The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/n almost over. At least for now. Since the readers and to those who take time to write comments.

Letters

Mr. Bennet received a long letter from his wife and sat in his library to read it. He read:

Dear Thomas, Miss Bingley wrote to her London friends, to a Miss Grantley and others, to ruin Lizzie. She said it would be best if Lizzie married Mr. Darcy as soon as possible. Our daughter deserves someone like him; I was wrong. Please forgive me. I was not honest earlier, wanting to hurt you.

I have been wrong about many things, too many, I now realize. Instead of enjoying the good fortune that someone like you, the best-looking gentleman I had ever seen, so elegant, gentle, educated, and refined, cared for me, I was a foolishly blind woman and squandered my blessings away. My brother told me more than once that I did not deserve you and hoped you would see who I was one day. He cursed the day he introduced us and warned me that one day I would lose you; he was right. My sister has also said the same; she just told me I do not deserve any better, and I agree…

I am sure that earlier today, someone or something at the cottage scared Miss Bingley. The thought she wanted to hurt Lizzie made me see the error of my ways. You might think I am mad, but without a doubt, I heard someone talking to Miss Bingley, and I also heard my mother telling me to change. I know I was wicked when I wished Lizzie's misfortune after Jane told me what happened. Despite knowing that Jane was not telling the truth, I listened. Though Lizzie is a good daughter and sister, the one all like, I have neither been fair nor a good mother to her.

All my daughters are yours, I lied. I have been a vain woman, flirting with men while married to you, but I only flirted and nothing else. I am more than sorry I was vengeful and angry with your parents, not at you; I hurt you and our daughters, wrongly favored two of them, and spoiled them too much…Ensure Lydia stays home; I do not know what I was thinking about… You are right for being mad at me…I hope that you will allow me to spend time with them

He finished reading and put the letter away, thinking he would forgive her with time, but he was not going back with her. Her words had hurt him like sharp knives; it still hurt. Despite the fact he had loved her, she had killed whatever love left after listening to her hurtful words and seeing the consequences of letting his babies run wild. Though she was guilty of many wrongdoings, the worst was learning she mistreated three of their girls because they looked like they were his daughters. It hurt so much because he also blamed himself.

He had given up much for her, and now he was alone. He was barely 17 when he first saw his friend's beautiful sister and never looked at anyone else afterward. His heart bled, but he knew time would heal it. He was pragmatic and saw he was not alone; he had his daughters and had to be there for them. He needed to be a good parent like his father had been. He had a lot of work in front of him, so thinking about his girls, he smiled. No, he was not alone, and he would also get a dog, maybe two when Dee had pups and some other pets. Then Lizzie would have babies, and that thought made him happy.

Netherfield

That day, while they sat Netherfield, Charles told Louisa, Hurst, and Darcy about the day his father died. He apologized for not speaking up sooner, saying he had been afraid until his mother died and did not want anyone to know what his mother might have done. Louisa added the young maid had told her the same thing.

When it was over, the siblings held hands, mourning their good father once again. Both wept, hugging and wishing Caroline had kept her mouth shut that tragic day. They had cried for a long time, missing their good father, who died not that long ago. In a way, they were now at peace. Hurst and William were quiet, sad to feel their pain, but thankful it was not their story.

Charles and Louisa decided to look for the maid and hear her story. "What if Caroline saw what happened? We must talk to Amy since Caroline said it was not her fault. What did she do?" Charles wondered aloud, afraid of the answer.

He added, "I am sure I saw our father in the carriage. I am not crazy. He looked much younger and happy. I thought he was with your mother, who looked a lot like you; I am sure she was the one he loved. Once, he told me once to find a woman to marry and love; he said he had found one, but she died too soon. I understood he was talking about your mother. I heard our father loved her very much; our aunt told me." Both quit crying, finding the thought comforting.

"He might have been smiling because Caroline will be better. We can hope." Louisa said. Charles was not so sure, but it sounded lovely.

There were theories about what happened, but nobody knew for sure. What Mr. Darcy understood the need to protect Lizzie until they found Miss Bingley and sent her away to one of Charles's relatives. Or he could ask the wise woman for something, since she made tonics to cure many ailments. He remembered his uncle was not so sad after she gave him a tonic. True he did not forget Edna, but he was better; his father had said so.

In the meantime, Mr. Darcy would keep Nancy and the footman to look after his bride, better safe than sorry. They would go with him to Pemberley, to his fantasy. However, he worried it was too cold for swimming, so, he might have to adjust his honeymoon fantasy. He did not want to wait months before making Lizzie his wife. His idea of waiting for days was wearing thin. He knew others waited much longer, but he thought he must have fallen in love with her from the first time he saw her, days before. He heard that Darcy and Fitzwilliam men were like that. No doubt, Fitzwilliam Darcy was good at justifying his decisions.

He remembered the little hot spring at Pemberley, near the caves. "Hmm," he muttered aloud, he needed to think; the idea had its merits. To go to the remote meadow, it was necessary to ride and then hike over rocky and difficult terrain; that was true, to get there was a challenge, but it was a possibility. Lizzie could wear boy boots and tight leather britches, like Penny did. They all wore boots and tight leather britches whenever they went to the caves, so that if they fell, they could protect themselves from scratches. They also wore thick leather gloves and heavy wool jackets. Darcy decided to give that idea some thought.

The truth was that Darcy wanted to kiss his Lizzie; tomorrow was a good day after that day's near-kiss. He was still unhappy with Mr. Bennet, thinking he had intentionally interrupted them, he had seen Mr. Bennet's satisfied smile. Were not they allowed to kiss and a little more now?

Remembering her soft hand on his face and chest, he could not breathe and considered self gratification, but he rejected the idea. He could wait, or so he hoped. He also hoped he could stop thinking about the daybook. But now that Miss Bingley's threat had lessened, he remembered the daybook. He could ask Miss Nancy, in confidence, if she could find out where Lizzie kept it; but that might be too dishonest. Something the old George would do, or something he might have done when he was 13 or so. That might be, but it was tempting; and he was thinking it might not cause problems. The idea was taking a hold of him.

Darcy was finding out his will power was not that great to start with; now, the desire to read the daybook was back. Thus far, he changed his mind about Lizzie within a few hours and proposed the same day, only the day before. Now, he was engaged to be married in four or five days; and, according to him, reasonably so as he saw it, he had nearly run out of patience.

Unfortunately, he had not considered how unusual his courtship had been. If he were honest with himself, he should remember that yesterday he was hiding from her at the library, thinking she was beneath him less than two full days ago, and at that moment, he was in love and ready to marry her. Of course, he had already justified the whirlwind romance as an everyday occurrence.

Nobody had ever held him accountable for his actions, so it was fortunate he was a good man, even if too proud.

When Darcy went to sleep, he tossed and turned, wishing he could find out whether or not his Lizzie was safe. He wished he could stay at Longbourn and would sleep better. He could ask her father if that were possible, because he was afraid of becoming his uncle Gus, never quite happy. That would be him if something happened to Lizzie.

He was convinced Lizzie was the love of his life and cursed Miss Bingley for wanting to harm her. Though perhaps he should thank Miss Bingley, considering her nasty words opened an opportunity to propose to Lizzie. Unknown to him, Mr. Bennet had figured his gallant and honorable offer to marry Lizzie, was not entirely selfless. When he finally went to sleep, he dreamed he was fishing with Lizzie, but nothing else, to his disappointment. Moreover, she seemed crossed about finding him with her daybook.

He wondered how old Mr. Bennet was, he looked young, late thirties or early 40s. His wife looked older than him. As usual, his curiosity was piqued. He thought Mr. Bennet's sadness had something to do with his absent wife. Strange, he was a handsome man, why would she had left someone like that.

Lizzie and the daybook

That evening, Lizzie sat on her bed and opened her daybook. She drew a bride and groom, on profile, the couple looked much like them; she was talented. They were looking at each other and he was holding her hand to his chest. Her dress was beautiful, something royalty would wear; she chuckled making the dress look as if it were made of lace; a little old fashion; yes, she thought, it would be made of Belgium lace. If only, when she was 16 her uncle gave the Bennet sisters handkerchiefs, adorned with a small piece of Belgium lace in one corner.

He explained the lace was extremely expensive. Her mother had liked it and bought a small length of the lace to decorate a nightgown for Jane's trousseau. So, her aunt Edwina, gave Lizzie and Mary a Belgium lace flower for theirs. The small lace piece was certainly not enough for an entire gown, she would make a brooch to pin on her dress, she thought, smiling. Lizzie drew a small tiara, instead of a bonnet, since she despised bonnets. Maybe Lydia could make her something that looked like a tiara. A small dog sat with them, it looked like Dee with a lacy bow, but she did not write anything. After thinking a while, she printed their names under: Lizzie, William, and Dee Darcy under them, and the anticipated wedding date.

Looking at Mr. Darcy's old drawing, she smiled, ripped the page, and folded it to give to her father; she thought it would be best. She was sure Mr. Darcy had read her daybook, and suspected he would try again.

It occurred to her that he was marrying because of her daybook. She had figured out he could be mischievous, and temptation would win. She should start another daybook and put this one away; she might ask her father to lock it in his desk. She could not believe how her life had changed on one, well, two days, and how she had changed towards Mr. Darcy. She scratched Dee's head who was tired and went to sleep. She smiled, thinking she would soon have a husband, and Dee would also be hers. Lizzie leaned and kissed Dee's head.

Since her mother was not there, who would explain to her about the marriage bed? She had seen barnyard animals, but that could not be. Jane and her often talked about it, but had no idea, who to ask?

Lizzie was thinking when Jane knocked. Nancy who slept in the small dressing room, and the footman sleeping on a chair outside her room, woke up, alert since neither one trusted Miss Jane. When Lizzie opened, Jane said, "I am sorry; I hope you can forgive me." Lizzie nodded. But when Jane asked if she could come in, Lizzie shook her head. Lizzie had already made up her mind and would keep her distance for a while. Earlier, Lydia had called her to her room's door and told her she saw Miss Bingley by Jane's window and heard them planning to meet and some more. Lizzie loved Jane but her betrayal stung.

Lizzie said, with a shaky voice, she was about to cry, "Goodnight, I need to go to sleep since William, and the other gentlemen are coming for breakfast." She did not elaborate and after closing the door, Lizzie felt better and smiled, repeating his name, "William, William," and Dee woofed, then closed her eyes again.

Jane went to her room, crying, sad she might have lost her sister, and she had no one to blame but herself. What would she do without her best friend. Though she knew she had not treated Lizzie like her best friend; how she wished she had behaved differently. Now her mother was gone, and her father would not play favorites.

Wedding Plans

The next day, after breakfast, Mr. Bennet met with George. George told Mr. Bennet there were a couple of officers, older than him, who went around with his daughters. He had seen them. They were rakes, one was married, and the other was just as bad. They both talked often enough about the delicious girls, and what they were planning to do with them. They had shared that Lydia was free with her kisses. But he was certain nothing else had happened thus far. Needless to say, Mr. Bennet was distressed, confirming what he already knew and learning new facts.

Then, he asked Col Fitzwilliam to join them and asked him to keep it confidential. Mr. Bennet asked Richard to go with him to the encampment, and George said he would go with them.

The commander knew Richard, who introduced Mr. Bennet as Lord Bennet. When Mr. Bennet expressed his concerns, the commander was apologetic and told Richard that he knew about the captains. He told him to rest assured he would transfer them this same day and apologized profusely, though he wondered why Lord Bennet had not come before.

After he found out that Mr. Bennet did not know anything until the day before, the commander understood. He said his officers should be honorable, staying away from respectable local young ladies. He insinuated the captains had been reprimanded a few times for compromising local young ladies and damaging some. It turned that the single captain was engaged to be married before a month. Unfortunately, the captains' fathers were rich and influential and not much could be done but moving them around. The commander promised to keep everything in the strictest of confidences.

Needless to say, Mr. Bennet was angry with his wife, more than ever. She was at fault for allowing his younger daughters to run wild, but he remained calm. Though thankful he had found out, he also blamed himself for not paying attention.

Mr. Bennet sent an express to his parents, inviting them to Elizabeth's wedding. He still had not heard from them. He also extended an invitation to Edna's parents and his cousin, Edna's much younger brother, a late baby; they would be surprised to see Elizabeth and Darcy. He also wanted them to hear George and others and see the pony. He asked them to bring Edna's pendant. He believed this would help to end their long mourning.

Thomas Bennet's father, who was very wealthy, had offered dowries for his daughters if he came home, but Mr. Darcy said Lizzie did not need a dowry, because she would have more than enough. The settlement would be there the next day, and Mr. Bennet could read that Lizzie would have her own income. They planned the wedding for the end of the week.

That evening, Mr. Bennet decided to allow his young daughters out of their bedrooms, under strict supervision, until he could find a school. Mrs. Hill's niece would be there in the morning to keep an eye on them. But first, he met with Lydia and Kitty in Kitty's room. He told them about the officers they were going around with, explaining that it was possible they would never find a husband if anyone else found out what they had been doing. They had told others what Lydia had done. He did not want to think about Lydia kissing men, older than his new son-to-be.

He explained he was considering if they should stay in Meryton, worried he should not bring them with him afraid their comportment might be known; regardless, this was their last chance.

Both cried, saying the officers were talking about marrying them. They promised to change if they did not have to go to school. Kitty finger-pointed, saying the one at fault was Lydia and not her. But he refused to budge and emphasized they would go to school for a year, adding that at the least infraction, disobedience, bad comportment, flirting, or embarrassing him or their family, they would stay with their mother. Lastly, there would be no more assemblies, dances, or the like, until they were presented, no exceptions.

When Lydia started protesting, Kitty told her to be quiet. Kitty promised her father she would obey and would keep an eye on Lydia, who was already planning to climb down the tree to go and look for the officers. Lydia started fighting, and her father said to watch it because his patience was exhausted and let her know the officers had gone.

Angry, Lydia asked how he was going to punish Jane for trying to ruin Lizzie's marriage. When she told her father what she heard when Jane talked to Miss Bingley, Mr. Bennet said it was not her affair, and not to spread more gossip, or else. If anyone was trying to ruin everyone was her.

He would make sure his daughters behaved, and he would be a good parent. However, he was unhappy to find out what Jane had said. He needed to ask his mother for advice, knowing he needed help if his daughters were to learn to act like proper ladies. He had a brandy happy tomorrow was a new day and then went to bed before making sure the house was locked.

A/N Sad for Mr. Bennet. I laughed thinking how Mr. Darcy has made his own reality.