Hi everyone! I hope you are all safe and well. Today marks half a year of writing here on FFN ;-)

I hope you are all still with me. I loved reading your reviews and answers to my last question. Very interesting combinations of guests for dinner! Some made me laugh, thank you.

Special mention to these reviewers:

loritahubbard, Nell Lime, Colleen S, leavesfallingup, liysyl, Lisa, sysa22, Gedoena, ChrisM0519, Deanna27, Shelby66, RHALiz, Levenez, tcdavis, srhittson, Eleoopy, Maria Teresa C, lpinney, Jansfamily4

Sorry, this is a short chapter but I should be able to post another update this weekend. And yes, there is still some plot to be covered even after Wickham's eventual arrest but we will all have to wait and see (myself included). ;-)

Take care everyone!

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Once the Bennet family had returned to Longbourn, three amongst the daughters sought their father in his study. After Mr Bennet called for them to enter, Jane went in first, followed by Elizabeth and a very anxious Lydia. Elizabeth stayed beside her youngest sister and squeezed her hand to provide her some reassurance.

"I wonder at the reason for being honoured with the presence of my three beautiful daughters."

"Papa, we came here to speak to you about a serious matter," started Jane.

"I see. You will have to be quick about it as I am expecting the arrival of the gentlemen anytime soon. Much as you are all very precious to me, I am sure you understand that this matter relating to Mr Wickham needs urgent attention. It is for the benefit of everyone that he is captured as soon as may be."

"Of course, father. But I beg that you listen to us carefully and ask for your kind consideration," continued Jane.

She did not approve of Lydia's actions but she also did not want her to receive a harsh punishment. In her view, her youngest sister was completely in the wrong when she stole from Elizabeth's pin money, but she also saw contrition in her expression and expected that she would never do such a thing again. Lydia's behaviour had been deteriorating as the years progressed and she hoped that this unfortunate incident would really help her transform into a more sensible young lady. This moment in her life could be crucial in guiding her into the right path after being allowed to go astray for a long time.

"We shall see. Let me hear it then."

Nodding at Lydia, Jane encouraged her to be the one to admit to what she had done. Lydia's eyes welled with tears and turned to face her other sister. Her hands were shaking when she grabbed Elizabeth's hands.

"Go on, Lydia. We are here for you," Elizabeth said in an almost whisper.

Lydia shook her head and tightened her grip on Elizabeth's hands, as tears started to trickle down her cheeks.

"I… I... I am scared, Lizzy…"

"Lydia, I am not such a cruel father for you to be so frightened. Come now, just tell me and be done with it," Mr Bennet replied, quite surprised to see the usually carefree Lydia so distressed.

Looking at one sister then the other, Lydia took a deep breath and bowed her head. She started to speak but could not meet her father's eyes.

"Papa… I am sorry… I did something wrong… very wrong…"

"What did you do?"

"I… I…took money from Lizzy's drawer."

"You took money from Lizzy's drawer? Why, have you used up all your pin money? Did you exceed your budget again?"

"No, papa. It is not like that. I took the money but I did not spend it… I gave it to… someone."

"To whom did you give the money?"

Lydia fell silent and still had not raised her head.

"Well?"

"Mr Wickham."

Mr Bennet was stunned and could not immediately give a reply.

"Papa, Lydia had already repeatedly apologised to me for her mistake. I am entirely convinced that she understands the severity of her actions. She had promised to never repeat this ever again," Elizabeth explained to their father.

"This is most shocking, Lydia! How could you do such a thing? Stealing money from your own sister! And even worse, to have given the stolen money to that scoundrel! What on earth were you thinking?"

"I am sorry, papa. I now know how wrong it was of me. I did not know about his true nature until recently. I really thought that he liked me, but I was clearly mistaken."

"Do you realise that whatever money you gave him would have been easily wasted due to his bad habits? Not only is he drowning in debt, he is also a rake!"

"I did not know, papa. He always paid me such attentions and I believed that he loved me."

"My own daughter… taken in by that blackguard! You are so naive to fall for someone who flatters you for his own selfish gains. I am at a loss for words."

"Papa, please. Mr Wickham has fooled so many people, some of them much older and should be wiser than Lydia. You must remember that before Mr Darcy exposed his numerous transgressions, everyone in Meryton believed Mr Wickham to be a charming and honourable officer," Elizabeth pointed out.

"Papa, I believe that Lydia has now learnt her lesson. The most important thing is that she has confessed the truth to us and shows remorse. Hopefully this bad experience will help her grow into a better person and make her think very carefully before making important choices," Jane added.

Their father said nothing for sometime while they all waited for him to pass his judgment.

"I do not think that we should easily forgive her without giving her some form of corrective measure," Mr Bennet said slowly.

At this, Lydia looked up warily, afraid of what her father would pronounce.

"Lydia, as you have taken some money from Lizzy, you will not receive any pin money for the next quarter. This period could be extended should you not show improved behaviour. Do you understand, Lydia?"

"But… what if there is something I need to buy?"

"I do not imagine that there is anything you NEED. You have food and shelter, as well as plenty of clothing. What else could you possibly NEED? Everything you NEED is already provided."

As the youngest daughter had nothing to say in response, Mr Bennet continued,

"And Lizzy, as Lydia had taken your money, her pin money will go to you instead."

"But papa, I did not keep the entire amount of this quarter's pin money in my drawer --"

"Do you know exactly how much she stole from you?"

"No, papa. But I had a number of coins left in my drawer and she also returned some to me last night."

"I am not going to speculate as to the actual amount at this point. Her pin money will just have to be considered as compensation. Hopefully, this will make her remember that taking what is not hers is not acceptable. And I will inform your mother not to give you any money or buy anything for you as well. Consider yourself fortunate, Lydia, that I have just listened to a half hour of the vicar's sermon about forgiveness, else I might have thought of something even less pleasant for you," Mr Bennet concluded in a firm voice.

Soon after he said this, there came a knock on the door.

"The gentlemen must be here to see me now. Show the guests in on your way out," he said dismissively.

The three young ladies made their exit without a word. Lydia again bowed her head so that her tear-streaked face would not be visible to the gentlemen. However, their serious countenance was quite evident and Mr Darcy noted that Miss Elizabeth only offered him a tight smile this time.

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I plan to feature Darcy and Lizzy in the next chapter. And... there's still something about Lydia in future chapters.

If you would like to answer another question, here is my next one:

If you can uproot one (or more) PnP characters from their family/household/place of work and put them into another, who would you choose? This is like "wife swap" or those type of reality shows where people are made to walk in another person's shoes. Maybe just for a week or a month if you wish.

How about making Lady C live in the Bennet household? I can just hear her saying… how can all five daughters be out? And no governess?

Or Mr Collins being a militia officer?

Something like that… ;-)

By the way, is there someone who can let me know how to get in touch with the site moderators or anyone here knowledgeable about copyright rules please? Just have something to ask.

Thank you so much for welcoming me into this great community!