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

To Catch a Shining Star

NOTE: I do NOT have Lydia run off with Wickham - though clearly, she is still marrying first and young.

Second Note...I have Mr. Bennet having married before he was twenty the first time around in this one.

Third Note: My apologies...I know this story got shorted, with no big gigantic climax (just a small one) but I have an upcoming surgery and without knowing when for sure it will be, or how things will be go, I thought it would better to go this route rather than to risk leave it hanging. So, please, do not get mad at me for that.

Wedding

Ch.1

The morning sun cast a soft yellow hue over the village church, its ancient stone wall standing as silent witness to countless unions over the centuries. Inside, the air was filled with a sense of anticipation and the faint scent of blooming roses. Lydia stood at the entrance, with feelings mixed of regret and resignation. Her gown, a delicate creation of ivory silk and lace, rustled softly as she took a deep breath, ready to step into a future she chosen by not stopping to think about what she was doing. Her eyes looked ahead at the altar.

Captain Wells fidgeted with his cravat, his face full of determination. Nothing showed what the man really felt about what was bringing about this union. He glanced around the church, his eyes briefly meeting those of his bride's family, who were seated in the front pews. Mrs. Bennet could not be seen for she had passed away the year before when Lydia was but fourteen. So, it was Mr. Bennet stoic's expression the captain saw and Thomas's thoughts were unreadable. It made the officer highly uncomfortable.

The clergyman, a kindly old man with a gentle smile, stood ready to begin the ceremony. The memory of an embarrassing incident thankfully, was known only to the bride's father and no one else. However, it was enough to keep the couple at the alter for Mr. Bennet was no longer the same man he was of three years ago and all three knew it.

As the organist struck the first notes of the wedding march, Lydia began her walk down the aisle, her steps slow and deliberate. The congregation turned to watch, their faces a blend of curiosity eyes as the captain's bride walked down the aisle, and Captain Wells straightened his posture. Lydia's gaze remained fixed on him, her mind racing with thought of the impulsive actions that had led to this moment. Nonetheless, those she kept to herself.

The ceremony proceeded with solemnity and grace, the clergyman's voice resonating through the hallowed space as he led the couple through their vows. Finally, the time came to exchange rings, Lydia swallowed as their eyes met and tried not to think of what her father must be thinking. The captain took Lydia's hand and led her down the aisle.

Outside the church, Lydia glanced up at her new husband, a faint smile playing on her lips, and for a moment, she allowed herself to hope that, despite the way their marriage had started out -they might find a way to build a decent life together.

Thomas watched them ride away and blamed himself. He had tried to change in the last few years of Mrs. Bennet's life as had she, in spite of what others had accused them of. And, to some degree it had helped. However, when Mrs. Bennet passed away, his plate had been full as had Elizabeth's and Jane's. They all had one their best to keep an eye on Lydia and, as far as her sisters were concerned it had been a success.

"I will keep my mouth shut on this matter." Mr. Bennet's eyes had blazed at Captain Wells as he had caught him with Lydia in a very compromising situation. "But you two will have your banns read and you will be married within the time frame I specify, or you know full well what will do as I now your superiors extremely well. Need I say more?"

"No, sir, you do not."

Lydia had not argued as she might have... for as silly as she was; even his youngest had figured out before, and after, her mother's death that Mr. Bennet had grown a backbone and was not handing it back.

"Is everything all right? Need we be concerned about the captain?" Elizabeth walked up next to her father.

"It is Lydia, I am always concerned about. The captain has is issues, but he does not gamble or drink for that we can be grateful." Thomas gave a half-hearted chuckled and then shook his head no when his second to oldest asked about Kitty going with them to Pemberly. "Normally, I would have no issue with it. However, your sister seems to have forgotten there is an obligation to be kept with at the Lucas'. Lady Lucas, with Charlotte married, has asked for Kitty's help this next week."

"Speaking of help."

"I am not interested Elizabeth." Mr. Bennet laughed. "You and Jane seem bent on getting me a wife. And I want to know why. You and Jane are married, and it is not as if Mary and Kitty are babies. They are practically grown. And I married before I was even twenty the first time. So, it is not as if I am in a hurry to wed again -if at all."

"Mary wants a new mother." Elizabeth lowered her voice. "She confessed this to me just the other day and Kitty? Yes, she is seventeen, mostly grown. However, a mother may not be a bad idea. I cannot figure out what caused the wedge between Kitty and Lydia but it has occurred. And now she looks to Mary."

"Are you saying they both wish to have a new mother?" He asked the question just as Jane walked up.

"Yes, yes we are." Elizabeth looked at her eldest sibling as if for confirmation on what had just been stated.

"That is what they were claiming to each other in my parlor while visiting the other day." Jane spoke softly. "We have no reason to believe they were joking." His two oldest left when their husbands walked up and begged Mr. Bennet's pardon but said they had commitments which needed to be kept and then tok their wives and left.

Mr. Bennet climbed into his carriage and headed home with his daughters' words ringing in his ears. There was no reason to doubt their words. However, a simple truth remained in place - Thomas C. Bennet may have made changes, may have -in the only way he comprehended been doing his best to show his daughters he did value them; nonetheless, finding a willingness to remarry was proving far more difficult than he had anticipated. It was harder than many of his generation and time were having around him, and the women around him held no appeal for him. However, if what his two oldest had said were true-and he had no reason to doubt them, something needed to be done.