I do not own the copyrights to Pride and Prejudice AU NOT Cannon (and in this one I have Libby and Wickman marrid without scandal)

Author's note; I never remember reading a middle name for Mr. Bennet just the middle C. Hence, in the next chapter I will have given him one.

I thank my beta-reader for her help though all mistakes are still my own.

Elizabeth's Odd Proposal

Ch. 1

"Are you out of your mind?" Christina asked with wide eyes while brushing a strand of dark hair away from her eyes. "What makes you suggest such a thing?" The single mother was referring to Elizabeth's odd proposal she go along with the idea of letting Mr. Bennet claim the child was his. "And I should just hand my son over to your father why?"

"You wouldn't be just giving him to my father." Elizabeth stood in the one room apartment with only one window and very little light. "We'd come pick you up tomorrow night, my father and I, to take you to Longborne as his wife. That is after swinging by a preacher's place first." She'd then taken her and Curtis for a ride and explained in detail the deal involving the marriage and Longborne.

"What makes you think Mr. Bennet would just go along with such a hair brain notion? Other than the obvious advantage no one needs spelled out." Christina asked just as they'd pulled back up to her place of residency.

"As to my father, we've already talked. He came to London with me. No one will force to go along with my idea, but the offer is still being made." She'd replied just before following Christina inside.

"You never did answer my first question. How about answering it now?"

"As to my motives? Those can be discussed later." It wasn't an answer Elizabeth would normally give; they both knew it, and, in some ways, it bothered Christina. She didn't like feeling as if something was being kept from her. However, her gut told her not to push it at this particular moment, so she voiced another concern. "You know my situation. Now my concerns are what about Mr. Bennet? What about me? Am I not better off staying put? I've been managing."

"We're not thieves and my father, silly as he has been in the past has grown very wise and is willing to go along with all my suggestions. A fact I know you are able to do as well."

The scene replayed itself in Christina's mind as she packed what little had ever been in her possession since her son's conception. A couple of dresses, a bible and a journal. The baby's clothes were few and his blankets just as small in number. She'd consented to have a discussion with Mr. Bennet, was packing just in case, but was leery and wished she knew exactly how Elizabeth had found out the truth in regard to her own private matters had occurred. However, other than assuring her it was on sheer accident and that no one else had been around, the lady hadn't a clue.

Knock! Knock! Knock! the sound of someone came at the door. She'd have answered only a man's shadow, far too short and stocky to fit the description given to her by Elizabeth of her father, could be seen as she peeked out the window.

'Crumb, the town-drunk go figure. How did he find out where I lived?" She let the curtain down and did not budge grateful her son did not move as he lay sleeping on the bed. The loud pounding continued rattling the door enough that Christina was positive it was going to cave in. Fortunately, a carriage drove up and Elizabeth and a gentleman, who fit the description of Thomas Bennet, stepped out.

"Leet meee gggo!" Travis slurred his words as Mr. Bennet hauled him away from the door and Elizabeth shouted for Christina to let her in.

"Who is this man?" Mr. Bennet asked once Christina was by the open door.

"Travis, the town drunk; just don't ask me a last name. Never have bothered learning it."

"Brr...ann..den." Again, the man started speaking only Mr. Bennet wasn't about to repeat his words, nor were the ladies.

"Go inside, I'll be back after I show Mr. Branden out of the neighborhood."

No sounds, other than the door shutting could be heard by the women as they went inside, not even the sounds of Curtis' crying as he was fast asleep. Neither one of the ladies spoke as they sat in total silence with their own thoughts. Their private opinions were interrupted by the sound of Mr. Bennet's footsteps on the cobblestone. It was only upon his entrance into Christian's apartment did anyone speak.

"Sorry about Travis." Christina spoke dryly. "Man tried to push himself onto me earlier as I was picking up Mrs. Smith's laundry and I told him to go away. I didn't know the rat even knew where I lived."

Mr. Bennet brushed it off at the same time apologizing himself. "I'm sorry, I know you wanted a proper discussion after...well, after everything that was and has been said and you deserve one, but..." The gentleman shoved his hands in his pocket and shifted on his feet. "A..." stopped and his forehead crinkled as he looked past Elizabeth's friend, both ladies noticed and asked what was wrong. "Please, forgive me, but we need to have that discussion in... our carriage."

Christina wasn't sure what to think. What had stopped Elizabeth's father from speaking? Her eyes turned to the wall, and it only took a split second for the answer to hit her square in the face. The wall, it was thin...too thin. It would be easy...way too easy...for someone to overhear them talking. Maybe, instinctively, his daughter had sensed the same thing earlier. It sure would explain her refusal to discuss any of her motives for pushing her father into such a hair brain idea.

"If you say so." The lady picked up her son and bags before following the Bennets out the door.