It has come to the attention of management that a clumsy sentence construction has created concern amongst certain of our readers. The sentences 'A long minute passed and then a series of reports sounded like pistol shots. Doors were being slammed.' should be amended to read 'A long minute passed and then doors were slammed, sounding like pistol shots.' Management would like to assure you that no pistols were fired and no characters were wounded or killed in this story. Both the writer and editor have been severely chastised. Management would like to apologize for any concern this may have caused.

Elizabeth found Jane deadheading roses. Rather violently.

"I suppose you heard," Elizabeth said.

"I imagine all of Meryton heard," Jane replied.

"I don't want you to worry. Fitzwilliam is going to take care of our sisters."

"When?"

Elizabeth tilted her head. "What do you mean, when?"

"I presume Mr. Darcy's obligations under your marriage settlement do not commence until you are married. Which is six weeks away. Then you said you were going to the seashore for your honeymoon. For a month. Then you were going north to Pemberley for the winter. And in between time you might stop in London for a week or two here and there. So, when exactly is Mr. Darcy going to take care of our sisters?"

Elizabeth had to think for a moment. "I'm sure he'll start looking for a companion for them right away. In the meantime, I'm sure that Mrs. Annesley can …"

Jane's bitter laugh interrupted Elizabeth. "Mrs. Annesley is a nice lady and I am sure she is a good companion for Miss Darcy. She might be able to handle Mary or Kitty, maybe even both, but Lydia? Never. And all three of them at the same time…" Jane laughed again and shook her head. "Why can't Mrs. Longden continue on as their companion?"

"I ... ah … Papa … ah … and Mama don't think she's doing that good a job." As soon as she said it, Elizabeth realized what she had just said was wrong. Jane confirmed it.

"What? Has love struck you blind? Have you not seen the change in our sisters? That change is all due to Mrs. Longden."

"Papa says she is impertinent; Mama says she is insubordinate."

It was Jane's turn to tilt her head. "Mama used that word?"

Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe not, but that's what she meant."

"And what about you?"

"I don't like her attitude. She is too proud. She acts like she knows everything there is to know about how to educate proper young ladies."

"Maybe she does. Our parents certainly do not. Lizzy, you are always too quick to judge and condemn. I seem to recall there was a gentleman at the assembly in Meryton you found to be quite disagreeable, but after getting to know him, you changed your mind. Quite considerably. It is too bad you did not get to know Mrs. Longden - maybe then you might have talked Papa into keeping her on. He listens to you."

"Don't worry. Fitzwilliam will take care of things; he always does."

"I hope so. But he better be quick.

-}{-

Mr. Darcy had spent most of the morning in the library at Netherfield dealing with his correspondence, both personal and business, of which he had quite a lot. Duty done; he rode to Longbourn. Along the way he met Mr. Bingley's coach on its way back to Netherfield. As the coach passed he thought he saw Mrs. Longden sitting in the forward-facing seat.

At Longbourn he rode to the stable, as was now his habit, and saw Elizabeth waiting for him, as was now her habit. She seemed eager to see him, but not necessarily happy to do so. Puzzled, he dismounted, and asked her, "What is the matter?"

Elizabeth waited until Tom, the stable boy, led Mr. Darcy's horse away, then grabbed his hands and said in a rush "I know that you don't have to until we are married but you have to hire a companion for my sisters right away."

Mr. Darcy squeezed his betrothed's hands. "Easy now. Why do your sisters need a new companion? What has happened to Mrs. Longden?"

Elizabeth pulled her hands free and threw them up in the air. "She is gone. Papa turned her and the masters out this morning and stupidly I agreed with it."

"But why the urgency? Cannot we wait until…"

"No, no. When they found out my sisters confronted Papa and Mama and there was a terrible row and I'm afraid Papa might turn them out."

Mr. Darcy sighed. "You realize that the only companion I have ever hired was Mrs. Younge."

Elizabeth stared at him. "But Mrs. Annesley …"

Mr. Darcy shook his head. "My Aunt Matlock found and hired her." He shook his head again. "I do not think my aunt will be of assistance in this matter." He thought for a moment. "I think I saw Mrs. Longden in Bingley's coach heading to Netherfield … I could talk to her … but would your father allow her to come back?"

Now it was Elizabeth's turn to shake her head. "I don't know. He's so angry … I could ask him."

"Speak to him. In the meantime, I will head back to Netherfield."

-}{-

"Papa …" Elizabeth did not want to wheedle, she had her dignity, but wheedle she must, and so she coaxed "Papa, if Lydia, Kitty, and Mary were to apologize, and if Mrs. Longden were to agree to keep to her place …"

Mr. Bennet held up his hand. "Enough of that, Elizabeth. As far as that woman goes, I never want to see her again. As for your sisters – they have gone too far, and it is all that woman's fault. You heard what they said to me. You heard what they called me. Your sisters are not going to be able to dance out of here scot-free. Now, do not fret – I am not going to turn them out, to make their own way in the world. I am going to ensure their futures." Mr. Bennet smirked at Elizabeth. "There must be three unmarried men in England stupider than your cousin Collins. When I find those three, I am going to marry your sisters off to them. So, you see there is no need for your Mr. Darcy to be out of pocket educating your sisters. And until those forthcoming nuptials your sisters can moulder in the nursery."

Elizabeth gaped at her father. She had thought he might have cooled down – his face was now a dull red, down from bright scarlet – but it appeared that his anger was still glowing hot. And she did not think he was joking. Her sisters were in peril.

Mr. Bennet flicked his hand at Elizabeth. "Now begone. I have had quite enough of argumentative females this day."