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“Well, that is not what I expected. If he is truly shy, as you say, I will have to readjust my manner of thinking.” Elizabeth felt at a loss.

Certainly, reading people was something she was going to have to continue working on.

She was still disappointed, but this time it was because of her tendency to jump to hasty conclusions.

As she looked at the evidence, it seemed to mock her with its simplicity.

As a group, they continued on the path toward Longbourn.

Elizabeth squared her shoulders and returned to the issue she had been considering prior to the confusing encounter with the stranger.

“Kiernan, would you be interested in accompanying me on my walk in the morning? If you were to join me, we could talk about subjects you are interested in. Also, I was thinking of copying out some pages from a book I have at home for you to practice with.”

“Truly on paper an’ everything?” Kiernan could hardly contain the hope that was building up inside of him.

“Yes, truly.” Elizabeth hid her smile from her young pupil.

“Well, I would love to walk with you most mornings. I already said you needed brotherin’.”

Elizabeth and Mary locked eyes, both appreciative that someone wanted to look out for them. They walked on until Longbourn came into view. They had made good time and could wash up before luncheon.

“I wonder if we will see him again?” Elizabeth pondered out loud as she walked under the trellis in the yard.

“He’s probably staying at Netherfield,” Kiernan said while kicking a rock.

“I had heard no rumors that Netherfield was being leased,” Mary responded.

“Mrs. Nichols was at the grocer’s getting supplies two days ago. She said there was a group of gentlemen and ladies coming soon. She was right excited to get new people coming,” Kiernan continued.

“I wonder if they will make it to the assembly this week?” Elizabeth questioned.

“Well, I’m sure they will be told of it, but moving can tire one out.” Mary said, always practical.

“You are right. Any time we visit my aunt and uncle in London, it takes a while for me to regain my equilibrium. Though, I would like to think I will see the gentleman. I can only surmise he will improve upon further acquaintance.” Honestly, though, how could he get worse?

“No, Miss Elizabeth, I would bet you a book. He will not get any better. Most boys are right stupid about girls,” Kiernan replied, and peals of laughter accompanied them through the yard. The girls promised to see Kiernan soon and said goodbye.

All the while, Darcy kept his eyes fixed on where the small group had gone.

His horse had tired of his shenanigans and moved to the side of the path, the sweet scent of grass wafting up as he munched.

The phrase, which seemed to reverberate in his mind, utterly transfixed Darcy.

What the blazes had just happened? Conversation was always a struggle, but to be completely at a loss for words?

It was beyond him to understand it at all.

Elizabeth felt the increasing weight of her many duties as winter approached.

Though she and Kiernan walked every morning discussing history and literature, Elizabeth simply did not have the time to ramble about the countryside as she would like.

The women of Longbourn were trying to ensure that all the tenants had what they needed to weather the cold, dark months ahead.

Elizabeth’s duty was to determine the need for any repairs to the tenants’ cottages and who were without adequate winter clothing.

She shared her findings with her mother and sisters, and they worked to divide the available funds between their diverse needs.

If Mr. Bennet was aware of the hardships his family was confronting, he chose not to help.

Elizabeth often thought he would only move to save Longbourn from a fire if he thought his books were in jeopardy.

As a child not much older than Kiernan, Elizabeth had realized that there was a problem with the roof of one of the tenant cottages.

Afraid that her friends would get sick in the rainy weather, she ran to her father, hoping he would help.

She soon understood that her father had no intention of aiding the family that had been working on Longbourn land for generations, and would only put forth effort for anything if it meant his money for books or port was in jeopardy.

Shortly thereafter, the women of Longbourn had begun diverting some of their pin money into a fund for rainy days and leaky roofs.

Thomas Bennet’s blatant disregard for human decency spurred the ladies to act on behalf of those who needed help on Longbourn land.

Mrs. Bennet decided people would recognize the Bennet women as being generous, kind, and above reproach, even if Mr. Bennet was not.

And so, the day before the assembly, all the ladies had taken themselves to Mrs. Bennet’s private sitting room.

A jumble of fabric lay strewn across the floor, creating a multi-colored mosaic.

There was a flurry of dresses that had to be altered for the next night’s assembly, in addition to all of the projects for the tenants.

Elizabeth looked over the list one more time.

It looked like they were doing well for the start of October.

Seven tenant families relied heavily on the Bennet ladies for their needs, and as of this moment, none of them were in a crisis.

They had already reviewed the needs of the expectant mothers.

Lydia had developed a great love of babies, so she was in charge of home visits and making baby blankets.

She was well along on preparations for the new little ones.

They had also discussed the successful completion of the roof repairs for the Sutton family.

Sweet Kitty spoke softly to her sisters and mother.

“Mrs. Sutton wanted me to express her gratitude to you all. She was practically in tears knowing her children will be warm and dry this winter.” Her needle and thread moved in and out of two squares of fabric with lovely blue and teal designs.

Kitty had a knack for creating beautiful pieces.

They decorated much of their house with her paintings and embroidery.

Right now, she was making a quilt that would not only be practical, but lovely as well.

“I am glad we could help them. They are a lovely family and have always taken great care of the land. They responded well to the crop rotation you suggested last year, Lizzie.” Mrs. Bennet was working with a more delicate fabric than either Kitty or Lydia.

Her embroidery skills were quite fine, and she often did up the detailing of the collars and hems on the dresses that her daughters were reworking.

Looking around the room at all her precious girls, Mrs. Bennett was proud of both herself and them.

When she was not quite seventeen, Fanny had been married to Thomas Bennet for two days before she had her eyes opened to the phrase, “ Marry in haste, repent at leisure .” Fanny had felt a thrill of pleasure when she realized Thomas Bennet’s interest in her.

The thrill quickly left her when, after two days of bliss, he bluntly expressed his true feelings.

He viewed her as the most witless girl in all of England and was grateful that her stupidity made it effortless to trick and beguile her.

With a sneer, he had admitted to marrying her because he knew she couldn’t handle the duties of the lady of Longbourn, and it amused him.

It was several days later when her new grandmother-in-law went looking for her after having noticed her despondency.

They talked for hours. Mother Bennet told her she was not stupid, and that she felt Fanny could do an admirable job helping run Longbourn.

Mother Bennet had been so loving and reassuring, letting her know that everything she needed to do, she could learn with time.

The most important thing, she pointed out, was kindness and compassion and the desire to see everyone well cared for.

She told Fanny she could either prove her grandson right or she could prove him wrong.

All these years later, Fanny certainly felt that with all she had done and still did, she had certainly proven him wrong.

Mrs. Bennet was suddenly aware of her surroundings again when Mary’s words reached her from the other side of the room.

“Mama, the flower design you are doing is just beautiful on Elizabeth’s dress.

What kind of flower is it?” Mary was working on her own dress for the assembly.

It was rather plain, but Mary rather liked the thick forest green ribbon that she was attaching to the high waist.

“Edelweiss. I thought the little white flowers would look well on the pale blue gown.” Cutting off a thread, Fanny held her work away from herself to get a better look at the full image.

“The Edelweiss bloom represents courage and devotion. I think it quite suits you, Lizzie.” Lydia loved the language of flowers and was happy to share her findings.

“Did Lizzie tell you we heard they let Netherfield, Mama?” Mary was creating small little rosettes of ribbon for all of their hair adornments. It was delicate work but was something she had learned to love to create.

“I had heard a rumor when I called on Mrs. Long this week. However, I doubt the credibility of the story in circulation. Seven women and five gentlemen seem a bit much,” Mrs. Bennet commented.

“We may have met one of the gentlemen earlier this week, on the path from Longbourn,” Mary answered blandly.

“Did you?” Mrs. Bennet responded.

“We cannot be certain, but I know of little other reason an unknown gentleman would be on the path that leads to both Longbourn and Netherfield,” Mary continued. Glancing over at Elizabeth, she noted the blush gracing her cheeks.

“What were your impressions of him?” Fanny noted Mary’s glance and expected that something interesting would unfold.

“His clothing seemed quite fine. I noticed quality fabrics despite the dust of travel. I would imagine that he was not yet thirty. He seemed quite shy, despite what someone might have thought.” Mary could not avoid a snicker. Elizabeth had now covered her face in reaction to Mary’s last statement.

“Elizabeth, what could have happened to you to turn that delightful color? You nearly match Jane’s dress!” Kitty was agog at this uncharacteristic display.

“I may have jumped to unwarranted conclusions. First, he apologized for startling us, and I responded like a normal person with manners. But then instead of continuing in a normal dialogue, he said nothing.” Huffing in frustration, Elizabeth put her fingers to the bridge of her nose.

“After we had gotten away from the gentleman, she ranted about his poor manners. Dear young Kiernan made the cutest speech about how Elizabeth had ‘struck the gent stupid,’ and it was not his manners in question, but his heart. I think he was so taken with our Lizzie that he lost all ability to speak.” Mary did not hide her amusement.

“Oh Lizzie, you do beat all! Only you would conclude that a man who liked you was exhibiting poor manners.” Lydia often found the restrictions placed on her too confining and wondered how Elizabeth managed.

They had always had similar energy and a love of action, but Elizabeth always appeared to handle it with grace.

Seeing that Elizabeth was not infallible was rather reassuring.

“Darling, I love your heart, but sometimes, it not only jumps to conclusions, it fairly leaps.” Mrs. Bennet pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, trying to contain her mirth.

“Girls, it is fine to giggle, but it is important to remember that not everyone is as they present themselves,” Mrs. Bennet reminded them.

“You are correct, Mama. I worry that the first thing I thought about a stranger was negative. I had thought myself a better judge than that.”

“I must admit that I am glad I am not out in society yet. I worry I can trust no one’s intentions.” Kitty was by far the most timid of the girls and did not trust her judgment.

“It will come with time, my dear.” Mrs. Bennett had decided shortly after Jane was born that no daughter of hers would come out before her eighteenth birthday.

She felt that if she had been more informed of the world prior to taking part in it, she would have selected a different path.

She wanted better for her daughters; above all, she taught all her girls that it was essential to know the risks that come with seeking love without first establishing respect.

“Well, though I do not wish to be out either, I wish to see the dancing. All of your dresses are so pretty, you will look like a kaleidoscope of floating butterflies.” Lydia fell over backward on her settee and giggled with abandon.

“Then we will spend the morning after discussing our butterfly pursuits,” Mary said, her voice filled with warmth.

Later, when Elizabeth and Jane met up before bed as they typically did, helping one another ready for the night, they had much to chat about.

To ease the burden on their mother, they both took turns spending time with each of their sisters, helping them to cultivate various abilities.

But they still committed some time each day to each other.

Elizabeth searched Jane’s hair for her last pins and then swept the brush through the locks. “Mary has been doing wonderfully at the school. Her reading aloud seems to have improved and helped her develop more confidence.”

“That is wonderful. Lydia seems to enjoy learning how to make lotions and drying the herbs from the garden. She might take over making our scents soon. She has developed quite a fascination for it.” Jane felt exhausted, but Elizabeth’s gentle brush strokes through her hair were immensely calming.

“What do you think of having eligible gentlemen at Netherfield? What do you think the odds are that they will fall madly in love with one of us?” Elizabeth could not hold back her laugh at the remark.

Soon, they were both laughing. It reminded them of their Aunt Philips, the way she might have commented about eligible bachelors.

“Oh, Lizzie, we can only hope that our beauty will captivate them and help us out of our difficult situation.” Jane pretended to joke, but the truth was that she longed to be loved.

“They may adore you for your beauty, dear sister, but I’m looking for someone who will love me for my intellect.” Elizabeth giggled as she tied off Jane’s braid.

Jane leaned over to kiss her sister on her cheek before she left to go to her own room. Pausing at the door, she grinned at Elizabeth and said, “We can only dream.”