I'd like to apologise that this update is a bit later than the others have been, I have had a lot of long back-to-back shifts at work and so was too tired yesterday to finish the chapter and check through it before posting.

Enough about my busy life; many thanks to everyone who is reading this story, for those that follow or favourite it, and especially those who review. I know many authors say this but it's true. The reviews really help to keep the muse going.

Any way back to the story.

Heaven x

Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley noticed the sudden tension in their companions of the Bennet persuasion, and were immediately put on guard. Mr Bingley was rather confused at his own reaction, considering he had been singing the praises of the eldest Miss Bennet since meeting her two days prior. He supposed it was the air of nervousness that currently surrounded their little group. Before he had further opportunity to explore this new feeling the interlopers had reached them.

"Mr Bingley, how pleased we are to see you again," began Mrs Bennet loudly, "I am sure that my beautiful Jane and lively Lydia have never had such pleasant company here as you provide this evening."

It was clear that Mrs Bennet neither thought before or after opening her mouth, having just given offense to her hosts and neighbours in front of the hosts' daughter. The gentlemen were affronted on Miss Lucas' behalf, however only Mr Hurst found no qualms in voicing his objections, unknowingly causing the exact situation that the middle Bennets and Mr Darcy has hoped to avoid.

"Well that's rather doing it brown Mrs Bennet! Miss Lucas, and your own two daughters Miss Elizabeth and Miss Catherine are excellent company. I was taught that it was incredibly uncouth to openly insult your host and their family within their hearing, did you never receive that lesson in your seemingly incomplete education?"

Kitty had been signing discreetly to Elizabeth to make sure that she didn't miss any of the exchange, and barely managed to suppress a giggle at the man's forthright manner. Charlotte and Lizzie smirked slightly, enjoying the set down, while Mr Darcy surprised himself by openly smiling at his companion's set down. Mr Bingley found himself incredibly uncomfortable with the tension but knew not how to disperse it, so remained silent, with his unease written clearly over his face.

Jane Bennet was by no means as clever as Lizzie or Kitty, however she did have more understanding of Hursts' insult than either her mother or her youngest sister.

"Mr Hurst, we were taught that it was impolitic to insult a gentlewoman, especially when all said gentlewoman did was begin a conversation with your host." Jane's eyes were narrowed and her cheeks had gained a slight mottled hue as she endeavoured to hide her disdain for the man. Mr Bingley felt his admiration for the eldest Miss Bennet wane, her disposition had shown itself to be not as sweet and serene as he had originally believed.

Mrs Bennet heard none of her favourite daughter's comment and she was too busy glaring at Lizzie and Kitty to pay attention. "Surely, Mr Hurst," snarked Mrs Bennet, "yourself and the other gentlemen would prefer the company of my eldest and youngest daughters? My Jane has long been pronounced the jewel of the county, and you'll likely not find company so cheerful as my lively Lydia in a gathering such as this. Why, I am sure there has never been another so beautiful or so lively."

This time it was Darcy who answered, hoping to dissuade the women from remaining in their company. "Indeed madam, liveliness and beauty are exactly the reasons why myself and my companions find ourselves in the company of your middle two daughters and Miss Lucas. In fact, your presence rather interrupted a lively conversation that I wish to continue with."

Charlotte and Kitty were blushing at the defence of the gentlemen whilst simultaneously letting Lizzie know all that Mr Darcy had said since her position wouldn't allow her to see his face clearly to read his lips. Once Lizzie was caught up with the conversation her eyes widened imperceptibly and she bit her lip in nervousness, worried for her mother's reaction.

"Well I never!" cried Mrs Bennet, "I see what you are up to Miss Lizzy and I shall not stand for it. You have used your arts and allurements to secure the attention of those much too good for you, after all; who would want a cripple for a wife?"

At Mrs Bennet's declaration a shocked gasp echoed around the room and all but Lizzie became aware of the scene that had been created by the outburst. Lizzie was much too angry to formulate a rational response, having no need for Mrs Bennet's words to be signed, they were completely understood through reading her lips.

"I have never, and would never, use any arts or allurements to secure the attentions of anyone; the same cannot be said, however, for your youngest daughter madam! I have always said so, but I shall declare it again, I will only ever marry if I feel it is a match of love, affection and respect; and it would need to be such a match for a gentleman to pay attention to, using your words, a cripple such as myself. I find myself wishing to laugh at the concept of your other two daughters being somehow worthier of these gentlemen's notice, when they have already explained that their notice is theirs to give. Really it is ridiculous that you consider there to be different levels of worth between your daughters; were we not all born of the same father? Or is Jane indeed the result of an ill-conceived tryst that forced my father to marry you?"

Again a wave of shocked gasps swept around the room, all of the locals having heard the old rumour at least once but never expecting it to be repeated in the woman's hearing.

Mrs Bennet did not know how to respond, and neither did Jane or Lydia, to the accusations laid at their feet, all turning similar mottled hues while trying to formulate a response.

It was Mrs Bennet who broke the gathering tension, and her reply brought abhorrence to all the other guests barring only her two favourite daughters and Caroline Bingley.

"I shall no longer know you Miss Lizzie, you are no daughter of mine. I wash my hands of you, and you Miss Kitty. I care not where you go but I will not receive you in my home and I shall make sure Mr Bennet will not either. See what company you will be able to surround yourself with then."

And with that Mrs Bennet, Jane and Lydia left Lucas Lodge and headed back to Longbourn.