Pride and Prejudice

AU

No Common Lady

Pride and Prejudice

Green Light

Previously

"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.

Ch 14

Music filled the dance hall and floated up to where Mrs. Fletcher was dressing. Her hands were shaking, though she fought to control them. Mary's letter had arrived the other day, along with one from Kitty. He had ridden over in his carriage to Mr. and Mrs. Bingley's to read it to all three of them, as he had other errands to do afterwards. His voice reading the letters was still ringing in her ears. The first one had been from Mary and her husband.

Dearest Father,

Under normal circumstances, I would loudly protest such an act of courting Lydia's companion, even if she has moved out to be Jane's. No, I have never been as concerned as some when it comes to class distinction, but there are limitations one must follow in life. Nonetheless, I do have a good memory of what Lydia has been like in the past and, unfortunately, her reputation was spreading fast as my own husband was beginning to hear of it. If Elizabeth now says she has repented of her ways, then I must believe it to be so.

My husband is correct in saying it is not wise for us to oppose your wish to court this Aurelia Fletcher when she has been such a strong force in steering Lydia's change. So, though she is of a lower class and much younger in age, we will support your decision when in other circumstances our opinion would be different.

Your Loving Daughter,

Mary B. Eyre

The next one had been from Kitty and it too still rang in her ears.

Dearest Father,

You cannot imagine my surprise when Elizabeth wrote and told me of your desire to court someone of the working class; it was not something I ever expected you to do. I have struggled with my opinion on the subject. I daresay Mary, if she has agreed, with all her book reading, has had the same turmoil. I want to see you happy, but I wondered whether someone from her class could hold an intellectual conversation with you, even though Elizabeth mentioned in her letter that you enjoyed a good game of whist with Mrs. Fletcher on more than one occasion. And that she was intelligent enough to be a companion.

Parson Browning and I have finally come to the conclusion that, as long as you have prayed about it and feel the Holy Spirit is guiding you to do it, we will support your decision. And, if it helps Lydia, that is an added benefit.

Your Loving Daughter, Catherine 'Kitty' Browning

"Do you mind if I help you, Mrs. Fletcher?" Jane walked in and saw Aurelia attempting to put on a simple but elegant necklace, not knowing that Aurelia was doing her best to ignore the letters that had been read earlier and failing miserably.

"Please, would you? I cannot seem to keep my hands still." Aurelia tried to breathe. It would be the first time she had seen Mr. Bennet in a couple of months and, while the party was not a big one, there would still be some of his friends there.

"It will be all right, truly. You will not be dealing only with Father; all the dances require the partners to change, except the first, and we will even have partners change when we play card games."

"It feels like some sort of test." Aurelia could not help but say.

"It is." Elizabeth stepped into the room. "You will be the only one of the working class attending the party, my dear friend. However, you are a companion so people will not be surprised you are there." Mr. Bennet's daughter was amazed by the change in Mrs. Fletcher's appearance. "You may have to speak first; my father may not recognize you." She smiled as Lydia walked in and froze with her eyes wide open.

"Lydia, you have seen me dressed up before." Mrs. Fletcher gave her 'the look' and Lydia instantly wiped off the look of shock.

"I had forgotten how beautiful you are."

"Enough with that. Shall we join the party or not?" Elizabeth was the only one who could tell how nervous Aurelia truly was.

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Mr. Bennet was facing Mr. Darcy as a friend of Jane's played the piano and Mr. Bingley was playing a card game with Colonel Fitzwilliam when the ladies walked in. It was the Colonel who looked up first. And it was his stare that caused Mr. Bennet to turn around.

"Who have you brought among us?" The Colonel stood up with every intention of going over to talk the newcomer in the long, flowing, purple dress only to have Mr. Darcy stop him.

"You look as if you are a bull in heat; control yourself." He did not bother hiding his annoyance. "You are old enough to know better."

Mr. Bennet said nothing and told Mr. Darcy to relax. "Let the young man go." His eyes said more, and his son-in-law allowed the colonel to walk on by. 'I would not have known who you were had you not walked in with my daughters.'

"You want to see how she reacts?" Thomas made no reply as he was, just as Mr. Darcy said, extremely curious as to how such a beautiful lady as Mrs. Fletcher would react to men closer to her own age in a social setting.

The Colonel walked with a strut only a young officer would have. And his mannerisms impressed some of the ladies, it seemed, but Mr. Bennet hid a smile and began walking towards Mrs. Fletcher when it became clear she was doing her best to ward off his advances, and was not at all comfortable with him around, but only because it confirmed what Mr. Jackson had said, she was a pearl, not a stone.

'I believe, young man,' Mr. Bennet cleared his throat as he drew close, 'Mrs. Fletcher has told you she is not interested in being your partner for this dance.' He then made a slight bow and asked if she would give him the pleasure of the first dance.

A few people around her expected her to say no, but most thought nothing of it when she complied, figuring she was simply being polite as it was Mrs. Bingley's father who was asking. Mrs. Fletcher managed to keep focused on the dance steps and Mr. Bennet kept their talk light, ignoring how she looked in her formal ball gown. He was bound and determined that her youthful age and appearance would not be a deciding factor in this courtship.