AU Not Cannon

Pride and Prejudice

They Called Him a Bennet Too

Time Alone

Ch. 10

Fresh air blew up from the river bend as Christina sat in front of Mr. Bennets wrapped his arms around her waist, with Curtis swaddled and laying in an open wicker basket. Taking a deep breath, Mr. Bennet was enjoying a rare break from making rounds on his estate. The gentleman's mind drifted to a conversation he had with Edward the other day.

'What started all this? Why were men after Christina? Being a man's widow is no crime."

"No, it is not. However, the criminals do not appreciate someone who finds them out and is willing to turn them in, even if he was trying to keep his wife safe by not telling her he was planning on doing it. They assume she knows the same things he does."

'So, they poison Peter, and he tries to make it home." Thomas had asked if that had started the whole mess they were now dealing with.

"It started in our generation, and the other who could give you answers has to lay in order to keep your wife and son safe. So, yes, sadly our children are paying for it is all. I am sorry, but that is all I am at liberty to say. " When Thomas had pinned him about Curtis's appearance all Edward would say was 'Think, his eyes, Thomas, his eyes. I cannot say more at this time.'

"Can you at least tell me why she ran? Besides men thinking she knew about criminal activities?" Thomas was shocked when Edward confessed Christina had seen a shadow push Peter's mother down a hill and then go inside and hang her husband.

"Christina could not identify who did it, turned and started running to her parents, came across Peter, he was stumbling. She helped him to her parents only to find her parents dead inside. Peter died shortly thereafter; it was then Christina ran to me. You must not tell anyone I confessed this all to you. Yes, the doctor has been identified and hung as the killer. However, "He still has associates who, if they suspected her of turning him in, might wish her, and her son, harm."

Thomas' mind left the conversation of the past when he noticed his wife's mouth turning down.

"People will always converse amongst themselves, Christina." Thomas spoke gently as his wife- a term he was finding far more pleasant the second time around then his first as others walked by - some with disdain filling their eyes. "You, and I, dear have acted upon the dictates of our reason and our heart. It is not for others to decide. Keep in mind, they are ignorant of the truth."

"How I regret that you are obliged go with those men on such a night as this. It is full of peril and all because of me. If I had stayed in London, your family might have been safe." Christina's face turned into his arm, away from his face.

"And you, my darling." Mr. Bennet murmured, his voice low and tender, "most likely would be dead as would our son. You have very little to do with what is going on at the moment. My family has not been put in danger because any of your actions." Thomas stroked Christina's hair and gazed at Curtis, her words showed, to him, how many scars she carried because of men like William, and it made his blood boil to see the emotional damage it had caused his wife.

"Please, tell me the truth, as understanding as you are...do you ever wish I had gone to another place?"

"Christina..." Thomas made her turn around to face him. "I owe you much for entering my life. My children are of age, with no real need of a father or protector. Mary will shortly be wed, I have no doubt of it as many suitors are beginning to look her way. You have given me a son and an opportunity many do not get." When asked what that was, Mr. Bennet's smile remained in place. "To amend my errors, or at least improve them. Something I cannot get back from my youth." He confessed he had overheard her singing to Curtis. "You have a beautiful voice. Would you grace me with a favor and sing a song just for me? At least one verse." Christina gave a shy smile and yet complied.

*Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home,
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which seek thro' the world, is ne'er met elsewhere,
Home! Home!
Sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home.
There's no place like home!

"Do you have to ride out with those men?" Christina changed the subject back to one they had just discussed knowing she was being tedious in her words over a something she could not change but could not stop herself.

"Many innocent lives have perished by unlawful commerce that prevails among us, some of which now affects my own estate." Thomas took a deep breath knowing his wife was not attempting to complain, knew it was fear of the past attempting to control her, and so, again, focused only on patiently making his reply. "Edward informed me of a most horrible slaughter that occurred on my grounds last night. I have not provoked this quarrel, but I will put an end to it. Longborne shall not depart from my lineage, as long as I have any power to prevent it." He then asked how Christina had managed to live in London when she appeared to have such a nervous disposition.

"I kept telling myself..." Mrs. Bennet, a title Christina was still getting used to, bit her lip. It was a habit Thomas had quickly learned to recognize.

"You may speak freely, with no fear of reprimand."

"Peter would not want me to break, only ... I felt myself on the brink of being overcome." Thomas asked what had stopped her from breaking. "Elizabeth showed up and brought me here, to Longborne..." Christina felt her face get hot. '...to the gentleman who did not divorce a woman who gave him no sons." Her answer to his inquiry filled his soul with joy for, while there was quite the gap in age between himself and his wife, he was still capable of being a guardian and a support for someone who truly needed it.

Thomas had planned to stay near the river until evening. However, those plans changed upon looking around. Reverend Collins was coming their way. "We are making our departure now." He stood up, handed Curtis to Christine and had them on their way to Longborne before that 'good' Reverend had a chance to make inquiries of Christina.

Thomas did not look back as he drove towards Longborne as his mind was on the upcoming night ride, not on a disappointed Reverend unable to do his questioning. Edward, Joseph and other men were to meet at Mr. Bennet's home. They would all ride out as there would be a full moon out and would give them plenty of light in which to go by. Fortunately, the part of the estate which had been discovered to have smugglers dealing their illegal merchandise, while near another river, was also located near a wooded area that would allow Mr. Bryant and his men to creep upon men who thought their activities were not known to anyone but William Hamilton.

"Are you sure Mr. Hamilton has not caught wind of our own activities? If he has there may be more men than we expect, or he may have fled the area." Mr. Bennet had asked quietly while in Mr. Bryant's informal office, a boring looking room with very little furniture. "And what does Lady Catherine have to do with all of this? I have not heard from, or about her in quite some time."

"Hamilton is too greedy, it has been his main motivation in any of his dealings his entire life. We are almost certain it was he who ordered the killings we informed you of. Also, if he thinks there is spoil on your land he can plant at your house, and plenty to spare, he will not pass it up. No, right now he only knows an unexpected shipment of Lace, wine and tea became available. Word is those men have been to take a few boxes up to your carriage house. As to Lady Catherine? Who knows her real motives." The gentleman scoffed. "I just chalk it up to being too tight to open her purse strings like the rest of us on our purchases, though I am sure there is something even more petty than that; I simply do not know her well enough to inform you of it." Edward, and Joseph, both held up their hands when Thomas went to protest over the boxes at his home. "We will already have men stationed at your place; William's men will grab them as soon as they attempt to put the boxes in your carriage. As to the rest, we will either already be there, or arrive shortly after." Bryant's face shouted 'Do I really need to spell out how Lady Catherine is involved.

"She is buying from the black market?" Mr. Bennet was stunned.

Glancing over at Christina, Thomas did not finish the rest of what Edward had told him. No, he only wanted to scream at William and Lady Catherine. Why could they not be satisfied with what they had? or at the very least to get what they wanted legally- without causing others harm. People like Christina were trying so hard just to live, and peacefully at that. 'Thank the Good Lord, I entreated Mr. Darcy's allowance for Elizabeth to remain at Longborne, I fear Christina would not endure by herself were any misfortune to befall before this is over; particularly after her reply to me.

*song's melody was composed by Englishman Sir Henry Bishop with lyrics by Payne. Bishop had earlier published a more elaborate version of this melody, naming it "A Sicilian Air", but he later confessed to having written it himself.