PP FF

NON-CANON, AU GENERAL REGENCY

Hearts in Hiding

NOTE: I went and made a SMALL edit in last chapter to clarify that I meant someone in Jone's houshold was part of the ring but Jones was clueless.

Previously:

We will simply make sure men who have proven themselves to hold high ethics and morals—with an ability to truly think—have ample opportunity to meet the third Bennet lady. However, assure Mr. Clark— that name must be kept, at least for the time being—his child will not be forced into any marriage. However, we need those jewels found. They may not be tied to the throne; nonetheless, their connections are desperately needed all the same."

Letters

Ch. 17

Jane, along with her sister Elizabeth, sat on a comfortable, light teal sofa in the parlor of her new home at Maplebrook Estates. The room was furnished with multiple over-stuffed cream-colored chairs and another sofa for guests to sit and visit. Portraits of family members adorned the walls and hung over the fireplace, each frame intricately carved and gilded, adding a touch of elegance to the room without being overbearing. A large chandelier, suspended from a ceiling painted the same color as the sofa and accented with gold paint, illuminated the room with a warm, inviting glow. The chandelier's design blended in well with the curtains and walls, which were adorned with delicate floral patterns.

In the center of the room, a small table held a vase full of fresh flowers, their colors full of life contrasting beautifully with the soft hues of the furnishings. The scent of the flowers mingled with the faint aroma of newly polished wood and the subtle hint of mint from the sachets placed discreetly around the room. A small piano stood in one corner, its polished surface reflecting the light from the chandelier, and a collection of well-loved books filled a mahogany bookshelf nearby.

Both sisters were excited to have received letters clearly marked as coming from their father.

"Lizzie, you must read yours first," Jane sweetly urged her sister, despite Elizabeth's attempts to persuade her elder sister to go first. "I am most certain it is similar to mine. I must hear yours first."

Elizabeth sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. "Very well, Jane. If you insist," she said, her curiosity piqued by her sister's insistence. "But only because you are such a dear. Let us see what Father has to say."

My Dearest Elizabeth,

I must keep this short, for my time is limited. Please forgive me for not reaching out to you before I departed Longbourn in the manner I did. While I did it for the good of your sisters, looking back on it, I think—perhaps—I should have talked to you first. You have a good head on your shoulders. More so than many men.

"I always knew Father recognized your intelligence," Jane grinned wide.

"You are no less intelligent than I," Lizzie shot back with a grin but continued reading.

I cannot say where I am, or what I am doing, but rest assured I have not done, nor am I doing, anything illegal or stupid as certain women in Mertyon are claiming, nor have I inherited any large sums of money. I am also very well aware of you and your sisters. I sold all my personal belongings not to wipe myself from Longbourn as Kitty—in her grief—suggested I do, but to provide dowries for your sisters. I also made enough to hire a governess and companion on a modest salary. However, as you know by now, a friend relieved me of that particular burden. I have sent a short note to your husband. I know he has quietly- and out of character when told by authority—still been trying to find answers. I have ordered him to stop. I will come home when possible. I have not left the care of your sisters to others out of a desire to ignore them.

I have heard how harsh you were on Mary and Kitty. While I understand, please, apologize to them. They were hurting just as much as you. Also, I have learned from someone up here daughters, all daughters, need their father's attention -not just one.

Your Loving Father,

Thomas C. Bennet

"He is right when it comes to our sisters." Elizabeth sighed, then her eyes widened a little as she said. "He has got to be working with the law. Why else would he not tell us where he was? Why else order Fitzwilliam to stop looking when my husband is doing it without being loud?" She then begged Jane to read hers.

My Dearest Jane,

I dare say you are reading this sitting next to Elizabeth, for by now you have surely made that move you and Charles were discussing. A part of me considered just writing one letter because of that. However, I thought you deserved a short note of your own.

I dare say none of this would have occurred had you not been ill the day your mother passed away for as quiet and gentle as you were at home, I have seen you put your foot down in a way the majority around you miss. I am most certain you know, or have figured out, it was Mrs. Bennet who sent for Lydia, for it was not I. However, I have forgiven Mrs. Bennet for that. It has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Please, keep in touch with your sisters for me. You have a quiet, gentle strength that far exceeds many a man I know, though I dare say you are seen as a fool by many. Please do not let that deter you from learning. And if any of my sex tries to tell you any different, feel free to tell them politely where to go, or have your sister do it for you if you cannot find it in yourself to do so.

Your Loving Father,

Thomas C. Bennet

"Oh, my," Jane softly exclaimed. "I do not know what Father is experiencing, but I dare say he is seeing men who value women even less than those we have seen around us."

"Go on with the letter."

"There is not much more. Just that he loves me and to tell Charles hello."

The two sisters discussed their letters. Their father was alive, which was great. It was clear to them it was most definitely the law that kept Mr. Bennet away. The fact he had sold all his earthly treasures to provide dowries for his daughters -to them- spoke louder than any physical signs of affection he ever could give, though many would disagree.

While those two sisters were reading their letters, Mary and Kitty were reading one joint letter among themselves as they sat curled up on Mary's bed. A candle, which sat on a table between Mary and Kitty's beds, along with light coming through the only open window behind the desk, allowed Mary and her sister to easily see their father's letter. They read the words, ignoring the flowered wallpaper, wood floors, and a well-worn rug both knew all too well.

My Dearest Mary and Kitty,

First, I must apologize for not writing two separate letters as I did your sisters. It is for want of time; not for lack of wishing to give you separate attention which you both deserve. I have heard you are beating yourselves up for my selling all my personal belongings and leaving the way I did. Please, stop. You were, understandably, speaking out of grief over having just lost your mother. Rest assured; I was not doing it to wipe myself off the face of Longbourn as you suggested Kitty. Though, I will not lie, your words cut deep; especially Mary's for I was raised that if I kept a roof over my daughters' head, fed them and kept clothes on their bodies I was doing right by them as a father and they would know I loved them.

I know many saw my humor as making fun of you and your mother. I fear my own upbringing taught me I was making fun of situations not people. The same person who taught me daughters need their fathers attentions as much as their sons has now helping me to see what I have been doing. So, while I fear my humor is still very much in place I am fighting to make it far more satirical than sarcastic. And I hope I can learn to aim it at situations not those around me. Please, do not hate me if I struggle to get it right. Back to Mary and her words. I do not hate you though -as stated- the words did sting.

Mary found her throat constricting, and her sister squeezed her hand and told her to go on.

However, they too were spoken out of grief and pain. Therefore, Mary, please move on and heal. Though - as already very clearly stated- those around me said I was doing everything I was supposed to—other than what you already know I am guilty of... I am now thinking while there are many rules of society I wholeheartedly agree with, there are a few I think ought to change…all involving how a father interacts with his offspring. So, it is not as if your words did not have merit. I do thank you for them.

However, alas, for me, I fear it may be too late, especially since I cannot come home at this time. However, I beg of you to believe me; it has nothing to do with you. Nonetheless, I must plead with you both to keep quiet. I am trusting what I have heard of your personal growth to risk writing you this letter.

Your Loving Father,

Thomas C. Bennet

"Whatever is keeping Father away is that important, maybe we ought to burn the letter," Kitty looked at Mary. "I mean, he is aware of us, so that means someone has to be giving reports back to him. And he is begging us to keep quiet. It can be no little matter. And he did sell all those books , and precious treasures of his to get us dowries, and look at all those men who have started looking your way. You make a good match and you will not have to leave Longbourn." Her words made perfect sense as she had no idea what the Marquess had spoken to Mr. Smith.

"I know." Mary sighed. "You would think I would be happy."

"You just want Father back, do you not?"

"I would marry a pauper, and lose Longbourn, if it meant having Mr. Bennet back. He has his faults, but he is our father." She saw no need to burn the letter but did agree they should not keep it out in the open. Therefore, she folded it and hid it under personal items no decent male would wish to touch.