Many of you had questions about how they were going to deal with Lady Catherine's removal. Mr. Bennet has similar questions.

A discussion with Mr. Bennet. Please remember my version of Mr. Bennet is different than canon. He has a few surprises of his own.


It was decided that the three gentlemen would call on Mr. Bennet while the ladies would call at Darcy house to visit Georgiana and Elizabeth. The gentlemen were escorted to Mr. Gardiner's study upon their arrival. The butler's knock was answered by a call to enter.

"You asked that Mr. Darcy be brought directly to you, sir."

"Yes thank you, Stoke." Mr. Bennet replied.

The gentlemen entered and the door closed. Mr. Darcy introduced his uncle and they were invited to sit.

"I presume that you have been made aware of the situation, sir."

"I was told everything this morning." Lord Matlock said.

"My parents traveled to Rosings to collect our cousin, Anne. They returned yesterday evening. Anne insisted my aunt allow her to call at Darcy House last night." Colonel Fitzwilliam explained. "She shared with us what happened at Rosings on Friday."

"She told you who injured Lizzie?"

"She did. Lady Catherine and her butler, Mr. Jefferson, are the culprits." Mr. Darcy stated.

"What of my cousin? I know he must have been involved somehow."

"You are aware of my letter to Elizabeth?" Mr. Bennet nodded. "It seems Mr. Collins became aware of it as well. He brought Elizabeth and the letter to Lady Catherine's attention. Anne stated he protested at the beginning of the assault but was shocked into silence when Lady Catherine continued the assault after Elizabeth...," he paused a moment considering his words. "Freed herself from Mr. Jefferson."

"Freed herself?" Mr. Bennet asked curiously. The men all shifted in their seats. "He kicked him, did she not, in a place he will not soon forget?'

"Yes, sir."

He nodded thoughtfully for a moment, "Her aunt shall be very proud. I suppose I will have to send her brother a bottle of port though." He turned his attention back to the conversation. "Will Miss de Bourgh testify to what happened?"

"She would but there are some other matters that the courts may consider if she does."

"What do you mean? What other matters?"

Lord Matlock explained their thoughts in regards to arresting and trying the two offenders.

"So Elizabeth will get no justice."

"I would not say that, Mr. Bennet. We have plans to ensure both are punished."

"How?"

"Lady Catherine will be sent to a remote cottage in Wales and Mr. Jefferson will be pressed into the Navy." Mr. Darcy replied. "Both will be made to understand that returning to England would not be in their best interest."

"I understand how you could get the man away without too much trouble. A few strong men and a night in a carriage would have him to a ship and gone. The lady I fear will be far more difficult."

"How so?" Lord Matlock asked.

Mr. Bennet rose and took a book from a shelf behind the desk. He opened it and motioned the men over.

"Whereabouts is this estate you wish to send her?"

Lord Matlock looked over the page then pointed, "Here near Swansea."

"That is at least a four day journey from London." Mr. Bennet said. "She will need to eat and sleep among other things. If she knows her fate, she may use those times to try to escape. At the very least she could roust one of the locals to come to her aid."

"We could hired a few extra men to guard her." Colonel Fitzwilliam suggested.

"They would have to sleep sometime as well." Lord Matlock said.

"Have more set along the route. Fresh drivers as well. Drive on through the night."

"Catherine would not abide by that. She would raise such a fuss she would have everyone within hearing distance thinking we are kidnapping her."

"Then sedate her." Mr. Darcy remarked. "She did it to Elizabeth. Lady Catherine deserves no special considerations given what she has done."

"Darcy, we cannot sink to her level."

"I would have her nailed into a crate and shipped on a mule wagon if I did not think Elizabeth would disapprove."

"Lizzie surely would disapprove though you have my agreement." Mr. Bennet said. "Perhaps merely the threat of sedation would be enough to gain her compliance."

"She would not believe hired guards would forcibly sedate her. I will have to travel with her." Lord Matlock stated. "We could travel through the night without much trouble that way. With fresh guards and drivers on the route along with horses we would make good time. I could see her settled into the cottage and arrange things with my cousin."


"When shall you execute your plan?" Mr. Bennet asked when the men returned to their seats.

"We will need to contrive a reason for her to come to London." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked.

"She will come if I ask her." Lord Matlock remarked.

"I would prefer Elizabeth gone from London before Lady Catherine arrives but the doctor said that she could not be moved until she can sit up on her own. Once she can, she can be brought here as Lady Catherine does not know the Gardiners' address."

"Sir,..."

"Mr. Darcy, this is not a matter for debate. Elizabeth will need to be moved here as soon as possible. I appreciate everything you have done to care for my daughter and to punish those who harmed her but my entire family may be at risk."

"Has something happened?"

Mr. Bennet gave a sigh, "I received an express just after dinner last evening. It seems Maria Lucas was retrieved by her father on Monday and returned home. She has spoken of the events of Friday."

"What is being said?"

"Not much at present but my wife has heard that Elizabeth was sent away. It seems Lady Lucas is happily taking her returned daughter from sitting room to sitting room to share that Elizabeth was forced to depart on Friday. The news was discovered by Mrs. Philips and brought to Longbourn."

"They only know that Miss Elizabeth was made to depart but not why?" the colonel asked.

"It is said that Elizabeth offended Lady Catherine. The express offered no other details. Given a bit of time I am sure the minds of the Meryton gossips will conjure something scandalous."

"Surely they know Miss Elizabeth would not do anything scandalous." Mr. Darcy remarked. "They have known her for her entire life."

"Indeed they have but they have also seen my daughters gain more attention of eligible gentlemen than their own daughters or nieces. If a scandal could eliminate my daughters as competition in the marriage mart, I think there are a few ladies who would happily see it done." Mr. Bennet explained. "Especially Jane and Elizabeth. My own absence will add to the speculation as it is well known I dislike London."

"Why do you say especially Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth? They were well liked."

"They are well liked but they are also much admired by gentlemen. There are suspicions that both have refused proposals."

"Aside from Miss Elizabeth refusing Mr. Collins, I heard nothing of rejected proposals." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked. "And Darcy, of course, but I do not see how they could have heard of that."

"How much truth is there to the suspicions?" Lord Matlock asked curiously.

"Jane has refused two and Mr. Darcy's proposal brings Elizabeth's count to four."

"Four?" Mr. Darcy asked.

Mr. Bennet smirked a bit at the younger man.

"Indeed. She spent some time in London for the season when she was eighteen. She and Jane had many admirers. After they both had refused a second gentleman in as many days, they decided it best to return to Longbourn. They have avoided the London season ever since."


"What about Collins?" Mr. Darcy remarked. "There may be some recourse against him about his part in what happened."

"You said he was not a party to injuring Lizzie."

"No but he was a witness and he did not stop it. He lied for Lady Catherine about what happened. He could be pressed to give up his claim on your estate." Colonel Fitzwilliam stated.

"It is possible. He could be threatened or frightened into giving up his claim but if he is much like his father he would become bitter over it. A bitter man can cause a great many problems in the future." Mr. Bennet remarked. "I know Lizzie would not want to see her friend suffer. Mrs. Collins married for security and inheriting Longbourn would bring her back among her family. Though it is likely many, many years off, I cannot deny her that. She has been a good friend to my daughters."

"You are far kinder than I, sir, though I do understand your reasoning."

"Perhaps it could be used to ensure my family has time to settle matters after my passing though. Six months after should be enough time before he takes possession of Longbourn. I am sure he will see the wisdom in being kind to family at such a time."

"I am sure he will. When the time comes, I will be sure he does." Mr. Darcy remarked.


"What will you say in regards to Miss Elizabeth's departure from Kent and your absence from home?"

"At present, my lord, I am unsure what can be said. Those in Kent do not know of Elizabeth's recovery and those in Meryton do not know that she was missing."

"And you are not often in London?" Lord Matlock asked.

"No, I dislike traveling. Unlike Elizabeth, I am unable to read in a carriage so I do not often venture more than an hour's ride from Longbourn."

"With the news being shared by your neighbor it is likely that your trip to London will be attributed to the situation with your daughter, is it not?"

"Indeed. Mr. Collins likely mentioned the same reason for Elizabeth removal in his letter to Sir William to retrieve his daughter as he did in the one he sent here."

"That reason being your daughter insisting on a marriage with Darcy?"

Mr. Bennet nodded.

"Then we have a solution."

"I am sorry, sir, I do not follow."

"It is quite simple. Darcy proposed to Miss Elizabeth at Rosings. Catherine discovered the engagement and was angry so she sent Miss Elizabeth away."

"But there was no engagement." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked.

"No one need know that." Lord Matlock continued. "Miss Elizabeth was expected to arrive here on Saturday and you called here on Monday, correct?"

"Yes."

"Monday would have been a respectable time for Darcy to visit to meet the family of his betrothed. Upon discovering Elizabeth's engagement her uncle would have informed her father, who upon hearing that Miss Elizabeth was forced to leave her friend's home due to the engagement, came to Town."

"But there was no engagement." Mr. Darcy reiterated.

"Hush, Darcy, let me finish my tale." his uncle replied. "Where was I? Oh yes, Mr. Bennet came to Town. Being that Catherine was so angry and made threats against Miss Elizabeth and her family, as I am sure she did, it was decided that the two should marry quickly before Catherine could cause further trouble. Mr. Bennet stayed until the wedding was completed then returned home."

"I must return home soon." Mr. Bennet stated. "Monday at the latest."

"We have the wedding Monday morning. You can depart from Darcy House after a short wedding breakfast."

"Uncle, you are forgetting that Elizabeth has not agreed to marry me."

"I am sure she will understand the need for things to be settled this way."

"I will not force her hand. If we are to marry, it will be her choice."

"By Anne's account, she was planning to see you again. Georgiana believes she favors you as well." the colonel remarked.

"Agreeing to see me or speak to me is not the same as agreeing to marry me. Georgiana has not even known her for a week and though she has spoke to Elizabeth, Elizabeth has not been able to speak to her."

"Forgive me, cousin, but in this I bow the wisdom of the ladies. Your knowledge in matters of the heart does not bear mentioning."

"I agree that Elizabeth must be spoken to. It is her decision. I have always been firm on that fact with my daughters, their husbands would be their choice." Mr. Bennet stated. "That being said, I have no objections to you preparing a marriage settlement."

"I could speak to my solicitor today."

Mr. Bennet nodded and retrieved a set of paper from the desk.

"You will likely need these." the older man said passing them over. "I will call tomorrow to speak to Elizabeth. I ask that you not mention the topic until I arrive. You may speak to her about it first. I will remain in the sitting room but I wish to be there."

"Of course, sir." Mr. Darcy replied.

"We can go together to speak to the minister on Saturday and arrange the wedding for Monday." Lord Matlock said.

Mr. Bennet nodded, "If Elizabeth agrees."

"How can there be a wedding if Miss Elizabeth cannot walk?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked. "How can she go to the church? There isn't time enough to apply for a special license."

"We will ask the minister to come to Darcy House. I am sure once the situation is explained..."

"How much of the situation?"

"If we tell them Miss Elizabeth has difficulty walking at present but wishes to go forth with the wedding on the agreed upon date I believe they will be accommodating."

"You plan to speak to Mr. Malone."

Lord Matlock nodded, "It is good to have friends in the church."

"Fifteen thousand pounds?" Mr. Darcy said suddenly. His eyes jumped from the papers in his hand to Mr. Bennet.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Darcy?" Mr. Bennet asked with a smirk.

"This states Elizabeth's dowry is fifteen thousand pounds. Miss Bingley said Elizabeth's dowry was a share of five thousand pounds upon her mother's passing."

"That is listed there as well though it is a bit higher now. It is likely to increase further before it's claimed."

"How did you keep such a secret and why?"

"I do not want my daughters taken in by fortune hunters. If they had no fortune then they were not targets of such men."

"Does Elizabeth know?"

"She and Jane do. The other girls do not, neither does their mother." Mr. Bennet replied.

"You did not tell your wife the amount of her daughters' dowries?" Lord Matlock asked surprised.

"I love my wife but I know she cannot keep a secret from her sister and her sister is a notorious gossip. Once I return to Longbourn after the wedding, news is likely to travel fast about the marriage. I am sure Lady Lucas will write to Mrs. Collins. I expect you to keep my daughter safe when Lady Catherine makes her appearance upon hearing the news."

"Of course, sir. I will protect her with my life." Mr. Darcy said. "You seem to have great confidence in my ability to convince her to accept me."

"Like your cousin, sir, I bow to the wisdom of the ladies, in my case though it is Mrs. Gardiner and Jane whose opinion I have confidence in." the older man replied with a smile. "In fact, it was Mrs. Gardiner who suggested that I prepare those for you."

"I appreciate their confidence. I will go to my solicitor directly."


I know the dowries are surprising but Mr. Bennet explains how they came to be when he visits. I know some of you might think that I am letting Mr. Collins off easy, but he will get his punishment.