Pride and Prejudice

AU

No Common Lady

Pride and Prejudice

Chat with Jackson

Previously

"They are correct, I cannot remain here any longer." She then took her leave, aware that Lydia would soon return and probably seek a private conversation with her; if not here than most definitely at her sister's home.

Ch 13

Mrs. Fletcher was stunned at the room she stood in. It was far more spacious than she had been used to in a very long time. "But Momma, I do not want to share" Words from a five-year old child made Aurelia chuckle, smile and then say a prayer of thanksgiving her mother had not only insisted the child would survive by allowing her older sisters to stay in their already occupied beds, but that had not given into any of her daughters' whims. They all might have turned into horrible creatures had their every whim been granted.

"Mrs. Fletcher?"

Aurelia recognized the voice and turned to see Lydia standing int the doorway. "Yes?" She pointed to a chair. "Come in and sit down if you wish to converse."

"I know you said Father wanted to court you, but that it was not often done." Lydia took a breath and went on. 'I told father, I was happy- it should happen, and he said there will be no move made if even if one of my sisters, or their husbands, do not agree to it. Says enough of our neighbors will be upset and consider it scandalous as it is."

"He is correct, Miss Bennet." She only spoke formally because the door was wide open, and servants could easily pass by and hear them speaking.

"Why? I mean, I understand Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, but Mary, Kitty and their husbands are not nearby. They do not see us but once, or twice a year. What should it matter what they think?" Lydia was not attempting to be impertinent; she honestly could not grasp what others could easily see.

Mrs. Fletcher went and shut the door having no desire for anyone to hear her dropping formalities. "Lydia..." The lady pulled a chair next to Mr. Bennet's daughter. "Family is important, its unit cannot be replaced. People can have all the success they want in life but trust me, nothing can replace family, at least not your immediate one. So, like I told your father and, he agreed, no courtship would occur without their consent."

"And I must not talk about it to anyone other than you, am I? Aurelia."

"No, no you must not. Especially since, he may change his mind with me no longer living in your guest room."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"More than you think." Mrs. Fletcher smiled but was not about to go there. "Now, how about helping me to unpack?"

88888888

"Mr. Bennet, what a pleasant surprise. I did not expect to see you for a few more days." Mr. Jackson turned away from the same gentleman Lydia's father had seen with Father Browning in West Sussex, at least he suspected that was who it was, as the man was not looking directly at him but had the same profile. "What may I help you today?"

"I was hoping you would go with a ride with me. But it looks like you have company."

"I was just leaving." The gentleman tipped his hat, climbed on his horse and rode away; his face looked familiar. Thomas knew he should know him, but his mind was too much on needing to talk to Mr. Jackson for his mind to process the information.

Mr. Jackson did not have to ask why, the look on Thomas' face shouted he needed a friend to talk to, one who did not let his mouth fly loose. So, the gentleman asked his daughter to help him up before leaving with Mr. Bennet.

"What did you want to discuss?"

"Did you ever regret marrying Julie? Did you ever wish you had stayed at the university?"

Mr. Jackson was surprised, but not shocked to hear the question come out of Mr. Bennet's mouth. The old man had sharper eyes than most gave him credit for, a study of people was a favorite past time and, besides, Thomas Bennet was one of the few people who knew the truth behind the old man's marriage. And one of the fewer still who had not ever condemned him for it hence his willingness to answer Thomas's question.

"No, no I did not, nor will I ever. She was a pearl among women. It is hard to find them among the others that you find every time you turn around. We had six children. Four boys and two girls. Things she taught them cannot be told in words, but she did it with a skill few have. Could turn a neck without it knowing it was even moving. Those children she raised with those skills of hers are worth more to me than any of my sister's land and wealth." Mr. Jackson started laughing. "Darling Martha would be horrified to hear me say that, made me change my name when I had the audacity to marry so far beneath my class. Refused to give me my inheritance, said I would rue the day I married my Julie." He continued to laugh.

"What did your parents say?"

"Father was not ever bothered, just had no real backbone to stand up to the family. Mother claimed he would roll over in his grave. Personally? I think he was dancing." Again, the man started laughing. "He was the one who told me to go for it before he died, slipped me a bit of money without telling anyone. Even told me where a stash was hidden, and some expensive jewels, my cousin was supposed to get. That lady never has seen hide nor hair of any of it. Still walks around with her nose far too high in the air for my taste. If anyone told her they knew I was her older cousin, I am pretty sure Lady Catherine would die of fright." His grin stayed in place as Mr. Bennet's eyes widened. "Don't tell her I let her name slip; I really do not want to have to move. All that money is long gone by now, doctor took most of it when Julie got sick."

"I promise, your secret is safe with me."

Mr. Jackson ignored his blood relation as she did him and focused on Mr. Bennet, "You're not single, like I was but a widower. Your daughters have your back. Do not second guess yourself when you have a pearl set on your path." Mr. Jackson looked Mr. Bennet straight in the eye. "Tell me I am wrong. Tell me that is not why you are asking about Julie."

"You old scoundrel, you know you are correct." Thomas pretended to scowl only to join Mr. Jackson in more laughter at the same time asking the old man to promise not to say anything quite yet. "I will not start courting her openly for a few months."

"If you change your mind, you could always send her my way." That earned him the right to be playfully slapped, both men knowing full well Mr. Jackson was only joking.