Do not own P and P
Sorry for the long wait. You know, school and everything.
Mr Bennet's POV
My study is quiet and as I sit in my chair I contemplate on my daughters and their potential suitors. I could feel my aching hands curl themselves underneath my chin, I need to shave soon.
Jane was beautiful, that was a fact, but she was far too vain. She had had many suitors looking to claim her hand over the years, but none had stayed. Most of her suitors were kindhearted men, as was expected in a small town in the country. These country men wanted an equally kindhearted wife who would care for the house and look after the children. Jane was no such soul, she walked about in leisure and slept to her heart's content. She was, for lack of a better word, lazy. Her sisters were told by their mama to heed to Jane's every command, and being the obedient children they were, they listened. They mended her clothes("My beautiful Jane wouldn't want calloused hands, it would mar her beauty! No husband wants a wife with hands as ugly as Mary's!"), did her chores("Jane needs her beauty sleep! She wouldn't want dark circles forming underneath her beautiful eyes or wrinkles on her skin!"), and they received nothing in return. Oh! What a ridiculous conniving women my wife is, and her daughter is no better.
Elizabeth, oh my dearest and most precious daughter! She is bright and curious. She had developed my innate ability to read others characters. My Lizzie is both witty and intelligent during an argument or conversation. She puts everyone at ease with her playfulness and sparkling eyes. When I first looked at Elizabeth, I knew instantly that she was my daughter. When she opened her eyes my heart stopped, because there in this beautiful baby's face was my own set of eyes. But hers were different, they shined as bright as the stars in the moonlit sky. I loved her instantly. Everyone came to love her, all the ladies in town adored her and all the men wished she was there to welcome them home. She also had many suitors when she first came out, but they were all turned away. Mostly because the suitors had only eyes for Jane when they first saw her, and when Jane turned out to be 'not what they expected' they looked to Lizzie. Once when she was seventeen, Lizzie had come sobbing into my study after she had rejected another proposal and said she wanted to be someone's first and only choice. Her eyes had shined with such emotion I swear I could still feel it coursing through my heart whenever I think about that day.
Although, there was one time when my daughter had thought herself to be very much in love. He was a charming man and quite intelligent, they seemed to be perfect for each other. Lizzie was just nineteen and her Mr. Johnson was six years her senior. They had gone out for many walks and were often seen reading together in the library. I knew everyone was expecting a proposal and that proposal to be answered in the positive. However, on one of their walks, Lizzie had returned in tears and with no smile. When I had asked Mary what was wrong with her sister she had said Mr. Johnson had proposed but wanted to take Lizzie away to the continents, and so Lizzie had declined. Apparently she had left Mr. Johnson on his knees in the middle of the green with an engagement ring held midair. He was begging for a yes. They never saw him after that, no one had seen him since then, and Lizzie had taken to her room for the next three days until Mary and Kitty pulled her out and made her walk with them. When they came back home, Lizzie was laughing. I was surprised to hear her melodious laughter ringing through the desolate halls that were craving to hear her joy again. She was Lizzie, she just needed time. Of course her mama had thought she had made a very stupid decision and had made her life worse than it was, Lizzie stayed away from her and she hasn't gone too near her since.
My sweet Mary and Kitty were twins. They were both so alike in heart and in values. They looked like my mother and it seemed as if they were passed down her temperament as well. Both so patient, kind, and intelligent. They knew of the world and they knew who to trust when they first laid eyes on them. It was amazing, they would glance at a person and could instantly tell if they could be trusted or if they were honorable. Lizzie, Mary, and Kitty were all so talented. You could watch them each sit on the piano stool and immediately they were playing a most fascinating song. When they were smaller, my twins could be found playing outside or in the study with me. Mary and Kitty were always together and Lizzie was always protecting them. I remember once we almost had a terrible accident. Lizzie had barged into my study and breathlessly said that something had happened to Mary. I had felt such fear. When I followed her outside I saw that Mary had fallen into the lake and was trying to keep her head above the water as she held onto a stick. Her fingers as white as sheets clinging onto a small stick, I felt adrenaline course through me as I jumped in to the cold water to save her. When I got her out she was clinging to my shirt and trembling. Lizzie was crying softly and repeating sorry over and over. Kitty had gotten hold of Mary's small hand and wouldn't let go for the entire day. They were all so scared. Kitty and Lizzie had stayed close to Mary for a whole week. They were only five or six, I still cannot believe their mother's would let them out at such a young age with no supervision. The women was heartless.
Lydia was changing. Her giggling and gossiping was ceasing. She was looking to her sisters for help and guidance and I felt so proud of her. I felt a tear fall slowly from my eye and I wiped it quickly. She was growing up, and soon she would no longer be a child. I would have no more small children left, just older versions. I quickly came back to my senses as I heard a carriage coming. I look out the window and sigh. Another one of my wife's dinner parties. I see movement in my peripheral vision and turn my attention to the scene in the far side of the green. She would wear such a bright shade of pink. Jane and the new stable hand were conversing. Mr. Williams seemed to be ignoring Jane as she prattled on about something. I pondered on this scene for a while. Could it be? Could Jane-"Oh! Mr. Bennet, you must come down at once!" My thoughts were interrupted by the familiar screeching tones of my wife's vocal chords. Jesus Christ! That women would make me go deaf. I sighed at all of my lost opportunities and the life I could have had with my love had not that women intruded. I straightened my coat and smiled. Time to greet my maybe future sons in laws. Oh joy! I thought sarcastically.
Lizzie POV
My heart is racing and I cannot seem to remain still. I quickly take a deep breath and look to Mary. "Lizzie, why are you so fidgety today?"
I roll my eyes and she chuckles, "Is it a certain Mr. Darcy?"
¨I have not the pleasure of understanding you. How is your Mr. Bingley?" Her cheeks turn pink and she quickly responds, "Quite fine." We look at each other, she is trying really hard not to laugh. In the end, we burst out into laughter and grasp our hands together.
"Oh sister, we must compose ourselves. The gentlemen are here." And with that I hear my mother screaming for my father.
He emerges from his study and looks at the family. "Where is the eldest?"
"She is-Jane? Where has she gone?" My mother looks at each of us and looks at Jane´s chair by the fireplace. Her brows pull together in worry, Mrs. Hill comes in, ¨Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley to see you Ma' am."
He comes in and a smile tugs at my lips. It is as if the room has brightened. Jane is forgotten and I only see his face. I quickly gather my thoughts and greet him. "You are back."
He smiles, "And you have recovered. I am glad to see it." His eyes twinkle and I feel my cheeks redden. I do like him, I do.
I know she still has not spoken to John Williams, but I am getting there. You see, I just sit down and start writing and this is what comes out. Anyway, hope you all weren't too mad at me for the long wait. As I have said before, school is taking up my time. Currently, I am procrastinating while I should be working on my take home test for AP world history. Oh and any thoughts on where I should go with Jane? What about Mr Collins? I wanted to make Mr Collins a decent guy. I don't know what do you all think? Review!