Author's note: wow, thank you all for your very kind words! I'm having a lot of fun writing this. It's been slow, I know, but my youngest (15 months old) is so clingy right now. And anti-nap, lol. And I homeschool the other three kids, so finding quiet time to write usually leads to me falling asleep with my fingers on the keyboard! But I CAN promise that this one won't take nearly as long as the last one did.

Chapter 2

"Mama! You will never guess what the what we heard from Aunt Phillips!"

Elizabeth startled in her seat as her two youngest sisters burst into the drawing room. Biting back an oath, she sucked on her finger where the embroidery needle had stuck her when she jumped. She had been taking a much-needed break from staring at the ledgers for the first time in three days. Although she despised needlework, it was a welcome respite from figures and columns.

Fortunately, Hill kept her own meticulous records of household expenses, and a quick trip into Meryton had provided Elizabeth with updated account values at each merchant, as well as the current balance of funds in the bank. She also spent an entire evening organizing tremendous pile of papers and mail that were scattered across her father's desk, which had the additional benefit of making it easier for her to focus.

As she inspected the handkerchief she was working on for blood, she listened to Kitty and Lydia shared their news.

"Do you remember how Netherfield Park has been let?" Kitty asked excitedly.

"And your father not here to pay a call!" wailed Mrs. Bennet.

"Well, we had it from Aunt Phillips, whose maid was told by butcher's son, who overheard his father receive a large order for Netherfield because her master is arriving today with a large party from London!" cried Lydia.

"What good will that do if we are not to meet him?" spat Mrs. Bennet bitterly.

"We met Lady Lucas on our way home, and told us that Sir William issued an invitation to the assembly tomorrow night. And what do you think?" Lydia's enthusiasm was contagious, and even Mary leaned in to hear the response.

"I don't know what to think, other than now Charlotte Lucas has the upper hand in meeting the wealthy young man," wept Mrs. Bennet.

"He said he will attend!" shouted Kitty gleefully. "He accepted the invitation on behalf of his entire party. She said there will be seven gentlemen and twelve ladies!"

"Too many ladies," Elizabeth whispered to Jane, who smiled.

"No, it was five sisters and a cousin," Lydia said. "You never do remember things properly, do you?"

The ensuing squabble was enough to drive Elizabeth from her needlework and back to her father's study, where picked the clearly-unread copy of General View of the Agriculture of the County of Hertford she had found on her father's shelf and began to read.

Perhaps it could tell her what was needed to be done to prepare for the following spring, now that the harvest was over. An increase in crops could allow for them to put aside some money for after her father's death.

Elizabeth's plans for the following day were thrown askew when her mother burst into the study shortly after lunch. "Lizzy! What are you doing still hidden away in your father's bookroom? It's time to get ready for the assembly tonight!"

"The assembly? Oh, no, Mama; I had not been planning on attending. There is so much that needs to be done with Papa away, and I am too tired to —"

"Nonsense! I insist you come! Your father may give you certain… freedoms which are not becoming of the daughter of a gentleman, but I refuse to allow you to miss out on an opportunity to meet the Netherfield party! Who knows? Perhaps one of them may fall in love with you and rescue us from the hedgerows!"

Overriding her daughter's protests, Mrs. Bennet continued, "No, Elizabeth, you will attend the assembly, and you will be introduced to our new neighbors."

Letting out a frustrated huff, Elizabeth rose from her father's chair and brushed past her mother. "Very well, Mama," she said coldly.

Several hours later, having been stuffed into a corset and had her hair practically pulled from her scalp, Elizabeth stood at Charlotte Lucas's side, watching the dancing at the Meryton assembly.

"How have you been, Eliza?"

"Oh, Charlotte," Elizabeth sighed.

As she told her friend about the occurrences over the last week, Charlotte's eyes widened. "And Mr. Bennet simply…left you in charge? With no direction?"

The look on Charlotte's face did little to quell Elizabeth's feelings about her father and the situation he put her in. She'd always been her father's favorite and eager to join with him in the follies of others, but for the first time, Elizabeth realized he treated her no different than her younger sisters. Kitty and Lydia were put out in society with no fatherly guidance as to the proper course of action, and managing the books was no different.

How is it that I have never seen his apathy as cruelty until now?

Elizabeth was unable to contemplate the matter for long, however. The first dances were already well under way, and she was forced to turn her attention back to her conversation with Charlotte.

As they spoke, the doors opened wide, and a party of strangers entered the room.

"Oh, Mr. Bingley is here," Charlotte said, her face lighting up.

Sir William approached the young man leading the group's entry, and Charlotte identified him as the new tenant of Netherfield. "He is quite friendly and affable."

Behind him were two ladies dressed in gowns made of fashionable silks. One wore a cap to signal her married state— most likely with the stylish man escorting her— while the other's hair remained exposed except for several large peacock feathers coming out from the back to stand straight up above her head.

Raising an eyebrow at the elaborate finery that seemed out of place for a simply country assembly, Elizabeth turned her attention to the final member of the party. He was tall and rather handsome, and he held himself stiff and erect.

"Who is that?" Elizabeth asked her friend.

"That's Colonel Brandon," Charlotte replied with a bit of a swoon in her breath. "He has retired from the army, but he told my father that he spent quite some time in the East Indies."

"Is he married?"

Charlotte shook her head. "No, but he did speak warmly of a Miss Marianne during their return call. Mama was quite upset over the idea that his affections are perhaps engaged elsewhere."

"Why is he here, then?" Elizabeth asked.

"I believe he is to help his friend learn about estate management."

"Where can I sign up to learn from him as well?"

Both girls dissolved into quiet giggles, with Elizabeth insisting that she was only partially jesting. Her joy only increased as she watched Bingley be introduced to Jane and immediately request her for the next set. Colonel Brandon, for his part, asked one of the women standing against the wall if they would dance as well.

After several sets, it became clear that Colonel Brandon was only soliciting the hands of the married women above a certain age. Once he had danced with each matron, he retired to the side of the room near Mr. Hurst and there remained.

"Psst! Lizzy!""

Elizabeth looked over to where her mother beckoned and gave a sigh. Exchanging a knowing look with Charlotte, she crossed the room to where her mother had already summoned the other four Bennet girls.

"I have just spoken with Mrs. Long about what she learned from Colonel Brandon during their dance," Mrs. Bennet said in a whisper so loud, practically the entire room could hear her, even above the instruments. "He is courting a young woman near his estate, but he did say that his friend is unattached. Can you imagine, girls? Five thousand pounds per year!"

"Mama, he will hear you!" Elizabeth said in a hushed voice.

"Oh, girls, he's coming this way! Stand up straight, Jane!"

Bingley approached the group of ladies with Sir William, who performed the introductions.

"I am delighted to make your acquaintance!" the young man beamed. "If Miss Bennet isn't otherwise engaged, might I have the honor of the next two dances?"

"Oh, that is very good of you, sir!" Mrs. Bennet fairly shrieked, causing Bingley's eyes to widen slightly as he took a step backwards.

"I am not engaged," Jane said, a slight flush on her cheek.

"Excellent," he enthused before requesting sets of the other four Bennet girls.

The remainder of the assembly was a success. Despite his attempts to dance with each young woman in attendance, Bingley was able to stand up a second time with Jane.

"I will have you installed at Netherfield as mistress by Christmas!" crowed Mrs. Bennet during the carriage ride back to Longbourn once the ball had ended. "Mrs. Jane Bingley— ooh, how well that sounds!"

Once Elizabeth and Jane had retired to their room, the younger asked the elder, "What did you think of them, Jane?"

Having kept her feelings private in the larger group, Jane finally felt at liberty to express her thoughts with just Elizabeth. "His sisters are very elegant," Jane said. "He introduced me to them, and they were very pleasing to converse with. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother and keep his house. I daresay they will make charming neighbors."

"One of them will be," Elizabeth said with a smile. "The fact that Mr. Bingley stood up with you twice tells me that he's halfway to being in love with you already."

Jane blushed. "I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I did not expect such a compliment."

"Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never. What could be more natural than his asking you again? He could not help seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman in the room."

"Dear Lizzy," Jane said fondly. "I doubt he is, but he is a sensible young man. He was good humored and lively, with the happiest manners of anyone I have ever met."

"He is also handsome," replied Elizabeth, "which a young man ought to be if he possibly can. Very well, I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person, you know."

"Lizzy!" In spite off her admonition, Jane was unable to keep from giggling. "I do like him, but I do not know any more than that."

"Nor should you," Elizabeth said firmly. "It has been one evening, which is not enough time to be sure of his character, nor that of his sisters and friend. However, Mama will be quick to put us in his path again at the different card parties and dinners, you can depend upon it. Even without Papa here, you will have plenty of time to see if Mr. Bingley is the man to make you happy."

"I think he will be," Jane said, a dreamy smile crossing her face as she drifted off to sleep.

The following two weeks continued in a pleasant manner for the Bennet ladies— excepting Elizabeth. While she focused on running Longbourn in her father's absence, many calls were made to and from the Netherfield party. Mrs. Bennet had initially attempted to bring Lydia and Kitty to Colonel Brandon's notice, but she eventually gave up and focused all her efforts on Jane and Bingley.

The only part that gave Elizabeth comfort was that the two young lovers were just as eager to be matched as Mrs. Bennet was to match them.

When Mrs. Bennet attempted to send Jane to Netherfield on horseback because it looked like rain, Elizabeth called for the carriage instead. Jane was forced to remain overnight due to the mud from the downpour that occurred only ten minutes after she left the house, but Elizabeth was comforted that at least there was no danger of her falling ill.

One thing, however, did give her pause. While organizing her father's desk, she discovered an unopened letter from their cousin, Mr. Collins, who was the heir apparent of Longbourn, as the estate was entailed. He had requested a visit, and Elizabeth was alarmed to see that it was only a fortnight away.

Dear Sir,

The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honored father always gave me much uneasiness; and, since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach: but, for some time, I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.

My mind, however, is now made up on the subject; for, having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavor to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England.

As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends; but of this hereafter.

If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se'nnight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.

I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,

William Collins

With her father out of the house, it would be highly inappropriate for him to stay. As he was unmarried, however, it would be equally inappropriate for her to write him to request that he stay away.

"Lizzy, do you want to go into Meryton with us?" Kitty's head poked through the door to their father's study, interrupting Elizabeth's musings.

"No, thank you, Kitty. I need to… actually, yes, yes I would. I must speak with Uncle Philips about something."

Elizabeth donned her walking boots and cloak, then joined her two younger sisters as they trod the well-worn path from Longbourn to the bustling village. Knowing her sisters would gossip with each other along the way, she took along a small pamphlet on crop rotation that she had discovered buried under

As she walked down the main street towards her uncle's office, which was attached to their residence, she thumbed through the pages, oblivious to the hustle and bustle around her. It was only when she passed the bookstore— which also functioned as a lending library— that she became aware of her surroundings.

"Good morning, Miss Lizzy," the proprietor, said cheerfully.

"To you as well, Mr. Lorewell," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "I thought I would see if you had received any new books on estate management."

He laughed, "Not since yesterday when Mrs. Hill came to ask at your direction."

"I'm afraid I bother you too much," she replied somewhat sheepishly.

"Nonsense," he said, waving a hand in dismissal. "You are always more than welcome to ask. It warms this old man's heart to see a young lady so interested in reading, especially something other than a novel."

"Well, perhaps I need to change interests just to keep you on your toes," she teased. "Do you have any novels that I haven't read yet?"

"No, but I do have a volume of Lord Byron's latest works. You wouldn't be interested in that, now would you?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

She hesitated. "I'm not sure what Mama would say if she found me reading something so scandalous. Perhaps when Papa returns from Derbyshire. In the meantime, I think I'll borrow…" she scanned the shelf nearest her before plucking out "this one."

"But you've read it twice!" he said with a laugh as he took it from her and looked at the title.

"Oh, but Le Morte d'Arthur is one of my favorites! Magic spells, a prince in disguise, a bewitched sword in a stone…"

"If you like it that much, then it's yours to keep," Mr. Lorewell said, wrapping it in paper and handing it back to her.

"Oh, but sir!"

"I insist," he replied. "You are probably the only one in town— other than your father— who can understand the writing style anyhow."

"Well, then thank you! Thank you very much!"

Tucking the wrapped parcel under her arm, Elizabeth left the bookshop and continued on her way to Mr. Philips's office, a spring in her step. The interaction had greatly raised her spirits, and she resolved to find a way to repay Mr. Lorewell's kindness.

At her destination, she was shown into her uncle's office by a clerk.

"Ah, Elizabeth," Mr. Philips said with some surprise. "I'm astonished to see you here instead of with your aunt. I'm sorry I have no soldiers with me to entertain you."

Chuckling softly, Elizabeth retorted with smirk, "Well, then of what use are you?"

He laughed and said, "Not much, I'm afraid!"

"Now that isn't entirely true, as you very well know, Uncle. In fact, I am here in need of your assistance."

Elizabeth explained the letter she had received from Mr. Collins and her predicament in not being able to respond appropriately. "Would you be willing to write him on my behalf?"

"Of course!"

Mr. Philips immediately sat down and scratched out a note to say that there was no one at Longbourn who could receive him and suggested the heir defer his visit until after the new year.

"There, that should do it," he said, folding the missive and sealing it with hot wax. "I recommend you send it express. It would be best if it arrived at his home before the man has left."

Agreeing, Elizabeth took the missive and made her way through the crowds to the post office, still thumbing through the book on agriculture and crop rotations she had brought from home. While there, she collected a letter that had arrived from her Aunt Gardiner, and she became eager to read about their trip. Forcing herself to put the letter away in her reticule, she started back in the direction to the Philips's residence to collect her sisters and return home.

To her dismay, Elizabeth came across Kitty and Lydia flirting shamelessly with a few soldiers in red coats. "Girls," she said sharply as Lydia—who was possessively holding one soldier's arm—laughed at a jest and pressed her ample bosom against the young man, who looked down at the girl with a lascivious grin.

The group turned towards Elizabeth, and she said, "It is time to return home. Come Kitty, Lydia."

Kitty released the redcoat and came to her sister's side, but Lydia took longer to respond. With one last caress of the soldier's hand, the fifteen-year-old girl flounced over to elder sister, a pout on her lips.

"Might we escort you ladies to your destination?" one of the men asked.

Lydia opened her mouth to respond, but Elizabeth cut her off before she could acquiesce. "No, thank you," Elizabeth said curtly.

Before allowing them to reply—or perhaps argue—she spun on her heel and marched her two youngest sisters away.

Lydia kept peeking back over her shoulder, and Elizabeth finally snapped. "Stop looking at them," she hissed. "Besides being atrociously bad manners, your behavior is entirely too fast for a gentlewoman your age. Do not dare ruin our good name, especially with Mr. Bingley paying court to Jane."

"La, you're just jealous because they weren't as interested in you as they were in me," said Lydia loftily.

"And me," echoed Kitty.

"Even if that were true— which it's not— it does not change the fact that your actions could harm Jane's chances of finding love with Mr. Bingley," Elizabeth said fiercely. "So unless you want me to tell Mama that your behavior could scare the wealthiest man we know away, you had best behave with more decorum."

Ignoring their sulks and glares, Elizabeth quickly ushered her sisters down the path towards Longbourn, eager to get them away from what could mean their ruin.