p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan lang="EN-US"Chapter One/span/strong/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""If you were aware," said Elizabeth, "of the very great disadvantage to us all which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's unguarded and imprudent nature, nay, which has already arisen from it, I am sure you would judge differently in this affair."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "Already arisen?" repeated Mr. Bennet. "What, has she frightened away some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast down. Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the list of pitiful fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia's folly."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Elizabeth was adamant; she was not speaking of any particular evils, but of "our importance", and "respectability" as a landed family. As Elizabeth was relaying her concerns, Mr. Bennet's jest rang in his ears, like an echo in his brain. A warning, given to him by the late Mrs. Sophia Bennet – em"you will regret connecting us to a pretty face with nothing better to recommend her!". /emHis own mother regretted being connected to a emlittle/em emabsurdity/em./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""Excuse me, for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment. Her character will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous; a flirt, too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and , from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admiration will excite. In this danger Kitty also is comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain, ignorant, idle, and uncontrolled! Oh! My dear father, can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised wherever they are known, and that they sisters will not be often involved in the disgrace?"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"A memory of a resplendent Jane dancing at the Netherfield ball burst in Mr. Bennet's brain, followed in stark contrast to her heartbroken countenance he witnessed when he intruded upon her solitary meditation in the stillroom. Her extended sojourn in London with the Gardiners did little to restore her peace./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet saw that Elizabeth's whole heart was laid bare, her concern was genuine; for her family's consequence and future, and more authentic than he had felt in many a season. Taking her hand affectionately, he said in reply, "Be easy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known you must be respected and valued; and will not be censured for having a couple - or I may say, three - very silly sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. Let her go, then! Colonel Forster is a sensible man and will keep her out of any real mischief. And I daresay his wife will be a steady, calming influence; Lydia may return to us a changed woman!"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Elizabeth felt her father would not be moved from his comfort, but she owed it to herself and her other sisters to make her father aware of his misinformation, "Mrs. Forster's behaviour is the worst sort of influence I could wish to see on any of my sisters. She is no friend to Lydia and will lead her to disgrace to escape an idle afternoon."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet thought on her parting words, a married woman is always thought to be a good example to maidens. Young ladies in their social circle are wont to imitate the lucky women who have settled well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet attempted to remember what he knew of Mrs. Forster and her behaviour; she was young indeed, but many ladies marry at seventeen or eighteen. There was no hint of scandal, if there were so, Mrs. Bennet would have talked his ears clean off about it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"No – it shall all work out for the best. emAt any rate, Lydia cannot grow many degrees worse without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life! – /emSuddenly a great cry was heard from the upper rooms, Lydia was making a grand fuss; emAnd so Providence intervenes and only a fool would ignore the signs! /emThomas removed from his library to witness the chaos unfolding on the upper landing -/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "Mama, Mama! Tell Kitty I am to have her green dancing slippers! She will have no use for them, and I daresay they look better on me!" Lydia danced away from Kitty's reaching hands, "And her Wetherbee bonnet for she looks too plain in it! I shall wear it when Mrs. Forster and I empromenade /emfor the officers." Lydia's was wistful thinking about the pleasures to be had, scores of men gazing at her with admiration! What fun!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Kitty was softly crying in the background and to Mr. Bennet's surprise, Mary held a comforting arm around her shoulders – a look of defeat on both their countenances. Mrs. Bennet, as was her wont, gave consent to whatever Lydia asked. Mr. Bennet observed Elizabeth and Jane sharing an embarrassed look between them before turning to hide in the parlor and, worst of all, two housemaids were staring wide eyed at the spectacle and were seen whispering behind their hands./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US""You will cease this noise at once! Mr. Hill," commanded Longbourn's master, "to my study, if you please."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US""Of course, sir, at once." Was the only answer heard in the sudden silence./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet paced to length of the little copse just behind the kitchen garden, asking Mr. Hill's opinion on the youngest girls was a poor choice, the long-standing family butler could only defer and say the young misses were still in the throes of puberty. "They will settle soon, sir, and be a compliment to your household as Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth." It did not escape him that Hill neglected to mention the emother/em Bennet daughter; at nineteen, Mary could not be considered in the "throes of puberty"./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"During dinner the same evening, Mr. Bennet sat seriously observing the dynamics of his family; Jane and Elizabeth were much the same as they ever were, well-mannered and a delightful addition to any conversation. Elizabeth tried on two separate occasions to instruct Lydia to keep her own council and not repeat unkind gossip. Mary was pushing her food around her plate, barely eating a bite. Mr. Bennet made a mental note to ask if she was unwell. Kitty was looking peevish and ignored Lydia's direct questions, and Lydia was indulging herself with crowing her good luck at being singled out for such an adventure./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""Just think, mama, Denny will be positively green with envy when I find a dozen new beaus! But I will still dance with him if he should ask. emI/em don't forget emmy/em favorites; not like Wickham did to poor Lizzy!" – "I take his defection with ease -" – "And Chamberlain was soundly rejected by Miss. Newman, her father would not give his blessing, perhaps he thinks she's too young? But Chamberlain is so heartbroken, the poor man. Mrs. Forster says we shall have to devise a plan to cheer his spirits. Oh, mama, I shall have to order a new parasol tomorrow – mine is too old to take to the seaside! I shall be a laughingstock! Mocked and stared at, I could not bear it! I wonder if Colonel Forster will hire a lady's maid to assist me, I should ask Mrs. Forster. It would be a terrible thing indeed if he did not!"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"It was too much, entirely too much, for Mr. Bennet to comprehend – what a childish and coarse thing his youngest daughter was! Talking so unashamedly of beaus and entertaining officers, thinking of imposing on a Colonel to hire an additional servant!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""I rescind my permission," Mr. Bennet stated loudly, when Lydia had drawn breath for her next effusions. Twelve widened eyes fixed themselves on him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""You will emnot/em be going to Brighton, Lydia," he continued in an angry tone, "I can't trust you so near as Meryton to act as befitting of a gentleman's daughter. I have half a mind to return you to the nursery!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Pushing away from the table and dropping his napkin on the table, he removed himself to his chambers before he truly lost control of his temper./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mrs. Bennet, in a show of motherly affection, gathered her courage after the meal ended and knocked on the door separating her apartments from her husband's. When she heard the soft "Enter", Mrs. Bennet crossed the threshold and moved to sit on the large bed next to her husband, the dark blue cotton sheets went taut beneath her as she rested a hand to steady herself. Before she could draw breath to start her rehearsed speech, Mr. Bennet began;/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "No, Fanny, I will change my mind. Lydia cannot be trusted to keep herself in good regulation and," heaving a sigh, Mr. Bennet felt the truth of his fears settle in his stomach, "and she cannot be trusted to keep herself emsafe. /emShe emcannot/em go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "She is a smart, young lady, Mr. Bennet! She knows better than to give herself up for naught but a handsome face. Mrs. Forster is a good sort of girl and will keep her company, together they will be -" The look Mr. Bennet cast his wife silenced her immediately, "I -," she continued in a softer tone, "I mean to say that Lydia is a good girl, a little lively, but that is what everyone likes most about her. She will have a merry time and come back to us the same."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""No, my dear, I fear she would not. Mrs. Forster is secure in her situation but is too free with her hospitality. She invites single men to entertain her and her friends constantly, remember that hogwash of an officer wearing your sister's clothes?" Sitting down next to his wife, Thomas took her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs on her palms in an absent manner, "She will be quite unbearable now, I know. And you will feel the brunt of her disappointment. What say you to the whole family removing to Waymith for a few weeks' enjoyment?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""Oh, my dear, Mr. Bennet!" cried Fanny, "What delight! What felicity! We have not visited the old cottage since before Lydia's birth." The thought brought a faint blush to Mrs. Bennet cheeks, she recalled that their last sojourn had resulted in Lydia's creation./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""I shall look into procuring our lodgings and arranging all." Mr. Bennet promised./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Lydia was railing against her father's decision. Her mother had gone up after him to set all to rights. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "It's not fair!" she complained to any who would hear her, "I was invited as Mrs. Forster's emparticular/em friend. I shall go! He cannot stop me. I'll talk to Colonel Forster; he will get Papa to let me go!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "The Colonel cannot override our father's will, if papa has declared that you cannot go on your visit, it is best to reconcile yourself to it." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "La, Jane! That is so like you to play the pacifist but hear me – I emwill/em join Mrs. Forster in Brighton. Mama will make my father see reason."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "Girls, girls!" cried Mrs. Bennet, skirts bustling as she rushed into the parlor, "Capital news! Your dear father has promised to take us on a seaside holiday to Kirkwood Cottage! Jane, my love, do you remember the old cottage?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "But I am to go to Brighton, right mama? I shall go with Mrs. Foster!" Lydia pushed herself into Mrs. Bennet eyeline, she would not give up her visit!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US""Oh, my dear, sweet girl," Began Mrs. Bennet, looping a comforting arm around her waist and guiding her youngest to a cosy armchair by the hearth, "it is best you take some time to yourself tomorrow for reconciliation. Your father will not be moved, but he is so wonderful to arrange a holiday for us all!" Here Mrs. Bennet cased a happy glance over all her daughters, what fun they will have! "You have never been," she turned her attention back to Lydia, "but Kirkwood is such a lovely place, so well situated! We are but a few minute's walk from the pier, and we shall all indulge in a little sea bathing!"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Elizabeth was astonished at this news, never did she allow herself to hope that her father would heed her words, much less act on them! And this – a promise to take the whole family on a trip! Elizabeth was proud of her father tonight and she would sleep comfortably, knowing that for a time, at least, Lydia cannot disgrace herself and her sisters./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"span lang="EN-US"strong style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"Hi everyone! This is a slow-burn story in the making, focused a genteel family finding their /strongspan style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 16px;"strongrespectability/strong/span/spanstrong style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" and taking their place in their sphere. There will be a HEA for our Darcy couple, but I am a firm believer that Jane deserves someone with a backbone! Also, keep an eye open for some Mary-love (as a middle child I relate to her strongly)/strong/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan lang="EN-US"This is my first JAFF, any constructive feedback will be appreciated./span/strong/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""If you were aware," said Elizabeth, "of the very great disadvantage to us all which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's unguarded and imprudent nature, nay, which has already arisen from it, I am sure you would judge differently in this affair."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "Already arisen?" repeated Mr. Bennet. "What, has she frightened away some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast down. Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the list of pitiful fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia's folly."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Elizabeth was adamant; she was not speaking of any particular evils, but of "our importance", and "respectability" as a landed family. As Elizabeth was relaying her concerns, Mr. Bennet's jest rang in his ears, like an echo in his brain. A warning, given to him by the late Mrs. Sophia Bennet – em"you will regret connecting us to a pretty face with nothing better to recommend her!". /emHis own mother regretted being connected to a emlittle/em emabsurdity/em./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""Excuse me, for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment. Her character will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous; a flirt, too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and , from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admiration will excite. In this danger Kitty also is comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain, ignorant, idle, and uncontrolled! Oh! My dear father, can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised wherever they are known, and that they sisters will not be often involved in the disgrace?"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"A memory of a resplendent Jane dancing at the Netherfield ball burst in Mr. Bennet's brain, followed in stark contrast to her heartbroken countenance he witnessed when he intruded upon her solitary meditation in the stillroom. Her extended sojourn in London with the Gardiners did little to restore her peace./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet saw that Elizabeth's whole heart was laid bare, her concern was genuine; for her family's consequence and future, and more authentic than he had felt in many a season. Taking her hand affectionately, he said in reply, "Be easy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known you must be respected and valued; and will not be censured for having a couple - or I may say, three - very silly sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. Let her go, then! Colonel Forster is a sensible man and will keep her out of any real mischief. And I daresay his wife will be a steady, calming influence; Lydia may return to us a changed woman!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Elizabeth felt her father would not be moved from his comfort, but she owed it to herself and her other sisters to make her father aware of his misinformation, "Mrs. Forster's behaviour is the worst sort of influence I could wish to see on any of my sisters. She is no friend to Lydia and will lead her to disgrace to escape an idle afternoon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet thought on her parting words, a married woman is always thought to be a good example to maidens. Young ladies in their social circle are wont to imitate the lucky women who have settled well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet attempted to remember what he knew of Mrs. Forster and her behaviour; she was young indeed, but many ladies marry at seventeen or eighteen. There was no hint of scandal, if there were so, Mrs. Bennet would have talked his ears clean off about it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"No – it shall all work out for the best. emAt any rate, Lydia cannot grow many degrees worse without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life! – /emSuddenly a great cry was heard from the upper rooms, Lydia was making a grand fuss; emAnd so Providence intervenes and only a fool would ignore the signs! /emThomas removed from his library to witness the chaos unfolding on the upper landing -/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "Mama, Mama! Tell Kitty I am to have her green dancing slippers! She will have no use for them, and I daresay they look better on me!" Lydia danced away from Kitty's reaching hands, "And her Wetherbee bonnet for she looks too plain in it! I shall wear it when Mrs. Forster and I empromenade /emfor the officers." Lydia's was wistful thinking about the pleasures to be had, scores of men gazing at her with admiration! What fun!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Kitty was softly crying in the background and to Mr. Bennet's surprise, Mary held a comforting arm around her shoulders – a look of defeat on both their countenances. Mrs. Bennet, as was her wont, gave consent to whatever Lydia asked. Mr. Bennet observed Elizabeth and Jane sharing an embarrassed look between them before turning to hide in the parlor and, worst of all, two housemaids were staring wide eyed at the spectacle and were seen whispering behind their hands./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US""You will cease this noise at once! Mr. Hill," commanded Longbourn's master, "to my study, if you please."/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US""Of course, sir, at once." Was the only answer heard in the sudden silence./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mr. Bennet paced to length of the little copse just behind the kitchen garden, asking Mr. Hill's opinion on the youngest girls was a poor choice, the long-standing family butler could only defer and say the young misses were still in the throes of puberty. "They will settle soon, sir, and be a compliment to your household as Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth." It did not escape him that Hill neglected to mention the emother/em Bennet daughter; at nineteen, Mary could not be considered in the "throes of puberty"./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"During dinner the same evening, Mr. Bennet sat seriously observing the dynamics of his family; Jane and Elizabeth were much the same as they ever were, well-mannered and a delightful addition to any conversation. Elizabeth tried on two separate occasions to instruct Lydia to keep her own council and not repeat unkind gossip. Mary was pushing her food around her plate, barely eating a bite. Mr. Bennet made a mental note to ask if she was unwell. Kitty was looking peevish and ignored Lydia's direct questions, and Lydia was indulging herself with crowing her good luck at being singled out for such an adventure./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""Just think, mama, Denny will be positively green with envy when I find a dozen new beaus! But I will still dance with him if he should ask. emI/em don't forget emmy/em favorites; not like Wickham did to poor Lizzy!" – "I take his defection with ease -" – "And Chamberlain was soundly rejected by Miss. Newman, her father would not give his blessing, perhaps he thinks she's too young? But Chamberlain is so heartbroken, the poor man. Mrs. Forster says we shall have to devise a plan to cheer his spirits. Oh, mama, I shall have to order a new parasol tomorrow – mine is too old to take to the seaside! I shall be a laughingstock! Mocked and stared at, I could not bear it! I wonder if Colonel Forster will hire a lady's maid to assist me, I should ask Mrs. Forster. It would be a terrible thing indeed if he did not!"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"It was too much, entirely too much, for Mr. Bennet to comprehend – what a childish and coarse thing his youngest daughter was! Talking so unashamedly of beaus and entertaining officers, thinking of imposing on a Colonel to hire an additional servant!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""I rescind my permission," Mr. Bennet stated loudly, when Lydia had drawn breath for her next effusions. Twelve widened eyes fixed themselves on him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""You will emnot/em be going to Brighton, Lydia," he continued in an angry tone, "I can't trust you so near as Meryton to act as befitting of a gentleman's daughter. I have half a mind to return you to the nursery!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Pushing away from the table and dropping his napkin on the table, he removed himself to his chambers before he truly lost control of his temper./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Mrs. Bennet, in a show of motherly affection, gathered her courage after the meal ended and knocked on the door separating her apartments from her husband's. When she heard the soft "Enter", Mrs. Bennet crossed the threshold and moved to sit on the large bed next to her husband, the dark blue cotton sheets went taut beneath her as she rested a hand to steady herself. Before she could draw breath to start her rehearsed speech, Mr. Bennet began;/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "No, Fanny, I will change my mind. Lydia cannot be trusted to keep herself in good regulation and," heaving a sigh, Mr. Bennet felt the truth of his fears settle in his stomach, "and she cannot be trusted to keep herself emsafe. /emShe emcannot/em go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "She is a smart, young lady, Mr. Bennet! She knows better than to give herself up for naught but a handsome face. Mrs. Forster is a good sort of girl and will keep her company, together they will be -" The look Mr. Bennet cast his wife silenced her immediately, "I -," she continued in a softer tone, "I mean to say that Lydia is a good girl, a little lively, but that is what everyone likes most about her. She will have a merry time and come back to us the same."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""No, my dear, I fear she would not. Mrs. Forster is secure in her situation but is too free with her hospitality. She invites single men to entertain her and her friends constantly, remember that hogwash of an officer wearing your sister's clothes?" Sitting down next to his wife, Thomas took her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs on her palms in an absent manner, "She will be quite unbearable now, I know. And you will feel the brunt of her disappointment. What say you to the whole family removing to Waymith for a few weeks' enjoyment?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""Oh, my dear, Mr. Bennet!" cried Fanny, "What delight! What felicity! We have not visited the old cottage since before Lydia's birth." The thought brought a faint blush to Mrs. Bennet cheeks, she recalled that their last sojourn had resulted in Lydia's creation./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;"span lang="EN-US""I shall look into procuring our lodgings and arranging all." Mr. Bennet promised./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Lydia was railing against her father's decision. Her mother had gone up after him to set all to rights. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "It's not fair!" she complained to any who would hear her, "I was invited as Mrs. Forster's emparticular/em friend. I shall go! He cannot stop me. I'll talk to Colonel Forster; he will get Papa to let me go!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "The Colonel cannot override our father's will, if papa has declared that you cannot go on your visit, it is best to reconcile yourself to it." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "La, Jane! That is so like you to play the pacifist but hear me – I emwill/em join Mrs. Forster in Brighton. Mama will make my father see reason."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "Girls, girls!" cried Mrs. Bennet, skirts bustling as she rushed into the parlor, "Capital news! Your dear father has promised to take us on a seaside holiday to Kirkwood Cottage! Jane, my love, do you remember the old cottage?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US" "But I am to go to Brighton, right mama? I shall go with Mrs. Foster!" Lydia pushed herself into Mrs. Bennet eyeline, she would not give up her visit!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US""Oh, my dear, sweet girl," Began Mrs. Bennet, looping a comforting arm around her waist and guiding her youngest to a cosy armchair by the hearth, "it is best you take some time to yourself tomorrow for reconciliation. Your father will not be moved, but he is so wonderful to arrange a holiday for us all!" Here Mrs. Bennet cased a happy glance over all her daughters, what fun they will have! "You have never been," she turned her attention back to Lydia, "but Kirkwood is such a lovely place, so well situated! We are but a few minute's walk from the pier, and we shall all indulge in a little sea bathing!"/span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span lang="EN-US"Elizabeth was astonished at this news, never did she allow herself to hope that her father would heed her words, much less act on them! And this – a promise to take the whole family on a trip! Elizabeth was proud of her father tonight and she would sleep comfortably, knowing that for a time, at least, Lydia cannot disgrace herself and her sisters./span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"span lang="EN-US"strong style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"Hi everyone! This is a slow-burn story in the making, focused a genteel family finding their /strongspan style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 16px;"strongrespectability/strong/span/spanstrong style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" and taking their place in their sphere. There will be a HEA for our Darcy couple, but I am a firm believer that Jane deserves someone with a backbone! Also, keep an eye open for some Mary-love (as a middle child I relate to her strongly)/strong/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan lang="EN-US"This is my first JAFF, any constructive feedback will be appreciated./span/strong/p