P & P FF AU. NON..Canon GENERAL REGENCY

To Catch a Shining Star

Previously:

"Depends on what it is, I may not be able to deliver."

"When your mother passes on, find a place to go. If you cannot...come back here."

Corianna went to open her mouth to ask why, that was -to her- obvious. Her father. He was getting way too controlling.

Talks

Ch. 5

Thomas had meant to leave for Ravenshollow the following morning right after breakfast... only Mrs. Philips had shown up uninvited on his doorstep. That was bad enough, but he had barely put his fork down; thankfully, she was not phased when he had insisted their conversation take place out on the front porch considering the topic the woman was insisting on having.

Mrs. Philips approached Mr. Bennet as he stood in front of his home, admiring the vibrant blooms of the late spring garden. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the landscape. The scent of roses and other various kinds of flowers filled the air, mingling with the fresh, earthy aroma of the lawns that had been trimmed by the gardener after the sheep had grazed the grass down. Birds chirped merrily from the branches of the nearby trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing symphony of nature.

"Mr. Bennet, I hope you do not mind my intrusion," Mrs. Philips began, her voice carrying a hint of urgency as if someone's life depended on it-which he doubted. "I have been thinking about your situation, and I believe it is high time you consider remarrying. There are several eligible ladies in the area who would make excellent a fine wife for you not to mention an excellent mother to your poor girls."

Mr. Bennet turned to face her, a bemused expression on his face. "Mrs. Philips, my poor girls are three-fourths grown. And as to me, I thank you for your concern, but I am quite content as I am. Besides, I doubt any lady would be interested in a man of my age and disposition. Plenty of people would be happy to point out all my faults to them. which would send them running for cover."

"Oh, what nonsense you speak!" Mrs. Philips exclaimed, the lady put her hands on her hips. "You are a just a fine gentleman as any, with a respectable estate. There are plenty of ladies who would be delighted to have you as a husband. Take Miss Charlotte Lucas, for example. She is a sensible and amiable woman, and I am certain she would be a good match for you."

Mr. Bennet wanted to choke, or check his late wife's sister's temperature, "Your memory must be slipping. If you recall, Miss Lucas has already accepted Mr. Collins' hand. I fear you are grossly mistaken in thinking she would be available."

Mrs. Philips waved her hand is if a 'small' slip of memory mattered little. "Very well, but there are other ladies to consider. What about Miss Green? She is a charming young woman with a pleasant disposition."

"Miss Green?" Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow. "I have never heard of her. Are you certain she exists?"

"Of course, she exists!" Mrs. Philips huffed, her eyes narrowed. "And there is also Miss Brown. She is well-read and quite accomplished."

"Miss Brown?" Mr. Bennet repeated, skepticism evident in his tone. "I am beginning to think you are inventing these names, Mrs. Philips for I have not ever heard of either one of those ladies."

Mrs. Philips laughed lightly, her determination unwavering. "I assure you, Mr. Bennet, there are many suitable ladies who would be honored to have you as a husband. Just because you limit your circle, does not mean I do. You deserve happiness, and companionship is a valuable thing. Please, at least consider the possibility."

"I will give it some thought, though I make no promises." Mr. Bennet watched her walk off as Kitty come out the door. "So, who is Miss Brown and where on earth does Miss Green live? I have never heard of those two women I swear."

"They live on the other end of town, hardly ever leave their home and no one in their right mind goes around them."

"Why not?"

"They make Lydia look as if she is on the same level of intelligence as Elizabeth."

"I thank-you for the warning." Mr. Bennet turned around. "Now, if you do not mind, I need to go pack for a trip to visit a friend in Ravenshollow. It appears I have a talent for writing letters in my sleep."

Kitty blushed but her father was gracious enough to ignore it and went inside to pack.

"I still cannot believe you did that." Mary whispered as she came out the door not wishing her father to hear. "How did you pull it off? Your handwriting looks nothing like his."

"I had one of his old letters by the one I was writing." Kitty sighed. "I feared it would not be good enough to get him invited up." She then giggled. "But when Mr. Billings showed up and the two went out to talk I had hope the gentleman had come because of the letter."

"You are fortunate Father did lock himself in his library."

"In the old days, he would have for sure. And, some days, he still does, but I really do believe he is making an effort to do things differently."

"He is at that. Now I suggest we get indoors and get our own things together as Father is to take us to Netherfield while he is gone."

"I am relieved none of Charles' siblings will be there. They are so annoying."

"If it makes you feel better, Jane says Miss Caroline has just gotten engaged and to some guy in London. She has no intention of coming down here again."

"Let us hope not."

Mary and Kitty packed their traveling backs with a few items of clothing and such. They finished up shortly after their father had his things in the carriage. Therefore, it was not long before they were heading to Netherfield.

"I do not want to get word in Scotland you are giving your sister trouble." Mr. Bennet spoke firmly, but with no meanness to his tone. "I think if I can accommodate my ...friend...the least I can expect is to have no problems which demand I rush back home to England before my trip is over."

"We will behave, we promise." Kitty then softly asked if she were forgiven.

"If I gave the impression I was mad at you for anything, it is I who owe you an apology." Mr. Bennet then sighed. "I suppose I should be furious, writing that letter... on one hand was insanely stupid. And yet..." Again another breath of air come out of his mouth. "I must confess, Jane and Elizabeth mentioning your desire for a mother, along with Mary's, is not the first I have heard of it. It was simply the first time I was ready to hear it. And that is not either one of your faults." Thomas confessed he was confused as to why though. "Mary you are were almost nineteen, Kitty you almost seventeen when I first heard, and now you have both had your birthdays. Surely, with the changes in our household you will not remain single long. And it is not as if I am afraid of being alone. So, why such strong feelings for a new mother?"

Kitty spoke, somewhat nervously -hoping she was wording things correctly. "I loved mother, but let us be honest, while she had her good traits...she was not much of a role model of how I am to act in society. I struggle with how to behave; everyone knows it and I know it most of all. Jane and Elizabeth help when they can, but a mother would be able to help navigate social events when they could not and, please, father you are no better at those then when mother was alive."

"You have point there. What about you, Mary?" Thomas realized as hard as he had been trying to change maybe, just maybe, the reason he had struggled in remarrying was because he had not truly listened to Mary and Kitty as he ought to have. Hence, he was correcting that now.

"I think a new mother -hopefully- could give us some emotional stability. You are doing your best, but let us be frank as Kitty just said, there are certain things we simply cannot discuss with men. And, as hard as the servants are trying, we need a mother who can help run the household. We are trying to pick up the slack, but mother never really did have that down very well. It would be a great relief to have some shared responsibilities."

"I suppose I will have to pray, and hope, I can find someone who can handle keeping her mind among chaos because I know girls who have hearts of gold, but can still get lost in the clouds or behind moralistic books." Both girls squirmed a bit figuring they both deserved what he had just said.