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Longbourn, Mr Bennet’s Chamber - Elizabeth

E lizabeth did not leave his side that fateful night. His breathing was heavy and laboured. But she was comforted to know that he still lived. There was very little of him left now, his skin ghostly white, apart from the dark rings around his sunken eyes.

She slipped into a fitful sleep in the early hours of morning, and when she woke the room was silent, cold and still.

Jane was curled up fast asleep in a chair, next to the fire that had long since burned out.

Doctor Russell, was likewise fast asleep on the other side of the fireplace.

Elizabeth looked for a moment at her sister’s face.

Not daring to look at her father’s face just yet, for fear of what she might see there.

Outside the window the garden was calm and quiet, it was very early, the first rays of pale pre-dawn light were beginning to glimmer about the roof of the church.

Off in the distance a dog barked, to Elizabeth it sounded mournfully.

It was going to be a beautiful day, but not for anyone in the Bennet household.

There was no sound coming from her father.

The room was utterly quiet, she felt a peace she had not expected.

The last few days had been raw with emotion, yesterday should have been her wedding day.

Today should have been her first day as a new bride.

The emptiness of the activity around the wedding seemed meaningless, completely meaningless.

It was completely overshadowed by her father.

She hardly even noticed that she was still in her wedding clothes.

She drew a deep breath as if to gather her courage, she looked down at his hand, which she was still holding, was cold and stiff. She took another breath, readying herself for the sight which must surely meet her as she moved her eyes up to his face. The face of her beloved father.

He looked more peaceful then she had thought he would.

Like he was merely asleep. His eyes were closed, there was no sign of pain that had plagued him for so many weeks now, on his weathered face.

She smiled at him, blinking back the tears.

She knew how she should be feeling. She had feared this moment more than any other, but no it was here, she was relieved, not that he had died.

No, not that he was gone, she would never be relieved about that, but that he would not be in agony any longer.

He was at peace at long last. Free from the cares of this world. In a way she almost envied him.

She became aware that there was someone else sitting with her on the bed.

They took her other hand in theirs and simply held it.

It was a while before she could take her eyes away from her father’s face.

She would never hear his voice again, he would never smile at her again, or hug her.

Protect her from her mother when they had had a fight.

The tears were flowing silently down her cheeks more freely, she did not try to stop them.

She could imagine him scolding her, teasing her for being so silly.

Acting more like Jane or Kitty, he would say and not like his Lizzy.

That he was not worth her crying over. But, there he was wrong.

He was as dear a father as she could have wished for.

She turned to see who was next to her, expecting Jane.

But it was Mr Darcy. He had just been sitting there with her, not saying a word.

There was concern written all over his face and such an expression in his eyes that she could not mistake the meaning, nor could she ignore the emotions within her.

She had been trying to ignore how she felt about him for weeks now.

But it was not the time to speak about such things now, there would be time later.

Right now, all that mattered was her father.

She could contain the grief within her no longer, she broke down completely.

She felt him wrap his arms around her, pulling her towards him, whispering words of comfort and support.

She cared not who saw them at that moment.

All she knew was that her most beloved father was dead and there was nothing in this world which would bring him back to her.

She cried into his shirt. What seemed like an age later she realised that he was trying to get her attention. “Elizabeth. Your mother and sisters, they must be told.”

He was right of course. She nodded silently brushing the tears away from her face with the back of her hand. Glancing over at her sister and Doctor Russell who were still asleep.

“It doesn’t seem right to wake her.” She said quietly.

“It has to be done, and soon.”

“I know.”

They sat in silence for a minute or two, before she said, “he looks so peaceful.”

“He does.”

“At least he isn’t in pain any more.”

“He was a great man. He will always be with you, he loves you so much. Any man could see that.”

She smiled slightly, although there was no mirth in it. “I am glad that you are here.”

She got to her feet, a little clumsily as one of her legs had gone to sleep, Mr Darcy steadying her slightly.

He released her a little reluctantly, as if realising that he would not be able to comfort her once the rest of the family were aware what had happened.

It was then that she noticed the bruise just below his left eye, she was sure that had not been there last time she had seen him.

But she had not been this near to him in quite some time.

“Would you mind waking Doctor Russell?” She asked quietly.

Mr Darcy nodded, stood and did as she asked. She stood by her sister’s side. Doctor Russell was awake within a moment, he took in at a glance their serious faces and then went to his patient.

“Jane, dear Jane,” Elizabeth gently woke her sister. Jane woke more slowly than Doctor Russell had, but when she saw Elizabeth’s face all traces of sleep disappeared at once.

“Is he-” Jane was unable to complete the question.

Doctor Russell turned to face them as he answered her. “I am very sorry Miss Bennet, your father has left us.”

Jane stood staring at him, unable to comprehend what it was he was saying. Elizabeth stood beside her, tears beginning to flow freely again.

“No, it cannot be,” Jane said, shaking her head, “you must be mistaken.”

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her sister as she began to cry.

* * *

Longbourn, Mr Bennet’s Chamber - Darcy

Darcy stood helpless as he watched Elizabeth try and comfort her older sister. He knew the pain she was going through herself and marvelled that she had the strength to put aside her own pain and grief to support and ease that of her sister.

Doctor Russell turned to Darcy, “If you would accompany me sir, I must inform the rest of the family.”

Darcy glanced back at Elizabeth and her sister. Doctor Russell noticed his hesitation, “They will be alright. They have each other and they will give each other strength.”

He caught her eye over the top of her sister’s head. Jane Bennet had hidden her face as Elizabeth held her comforting her, as he had been for her, not a sound coming from Jane. Elizabeth smiled sadly at him, understanding his hesitance, but giving him leave to go.

The reaction to the news from the rest of the Bennet family was mixed.

Doctor Russell found them all gathered in a sitting room, the younger girls still in their night things and dressing gowns.

They were curled up in chairs, and seemed to be sleeping.

Mr Collins sitting in the corner, Mr Bingley beside Mrs Bennet.

Mr Bingley woke first, and after a whispered conversation with Darcy, went to find Miss Bennet.

Leaving the others to explain to the rest.

Once the family had been woken Doctor Russell broke the news to them.

Doctor Russell was very attentive and polite.

Mr Bennet, he said, had not suffered in the end, he had been asleep when he had died.

There had been nothing least he could have done for him.

Darcy’s mind drifted back to when the news of his own father’s death had reached him.

Doctor Cornell had gone to London himself to tell him Doctor Russell, who had been Mr Russell in those days, was still training and had gone with the Doctor.

He had not believed them at first, he thought it was a poor joke that he had not got. That they would start laughing any moment, however, they hadn’t. Doctor Jones had left him then, and it was left to Mr Russell. He had been very angry, and had said many things that he now very much regretted.

Mrs Bennet was silent, he had expected her to scream and wail.

Mary Bennet left the room as soon as she could.

As she slipped past, he could see she was crying, although she tried to hide her face from him.

Catherine, no Kitty as they called her, went to her mother’s side, instantly taking her hand silently blinking back tears.

The youngest, Lydia had buried her face into a cushion and was wailing loudly in a corner.

Mr Collins sat quite still, his face white as a sheet.

He did not remain long in the house, he felt like an intruder into a very private family moment, merely informing Mrs Bennet that he was very sorry for their loss and that if they needed anything at all they had merely to send him word and he would do everything in his power to bring it about.

Bingley echoed these offers, but both gentlemen felt that they had outstayed their welcome and it was time for them to withdraw.

As much as he wanted to remain with Elizabeth during this difficult time he knew she needed time.

At least Bingley had a claim on Miss Bennet, and would be able to return. He, Darcy, was not so lucky.

* * *

Longbourn - Elizabeth

The day passed as such days do, in a turmoil of activity and grief. Those in the house, divided into the silent and busy grieving and the loud and unable to function grieving.

Lydia had locked herself in her room, Kitty and Jane spent the better part of two hours trying to get her to come and eat something.

While Mrs Bennet had broken down several hours after Doctor Russell had told her the news, she had started ranting about how he could have done this to her. Left her with five unmarried daughters, even if the eldest two were engaged. Elizabeth’s wedding was completely ruined.

What would happen now if Mr Collins didn’t marry her?

Had Mr Bennet no regard for her feelings, Show was she to cope without him?

What was she to do without him? Elizabeth and Mary quickly removed their mother to her room, away from Mr Collins and Doctor Russell and gave her some tea that would help calm her.

Amidst the chaos and sorrow, the Gardiners prepared to take their leave. They had come for a wedding, not a funeral, and with Mr Bennet’s passing, they felt their presence in the house with small children might be an additional burden on the grieving family.

“We’ll return for the funeral, of course,” Mrs Gardiner assured Elizabeth as they embraced. “And please, my dear, send a word if you need anything at all.”

Elizabeth nodded, grateful for her aunt’s support but too overwhelmed to fully express her appreciation.

As she watched the Gardiners’ carriage disappear down the lane, she felt a renewed sense of loss.

Their departure seemed to mark the final end of the life she had known, leaving her to face an uncertain future without her father’s guidance or her aunt and uncle’s steady presence.

Neither Mr Bingley nor Mr Darcy returned to Longbourn that day, although a note did arrive for Jane later that afternoon. Mr Collins had disappeared for most of the day. He returned just as Lizzy was coming down from her mother’s room, with a hardly touched tea-tray.

“Elizabeth, allow me to assist you with that.” He said taking the tray from her .

She curtseyed politely, “thank you Mr Collins. You are most kind.”

He took the tray from her, setting it down on the hall table and took her cold hands in his.

“Elizabeth, my dear. Surely you can call me William?” He smiled at her, pulling her closer until he was almost whispering in her ear. “We should have been married yesterday, and left to go to Hunsford this morning as a wedded couple.” He kissed her, gently, if a little stiffly on the check.

“Please Mr Collins, William if you prefer, I would rather-” She was provided with finishing her sentence by Mr Collins interrupting.

“I do my dear. We are man and wife. And since your father’s untimely death, Longbourn passes to me.

But that his death had been delayed a day.

Then we would be happily married now. But alas, as Lady Catherine herself has often said, at times such as these, the best thing is not to delay longer than necessary. ”

“Longer than necessary?” Elizabeth repeated, not sure if he was referring to taking possession of Longbourn or to something else.

“Yes, I already have everything confirmed with Mr Thomas. It’s all quite settled.”

“I am very glad, Sir , that Mr Thomas has been so helpful. May I inquire what is settled?”

“Your father’s funeral will take place tomorrow, and we will be wed the day after that.

Which means we can return to Hunsford, for perhaps this year.

I believe you could not fail to benefit from Lady Catherine’s influence.

After a year, god willing, we will have a child of our own.

And we should return to Longbourn. That should give your mother and remaining sisters enough time to have found accommodation elsewhere.

Cousin Jane will be married by then. Cousin Mary might be useful in attending to the children, so we might consider asking her to stay.

Your Mother and the youngest two can stay with Mr and Mrs Philips or the Gardiners. We need not be concerned for them.”

Her blood ran cold as he began this speech, however, by the time he had finished her blood was boiling.