~~F~~

A Recurring Fate

As Elizabeth and Anne approached the front door, Darcy stepped out of the library.

He bowed to Elizabeth from three feet away to ensure she would not feel pressured in any way and said quietly, 'Elizabeth, I am sorry that in my precipitousness I have caused you pain. It was never my intent. My only hope was to add to your happiness as well as my own.'

'Mr Darcy… William, you could not have known about the extent of my demons. Which is why I must take my leave to return to my home, but… I hope to see you and Georgiana in Meryton after Easter, as you had planned.'

Darcy's face lit up at the hesitant suggestion. 'Perhaps at that time we will have a chance to talk?'

'I think I should like that.'

'In that case, I will look forward to seeing you then.'

~F~

As soon as the horses leaned into the traces and the barouche box started to move, Elizabeth relaxed into the squabs with a sigh.

Mrs Brown, who again accompanied Elizabeth on the journey, and who Lizzy had discovered was the head parlourmaid at Rosings, gave her a nod and a pleasant smile as she pulled her knitting out of her valise.

Relieved that her companion was content to travel in silence, Elizabeth let her mind wander over the last several months since she had met Mr Darcy again.

Ever since she had known the gentleman, he had been consistently courteous and respectful. He had always treated her as an equal and had seemingly enjoyed their debates when she had disagreed with him. Not once had he given the slightest hint that he had anything other than his sex in common with her husband. Then why was it so difficult for her to trust the man?

He was intelligent, well read, kind and considerate towards his staff and tenants. By all reports a most loving and supportive brother as well as cousin to Anne. He was always there for everyone and never shirked a duty.

Elizabeth's eyes had been half shut while she pondered the situation. But as the last thought occurred to her, her eyes flew open as she sat up straight and gasped. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she thought again… he never shirked a duty.

Collins had considered it a duty to teach her how to act according to his understanding of how women should behave. Elizabeth knew that he had found no pleasure in his actions, but his mind had been too rigid to consider other teaching methods. Collins also had had an exceedingly rigid idea of women's mental abilities (none) and place (decidedly below any man). None of those ideas were conducive to accepting Elizabeth's differences.

But the crucial point was that Collins, misguided though he was, had always done his duty.

Darcy was always doing his duty.

Was that what held her back from trusting him? While his ideas appeared liberal, that was the face he showed in public. She could never know his true private face until it was potentially too late.

She started cursing silently. Knowing what was holding her back did not bring her any closer to a solution on how to overcome that issue.

Elizabeth had been able to hide behind the idea that they were just good friends where such things did not matter as they were two independent individuals. But Darcy's declaration of love and his proposal was forcing her to confront her own true feelings.

At last, she had no option but to admit to herself that she was hopelessly in love with the man but could see no way in which they could be together as she was terrified that she would be hurt again.

All the brooding had exhausted her and because of her restless sleep the night before, the swaying of the coach lulled Elizabeth to sleep. She roused at times when the coach stopped to change horses, but she was grateful that nothing was required of her during the journey but to rest.

~F~

Elizabeth was even more grateful for the rest she had as she arrived at Longbourn to find quite a commotion going on outside the front door.

'What do you mean that you do not want me? I am your mother!'

The shrill voice of Mrs Bennet could be heard as the de Bourgh coach drew to a halt a short distance beyond the entrance, as the area immediately outside the door was taken up by a group of people.

As Elizabeth stepped out onto the top step which had been placed by the footman, she could see over the heads of the crowd consisting of Longbourn staff, the Netherfield party, Sir William Lucas and Mr Phillips, towards the combatants in the centre of the disturbance. Mrs Bennet faced Lydia, who was flanked by her sisters and Mrs Taylor. It appeared that Mrs Bennet was making demands of her favourite daughters, who had been rejecting every overture.

Elizabeth was just in time to hear Lydia respond. 'You stopped being my mother the day you abandoned me to move into your own house. At least my sisters stood by me, no matter what happened. Lizzy housed me, clothed me, fed me. She looked after my education, and she was there every time I needed her. She even nursed me when I was sick, which is something you never did, even when you were living here.'

'She also recognises family. What kind of mother cannot even distinguish her own daughters. Last time you were here you thought that I was Lizzy,' huffed Mary and took Lydia's hand.

'That harridan has poisoned your mind against me,' complained Mrs Bennet, seemingly more out of habit than conviction.

This time it was Jane who answered, cutting across whatever Kitty tried to say. 'No, Mrs Bennet. You stopped being a mother when you traded your daughter's wellbeing for your comfort and status. No real mother would purchase her luxuries with the pain of her children. Go away, you are not wanted here.'

Mrs Bennet looked from one daughter to the next and could not see the slightest softening in any of them. 'But…'

Sir William Lucas had stood by and observed but concluded that he needed to speak up to stop the scene. 'Mrs Bennet, leave off. You know that Eliza will reach her majority in just another fortnight. All the Misses Bennet are in excellent health. They are well cared for and accomplished in all the areas expected in young gentlewoman. And much as it pains me to say so publicly, you could not have done half as well by them if you had remained in charge of their education.'

'I thought that you were on my side,' Mrs Bennet rounded on her accuser.

'I am on the side of right and that is Eliza's.'

After several attempts, Kitty at last managed to make herself heard. 'Why did you come here today? I do not for one second believe it is out of concern for any of us. You never truly cared about anyone but yourself. You had five daughters, but you ignored all but the prettiest whom you could show off to your neighbours and gloat. I for one am glad that Lizzy is in charge now. Because she at least notices and loves all of us,' she made her own point while she glared at her mother.

As even her meekest daughter spoke out against her and accurately discerned her less than noble motives, Mrs Bennet at last conceded defeat. Without another word, but with unshed tears stinging her eyes, she turned away from the sisters and stalked up the drive not noticing the new arrival.

For the longest time she had told herself that she was only concerned about her daughters' welfare, even when she forced Elizabeth into that marriage, but Kitty's blunt words at last forced her to examine her true motives. As much as she did not wish to acknowledge them, because they did not paint a pretty picture of her character, they had a ring of truth to them.

~F~

Jane turned away from the retreating back of Mrs Bennet and spotted the bone of contention watching the drama. Her face lit up as she called out, 'Lizzy!'

Elizabeth stepped down and approached her sisters as everyone made way for her. 'Can I not even go away for two weeks without having problems occurring,' she said as she enfolded Jane in a brief embrace. As she stepped back, she smiled and praised her sisters, 'Although you seem to have the situation well under control.'

'We did have a lot of support,' Jane pointed out and indicated the assembled friends.

'Mrs Bennet must have been excessively determined to face such overwhelming odds.' Elizabeth smiled and nodded at everyone. 'You all have my thanks for defending my sisters.'

This was greeted by a variety of denials such as 'It was the merest bagatelle,' or 'Think nothing of it.' But seeing that Elizabeth had just arrived, her friends and neighbours took their leave to allow her some peace.

Elizabeth barely had time to inform Sir William that Charlotte was having a delightful time at Rosings and would return with the Darcys and Mrs Annesley, before her sisters claimed her attention.

~F~

Over the next few days, Elizabeth had plenty of stories about the happenings at Rosings with which to regale her sisters and friends.

She described many of the events in detail, with one notable exception. She did not mention the rather impetuous proposal by the Derbyshire gentleman.

Instead, she found an attentive audience in Margaret Taylor, when she related how her brother and Anne had immediately taken to each other. 'I suppose that they might make a true love match,' mused Margaret with a pleased smile. 'Henry is a gentle soul and has no need for further riches, which would appeal to Miss de Bourgh as he would not wish to control her life.'

Sir William proved to be ecstatic when Elizabeth mentioned that Viscount Fanshaw was visiting his cousin and had appeared to be pleased, but unsurprised to discover Charlotte at Rosings.

When she spoke to the gentlemen at Netherfield to inform them of the imminent arrival of Darcy and his sister, Elizabeth discovered that the Colonel had news of his own to impart. As of the end of the month, he would revert back to being the Honourable Mister Fitzwilliam.

Jane happily reported that her courtship was progressing well. She and Bingley spent many hours in conversation about how they hoped to live their lives in the future. She was also pleased that he was doing well at Netherfield and the tenants grapevine testified to his commitment to their welfare.

The youngest girls were thrilled because Mrs Taylor had given them a new project. They were to plan her wedding. Mary was in charge of the wedding breakfast, Kitty was to arrange the decorations as well as submit her ideas for a wedding gown to the bride, while Lydia was to coordinate the supplies and monitor the finances.

All three of them swore that Margaret's would be the best wedding Meryton had ever seen.

Elizabeth maintained a pleased expression for her family and friends while she silently grieved that such happiness was not be hers.

But instead of moping, she threw herself into her duties and did not notice that she was often being watched while she went about her tasks.

~F~

~~F~~

Just Fates (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023