AU Not Cannon

Pride and Prejudice

They Called Him a Bennet Too.

Gathering at Bennet's Home

Ch. 12

Thomas Bennet leaned against a desk in his parlor as Edward Bryant, Joseph Malloy and more than a dozen men gathered in his home. However, the men in the kitchen with a large map of the estate spread out on the dining room table. Mr. Bennet was looking at a picture of his late wife, one that Christina had insisted on staying up saying "It is not fitting, Thomas, to conceal the portrait of your departed wife. Mrs. Bennet was the mother of your offspring, flighty as she may have appeared to many. Though your children are of age, they often grace us with their presence and Mary resides with us for the time being. They require the bond of her memory, even though I am now your companion.'

'Truly I am sorry, my dear. I did not treat you as I should have. And, please, do not think I speak ill of the deceased now, but I am relieved it is Christina that is now by my side. The lady is having a difficult time already; I fear you would fare much worse."

"Father?" Mary stepped inside the parlor.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Bryant says they are ready for you to join them in the kitchen." Mary then rejoined her sister, and stepmother on the upper level of their home as. Bennet went into the kitchen.

"Thoms." Edward waved him over to the table and showed him, with weights, where all the men planned to be, what course of actions were to be taken on that particular end of his estate.

"Do we really need all these men." Thomas could not believe the number of men gathered in his home, the ones in the yard, or even the ones still riding up on horseback. They might have been getting ready to start a revolution as far as he was concerned.

"Mr. Bennet." Joseph Malloy spoke in slow deliberation. "You do not seem to apprehend the extent of Mr. Hamilton's contraband trade. We learnt but a few hours past … someone …" He left the name unspoken, but Thomas knew at once whom he meant. "Persuaded him to transfer all his headquarters to your estate, not just his main route."

"The scoundrel …" Thomas was obliged to inhale as deeply out of fear of blowing. 'Reckon to a hundred, a thousand, reckon to any sum but do not lose your temper with Christina in the dwelling. She does not need the added stress.' "Our originals plans are no longer in place. These are really the new ones?"

"No, to your first question. And, yes, to the second." Edward shook his head. "We are leaving more men here, and not just a few near your carriage house. Joseph, you and I..."

"I shall be confounded if you suppose I will abandon my wife, son and daughters 'charge in the hands of others when my own hands can weld a rifle, or pistol, of their own accord! Why do I need to fight elsewhere when I should defend my own household!" Minus, the sarcasm and meanness, the old fire was back; one many of the men had not seen simply because they either number one; had been brought in from farther out to bust up the smuggling operation, or two, had quickly forgotten how hard Bennet was capable of snapping. Therefore, they all quickly jerked back, as if heat was rolling off Thomas' body- and it was all aimed at themselves.

"Sir." Joseph swallowed, somewhat embarrassed they had even had the audacity to suggest the gentleman fight anywhere but his own home. "Maybe, he is right. This is his house; they are his family. He has every right to be here, taking a stand on in his own home."

"Normally, I would agree." Edward turned to Thomas, who was still very red in the face. "Think of Christina..."

"I am." Thomas snapped but not nearly as hard.

"Sir, I cannot guarantee you, or I are going to be safe from flying bullets. It will be bad enough if you are brought back with one in you. Christina has already been through so much; seen things no women should have to witness. Can you guarantee your lady would not look through her window? Maybe, see you fall, heaven forbid that occur? Do you really want her to see such an occurrence? Is that the last picture you want her to have in her mind? " He then pointed out it was Bennet that knew his own estate the best, "We need you; it is the best way for you protect Christina and your children still at home."

"I wish you were wrong." Thomas growled but only out of frustration wanting to hit something, more like someone and his initials were WH. "May I bid farewell to my companion before we make our ride?" Edward only nodded and Mr. Bennet went upstairs.

8888888

The night was even darker as men were now concealed around the Bennet home and around the carriage house while the others were mounting their horses. Thomas finished putting on his coat, hat and to face Elizabeth, Christina and Mary were hiding with Curtis in one of the upper rooms as instructed. "If I do not return, you have all the necessary paperwork to secure Longborne for another generation. Please, I pray, let people disparage my name if they must, but do not let Christina or Curtis eat or drink anything which has not been fed to a rat first if it is not made by your, or her, own hand. Do not cause legal issues for your stepmother..." His eyes shouted 'You know the truth' "... do not make Christina live on her own, allow her to be here -with Curtis by her side until he is grown. Promise me? Give me your word?"

"I give you my word." Elizabeth dared say no more as her father mounted his stead.

Thomas felt, more than saw, a curtain part from one of the upstairs windows. Therefore, he glanced up. A soft, long sigh came out of his mouth. It was Christina. How Mr. Bennet wished things could be different, but they could not, and he dared not waste any more time. Therefore, he simply blew her a kiss and raced off with the men to stop- he hoped- illegal trade on his estate.