AU Pride and Prejudice

Note: For those who have already read this far...I edited ch. 1 and 12 and put a note at the top of those chapters. Mr. Bennet starts this story at forty-six. I normally let the reader decide his age. However, with the way this story went...I opted to base his marriage to Miss Gunnarsson off the marriage of one my brother-in-law's aunts when it came to the ages.

Fan Fiction

Previously

Eighth notes instead of simple quarter notes were played. Runs where none had been expected were heard. And unexpected time change and so on stunned Kitty's small audience. Yes, there were mistakes, but they were not noticed much thanks to help from Mrs. Bennet. And by the time Kitty was done, there was enthusiastic clapping…the loudest being Mary.

Blindsided

Book Sale and Meeting up with Ivar

Ch. 13

Mr. Bennet walked briskly along the Strand, holding his leather bag close to his chest. He did so not only because a fairly strong wind had begun to blow, but also because a few street urchins had appeared where Thomas had not expected them to be. He had just left his lodgings at the Bedford Hotel, where he had spent the night after arriving from Longbourn. He was on his way to meet a gentleman who had advertised a rare and valuable book for sale.

"I hope he is as honest as Mr. Darcy's friend claimed." Mr. Bennet spoke quietly to himself as he thought of the book he hoped to acquire. It was a first edition of The Works of Shakespeare edited by Alexander Pope. Emmaline had mentioned borrowing it upon coming to England and her face had shone while talking about it. Therefore, Thomas hoped to give it to her as a belated birthday gift.

Keeping a hold of his item, he was glad the wind died down as quickly as it had come up, for he was able to relax his grip on the case. Thomas observed the sights and sounds of the city as he walked. Multiple shops, taverns, theatres, and offices lined more than one street. He heard the noise of the traffic, cries of the hawkers, chatter of the pedestrians, and the occasional blast of a horn.

"Thomas!" Ivar hollered as he came out of a shop and saw his friend heading towards one of the lesser known but well-respected bookstores in London. "We had no idea you were coming to London. Is my sister with you?"

Thomas smiled at his friend and was about to reply when a woman matching Mrs. Bennet's description of her brother's wife stepped out of the same building. Instantly, his broad smile was replaced with a polite but stiff one. "I take it this is your wife?" His voice stayed on an even keel, showing no particular emotion. "I had no idea you brought your wife on business trips."

"Yes, this is Matilda." Ivar shifted on his feet. "She…wished to see London and her sister lives here."

"I see."

"Are you Mr. Thomas C. Bennet?

'I am Mr. Bennet."

"I am so pleased to meet you." Mrs. Gunnarsson's smile was fake and patronizing. How had Ivar not seen that at his age? How had a whole family missed it? The lady continued on failing to notice he had only confirmed who he was, nothing more.

"Where is our sweet Emmaline?" Any stranger who was not observant or did not know the lady's history might think Mrs. Gunnarsson sincere. "Surely she came with you?"

"My wife is home." Mr. Bennet's voice remained cold. "Why would she come with me on business?"

"To support you, of course."

"She need not come with me to London to do that." Mr. Bennet turned to Ivar, who he realized would not be surprised to hear what had just been said. "When, and if, you are not busy with your wife, we need to talk. I will be at the bookstore for about an hour." There was no need for anyone to tell the Gunnarssons that it would not be with Matilda around; the silence alone was very loud and clear; and -for once- even Mrs. Gunnarsson caught the tone.

"Of course, Mr. Bennet."

Mr. Bennet crossed the street, ignoring the gleeful look on Matilda's face. He knew women like that well; she would assume Emmaline was making his life miserable. She would be delighted thinking he wanted a divorce and wished to talk to her husband without anyone around. Well, let that old hag think what she wanted; Mr. Bennet did need to talk to Ivar alone and he was not going to have that female within earshot. Opening the door of Mr. Bank's business, he walked in.

The establishment was small, cramped, and full of books. Mr. Bank's small build and thinning hair could only be seen because he was sitting on a chair at a desk in the middle of the room. A ledger was open in front of him and he was recording the sales he had made so far that day. The bell ringing above the door got him to lift his head.

"Hello, may I help you?"

"I am Thomas Bennet. I have come to discuss the book you have for sale. The one you have advertised in the Morning Post."

Mr. Bank went and retrieved the book out of a safe in the back room. "I hope you are serious about this." The gentleman shook his head. "I cannot believe the trouble I have had in selling such a rare book; you would think people would be snatching it up for as good a shape as it is in."

"I guess they do not recognize a gold-mine when they see one." Mr. Bennet was amazed at the condition of the book. No tears, no stains, no signs of any wear of any kind. "No one has even attempted to make you a different offer?"

"No, and that shocks me."

Thomas pulled out his own book. It was a first edition of The History of England by David Hume, a work of political philosophy. "I was hoping to buy your book but bring its price down by offering you this one plus cash."

Mr. Hill's eyes widened. He could not believe what he saw. "Do you know how long I have been looking for that book? I mean, in good enough condition to even consider buying?" He gingerly turned the covers, awestruck by how great of shape Mr. Bennet's own book was in. "How much do you want for it?"

"Four thousand pounds." Mr. Bennet knew it was not a foolish price, as did the bookkeeper, though he admitted to Thomas -only because no one was around- that it was worth more than his own, and was in just as great shape as Mr. Bank's. He then offered to swap the book and give him another five hundred pounds. It was just as Mr. Bennet was turning around that Ivar walked in.

"I see you had time to get off your chain." Thomas spoke sympathetically.

"It does feel like that at times…" Ivar shook Mr. Bennet's hand. "However, today, she really is with her sister." He then asked about Emmaline and what were the odds they could see her.

"You and Maja can see her anytime you wish, the rest of your family -including that wife of yours- are not welcome at my house." Mr. Bennet understood all too well having a nagging wife, felt empathy for his friend, but -if that man's backbone had begun to crumble, Mr. Bennet could do nothing for him as he valued his marriage to Emmaline too much to do such an asinine thing as allowing Matilda into Mrs. Bennet's domain.

"Please, Thomas, can we come visit for just one day. Matilda has really been pushing for a visit."

"No, Ivar, I am not changing my mind. I do not know your wife's motives; she wanted Emmaline gone, she is gone. She is mine now."

Thomas knew that made it sound as if he were the type to think women were possessions; he did not. However, the man was not stupid; he easily figured out Matilda - at the very least- wanted to 'view' what she figured would be the 'damage' she had created, to gloat over others' unhappiness and do what she could to make people miserable. If him playing the part of a stereotypical possessive male in order to be shield, and protector for Emmaline against Ivar's wife, so be it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. She is not welcome." Mr. Bennet kept his voice ice cold and would not budge. "If you keep this up, Ivar, neither will you. So, I highly suggest you decide just how much of a backbone you really want to have and where it is at; I found mine." With that, he left Ivar Gunnarsson not only in a state of shock, but also admitting to himself that his old friend had been correct…he had been allowing Matilda to browbeat him down.

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* and ** Are both real books