Pride and Prejudice

AU not canon

No Common Lady

Though I suppose I should care about my deceased mate's too, but how does one do that when he was unfaithful to his vows from day one? Maybe someday, I shall be fortunate enough to find a man who values family just as much—if not more—than money. Though I do hope he has learned to handle what he has."

Aurelia's replies

Ch. 5

"Lydia!" Elizabeth shouted as she entered her father's home, trailed by her two small boys. "I have mail for you!" Lydia's sister only hollered because she knew if Lydia was engrossed in a book, it would be the only way to get her attention; something that still felt more than a bit odd to Mr. Bennet's second offspring.

"Is it from Mrs. Fletcher?" Lydia's eyes shone as they had before she had gone to Brighton, even if she did not giggle or act stupidly; she would call the lady by her name only upon her arrival, as she knew Aurelia would want a close friend to do, but not before then.

"Yes." Elizabeth was as delighted as her father when it came to her sister's reaction over the one who would soon be living under Mr. Bennet's roof; she watched Lydia rip open the letter, as did Thomas upon his exiting the study.

"What does she say?" Thomas was curious just how serious the young widow was.

"There are two letters." Lydia handed one to her father and, when Elizabeth asked what it said, Mr. Bennet read it aloud.

"My Dear Sir,

I wish to express my deepest gratitude for your generous allowance of my presence within your esteemed home. I assure you that I shall exert myself to the utmost of my abilities in service to your family. The trust you have bestowed upon me is a solemn commitment, and I pledge not to betray it. As long as it pleases you, I shall faithfully hold the post, and should you ever deem it necessary to request my departure, I shall do so with quiet dignity.

Furthermore, I anticipate arriving at your residence promptly at 10 am on the appointed day. Please consider this as an additional assurance of my commitment.

With utmost respect,

Mrs. Fletcher"

"Father?" Elizabeth, who had not been told under what conditions the lady was coming, nor who she even was, raised the muscles of her forehead. "I thought we agreed no more servants for Longbourn."

"First…" Thomas spoke firmly, but as kindly as he knew how, for he had no desire for his second child to think his footsteps had gone backwards. "Lydia's friend desires but a bed and meals; there will be no monetary value passed into her hands. Second…" He laid a gentle hand on Elizabeth. "My finances have vastly improved as you are very well aware of, so much so we could-while still living within the guidelines you gave me- afford one servant if she did wish to be paid. Therefore, as much as I have followed your advice as to running my affairs and will still follow that which have aided me greatly and gotten me out of debt and back onto my feet, this is still my house; you have your own to attend to." Mr. Bennet pointed out that her sister, who had hastened to the servants' quarters to prepare a room for her friend and, he was quite certain, to read her own letter, would not have made such improvements were it not for the influence of Mrs. Aurelia Fletcher. "Maybe, just maybe, it was she who is needed to get back, and keep, the shine which now sines in Lydia's eyes."

"Why? What did she do?" Elizabeth easily read between the lines, a fact that did not surprise her father.

Mr. Bennet considered advising Elizabeth to mind her own business. However, he refrained from doing so, for not only was this was one daughter who possessed the most level-headedness among all his offspring—even if Lydia had shown considerable improvement upon her return from Brighton, but she had always been the one who her father had always brought into his private circle.

"She saved your sister from absolute ruin," Mr. Bennet quietly informed Elizabeth of Lydia's confession. "Was I to deny the young widow?"

"Oh, dear. Most certainly not," Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"Now, I forbid you to speak of it to any living soul, not even Mr. Darcy." Mr. Bennet asserted. "I understand completely," Elizabeth replied.

Lydia had heard none of the conversation between Elizabeth and her father, nor would she have cared at this point she was to busy reading her own short letter.

My Dearest Lydia,

Thank-you for speaking on my behalf to your father. I am eager to leave the place I now reside. I feel no warmth here and am delighted I may keep Dash with me. I hope to see you much improved, though I do so hope you have not lost the shine in your eyes and the joy in your laughter. If so, please, do not let men like that horrible cad called Wickham have the final victory.

See You Soon

Your Faithful friend

Auriela Fletcher

Lydia folded the letter, set it aside and hurried to get a room ready for her friend. Old sheets were pulled off the bed and new ones put on. The dresser was wiped down as far too much dust had been allowed to gather; a fact Lydia was embarrassed by, but would soon be corrected. A questionable floor was soon quite presentable. Going back to her room, Lydia went to get the letter but could not find it, for in her eagerness to get Aurelia's room ready, the young adult had forgotten where the letter had been put. "I wondered where it had gone to." She exclaimed as she realized -in her haste to make her departure- it had been knocked off her dresser and pushed almost completely under the dresser. Thankfully, a corner of it was sticking out, or she might not have spotted it. Finally Lydia rejoined her father, sister and nephew downstairs.

"Allow me to assist you," Lydia spoke as Elizabeth was setting the table. "I did not mean to take so long preparing things."

"It is quite acceptable, my dear sister," Elizabeth smiled. "Those rooms have been unoccupied for a considerable time. You are fortunate that my plans included a visit to our father today, for it provides an extra pair of hands."

"Where are your offspring?" Lydia glanced around, assuming at least one child would be near their mother.

"They are playing with their grandfather," Elizabeth replied, just as they heard squeals emanating from the parlor, accompanied by the sound of a 'ferocious' bear. "I believe he is thoroughly enjoying their visit. Now, let us proceed with dinner; I am certain their stomachs will soon growl as loudly as that bear."