Mr Bennet groaned. "My dear, that is not a comforting thought."
"It comforts me."
"It does quite the reverse for me."
"Then perhaps you are the one who requires the sea air."
That drew a reluctant laugh from him.
When it faded, Mrs Bennet was still looking out towards the water. "You know," she said after a while, "I think I should like to go home."
Mr Bennet turned towards her. "You would?"
"Yes."
"No arguments?"
"No."
"No elaborate schemes involving extended visits and conveniently placed gentlemen?"
Mrs Bennet smiled. "I am reformed."
"I do not believe that for a moment."
"Neither do I. But I should still like to go home."
For a little while neither spoke.
Then Mr Bennet said quietly, "You have been happier here."
Mrs Bennet was silent for a long moment. Then she said simply, "Yes."
The answer was simple enough to hurt. He stared out at the sea. "I was not always kind."
"No." There was no anger in it. Only truth.
After a moment she touched his sleeve very lightly. "You were not always cruel either."
The tide crept steadily towards them and for a long time neither moved.
Then at last Mr Bennet rose and offered her his arm. "Come along, Mrs Bennet."
She slipped her hand through it. "Are we going home, then?"
"Yes, my dear and I will do my very best to be a better man."
"And leave the young people to their fate?"
"I fear we may have no choice."
Mrs Bennet smiled. "No," she said. "I rather think we do not."
Together they turned back towards the the guesthouse.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mr Darcy woke earlier than usual and found, to his frustration, that his first thought was of Elizabeth Bennet.
