Notes:

1 - Due to a comment, I added some lines in chapter 7 about Jane.

2 - Next week, I will begin posting the story "Actions & Consequences". To avoid any confusion, I have changed the title of this story to "Deception & Retribution". I assure you, I will not change the title again.

3 - This story has about 50 - 55 chapters.

Many thanks to my beta reader and co-author Sam. H.

PPP

"When I agreed to Charles' request and sent an invitation to the Bennets to dine with us, I did not realize that it would cause me so much trouble." Caroline was clearly frustrated by the situation.

"You are being too hard on them, Caroline. The weather is hardly their fault. Mrs. Bennet does not seem to be a fortune hunter, why, she has been looking forward to returning home from the very first day." Replied, Louisa.

Caroline shook her head regretfully. "My concern is for Charles. He is showing far too much interest in Elizabeth Bennet."

"You know our brother, Caroline. He is a hopeless romantic, and he falls in love easily and loses interest just as quickly when another pretty face appears."

Caroline shook her head for the second time. "No, Louisa. I have a feeling this time is different. She is not even blonde, like all of our brother's former angels."

"I think you are overreacting. But if Charles is really interested in Miss Bennet, the situation is not that terrible. She is a gentleman's daughter, and I have not heard anything bad about her or her family."

Exasperated, Caroline replied, "I do recall that several of our brother's angels were much worse than Miss Bennet. Still, I had hopes of Charles marrying a lady of the first circles, with breeding and refinement."

"I would love that too. However, in this case, I do not see any reason to interfere. Miss Bennet may not have any interest in our brother. In my opinion, it is best if we do not get involved." Changing the topic, Louisa asked, "Have you heard from Lady Phelps?"

"Yes, I received a lovely letter from her yesterday. She returned to London three days ago. Her husband is still in the county and will join her in a month." Caroline replied, and added, "I was thinking of organizing a ball at Netherfield in a couple of weeks. It will please Charles, and present an excellent opportunity to invite Elinor and Sir Frederick."

"Take care, Caroline. If I were you, I would not get my hopes up too high. I read in yesterday's social pages that Sir Frederick had been seen yet again with Miss Scotty, this time at the Opera."

PPP

The following morning, Fanny woke up before her daughters. Her neck and back were sore and aching from sleeping in such an uncomfortable and unnatural position, leaning against the door. She was desperate to return to Longbourn that very day. The increasing attention that Mr. Bingley was paying to Elizabeth made her afraid for her daughter. Never mind Mr. Darcy's attention to Elizabeth – talking together and spending time alone in the library, of all things!

She must have a serious talk with Elizabeth and warn her about the potential dangers of being alone with a gentleman. She would explain to her daughter how to handle the situation if it should arise again. Jane's tragic fate will never happen to Elizabeth, or to any of her other daughters!

Dressing quickly, Fanny knocked on the door of Elizabeth's bedchamber, who had not yet finished getting ready. Elizabeth was surprised to see her, because her mother had got up earlier than her usual time, but invited her into the room to talk.

"Mama, you look exhausted. Are you well?"

"I am well, Lizzy. There is nothing amiss with me, but I am very worried about you."

Elizabeth looked at her strangely and asked, "Me, but why?"

"I do not like Mr. Bingley paying so much attention to you. I am also upset because you were alone with Mr. Darcy in the library." Fanny sighed. "We have only known them for a short time, and I do not trust them."

"Mr. Bingley is a kind and amiable gentleman, and Mr. Darcy seems to behave with the utmost propriety..."

Fanny interrupted her, "Mr. Willow, who seemed like such a kind and decent gentleman, turned out to be a duplicitous scoundrel."

"Mama, I know Jane was severely disappointed by Mr. Willow, and suffered greatly when she learned he married someone else, but such is not the case now." She looked her mother in the eye, "I promise I shall be very careful, and I will not raise my hopes regarding Mr. Bingley."

Fanny shook her head and said, "Lizzy, just promise me that you will avoid being alone with him or any other gentleman."

"I promise you, Mama."

PPP

After breakfast, Darcy and Bingley went out with two footmen to clear the path from the main road or Netherfield. The storm had been a powerful one and many trees had been damaged, leaving their broken limbs scattered all along the road. It took them many hours to get the job done.

Shortly after they returned to Netherfield, it started to rain again. Much to Fanny's frustration, they had to remain one more night at Netherfield.

That evening, the conversation centered mainly on the upcoming ball the Bingleys would hold at Netherfield.

"It is exciting news! I have never had the pleasure to attend a private ball, and I hope I can convince Papa to allow me to attend." Kitty exclaimed very excitedly.

"Have you settled on a date for the ball, Miss Bingley?" Elizabeth asked.

"I need to hire musicians from London and invite friends of ours from town. I think perhaps in two weeks' time."

They continued discussing the ball, until late into the night. Of all of them, Caroline was the happiest with the prospect of the ball. It was her hope Sir Frederick would accept the invitation to attend the ball, and stay at Netherfield for several days. She had not said anything to Louisa, but Elinor had intimated her brother was in love with her, and it was only a matter of time before he proposed to her.

The next morning after breakfast, a grateful Fanny finally managed to return to Longbourn with her two daughters.

PPP

Immediately, upon Mrs. Bennet entering Longbourn, Tommy wrapped her in a tight embrace, kissed her on the cheek, and exclaimed, "Mama, I missed you so much! I do not want you to leave me again. I thought you had abandoned me!"

"My darling boy! I missed you, my love. The storm kept us from returning earlier, but I am here now, and I am never going to leave you again." Fanny replied.

"Did you miss only Mama, Tommy? Do you not love Kitty or I any more?" Elizabeth asked with a smile as she ruffled his hair.

"Yes, I love you too. But I love Mama more." Tommy smiled and hugged his sisters as well.

"Mama, I hope next time you will let me go with you. It is not fair that I always have to stay at Longbourn." Lydia protested.

Fanny sighed and said, "Lydia, you know what your father and I have agreed on. If you keep going on this way about it, it will only prove to your father you are nowhere near ready to be amongst society." Changing the subject, Fanny asked, "Has anything of note occurred while we were from home?"

"Oh Yes! La, I almost forgot. I have excellent news," Lydia exclaimed very excitedly. "Aunt Phillips was here this morning, and told me a regiment of the Militia is to arrive in Meryton in a couple of days. They shall encamp here all winter!"

Fanny frowned, and before she could answer, Tommy asked, "Mama, shall I be a soldier when I grow up?"

"No, Tommy, why do you ask this question? You would be the Master of Longbourn, just like your father, when you are grown."

"But Aunt Phillips said that soldiers are the most handsome men in the Kingdom, and you always say that I am the most handsome boy in the Kingdom."

Elizabeth, Kitty and Lydia tried to hold back their laughter, but seeing their little brother's expectant face waiting for their mother's response, they finally started laughing.

Fanny shook her head and replied, "They are not the most handsome men in the Kingdom, Tommy."

PPP

That same afternoon, Mr. Bennet returned from London alone. Mary stayed with the Gardiners and would return to Longbourn with them for the Christmas holiday.

After dinner, Thomas asked his wife to join him in his study. In the past this would have been a strange occurrence and one to make Mrs. Bennet's nerves flutter. Now, she anticipated it, knowing he would share his news with her. As soon as they were alone, Fanny eagerly asked him about the meetings.

Thomas replied, "The two meetings were very productive and successful. Fortunately, in the last six years we were able to save £2000 for our daughters' dowries."

Fanny beamed and said, "I am so happy. Although Tommy will inherit Longbourn, and I am much calmer about my future, it is good to save as much as we can for our daughter's futures."

Thomas agreed.

Fanny asked him, "Did you visit Jane?"

"No, I did not have time, Fanny. Mary visited her with Madeleine."

"Thomas, you should make peace with Jane before it is too late. We can invite her to Longbourn for a few weeks."

"No… I… I cannot. Fanny, I cannot face her! It was all my fault!"

"Thomas, you and I both made mistakes. Our Jane ended up paying a very high price for our irresponsibility, but she loves us and needs to know we love her and support her with our whole hearts."

"Fanny…, I was not a good father…" Thomas interrupted her.

"No, Thomas, what is done is done. We have Tommy, who is a true blessing," she smiled sadly. "I cannot imagine how sad and difficult it must be for Jane to be away from Tommy. Especially knowing she probably will not be able to have another child."

Thomas sighed heavily. "I do not want to talk about Jane any more. I actually need to speak to you about a more serious topic." He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. "I went to see a doctor in London because of some severe pain and lumps that appeared in my chest a few days ago."

Fanny's eyes widened. "Thomas… Why did you not say anything before now?"

Thomas looked at her sadly, "I did not want to make you nervous. Unfortunately, the doctor's diagnosis was not good. It is most likely cancer."

Fanny looked at him in shock, then hugged him, and began to cry, "There must be a mistake. You have to see another specialist in London."

"Fanny, please calm yourself." He patted her back softly. "My father started with the same symptoms I have now, and lived for several more years." Kissing her forehead, he continued, "I prefer not to say anything to our daughters or to make any changes to our current life at Longbourn, until I am certain of the diagnosis."