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Although Elizabeth enjoyed the ladies’ company a great deal and looked forward to knowing them better in the future, it was something of a relief when she could settle into her own bed at night and whisper quietly with Jane.

More often than not, the sisters slept together, trying to make the most of every last minute before they were to be parted.

Elizabeth missed Mr. Darcy keenly; his letters helped but did not make up for his absence.

She poured her energy into completing her tasks so that when he returned to Hertfordshire, she could spend as much of her time in his company as possible.

As a result, she soon had her closets emptied and trunks packed, even working around the numerous teas and dinners that Mrs. Bennet had deemed necessary.

In the midst of all of this, Meryton welcomed several new arrivals, thanks to Mr. Bingley.

During the months he had spent in Yorkshire the past winter, he had confided a great deal to his aunts and cousins.

As a result, they were all extremely pleased to hear that he was to be married to the lady of whom he had spoken so often.

As an engagement present, his Yorkshire relations sent Charles a gift from the heart: four large Airedale terriers, a breed that generations of Bingleys had raised and trained.

Charles in turn presented a pair to his future father-in-law, suggesting that both estates might benefit from the existing dogs’ abilities as well as future income from the sale of their offspring.

However, though Mr. Bennet had ordered Davey to ready the kennels for its new inhabitants, the two young terriers had a seemingly insatiable curiosity for exploring Longbourn’s house, not to mention investigating its denizens.

It was not long before his daughters had fallen in love with the pups and even Mrs. Bennet had been observed scratching their ears and laughing at their antics when she thought no one was watching.

On the afternoon before Mr. Darcy was expected to return, Elizabeth had joined her father in his library after tea.

Though not a rare occurrence, his invitation was unusual enough to make her curious.

As a result, she remained quiet as they settled themselves into comfortable chairs and set up the chessboard between them. Eventually, her patience was rewarded.

“Lizzy,” said her father. “I saw a most peculiar spectacle this morning.”

“Indeed? Did the pigs get into the kitchen garden again?” replied his daughter as she moved out a pawn.

His pawn mirrored hers. “No, the pigs are quite content in their pen, particularly as I believe that Davey has been sneaking them treats again.”

Elizabeth nudged forward another pawn. “Then have the dahlias begun blooming? I haven’t checked the cutting garden for a day or two, and I’d so hoped that there would be flowers to decorate the church.”

“I fear I have not been flower-picking recently either.” He advanced another pawn and smiled at her raised eyebrow.

“Hmmm…” She considered the chessboard for a moment before taking his pawn with her own and looked up at her father with a glint in her eye.

“Has Sir William been climbing the cherry tree, then?” Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes and chuckled amiably.

It was well known in the neighborhood that, when Sir William Lucas had been a boy, his great fondness for cherries had led him to sometimes climb higher than he knew how to descend.

As a result, his father had occasionally received messages from local landowners that his eldest son had been seen “roosting” in their orchard again .

“No, no, and no… and given that you have not guessed yet, I suppose that I shall have to tell you.” He moved his knight to take her rook.

“This morning, I was out by the stables talking to Davey. We were going to check how the grass in the far horse pasture is holding up to this drought, when we noticed Bingley’s terriers bounding through the hay field. Humph.”

This last syllable was directed at the chessboard where his daughter had just put his rook in jeopardy.

Elizabeth could not help but smile at her father’s befuddlement.

Her recent matches with Mr. Darcy had taught her some new gambits that she was currently using to great advantage.

In truth, she had found Fitzwilliam’s play to be similar in many ways to her father’s.

Once differences in education and experience were taken in consideration, both men preferred a careful, contemplative style of play.

One evening in London, she and Colonel Fitzwilliam had played a match; with their rapid pace so similar, they had finished the game before Darcy and Mr. Bennet had done more than move out a few of their pawns.

However, she knew better than to allow her attention to wander while playing her father, and so she returned to his previous comment.

“They are certainly very energetic dogs. I know that in the past, I’ve tended to befriend the feline contingent of Longbourn’s menagerie, but there is something about these terriers…

the way they cock their heads and look up at you with those big brown eyes, just as if they were trying to read your thoughts. ”

Mr. Bennet chuckled at her flight of fancy. “Perhaps I should be thankful that you are soon leaving for Derbyshire; while your various stray kittens were easy enough to hide in a closet, I cannot imagine what your mother would say if she discovered a litter of terriers attempting the same.”

Finally moving his queen out, Mr. Bennet returned to his original point.

“However, as I watched, I noted that there were not two heads but three, and in short order I realized that the two dogs were accompanied by my youngest daughter.” He arched his eyebrows and peered over his spectacles, making it clear he believed she would have an explanation.

Elizabeth smiled a small, private smile, pleased to hear that her sister had taken her advice.

Deciding that the conversation was more important than winning at chess, she leaned back from the board and gave her full attention over to her father.

“Papa, do you remember how you would take me for walks when I was little? Mama was so frustrated that I wouldn’t sit still like Jane, but I just couldn’t…

I felt as if I was going to explode with energy.

So you took me out to the garden one morning and encouraged me to run around until I had exhausted myself.

Mama was amazed at how much better behaved I was after that. ”

Mr. Bennet smiled at the memory; he could well remember how proud he had been for finding a solution to a seemingly insurmountable parenting problem.

Elizabeth continued, “As you know, I’ave continued the practice of walking out ever since. Such exercise may not be what many consider proper ladylike behavior, but it has certainly made me happier and, I suspect, healthier as well.”

She looked toward the window at the familiar landscape while speaking in a softer tone, “Lydia has that same energy, and I believe that is some of the cause of her poor behavior. She has come out walking with me on several mornings since we returned to Hertfordshire.”

“And now she is out running with the terriers?” inquired Mr. Bennet, not quite certain that this was an improvement.

“’Tis a far better way for her to burn through her energy than chasing officers in a ballroom.”

Mr. Bennet could not disagree with that, although he vaguely felt that there was something that needed to be corrected.

Rather than consider it more deeply, however, he merely grunted and turned his attention back to the chessboard.

Had he been more inclined toward self-reflection, he might have realized that his discomfort had less to do with Lydia’s activities and more with Elizabeth’s success in diagnosing the problem and arranging a solution.

“Perhaps you might join us for a walk tomorrow morning, Papa?” Seeing that her father was about to refuse, Elizabeth spoke quickly; “Lydia is keenly aware of everyone’s disapproval, Papa. A little of your attention would mean a great deal to her right now.”

Having come as close as she dared to a rebuke, Elizabeth focused on the chessboard. As a result, she missed her father’s raised eyebrow. While he was wondering when his favorite daughter had become so wise, she castled kingside and he suddenly realized that she would soon have him in check.

“Very well, my dear; you have convinced me. I shall accompany you, and we shall see what comes of it.”