever of you to resurrect our silly, little code, Lizzy, but I must admit to almost missing it. I only spotted it after I reread your note.' Wistfully, he added, 'It brought back so many memories.'

A tiny smile flickered across Elizabeth's face as she thought back to her childhood game, then, her face serious again, she replied. 'I knew I could not send word directly, 'twas too serious a matter to risk to the vagaries of a servant not of our house.'

He reached over to pat her hand, 'You did exactly right, my dear, and now it is up to me to put things right. I am ashamed to say that it is past time that I did so. A plan is in motion at this very moment, but I will not tell you of it just yet. The time is not yet propitious.'

Elizabeth twinkled at him. 'Oh, papa! That is not fair. You raise my curiosity and leave me with no thought on when it will be sated.' She paused, then mock frowned at him. 'You know I will now need to use subterfuge to discover your secret.'

Mr Bennet chuckled. 'Do your worst, my dear, but I think you will be pleased, should it come to fruition.'

'I will. It will give me something to do here, when Lydia does not need me. Talking of Lydia, do you intend on telling her about…' She faltered to a halt, unsure how to reference the event.

Mr Bennet patted her hand. 'No. At least, not while she is so ill. Am I right in thinking she has no memory of the event?'

'Beyond a few aches that I attributed to the smallpox, she has not alluded to that night.'

'Well then. Let us leave it be for the moment and decide what to do once you are all home again.'

A/N: Mr Bennet's words about his plan apply to those of you reading this story, too!