AU NOT Cannon

The World Calls Him a Bennet

Arrival Home

Ch. 5

"Please show Christina to our room. I trust the old family bassinet has been hauled down from the attic and put by our bed. It's been a long trip; they both need sleep." Mr. Bennet told Mary. "Mr. Darcy and I are meeting in town. I'll be back later."

"Yes, Father." Mary wasn't happy, but did as she was told.

Christina would have loved to tell Mary everything, for Elizabeth said this sister was a quiet one. Therefore, Christina figured she wasn't likely to talk. However, there were enough people taking risks for her, a fact that was making her more than feel slightly guilty. Therefore, it just didn't seem fair to pull Mary into it. So, she simply kept quiet and followed her upstairs. It was only when Elizabeth's sister opened a bedroom door did the lady speak up.

"Thank-you, Mary, I really do appreciate this."

Mary, for her part, said nothing - either than a polite 'You're welcome' - until she was downstairs and saw Elizabeth sitting at the kitchen table. She was fiddling with a piece of paper and pencil. "Mind telling me what's going on?" Mary demanded once her sister looked up from where she'd been writing, or pretending to write. "You're not even phased by all of this. How do you know Christina? How long have you known about father's marriage? And why on earth has Reverend Collins been acting like he's has a right to our home even before father's gone?" She also mentioned a few things about Lady Catherine; none of which made any sense, or that was appreciated.

"First..." Elizabeth spoke calmly knowing getting upset would not only do no good, but would be totally unwarranted. "I met her just outside London on a trip to a friend's. She was cleaning Victoria's home. We had a very friendly chat. I saw what excellent work she was doing and offered her a job. Unfortunately, she had already committed for the season. So, we started exchanging letters." It wasn't a lie; they had met that way and letters had been sent. "They stopped. So, next time I went to London I looked her up." Elizabeth couldn't explain the strange urge that had prompted the visit, nor the impressions that had come-beside the one that hit hard at the site which met her eye. 'I really do wish that particular week had not been so hectic. The way I reacted then, and with my father, was totally out of character for me. It should have been different. Focusing back on Mary, Elizabeth carried on. "I told Father and Fitzwilliam about her and the visit. And the rest we all now know." She may have been kicking herself for having that horribly off week, for not dealing with the strange urge differently. However, Elizabeth, like Christina, felt keeping Mary out of the loop was safer for her than revealing what had really occurred in London and on their way home. "As to Reverent and Lady Catherine. Sorry, but I couldn't explain that if I wanted to."

It was the truth. Yes, Christina had confessed to them about her late husband's grandfather. No, it wasn't hard for Mr. Bennet's daughter to figure out it was the old man gunning for their land. She agreed Lady Catherine was being a fool if she thought any man was going to sell it to her and doubted it would ever be made known why the lady wanted it; unless...the thought hit her without warning... it was nothing more than petty pride. Lady Catherine wanted to get back at Elizabeth for 'polluting the halls of Pemberly'. Therefore, if the place were in Mr. Darcy's aunt's hands no Bennet, or their relation, would be in Elizabeth's childhood home. Realizing it did not mean she had to speak it so, Mary's sister simply quit talking.

"What if she kicks me out when father dies?" Mary asked softly, "She bore father a son."

Elizabeth gave Mary a reassuring smile. "Christina made it clear if you wish to stay on when Father passes away there is no problem, least not on her end." Elizabeth stood up and walked up to her sister. "Give her a chance, sister. Honest, I believe she is simply happy none of us are taking Curtis away from her."

"Did she really have to pick such a rare name? " Mary couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Father has not ever used it, not even when he was younger." Elizabeth went to respond only a knock came at the door; it was Charlotte.

"I was taking a walk and saw you, could we pleas talk?"

"What can I help you with?" Elizabeth counted it a blessing it was one of the warmer spring days as she had forgotten any kind of coat.

"It's about..." Her friend's uncomfortableness alerted Elizabeth to what Charlotte might suspect, and it put her guard up. Though, just as she went to speak, Charlotte plowed ahead. "I... was wondering why he didn't bring your stepmother home sooner."

"Like I told Uncle Edward, there was a gross misunderstanding. What it was is between my father and stepmother, no one else. However, that has all been cleared up. Is there anything else your husband or Lady Catherine wishes to know?"

"Elizabeth!"

"Tell me I am wrong." Elizabeth stopped walking and stood her ground. "You have been more than a godsend to my father since my mother passed away it is true. However; this..." The lady shook her head. "Isn't you, Charlotte. This smells of Collins or my husband's aunt."

"Okay, so you are right." Charlotte defended her actions."However, they have a right to be asking questions, and she does look awfully young."

'My stepmother is old enough. I happen to know she's not the type to want her age shouted from housetops. If she decides otherwise, let her reveal it. Now, I have things to do. I only came to check in on Mary. I need to return to my own home." With that Elizabeth turned sharply back towards her father's home where she was to meet Mr. Darcy.