Pride and Prejudice- AU GENERAL REGENCY FAN FICTION

Previously:

He did not tell Kitty what her own mother had done for more than one night before she got here. Nor did Mrs. Bennet, as she saw no need to undermine her husband's actions.

Keeping A Vow

NOTE: I am SORRY. this is the SECOND time FF has tossed in an unedited 'paper' even though I had hit the save button. Thank you for pointing out in your reviews the wrong previous was in place...there is no rose or anything like it in this story.

Christmas at Longbourn

CH. 13

Christmas had come to Longbourn and Nadia found the home was just as cheerful and busy, if not busier than her father's home. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy had traveled from Pemberley and were getting ready for the day in the guest room where they had spent the night. The Bingleys had just arrived and were enjoying visiting Kitty who had been the first to rise. Mary hurried down the stairs, not wishing to miss out seeing her eldest sister. Mr. Bennet was finishing up putting on his tie as he watched Nadia brush her hair with a wistful look on her face.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Mr. Bennet walked over and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I was just recalling my last Christmas at home before the fire." Nadia took a deep breath, smiled up at him. "I promise, I am fine; Longbourn has just as much warmth inside its walls as did my parents place." The look in her eyes made Thomas's heart skip a beat.

"I am happy to hear it." Mr. Bennet leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "Come down when you are ready."

Elizabeth, who had stepped out of the guest room at the same time as her father stepped out of his room, followed him down into the parlor. They were quickly followed by Mr. Darcy, her sisters, Mr. Bingley and finally Mrs. Bennet. Once they were all comfortable, small gifts were passed around.

The parlor was decorated with festive ornaments and greenery. A large Christmas tree stood in one corner, adorned with candles, ribbons, and baubles. A wreath hung on the door, and mistletoe was suspended from the ceiling. A fire burned brightly in the fireplace, creating a cozy atmosphere. A long table was set with a variety of dishes and desserts, waiting for the guests to enjoy.

Books that seemed to match their personalities were handed out by Mrs. Bennet...Bingley's were humorous, Darcy's more serious, and Bennet's more varied, along with fishing gear and other such items, were given to the men. While various books, clothes and jewelry were given to the women. It was while Mr. Bennet's girls, married or not, were busy, that he stepped behind his wife and slid a piece of jewelry around her neck.

"I saw you eyeing this the other day in town." Thomas spoke with warmth in his voice as he hooked a dainty necklace around her neck and led his wife to sit on the sofa next to him.

"And we..." Mary spoke as Kitty handed their mother a small box. "Saw you looking at this when you thought we were talking to Ensign Watson and his friend."

Nadia looked between the girls and the box. There was no way. It could not be. Her hands started shaking on their own. Taking a deep breath, she managed to get control and open the box. What met her eyes caused her to suck in her breath. She tried to stay focused. However, heaven help her, she dropped the gift and bolted...out of the room and right up to her and Thomas' room.

"What is wrong with her?" Mary and Kitty were shocked, as was everyone else.

"I have no idea." Mr. Bennet hurried up the stairs, with the girls' gift in tow, to find his wife sitting in a chair, with her knees bent up against her chest with her arms around them. The chair was by their window with her arms around her waist, shaking.

"I am sorry, Mr. Bennet. " Nadia loosened up, a little, "I was just so shocked but, I did not mean to break and bolt in front of the family."

"So, tell me..." Mr. Bennet sat on the edge of the bed. "And tell me straight, what is it about this brooch that made you flee the gathering in the parlor?"

"Look at it closely, if you cannot see what made me bolt, I will point it out to you." Nadia said, eyeing the brooch her husband was now holding. It was a silver carnation brooch, with a ruby in the center. The letters EPN had been intertwined among the design in a way that, unless you were looking for it, those letters were likely to be missed.

"This was your mother's?"

"Yes, how it got in that store I have no idea. We sold it after she died and we needed money desperately." Nadia said, her eyes never leaving the item.

"Why did you not buy it yourself?" Mr. Bennet asked, dumbfounded she had not instantly done it.

"You told me that morning we were at our maximum budget, we had nothing to spare. So...I left it." Nadia swallowed hard. "And I was not about to make you feel bad over a piece of jewelry. People can live without such items, they die without food."

"And sometimes..." Mr. Bennet lifted her chin. "They die without a brooch." He lifted the piece of jewelry up and attached it to her dress. "You also need to keep in mind, my dear, though it is not healthy or wise to keep every single item of someone who has passed on; there is nothing wrong with keeping an item or two to remember them by. So, if you ever come across one more thing of your mother's, you may buy it and I will find a way to compensate for it. Though, I cannot and will not go past that amount; because, as I just stated, that would not be wise."

Nadia wrapped her arms around Mr. Bennet's neck and whispered, "Thank you". He embraced her back, holding her a moment. She then did not fight her husband leading her back downstairs; though she was nervous people would be mad at her for fleeing.

However, no one - to her relief - complained. That was for three reasons; one, their father, behind Nadia's back, gave them 'that' look, two, she was wearing the brooch, and three, the servants came in to tell them it was time to eat.

Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Hill and other servants had already set the table with porridge, cheese, cold meat and other foods the Bennets enjoyed at every Christmas meal. So, sitting down, blessing the food and diving in took no time at all. As did the sounds filling the dining room.

Their talk consisted mostly of family members discussing the news of who was seeing whom, who was getting married, having babies, what was going on with the estates, politics and so forth. Mr. Bennet noticed Nadia listened far more than she spoke, and wondered if his wife could hold her own against Elizabeth, even if she had been doing exceptionally well with his two youngest.

His silent question was soon answered when Nadia, after Elizabeth; unintentionally, slipped into old habits and stated to Mary "I will not let anyone dictate how Mr. Darcy or I should live our lives and raise our children when we have them. I have my own opinions and preferences, and I will follow them. I do not owe anything to anyone, except to myself and my husband.", spoke up politely, but firmly and immovable.

"While, to a large degree, I agree that what happens within the walls of your home is your own business, you must keep in mind that every single person on earth is a cog in a wheel. Every action has an impact on others, both directly and indirectly, be that on themselves or others. Every choice has consequences, both immediate and delayed, that reach beyond one's own sphere, which is not as small as you might think. And considering what you have been saying of late, do you not think you are now being a bit hypocritical?" Nadia was referring to a couple of conversations Mrs. Darcy had been involved in earlier in the day with Kitty and Mary and everyone knew it.

Any talk that had been going on ceased. All eyes turned to Nadia who looked at Mr. Bennet to see what he could do, or say. Half thinking the gentleman who was now her mate was going to demand she apologize to his daughter for daring to speak to Mrs. Darcy so boldy. However, all he did was grin wide, tell Elizabeth her mother was right and then -tactfully- after Elizabeth acknowledged Nadia's point, got their conversation turned elsewhere. Soon enough the meal was done and church attended.

"You have a lovely new wife." Mr. Collins, who brought Charlotte to visit her parents, shook Mr. Bennet's hand. "I heard she held her own with Elizabeth."

"That she did. And my daughter admitted - to everyone- she was the one in the wrong." Mr. Bennet grinned and kept his arm around Nadia's waist as his wife squirmed just a little, and ventured to asked about his cousin's change. "Mr. Gardiner told me about it. But I did not quite believe it; the reports I get do not always match up."

Mr. Collins did his own share of squirming. "The only defense I have was ...too invested... in my loyalty to Lady Catherine for all the help she had ever given me. I could not see the forest for the trees before her passing. Since then... Charlotte's been able to get through to me. As to the others that say different..." He shrugged his shoulders. "I still can be annoying...when I want to be." He then winked his eye and left with Charlotte.

"In other words, he still knows how to chase unwarranted guests off." Mr. Bennet laughed as he helped his wife into their carriage.