AU Pride an Prejudice

For Clarissa's Sake

Fan Fiction

Previously

"She grows on me every day," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "Perhaps she can manage our father after all. Keep him on his toes, as it were."

Outing/Big Day

Ch. 9

Ensign Carter walked with Kitty ahead of Mr. Bennet and Miss Clarissa alongside a riverbank. The sun shone bright as the small group enjoyed an afternoon out. They were spending their time filling each other in on their likes and dislikes, giving more details about their family dynamics and so forth. It felt grand to simply be unwinding after a day of Mr. Bennet working on the estate and Clarissa getting to know his family even better. That is, it did until Lady Catherine came along and began insinuating doubts about Miss Grey's future with Mr. Bennet. It did not get far, as Mr. Bennet, who saw through her subtle attempts to undermine his relationship with the baron's daughter, and who also saw how it was affecting Miss Grey despite her efforts to brush the verbal attacks off, took his turn to blast Lady Catherine.

"You know nothing of Miss Grey, her parents, or her upbringing. You have merely exchanged a few words with the baroness when she chanced to be in London at the same time as you. She has assured you that we have their full blessing. Clarissa is a woman of remarkable intelligence, wit, and talent. Our age difference is of no consequence to me, and certainly none of your concern. You have no right to make her feel insecure about my age, nor my health." His eyes flashed with anger at Lady Catherine. "She will be well provided for upon my demise, which, if it goes with most of my family, will not be for a long time, for they far outlive yours!" His voice did not rise but still stayed firm. "And you do not care a whit about her happiness. You only seek to meddle in affairs that do not concern you."

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The sun shone into the room where Clarissa had been staying at Netherfield. It was warm, bright and cheery. However, the young lady was lying on the bed softly crying as she thought she was alone. Jane, who happened to be passing by, heard her through the door which was slightly cracked open. It was with a genuine concern that Jane quietly walked in and up to the side of the bed.

"Miss Grey, what is wrong?" Jane laid a gentle hand on her father's soon-to-be bride, causing the poor young lady to jump. "I am so sorry, I did not mean to scare you."

"I did not realize anyone was home, or at least not on this upper floor." Miss Grey had given her companion and lady's maid the day off and so her words made sense.

"I returned sooner than planned." Mrs. Bingley handed Miss Grey a handkerchief as she sat down and repeated, gently, if there was something she could do for Miss Grey.

"I beg your pardon for shedding so many tears. It is merely…" Clarissa swallowed and sighed. "Lady Catherine's words stung harder than I wished they had for it made me more anxious; a fact I could no longer hide. And while I do so appreciate your father defending me, and I certainly do not wish to appear ungrateful to him for it, or for him accepting my father's arrangement of marriage between us, my parents were in the right; my situation in my parents' home, were it not for Mr. Bennet, would have been ruinous, for how could my father have said no to Nicolas, who was a viscount? However, he is no gentleman. And I have no doubt he - in the end - would have cast me out into the streets without hesitation. It is only that in two short years, my father's health has been very unpredictable. His medical bills are so hefty." The poor young lady knew nothing of the truth of her father's gambling debts. "I have done my best not to complain about the changes we needed to make because of it. I do not know where any of my brothers, including the one closest to me, are. Whether they all live or are dead, I know not. My father took a sudden turn for the worse before I was leaving and now I am in a town I have never seen before…" She took a deep breath. "…about to wed a man I have scarcely known long enough to have banns read and a proper notice printed in the paper; even though he is proving to be a very good man. To add to my distress, I have been told such dreadful tales of women on their wedding nights, so indeed, I am weeping and terrified. Do you think ill of me? I am striving so hard to be strong, your father has every right to expect the best."

"My dear lady, so do you." Jane put her arm around Clarissa. "First, I am sorry about your father and brothers. Second, my father has improved much since my mother's passing and I have seen the way he is with you now. Third, what he said to Lady Catherine is true, his family does often far outlive many around here; in good health too. And, as to the wedding night? If he is a brute to you, just tell us... we shall have to serve him his head on a platter." Mr. Bennet's daughter took on the tone of Elizabeth rather than that of his eldest born.

Clarissa could not help it, she giggled. The picture of Mr. Bennet being handed his own head while sitting at his desk and him reaching out for it was just too much. Jane, easily figuring out why the lady had laughed, smiled and then suggested they get Miss Grey ready to leave for Longbourn, where the wedding was to be held.

Mr. Bennet had, unbeknownst to his daughter, been coming down the hallway behind her to talk to Miss Grey. However, he froze at what the Baron's daughter had said and then quickly, but quietly, slipped back down the corridor. There was no need to mortify Miss Grey, for the lady surely would be if she was aware Mr. Bennet had overheard her, especially about the wedding night. He - for one - preferred his head where it was.

It was upon exiting his daughter's home that he noticed a rider off in the distance. It made Thomas wonder what was up. He was beginning to feel as if they were being watched, but why was the question. Turning to the footman, he went to turn back only to see an empty land and nothing else. It all seemed odd to him, and glad Clarissa had not seen the horse or rider.

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The sun shone brightly on the morning of Mr. Bennet's wedding. He had chosen to hold the ceremony in the back gardens of Longbourn, where a small fountain bubbled cheerfully in one corner. He hoped that the sound of water would soothe his nerves, as he waited for his bride to arrive.

Mr. Bennet wore a dark-colored coat, waistcoat, and breeches, with a white shirt, cravat, and stockings. His hat, gloves, and boots matched his clothing and fit the occasion. Elizabeth had made sure his coat was in the current fashion, though he had paid little attention to what was in - and what was not. She had made sure his waistcoat was slightly longer than his coat, and his breeches reached just below his knees. Thankfully, his cravat was still in great shape and had no problems being tied in a simple bow around his neck. He had chosen to wear an old, but still in good condition, round hat with a low crown and wide brim.

He glanced at Charles, Elizabeth, Mary, her husband, and Kitty, who stood beside him as his witnesses. Mr. Bingley smiled warmly at him, Elizabeth nodded encouragingly, Kitty fidgeted somewhat nervously, but still managed to give him an honest smile. He was relieved they had accepted his decision to marry again, especially as Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins were having no trouble keeping up their criticism of his 'audacity' and continued to accuse him of taking advantage of Miss Grey. So much so, Mrs. Collins had not been allowed to come to the wedding, although she had been invited by Elizabeth. A few members of the Grey family had traveled to the Longborn for the wedding and stood behind the Darcys and Bingleys. Mr. Bennet heard the sound of carriage wheels on the gravel path, and turned to see Miss Grey arriving. She stepped out of the carriage with the help of her uncle, Andrew Grey, who was standing in for her father. They were followed by Mrs. Bingley.

Clarissa wore a light, sparkling, lavender gown with an empire waistline. Its loose, flowing skirt with glittering embellishments made her feel prettier than she had felt in quite some time. Her veil, bonnet, and gloves with their embroidery made her almost giddy. The sheer muslin veil attached to her hair with ribbons made Jane, who had helped dress her along with Miss Smith, think Miss Grey looked quite picturesque.

Miss Grey was led on Andrew's arm to Mr. Bennet; Mrs. Bingley quickly joined her husband after gently letting go of Miss Grey's train. Mr. Bennet then took her hand and led her to the fountain, where the clergyman waited for them. He looked into her eyes and saw a flicker of hope and trust. It made him bound and determined to do better by this wife than he had by the first Mrs. Bennet.

Lord Grey did not think many of his associates, who were worse classists than he was, would have believed him, but he felt an overwhelming since of peace settle over him. It was if someone were telling him - since his brother had messed up so royally, he had at least had the decency to pick the right gentleman for Clarissa to marry. It was that feeling that allowed any remaining reservations the man had held to fall away and smile at his niece's wedding.