PP AU NON-CANON GENERAL REGENCY

NOTE: For anyone that is thinking the same thing on the breakfast bit: I DO attempt get facts straight, clearly, I do not always get correct information. However, Thomas' breakfast in chapter one has been edited.

An Unexpected Win

Previously:

Thomas continued reading the letter and, while it appeared to read as normal as any letter, the latter half of Paul's correspondence- including the mention of sitting down for a friendly game of Whist -no strings attached- had an undercurrent of something more needing to be said but of which was not being spoken and that was not putting Mr. Bennet at ease. Nonetheless, a calm feeling settled over him, as if telling Thomas to accept the invitation; that it was alright to go.

Between the Lines

Ch. 2

Thomas had sat down to write his friend Paul only James and Kitty had shown up with their infant son, Kent. So, rather than to ignore his grandson, Mr. Bennet set letter writing aside.

"You are growing like a weed." Thomas set Kent on his knee as he sat in 'his chair' in the parlor and grinned as the baby played with his cravat. Turning to his daughter and her husband, he added, "I am sorry, Mrs. Hill's young granddaughter wrote the date of your arrival down wrong. However, considering I just received word Miss Lucas' wedding had to be postponed due to unexpected illness, it has ended up not mattering."

"Who is Charlotte marrying? We have not even heard any banns being read," Kitty inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"I am quite at a loss. I was informed that a special license had been procured, and no banns were to be read. Beyond that, I was merely apprised that the couple desired my presence, which is why I donned my best attire. Regrettably, their messenger arrived just prior to your entrance and conveyed that I would be summoned once the groom had sufficiently recovered to partake in the exchange of vows."

Kitty, rather than dwell on someone else's marriage vows she had no need to be involved in, focused on rumors that were going around Longbourn, and even as far down as Kent. "People are saying you and Lady Catherine are seeing each other secretly. Is there any truth in that?" she asked with a mischievous smile.

"If we are indeed in such a situation, someone must inform me at once," Thomas began, bouncing Kent on his knee. "So that I may mount my horse and escape England before the overbearing woman takes command of Longbourn and its lands."

"I did not believe it to be true and protested loudly against such words coming from Mr. Collins," Kitty replied, shaking her head.

"That man could not get his facts straight if you laid them out plainly for a child of eight," Thomas said, standing up and handing Kent to the child's mother. "James, if you please, follow me."

Thomas led Kitty's husband out of the room and down the hallway. The men went past portraits of the Bennet family, landscapes, small tables, and miscellaneous decorations before entering Longbourn's study. Large windows framed the view of tall trees, well-trimmed hedges, and dormant flower beds, all awaiting the colors of spring. For now, a fire crackled warmly in the hearth, and the light from a chandelier above lit up the room. Shadows stretched long across the floor, creating the illusion of extra guests, though it was merely the furniture casting elongated silhouettes.

"Please sit down," Thomas pointed to one of the overstuffed chairs and ignored the other sofas and nearby round tables. He then took his own seat in a nearby wooden chair. Kitty's father then opted to bring up the subject of Paul's letter, but only because James had mentioned at one point his family having lived in *Driftwood Bay near the Kingsleys for a short time.

"I need inquire about Paul and Rose Kingsley. How well did the Bingleys and our family know them?"

"The Hursts and my siblings not at all; they were either too busy at boarding school, or by the time they were not, their father forbade the girls to go over there. I went because I worked in their stables before we moved inland, far closer to London and better private schools."

"Was Paul that bad?" Thomas asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Paul was fine. It was that wife of his that was a nightmare. Word was she was a headache from the start. I really do not know why those two even got together. And, no, I did not ask."

"They had children. None of them live close to their father's estate." Thomas assured James he had reasons for asking. "Was that due to their father or mother?"

"My vote would lay that at their mother's feet. Yes, Paul has his issues, but, overall, he is a decent human being. Basically honest, does not go out of his way to harm people and yet, I must confess, he seemed... guarded... but, honestly, I cannot tell you if that was due to anything he was doing, or whether he was simply trying to survive around that wife of his. So, I have a hard time seeing his children staying away from the estate because of Mr. Kingsley." James could not help but ask his own question. "Are you going to even give me an idea why so many questions in regard to the Kingsley family?"

"Read the last half of that letter, but not out loud. Tell me if there is not an undercurrent to it. If you do not feel it, then I will chalk it up to me working around Longbourn's estate too many hours."

Thomas watched as James carefully unfolded the letter and began reading silently. The fire's warm glow cast a gentle light across the room, and the sound of rain pattering against the windows added a soothing backdrop to the moment.

After a few minutes, James looked up, his expression thoughtful. "I confess this correspondence is most interesting." He continued on, "There is definitely something between the lines. Mr. Kinsley seems to be saying more than what he has written down, almost as if he is trying to tell you there is more going on than a simple invite for old friends to sit down and have a friendly chat to catch up on old times."

Thomas nodded. "That is what I thought too. Paul was never the type to go at a subject from the side, always just said what thought straight out, but that letter felt different. There feels an... urgency... that I cannot seem to place my finger on."

James leaned back in his chair, giving serious thought the situation. "Do you think, by chance, it has something to do with his wife's passing? Grief effects individuals differently, many people find it hard to express their true feelings after such a loss. I mean, their marriage was far from ideal; nonetheless, Mrs. Kingsley was his spouse. There had been no divorce."

"Perhaps," Thomas agreed, "but there is something more to it. The mention of his children being away, the invitation to visit... all that by itself would indeed feel as if he were simply reaching out companionship and an old visit; but the strange undercurrent shouts it is more than grief over a loss of a spouse motivating that letter."

James sighed, setting the letter down on the table. "Whatever it is, I agree with you. There is an undercurrent of something being left unpenned. If you feel compelled to go, then maybe it is worth the journey."

Thomas stood up and walked over to the fireplace, laying his hand on the mantle as he gazed into the fire. Flames leapt up like thin figurines inviting anyone to join them in a dance of shadows as Mr. Bennett's thoughts wandered to Paul's words about his marriage and James' comments on the family dynamics. He cringed at the thought of children who purposely chose spouses or careers that would keep them away from their parents. As much as he and Larissa may not have always done right, they had managed to get their act together enough that Mary lived in Meryton, Kitty lived in Netherfield, and the other girls communicated on a regular basis.

James stood up and walked over to Thomas. "Unless there is something more you need to discuss, I think it is best I go rejoin Kitty and my son."

"Yes, yes, of course." Thomas gave an understanding smile. "I do thank you, James. I really did need to talk."

"Anytime."