Longbourn was worse than Elizabeth had imagined.
Mr. Bennet isolated himself within his library as he knew Lydia's reckless behaviour directly highlighted his inadequacies as a father. Jane was struggling to remain optimistic in the face of her sister's betrayal that ultimately could have jeopardized her engagement to Mr. Bingley. Kitty moved through each day with little emotion as she contemplated her life thus far, realizing that by blinding following Lydia she had failed to develop a personality of her own. Mrs. Bennet was inconsolable as she grappled between her feelings of horror at Lydia's wanton behaviour and sympathy given the fact that Lydia was her favourite daughter.
What angered Elizabeth the most however was Lydia's attitude. Day and night the silly girl wailed over the apparently unreasonable punishment of being confined to her room. Lydia's remorseless manners completely baffled Elizabeth.
How could her youngest sister not understand the fact that her behaviour had endangered her reputation and the reputations of her sisters?
After three days of observing, Elizabeth recognized that only one person could restore their family's spirits – Mr. Bennet.
Without warning Elizabeth entered her father's library.
"Our family is consumed by remorse, rage, and sorrow. I do not know how to cheer our typically positive Jane. I do not know how to persuade Kitty into talking once again. I do not know how to console our conflicted mama who wants to simultaneously reprimand and comfort Lydia. I do not know how to make Lydia see the error of her ways, and I definitely do not know how to show you that you are not a failure of a father. Please papa. I do not know how to do all these things. I need your help. Our family needs your help. Please."
After her plea Elizabeth exited the room depriving Mr. Bennet the opportunity to respond.
Not an hour later Elizabeth heard the roar of her father's voice throughout Longbourn.
"Would all the Bennets please convene in the drawing room. Now."
Although his voice gave no impression of frustration, no one had ever heard Mr. Bennet raise his voice, and thus all the women hastily made their way into the drawing room fearing what was to come.
"Thank you all for coming so quickly," Mr. Bennet said with familiar humour.
Looking around the room Elizabeth saw Jane's eyes brimming with tears, Kitty looking blankly at a wall, Mrs. Bennet scrutinizing her husband, and Lydia yawning in apparent boredom.
"I would like to start by apologizing for my role in this situation. If I had been a better father this could have possibly been avoided."
"How can you say that papa? You are a wonderful father," Jane argued.
"You always see the good in people Jane," Mr. Bennet stated walked over to his eldest daughter. Taking her hands he continued. "Your kind-hearted nature is what makes you, you Jane. Do not let these unfortunate circumstances change that."
After her father kissed Jane's hair affectionately Elizabeth quickly wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze as Jane was now openly weeping.
"Catherine I am very proud of you for waking Jane when Lydia snuck out, but it is time you finally emerged from Lydia's shadow," Mr. Bennet said now standing in front of Kitty. "You have the ability to grow into a lovely woman and I promise to help you with this journey. Looking out the library window I have often noticed that you sketch the gardens when you think you are alone. Do you like drawing?"
"Yes," Kitty was able to squeak as she also sobbed.
"Well then I will make sure to buy you some new supplies."
"Thank you papa!," Kitty shouted excitedly as she surprised her father by jumping into his arms.
Following their hug, Mr. Bennet sat Kitty back down and turned to look at his wife.
"Fanny, can you forgive me for neglecting you and our daughters all these years?"
"I… I don't know."
Elizabeth watched as her parents simply stared at each other. Mr. Bennet looked like he had aged ten years since she first approached him in the library and she was curious how his pleading and remorseful smile would affect her mama.
Mrs. Bennet seemed confused, angry, and repentant all at once. Finally as her mother's emotions settled, Elizabeth witnessed the first genuine smile Mrs. Bennet had bestowed on her husband since she was a child.
Elizabeth felt hopeful not only for the improvement of her parent's marriage but for the progress of the entire Bennet family.
"Lord! Are we done yet?," Lydia huffed.
"Although I feel responsible for your lack of good manners Lydia I will not absolve you of all guilt in this matter. By agreeing to a clandestine meeting with Mr. Wickham you risked this family's good name and the future marriages of your sisters. As punishment you shall not leave Longbourn unless I accompany you and each day you will devote your time to improving yourself. Two hours with your mother learning how to manage a household and two hours with me refining your education through books should be more than enough to keep you busy."
"This isn't fair!"
"Yes it is," Mrs. Bennet said surprising her family.
"But mama…" Lydia whined.
"No Lydia. You will listen to your father and finally become a proper young lady like your elder sisters."
"What are we going to do about Mr. Wickham?," Elizabeth asked.
"Nothing. No one outside of our family knows what happened and therefore we cannot treat him any differently or people will suspect something is amiss."
"He is not welcome in our home," Mrs. Bennet interjected firmly.
"Indeed, my dear, he is not, but in public we cannot snub him without raising questions. If any of you should encounter Mr. Wickham treat him with cold civility and nothing more."
"If that is what you want," Elizabeth agreed dejectedly craving a confrontation with Mr. Wickham.
"Will he be at the Philips' tomorrow?," Jane asked worriedly.
"Most likely. I know you love visiting your sister Fanny but would you mind staying behind and looking after Lydia as she will not be accompanying us tomorrow?"
"Of course," Mrs. Bennet answered with a blush obviously unaccustomed to being consulted.
"What if people ask why Lydia isn't with us?," Kitty inquired.
"We will say she is sick and that her mother stayed behind to nurse her."
"But I want to go!" Lydia shouted.
"Come Lydia. It is time for your lesson to begin. Enough of your insolence," Mrs. Bennet said resolutely as she grabbed Lydia and dragged her towards the kitchen.
Not hiding her smile Elizabeth stood up, linked arms with Kitty and Jane, and started to exit the room with her sisters.
"Lizzie, please stay for a moment," Mr. Bennet interrupted.
Returning to her seat Elizabeth wondered what her father would say.
"Elizabeth I am extremely thankful that you approached me today. All of this is your doing and I am so very proud of the beautiful and intelligent woman you have become," Mr. Bennet stated struggling to maintain an unaffected voice.
"Oh papa," Elizabeth said as she stood and hugged her father.
After a while, father and daughter released each other.
"Now go to your sisters. They will need your strength during this time."
"I will do my best," Elizabeth replied with a bright smile as she once again made her way to leave the room.
When Thursday dawned each member of the Bennet family – excluding Lydia – dreaded the Philips' party later that evening.
Although they had all tried to seem indifferent towards the event throughout the day, when Mr. Bennet, Jane, Elizabeth, and Kitty prepared to leave everyone's nerves were on high alert.
When they arrived however none of their neighbours treated them differently. Thankfully it seemed that word had not spread regarding Lydia's scandal and each of the Bennets relaxed.
It wasn't until Mr. Wickham approached Elizabeth that the family began to worry once more.
"Miss Elizabeth. What a pleasure it is to see you. I hope you had an enjoyable visit with your aunt and uncle in London," Mr. Wickham exclaimed donning what appeared to be an attempt at a charming smile.
"It was a wonderful trip. Thank you for inquiring."
Elizabeth was striving to maintain a cheerful expression but when she looked at Mr. Wickham all she felt was disgust.
Surveying the room she saw that her father, Jane, and Kitty were all intently observing their conversation. Determined to fulfill her father's request that Mr. Wickham not be treated differently Elizabeth forced her smile to remain plastered on her face.
"I hear Miss Lydia is feeling ill. I do hope she recovers soon for parties hardly seem as lively without her presence."
"Every effort is being undertaken to ensure that Lydia recuperates."
"That is great to hear. You know, Miss Elizabeth, you owe me a dance," Mr. Wickham said whispering the last part into her ear suggestively.
"Do I?," Elizabeth said gritting her teeth.
"Oh yes," Mr. Wickham replied with a flirtatious wink.
Unable to contain her anger Elizabeth was about to begin yelling at the rake when her father luckily interrupted.
"Elizabeth we are leaving now."
Without a word Elizabeth abandoned Mr. Wickham's side and hurried to leave the Philips'. She refused to be in the same room with the cad a moment longer as the pain he had inflicted on her family was still too raw.
Back at Longbourn Mrs. Bennet was told of the happenings at the party and everyone went to bed infuriated by the audacity of Mr. Wickham.
For the next few days, the Bennet family banded together in assisting Lydia to become a better young woman but Lydia's lack of remorse for her actions continued to irk Elizabeth.
The only thing that kept Elizabeth from completely losing her mind was the promise Mr. Darcy had made.
Since it was now Monday a fortnight had officially passed and Elizabeth expected Mr. Darcy's visit.
After breakfast Elizabeth sat in the drawing room with her sisters and practically shook in anticipation.
"Jane," Mrs. Bennet called from the foyer, "Mr. Bingley is riding towards the house. Come here so that we can welcome him properly."
Elizabeth smiled at her mother's request. Although Mrs. Bennet had calmed considerably since the family meeting she was still an excitable woman.
"Oh there's someone else with him!"
Hearing her mother's words Elizabeth bolted from the drawing room to the foyer and threw open the front door.
"What in the world are you doing Elizabeth?," her mother asked in shock but Elizabeth hardly registered her words as she was utterly preoccupied watching Mr. Darcy dismount his horse.
"You're here," Elizabeth whispered blissfully to the man now standing in front of her.
"I'm here," Mr. Darcy said placing an affectionate kiss on Elizabeth's fingers.