Note: There is a large time shift here.

Chapter Twenty Two – Lydia Goes To Bright

Come October, long after the disastrous visit to Charlotte, Lizzy's mind had long been diverted from the events of that trip. Her VCE exams were spread out over a month, Australian History, Revolution History, Legal Studies, Literature and Politics.

Jane was handling the stress well, her calm nature keeping her focused and confident. Lizzy was a different story. She had papered the wall next to her bed, and part of the roof, with notes. She spent three hours every night for the month leading up to exams typing up all her notes. She made posters and flash cards and made recordings to listen to while she was studying in an effort to keep it all memorised. Her mother muttered about how Lizzy was wearing on her poor nerves, while her father chuckled affectionately and said "You'll be right, you would have aced them even without studying."

By the time exams had ended, with Lizzy's politics exam on November 19th 2008, Lizzy was a nervous wreck. She had made herself so sick with stress than she had developed a rash on the inside of her wrists and on her throat and chest. Daniel Bennet and Jane conferred constantly, unsure of what to do, as the end of exams hadn't fixed her problem. Now she had just under a month to wait for the results.

Added to Lizzy's problems were Lydia and Cathy. The defence force had moved the recruits to another course in Bright, over an hour away, and both were mourning the loss of 'the big soldier men'. Lizzy was quite glad, she had put a lot of effort into avoiding Wickham in the months between her return and his departure. Unfortunately, the departure lead to a lot of loud whining from the youngest Bennett's, and not surprisingly, Fanny Bennet herself.

"Oh, my poor daughters! Deprived of such fine company! Never to see those fine young men again!" Lizzy and her father would roll their eyes at such dramatics and laugh when they caught the other doing so. However, such torment was cut short when Lizzy returned from her Politics exam.

"MAMA! MAMA!" Lydia came crashing down the stairs, screeching at the top of her lungs.

"It's isn't fair! Mama say she can't go alone. Say I have to go too!" Cathy came on her heels, sobbing and coughing.

"Whatever is the matter!?" Fanny held her arms out to her youngest daughter and Lydia crashed into them with delight.

"I'm going to Bright Mama! Callum Forster, the boys trainer? His sister and I were good friends when he was here and she has invited me up for a few weeks to keep her company." Lydia squealed over Cathy's protests. "Isn't it marvellous?"

Ignoring Cathy's tantrum, Fanny and Lydia headed out to start shopping for new clothes for Lydia. Meanwhile Lizzy headed into her fathers study.

"Daddy?" He looked up at her. "You can't let her go. She has no scruples, and Mama is just encouraging her. You know how badly she behaved while they were here and you could keep her on a leash. Imagine how much worse it would be if she was on her own."

Daniel looked at his favourite daughter in surprise. "I don't understand why you have a problem Lizzy. Unless you're jealous that she is to see George again?"

"Nothing of the kind." Lizzy jutted out her jaw indignantly, "I am afraid Lydia will mar out families reputations further."

"Have you been jilted because of your family Lizzy?" Daniel chuckled. "No Lydia will be gone and I will have some peace. Your man will come back if he truly loves you Lizzy!"

Lizzy growled and stormed out, not noticing Jane who entered with a phone in her hand.

"Papa, Gary and Liadan are on the line. Liadan is pregnant and suggested Lizzy go to England with them to watch the children!"

"Excellent idea! Go inform your sister! I'm sure she will be delighted to go!" Daniel smiled, hoping such a trip would alleviate his daughter's distress and aid her health.

...Break...

Not three days later, Lizzy was in Sydney and boarding a plan with her god daughters and aunt and uncle to England. Highly excited, and yet confused to why she was going and not Jane, or both, Lizzy settled into her seat and let her iPod play on shuffle, and a surprising voice came up.

...Break...

Back home, Jane smirked, both triumphantly and sadly as she watched a video that had accidently transferred to her iPod when she plugged it into Lizzy's laptop. Jane couldn't hate Will Darcy, not when he had been looking out for Charles, and especially not when he loved her twin. She was very hurt though that Charles had been so easily mislead, and that he had not come back, or made contact. With a sigh, Jane sent her aunt an email, with a map of England's grand estates open for visitation, and she had highlighted one particular estate as being of great interest. It was near Lambton, the town her aunt had grown up in, and Jane was sure that Lizzy would enjoy visiting it.

Pemberly.

...End Chapter...

A/N I had to write it. I was on a roll. I'm done for the next few days I think. Need to see my bf and study some. But YAY! I have passed the 60 K mark.

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