A/N - All Longbourn events this chapter.

This is the 2nd chapter posted today, so be sure to read chapter 14 first. I figured if I posted this alone some readers (guest trolls mainly) would be upset and leave reviews I'd have to waste my time deleting. LOL, Also I am managing to write ahead of the chapters. My fear is life getting in the way, or my brain getting stuck and losing the gap I currently have.

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 15

Elizabeth did not waste any time. She was on a mission and needed her aunt's and Kitty's help to complete it.

On her return to the house, she joined the family at the meal. As soon as the meal was over she asked Aunt Gardiner to join her under the guise of having questions about Alex.

"How is Jane?" Aunt Gardiner inquired, not waiting a moment after she sat on Elizabeth's bed.

"She is hurt. And angry, I think. The second is not an emotion she is familiar with. Being so isolated at Longbourn, she has not been afforded the luxury to process through her complex feelings. Please help me convince her to return with us to London." Elizabeth, holding Alex, joined her aunt on the bed.

"It has been so lonely for her here, but she would not leave your father." Mrs. Gardiner's lips pressed into a pinched line. She shook her head, "I asked her to come so many times, Lizzy. She refuses to accept she still has opportunities to look forward to."

"I hope she will come now and try living again. Put the loss and pain behind her." Elizabeth laughed. "It sounds so trite to say such. Lord knows, I am very aware how much courage it takes."

"She never did have your fortitude, Lizzy."

"I never had her goodness, Aunt."

"Hush Lizzy, you have a different kind of goodness."

"Well, we shall have to make sure Jane finds a new kind of goodness, and fortitude as well. One sister has already been lost to us, not to mention our mother. I refuse to lose anyone else before their time."

Madeline, held her niece's face gently between her hands, "My dear girl. I am so very proud of you."

They hugged until Alex's cry of hunger broke them apart. If Madeline's shoulder was wet when they separated, she spoke not one word of it.

~ / ~

That afternoon Elizabeth began her campaign. She and her aunt had worked out different schemes which might either entice Jane to Town, or at least assuage her concerns over leaving Mr. Bennet.

"Jane, I am asking you again to accompany me to Town."

"Lizzy…"

"The doors are open Jane. Let life back in. Besides, I will need your help with Alex." It was beneath her, but Elizabeth knew Jane could never turn down a blatant plea for help.

Jane gave her sister a long, contemplative stare. "Very well. I shall travel with you to London, but I am not interested in meeting anyone."

"I am in mourning, Jane; I will certainly not be attending assemblies. Perhaps our uncle and aunt might take you to see a play or a concert.

Elizabeth crossed the room to sit beside her sister. "Kitty will be staying here, as you are aware. Do you not think it a good idea for her to begin learning from Mrs. Hill everything you have shouldered these many years? Based on the changes I have seen in her, I think she might do very well."

Jane nodded her head in agreement. "I will speak with her and Mrs. Hill. Perhaps we might even entice papa out of his book room and get him to discuss a book or two with her."

Elizabeth could not believe how easy this was going. She eyed her sister a little suspiciously.

Jane noticed and sent her one of her former serene smiles. "Do not be so shocked, Lizzy. It is not as if this is the first time you have mentioned it. The simple fact is I do not wish to be separated from Alex." And gave Elizabeth a smirk, got up and walked out of the room.

Mouth agape, Elizabeth could not but ponder yet again the resemblance between Jane and her new friend, Georgiana. I might as well let the two of them take over the care of Alex and be done with it.

Jane's decision made, all the ladies pitched in to teach Kitty as much as possible of Longbourn's household duties, before the departure. It was going to be a hurried course of teachings, as Mr. Gardiner needed to get back to his business affairs and could not delay much longer.

The women convened in the back seldom used sitting room, accounting books arrayed around a small table. Chairs had been pulled up from all corners of the room and everyone was focused on Kitty and giving her a basic idea of the day to day tasks, before she was left to handle things by herself.

"There is no need to fret, Kitty dear." Jane pressed Kitty's hand. "Mrs. Hill is here to guide and teach you. I did not know anything when I began. Aptitude comes with learning and experience. You will do very well.

"The tenants will still require caring for. However, I am not sure it would be a good idea for you to go on your own. I am only sorry we will not have enough time to meet with all of the wives and children. Mrs. Hill," all eyes turned toward that lady, "Do you think a maid will be able to accompany Kitty?" Jane wore an encouraging smile.

"Jane, they will think me very silly…"

"I do not believe they will, Kitty. They may have memories of you being such. But you are no longer a silly girl and if you greet them with their best interest at heart any opinion they may have had will be amended. Mrs. Hill will make sure they know you have her approbation. Is that not so, Mrs. Hill?"

"Aye, ma'am. The tenants will be grateful to know the Bennets care for their wellbeing. You'll do fine Miss Kitty, and there should be no problem sending a maid with you when you go."

"And you may not be aware, but papa did purchase an old cart and a horse to draw it. He did not like me walking to all the tenants by myself. So, you shall have the pleasure of learning how to drive the cart as well." The smile Jane beamed on her younger sister was in complete opposition to the look of horror which overtook Kitty's.

Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner, watching the scene unfold before them burst into laughter. Soon the other women joined them, everyone feeling a sense of relief from the built up tension and apprehension.

"Never mind, Kitty. I am sure a groomsman can drive you until you get the hang of things. Now, let us go over the books and how to balance them once more."

At dinner that night another topic was raised which Elizabeth hoped would be of benefit to Mr. Bennet. "Shall you ask Mary and her husband to come?"

"I will write to her and see if she and her husband might be able to come and stay for a visit. It may depend on how long you and I plan on being in town and if Mr. Banfield can get away from his community." Jane darted her gaze from Mr. Gardiner to Elizabeth and back. "Do you have an idea on how long it could take to release Elizabeth's funds?"

Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat. "I am afraid I really do not know. The lack of any kind of response is beyond the pale. Hopefully, we shall have a better idea once Elizabeth is with me to bang on the attorney's door."

With a smirk, Jane murmured, "You may always ask Mr. Darcy for his assistance."

Elizabeth pretended she did not hear her. Instead she smiled brightly at her father. "Papa, you may have a full house again should they come. Is that not wonderful?"

He muttered quietly under his breath, not really acknowledging her words.

Changing the subject, Mrs. Gardiner spoke about how excited her children will be to see both Elizabeth and Jane, and the Gardiner children were spoken about at length for the remainder of the meal.

When everyone, but Mr. Bennet adjourned to the drawing room, Elizabeth followed him to his book room, and knocked on his door.

"Come in, Lizzy."

"You always knew it was me at your door."

"Rarely did anyone else knock on it and your mother was more like a gust of wind when she wanted entrance to my sanctuary."

Elizabeth smiled sadly at the memory.

"Papa, Kitty and perhaps Mary and Henry will be here and I am sure they will liven Longbourn's halls, whether you like it or not. Pray, make an effort to leave your book room and spend time with them. Kitty especially will benefit from spending time speaking with you. If you chose to guide her, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much she has changed."

"Well Lizzy, if you say so, I suppose I must. I will miss you and Alex, and Jane.

"Perhaps you might call on Sir William to enjoy a drink together and talk of memories. As I have asked of Jane, allow life back into Longbourn and into your life."

He sighed, the lines of his face seemed to become etched deeper into his skin. "I failed you all."

Elizabeth examined her father, the stooped shoulders and downward turn of his mouth. Memories flooded her mind of her childhood, but also of his indifferent parenting to her sisters and his dismissive behavior toward his wife. Treatment which at times bordered on cruelty in light of her fears of being left destitute after his death. Of course, that was irrelevant now. Still, his words required attention.

"Perhaps you did," she replied baldly, "but what is done is done. Kitty and Longbourn still need you and you are not dead yet. Lay the books down and step outside.

"My Lizzy, what a little amazon you have become." His sad countenance shifted to include pride for his favorite daughter.

"I do not have any other choice. The sole responsibility of raising Alex now rests on my shoulders. I will be an amazon for him." She held his gaze and slowly smiled, showing any resentment on her apart had been set free. "Promise me?"

"I shall, my dear girl. I shall try my best."

"Try more than your best, Papa. I shall hold you to it." With a kiss to his cheek Elizabeth exited the room. 'Perhaps I shall nudge Kitty a bit, too.'

~ / ~

Kitty was speaking with Mr. Gardiner about their latest shared reading material at breakfast the next morning.

Mr. Bennet, despite himself, found he was intrigued enough to inquire further. "And what other books have you and your uncle discussed?"

"In the beginning it was just a collection of Shakespeare's poems, but as we continued we read a philosophy book and the history of our kingdom."

Mr. Gardiner was nodding encouragingly at her.

"Indeed! And which did you enjoy more?" Mr. Bennet leaned closer in interest.

Thinking at first her father was teasing, Kitty hesitated to reply. However, his sincere expression gave her courage to continue.

"I liked the history, Papa."

"And why is that?"

"It helps me understand how we got to this point in everyone's lives. It also put into perspective regarding the war and the soldiers, who are not just handsome men in uniforms. The uniform singles them out as courageous men who fight so we at home can continue to live in safety.

Bennet stared at her saying nothing then he reached over and patted her hand. "That was extremely well said, my dear."

Following breakfast, the ladies and Mrs. Hill sat together again for another meeting. Jane was pleasantly surprised how well Kitty was taking to it all.

Kitty blushed, "Aunt had begun teaching me to run a home. I am ashamed at how little I knew and how silly I was before… before. Uncle suggested several books and although it did take me time to get through them, he was so patient answering all my questions."

A maid entered with Alex to bring him to Elizabeth.

She kissed his cheek "Look who is awake." Alex yawned and she laughed. "Almost awake."

"He is adorable, so precious. I think he has your eyes, but his features seem to be all your husbands if I recall correctly. Oh." A hand came up to cover her mouth. "I am so sorry."

"'Tis well, Kitty, you may speak of Gregory. You know I have been so busy caring for Alex I never really considered who he resembled."

Jane tilted her head contemplating her nephew. "I must agree with Kitty. He has the shape of your eyes, though they are still blue, but so far all his other features seem to be Gregory's."

Elizabeth kissed Alex's head and held him close. "I just want him to be as good a man as his father was." Resting her eyes on her younger sister, Elizabeth continued, "Kitty, thank you for remaining at Longbourn to stay with papa. I hope you continue with your reading and asking questions of him. I am convinced you will both enjoy it very much."

"Do you think so?" A hopeful, yet tremulous expression grew on Kitty's face.

"I do. I also hope you will not hesitate to visit the tenants and report to papa anything you learn. Jane has been wonderful, but they will need your assistance when she departs with me."

"Indeed. I was happy to have the little cart, as my talent for walking does not match Lizzy's. Though, I do hope you will never go out alone."

Kitty nodded once firmly. "I will visit the tenants and I will be sure to go accompanied by a maid or footman. You may count on me, Jane."

Late that night, Jane tapped on her sister's door. "I heard Alex and knew you would be awake."

"Do come in, Jane." Elizabeth was seated in the middle of her bed, nursing Alex.

Jane entered the room and closed the door. She slowly meandered around the room, touching the window curtains, refolding Alex's baby blanket. Eventually, she sat down beside Elizabeth on the bed, staring at Alex in her sister's arms.

A bemused Elizabeth watched all this, not saying a word, waiting for her sister to say her piece.

"I hope you do not have high expectations for romance to fall in my lap, Lizzy. It will distress me if I think you are disappointed in me. I am only joining you to be with you and with Alex."

"The only expectation I have is for you to find a little enjoyment, even if it is from a lecture at the British museum. As for myself, after we manage to solve my financial situation I must begin to make long term plans for myself and Alex."

"But Lizzy, you can always stay at Longbourn, at least for the near future."

"True. And saving now will mean more for Alex's education and future. However, I am not sure I wish to raise my son here, near Meryton, but that is for a later discussion."

"Will you ask that handsome Mr. Darcy to assist you?"

"Jane…"

"I may be a spinster, Lizzy, but I am not blind. He is a very handsome man."

"Indeed he is, and extremely kind, as is his sister. He will be a last resort. I should not wish to trouble him unless absolutely necessary."

"I do not think he would consider it an inconvenience."

"Jane, he is a very wealthy gentleman and well beyond our sphere. It does not do to think such things."

"Perhaps, but one can dream."

"Mmm, one can dream." The sisters shared a look and broke into giggles which startled Alex and he glared at them in reproach.

Sorry to disappoint ;) There is no Jane / Darcy matching. But she is a twenty something woman being supportive of her sister. And the two lapse into girlie girls together. Like she says, she's not blind!

Guest- A Darcy set down to Matlock is coming ;)