PP FF NON-Canon AU GENERAL REGENCY

Hearts in Hiding

Previously:

"Life happens." Mr. Clark gave a slight bow, walked out the door, and—mentally—shouted, "Thank heavens, those are people I do not miss!" Just as he stepped out into the open air a thought struck him hard; it had to do with a look on Mr. Smith's face when he -in the role of Mr. Bennet- had asked him a question back in London. It was that memory which shouted who he needed to talk to. And yet, at the same time, the gentleman could not help but wonder how his daughters were doing.

Dealing with Rumors

Ch. 14

Lady Lucas and Mrs. Philips strolled leisurely along the path near Longbourn, their parasols shielding them from the pale winter sun. The ground was hard with frost, and their breath formed small streams of thin clouds in the crisp air. Lady Lucas's younger children ran ahead, their laughter echoing in the stillness, their cheeks rosy red from the cold. Their coats kept the winter chill at bay, as did the ladies' own warm attire.

"Have you heard the latest about Mr. Bennet?" Lady Lucas began, her voice low and conspiratorial. "It seems he has left Longbourn entirely. No one knows where he has gone. I have not seen him in months."

Mrs. Philips nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Indeed, I have heard the same thing. It is most odd, is it not? To simply up and leave your family and relations without a word. And what of his daughters? How are they managing without him? I am his own relation and yet none of the family tells me anything since my dear sister departed this mortal existence." A tear fell, or at least something akin to one fell.

"That is the most fascinating part," Lady Lucas continued, glancing around to ensure they were not overheard. "I have it on good authority that Mrs. Brinkerhoff has been employed as a governess and companion to Mary and Kitty. But how your brother is affording such an expense is beyond me. Longbourn has never been a wealthy estate, we all know that."

Mrs. Philips leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "There are rumors, I did not believe them, but there must be some truth to them if those girls now have a governess as you say. I heard he came into a large sum of money, more than any of us could have ever imagined. It had to have been an inheritance on his side of the family."

"Or a secret investment?" Lady Lucas suggested.

"Perhaps," Mrs. Philips sighed. "Others have suggested to me that he has taken a position somewhere, though what kind of position would allow him to abandon his family is a mystery."

Lady Lucas shook her head, her expression one of disbelief. "It is all very odd indeed. And we are still back to that governess… what of Mrs. Brinkerhoff? She is a woman of some repute. I heard of her as far north as Kent one summer when I was visiting a cousin before the poor young lady passed away. Surely she would not take on a position at Longbourn without assurances of payment."

"Precisely," Mrs. Philips agreed, her brow furrowing. "It makes one wonder what Mr. Bennet is up to. I do so hope all his activities are legal. I would hate to see my poor, late sister's husband in prison. And why he would leave his daughters in such a manner anyway." Her tone turned to a whine. "It is most unbecoming of him."

As they walked, they noticed Mary and Kitty approaching from the opposite direction. The early winter sun cast long shadows on the frost-covered path, and the air was crisp and biting. Mary and Kitty were bundled in warm, woolen coats, their hands tucked into muffs to keep the chill at bay. Their bonnets were tied securely under their chins, and their cheeks were bright red from the cold.

The two sisters exchanged a glance between themselves. It was vague, barely seen. It let the other know they would be polite, but not give the two gossipy women any more information than necessary—even if one was their aunt. Therefore, they kept their expressions neutral.

"Good afternoon, Lady Lucas, Mrs. Philips," Mary greeted them politely.

"Good afternoon, my dears," Lady Lucas replied, her curiosity piqued. "We were just discussing your father. It must be difficult for you, with him gone."

Kitty nodded; her chin held high. "It is, but we manage. Mrs. Brinkerhoff has been a great help to us." Gone was the flighty tone which had been attached to her name for so long; it shocked the women though neither one of them would ever admit it.

"And do you know where your father is?" Mrs. Philips inquired, unable to contain her curiosity.

Mary and Kitty exchanged another glance before Mary spoke. "We did not ask Father where he was going; it was not our place to do so." The third Bennet sister hid her 'Take that' look and continued on. "However, we trust he has his reasons for this absence. He has always done what he believes is best for the family."

Kitty added, "And we are confident he will return when the time is right. Until then, we have each other, our sisters, their husbands and Mrs. Brinkerhoff to support us."

The two sisters continued on their way, their boots crunching on the frosty ground, leaving Lady Lucas and Mrs. Philips very disappointed in the girls' replies and to ponder the mystery of Mr. Bennet's disappearance with nothing but their own, over-active imaginations.

"Can you believe those two?" groaned Mary. "You know they are going to come up with some crazy reason for him being gone."

"Do you want to tell them what Fitzwilliam was told? What started this whole mess?" Kitty let her shoulders sag.

"No. However…" Mary's mood brightened as she recalled a conversation she had held with Mrs. Brinkerhoff. "Maybe, our governess- and the others, all have a point."

"What do you mean, what points have they been making to you?"

"We knew the way father was raised. And yet we made no effort to connect with him. We only complained he favored Elizabeth and yet she made the effort to connect with him. You were so focused on following Lydia's actions and I stuck in my own type of books. Maybe, even with him gone, we can change that."

"How? And what good would that do? He is not even around." Kitty was not attempting to be difficult; she was honestly struggling to understand how it would affect their situation even though their father was gone; and poor Kitty had not attempted to be trouble to others when they had tried to tell her the same thing either.

"First, let us write Elizabeth. Some people may not have liked her of late; however, our sister does know father. " The more Mary talked; the more excited Kitty became. Somehow, she was now connecting to Mary in a way that Elizabeth and Jane had always had. Maybe, her sister, was correct. Their actions would not bring their father back by themselves. However, when he came back… the young lady refused to use the word if… their actions would show him their hearts were no longer in hiding when it came to their father, and there was definitely a place for him in hers.

"And I will see if Mrs. Brinkerhoff will teach me piano or, maybe, violin." Kitty got excited. "I do not know if I will be any good at either; however, I think either would be better than idling away my time."

"The lady is helping me become more balanced. Perhaps, after we receive a reply letter from Elizabeth, Mrs. Brinkerhoff would be willing to use it as a guide for our lessons."

"I do hope so." Kitty, without even thinking, slipped her arm through Mary's and, her sister, though unsure what to think, found a smile sliding onto her face. Maybe, just maybe, something good was coming out of this whole mess after all.