Pride and Prejudice

AU

No Common Lady

A/N I have edited the second chapter to clarify what Aurelia was requesting as to employment and the only hint to age as she will give at this point. I am, however, leaning heavily towards her either being the same age as Jane or Charlotte's.

Previously

"We need to talk." Aurelia led Lydia into the kitchen and began preparations for boiled beef and vegetables.

Thomas' Observations

Ch. 7

There was peace and quiet in the Bennet home as Mr. Bennet cracked open his library door. Mrs. Fletcher's voice drifted up the hallway as she was talking to Lydia; the topic caught his attention simply because Lydia was showing no signs of arguing. His daughter was actually listening. And not arguing to be out among the flowerbeds?

"Lydia, there is absolutely nothing wrong with spending time tending a garden. And I am certain your father's stomach did not argue with the meals we have been preparing for him." Lydia had always done her fair share of helping out upon her return from Brighton, but she had continued, even with Mrs. Fletcher's arrival, without complaint? Thomas stood up and quietly stepped outside his door to hear better. "But that paper you read in my room was for my uncle's associate. If you had read the second page, instructions to his daughter would have been seen."

"You were a governess?"

"For a very short time, after my husband and son passed on." She patted Lydia's hand. "It does not matter, what does is I am now here." Thomas heard a long, recognizable sigh before his daughter's friend continued speaking. "You need a better balance on how you are spending time reading appropriate books and in the garden. I am glad you have been helping out as much as you have. I have no problem with you continuing to help with the household chores and am more than happy to help you to learn better etiquette and manners. I am, with your father's permission, willing to do anything else within my capabilities to assist you even if I came to help your family as a housekeeper, cook and whatever else your father deemed necessary. You are way too old for a governess though my offer would still stand."

"So, I can go back out in public without embarrassing father or be the cause of him going back into hiding in his study?"

To withdraw from his family was your father's own choice; however, I am sure it would lessen his concern over his only daughter left at home if she could function outside its four walls."

"I will go ask." Lydia went to stand, but her father came around the corner with a smile on his face.

"Mrs. Fletcher, you are more than welcome to give my daughter any aid you see fit that enables Lydia to function properly in society. And…" His grin stayed in place. "I am most certain; Elizabeth and Jane would be more than willing to lend a hand." Mr. Bennet's mouth turned downward, and he let out his own long sigh. "Remember, Lydia, how you said, and I quote, 'We have been working on getting better, have we not? That does not need to stop…does it?' " Lydia nodded and gave a soft smile as her father then continued. "I may still go in my library, but it is not to hide and, if I did, Mrs. Fletcher is correct, it would be my own choice, not your fault. Now…" He gave a slight bow of his head. "I believe we all have been invited over to the Bingley's' as your sister is doing much better." Thomas chuckled at Mrs. Fletcher's look of confusion, but it was not out of a desire to make fun of her. No, it simply delighted Mr. Bennet to inform her that Lydia's oldest sister wished to meet Lydia's friend.

"I will not demand you go with us, dear lady; however, I do know my sweet Jane would be greatly disappointed."

"In that case, Mr. Bennet, I will be most happy to attend dinner at Netherfield." She then ventured to ask, and openly admitted it was only because of a comment made by a neighbor passing by if he was going to hire back any other help, or exactly what would be expected of her and Lydia in such a large house. "I do not mind working hard, have no issue with doing more than one job as stated in my letter; I simply wish to make sure I understand what it is that I am expected to do."

"I have been thinking about that. I have decided I will look at my books again, and see what cash flow I now have coming in. We - as of recently, are no longer in debt. So, if it does not threaten Longhorn's newfound stability, I will check into hiring you some help.' He shook a finger at her. "And I do so wish you would consider allowing me to pay you. I could do that without having to look at my books at the moment. I think I can handle risking Elizabeth's wrath." He found himself chuckling along with Mrs. Fletcher and Lydia.

88888888

Netherfield was hopping with excitement, or at least Jane was. She was out of bed. Her infant son was doing well and soon she would be meeting the lady who Lydia had met in Brighton. "She must be something special." Mrs. Bingley's face glowed almost as much as it had on her wedding day. "For Elizabeth says Lydia no longer runs after men in uniform, or any man for that matter of fact. That she is no embarrassment to father, or the family."

Charles said nothing. The gentleman only, quietly, read the paper as he sat in his chair. It was not that he felt any less curious about the woman that had influenced his flighty sister-in-law enough to take any excessive wind out of her sails. No, he simply figured they would get answers soon enough and his energy was drained from his last meeting with Mr. Darcy.

"Is it really necessary?"

"Charles..." Mr. Darcy spoke sternly, "You will have your wife and son living in squalor if you do not crack down on your spending. Even her father did better with his money than you have of late."

Mr. Darcy had been right, so, as much as Charles had hated it and hard as it had been, Jane's husband had put his foot down and they had curtailed their spending. It had also meant letting most of their staff go. "I am letting her keep one housekeeper, a maid and the cook." Mr. Bingley had not budged. "The cook stays..." When Mr. Darcy had begun to protest. "...at least until she can teach Jane to fix a meal. I am not eating burnt offerings." That had brought a smile to Mr. Darcy's face and giggles out of Jane and Elizabeth.

The sound of someone knocking sent Jane down the hallway. Opening the door, Mrs. Bingley was delighted to see her father, Lydia and one very quiet lady wearing an empire waist dress. 'Lydia was correct in saying the other day, there is something about you that stands out among the common laborer.' Jane kept that thought to herself and ushered the trio into her home.

Mrs. Fletcher kept a respectable distance between herself and the Bennets. She sat where a servant would be expected to sit -even though Mr. Bennet had told her to view herself as a guest and not as hired help, especially since she was continuing to refuse cash pay. Therefore, she was appalled when Lydia attempted to sit by her instead of her sisters. "Lydia." The lady spoke gently. "You came to visit your sister Mrs. Bingley, not a housekeeper who you spend most of your day with." She went to say more, but Mrs. Bingley, uncharacteristically, interrupted Lydia's friend.

"It is all right, Mrs. Fletcher." Jane smiled. "Father has told us all about you. If my sister, who has struggled ever since her return from Brighton, is now able to function in society, she is more than welcome to sit by you rather than her own sibling." Aurelia looked around. There were no looks of condemnation from any of Lydia's family members. No lightly masked scowls, no voices muttering low wishing Mrs. Fletcher was not around and definitely no master of the house coming up with snake-like words attempting to deceive those around him in regard to her character. So, she relaxed and turned to Lydia.

"You may sit here without a fight. However, at dinner you really do need to sit by family. I will eat with Mrs. Bingley's housekeeper and cook."

Charles, with Mr. Darcy's remarks still ringing in his ear, decided, before anyone left; he would need to see about Jane going over to her father's place and learning to cook from Mrs. Fletcher, then he could let their own cook go.

Mr. Bennet did not pay attention to either one of his sons-in-law but watched Mrs. Fletcher and said nothing. He only listened and watched as he had spoken to his late wife's portrait on Lydia's friend's arrival. His observations about her speech and mannerisms were causing enough questions in his mind that he knew a trip to an old friend, a brother-in-arms, was called for. One he would make alone, with no offspring or associate by his side.