Elizabeth swallowed.
“I only saw him once after that, when he came to ask for money,” Mr. Bennet said, “He did not return again until the night Fanny was brought to bed, when he brought you. And then I never saw him again after that.”
Elizabeth felt her throat tighten. Mr. Bennet looked at her then, fully.
“And I failed him,” he said. “As I failed you.”
“Papa—”
He shook his head. “No. You must let me say it.”
His voice grew heavier.
“I panicked. I saw danger where perhaps there was none—or at least, none so immediate. I acted without thought, without reason, and in doing so, I hurt you.” He swallowed. “It is the worst decision I have ever made, and I shall regret it all my days.”
Elizabeth felt the sting of tears but forced them back.
“You did not drive me away,” she said softly. “I went where I wished to go.”
“At my hand,” he returned. “Do not spare me, Lizzy.”
She did not argue further.
After a moment, he continued, more composed, “I shall return to Hertfordshire tomorrow. Your mother must not be left alone with Lydia and Kitty for too long—or with Mary in her present state.”
Elizabeth could not help the faintest, wry breath at that. Then he looked at her again.
“She is to be married to Mr. Collins soon,” he said carefully. “Will you come?”
Elizabeth’s expression changed at once. “No,” she said, without hesitation.
Mr. Bennet’s shoulders lowered slightly. “She is your sister,” he said, though without force.
“She struck me,” Elizabeth replied, her voice steady but firm. “Not in a moment of temper, but with conviction. And she does not believe herself wrong.”
“No,” Mr. Bennet admitted quietly.
“And she will not apologize,” Elizabeth continued. “Because she sees no fault in her actions.”
Silence fell.
“I cannot stand beside her as though nothing has passed,” Elizabeth said more gently. “Whatever her intentions, what she did… I cannot accept it.”
Mr. Bennet nodded slowly, the sadness in his expression deepening. “I thought as much, but I had to ask.”
Elizabeth reached for his hand then, giving it a small, reassuring squeeze.
“I do not withdraw my affection from you,” she added softly. “But there are some things that cannot be overlooked.”
Mr. Bennet turned his hand to clasp hers briefly.
“I understand,” he said.
And though the words were quiet, Elizabeth knew they cost him a great deal to say.
∞∞∞
At luncheon, Elizabeth had scarcely taken her seat when Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned slightly forward, his expression carefully neutral—though his eyes held a hint of something more hopeful.
